Aemorie Jade Valderama

“Congratulations! You have been selected to receive the Eliahu Cedars Foundation, Inc, scholarship grant… “

I couldn’t even believe when I read that message sent to me by Tita Lina. I never thought I’ll one of the deserving scholars of this foundation, but looking back to all the experiences I faced before—I realized that everything happens for a reason.

Growing up with my family, I know that we are not very capable of sending 2 children to college, especially when pandemic came the burden just stacks. One time, my father told me that he saw a tarpaulin inside their workplace, he’s in peach blossom, a sewer. It was about the scholarship, so he took a picture of it and ask the HR about other information, then when he went home, he showed me. Did you know that I never wanted to apply? I never wanted because I couldn’t take a rejection and I was too lazy to accomplish all the requirements. Pandemic is just harsh—it is all the root of the sudden change of my perseverance.

My father always reminds me, finish this, finish that. And to make him stop, I just comply whatever’s needed. Until the day of the initial interview came, I will be honest that I was not prepared. I didn’t even feel a single courage or motivation inside. In addition to that is the other aspiring scholars that looks like they are eager to really pass the interview.

And when the form was given, I gathered myself to start it. I thought it will just be a written type of interview but all the blood in my head went down when they said that we will be interviewed by Tita Lina upstairs. When the other interviewees goes up and down, my mind was blank and thought I’ll just be spitting nonsense when I am asked. Tita Lina was very calm during the interview and all the tense inside me went down. It feels like we’re just casually talking that I even forgot that that is an interview.

After that, for some time, the final interview came and it was held online. Answering in that type of interview is very hard on my side because my family is listening. I took all the courage and answer them whole heartedly while my family listen.

There was also a home visitation that happened. I remember my whole family preparing for them to come, they even bought some drinks and bread. As for me, I prepared all the certificates I have and all the medals. It is my way of saying that ‘I am studying well, look at these’ type of thing. They arrived almost at 5 pm that time, they said that I live too far from my school and to the office, that’s why they took long to arrived. And when they are inside the house and saw my family, we sat down. My Grandparents and brother are also asked on what they want to wish for me. As a family who’s not very open to that kind of thing, they cried, I didn’t know if because everything is awkward and new to them or they just really wanted to let it out, but I am happy to hear those words from them. My Grandmother was the one who’s crying a lot when Tita Lina asks us some questions. I know they are just that proud of me and that they will never worry about me, not finishing college because they are there for me.

To be honest, as what I have said earlier, I didn’t think I’ll be here in my position, as one of the scholars of this foundation. I know we all have different hardships to deal, different stories to tell, and different life to live—but as scholars of this foundation, we became one, aspiring and pulling together up, and making room for others. We are not only given financial assistance, but also life lessons, skills, name it—we are practicing it. Giving back to others, sending off our graduates, and welcoming future scholars and I am glad to become a part of it.”