Eat, Bulaga! scholars continue chasing dreams
A year after receiving their college diplomas, scholars of Eat, Bulaga! are forging ahead with their chosen careers.
Back in 2009, in celebration of its 30th anniversary, the show launched Eat, Bulaga! Excellent Student Awards or EBest Awards. The program provides not only full scholarship grants, but also monthly allowances and cash assistance.
One of the scholars is Isah Clarise Lilia, an AB Political Science graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
A daughter of a carpenter and a housewife, Isah Clarise finished her degree in 2017 with Latin Honors and is now a first-year law student. “Because of the show, I was able to continue my education without worrying where to get my tuition or my allowance.”
Bulacan native Angelica Nieva also received her diploma last year from Bulacan State University. She said that watching Eat, Bulaga inspired her to take up AB Mass Communication major in Broadcast Journalism.
“Even before I was given the scholarship grant, I was already fascinated with television production,” she said. “Then when I had the opportunity to watch the show live in Broadway, I said to myself that one day, I would work in the same industry.” Angelica now works as an online English teacher and plans to pursue her media career in the future. She’s also the breadwinner of her family. Other EBest graduates are Melvin Dugan from Taguig City and Grace Angela Pocyoy from Benguet. Melvin graduated cum laude from Jose Rizal University with a degree in Business Administration, while Angela finished Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in Math. Among the 2018 EBest graduates are Eries Isiderio (BS Education, Capiz State University), Jannelle Ivine Atencio (BS Elementary Education, PUP), Diana Lou Bautista (BS Secondary Education, Palawan State University), Justine Bulan (BS Information Technology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa), Sheryl Calay (BS Secondary Education, Romblon State University), Mark Louie Castaneda (AB Political Science, Araullo University), Jerard Castro (BS Education Major in Math, Central Mindanao University), Kurt Hostallero (BS Secondary Education, Batanes State College), Jason Intano (BS Accountancy, PUP).