JAPAN-BOUND STUDENTS. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (right) talks to the scholars during the fellowship and farewell dinner before they left for Japan on Sunday night, March 17, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Capitol PIO)
BACOLOD CITY -- Ten incoming senior high school students from Negros Occidental flew to Japan on Sunday to pursue their studies under a three-year scholarship at Miyakonojo Higashi High School in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
The scholars comprise the second batch of Negrense students from various public schools in the province given the opportunity to study General Health and Automotive in the school based in southern Japan.
They are Reneleen Apatan of Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School in Silay City; Faustinne Mar Bulanon of Don Hilarion G. Gonzaga Memorial High School in Talisay City; Mark Amiel Doriman of Hinigaran National High School in Hinigaran; Zion Orven Gallo of Victorias National High School in Victorias City; Helena Grace Gasataya of Sagay National High School in Sagay City; Hans Philippe Gubaton of Cabacungan National High School in La Castellana; Trisha Mae Lucio of Julio Ledesma National High School in San Carlos City; Ranzel Magbanua of Eusebio Lopez Memorial Integrated School in Sagay City; Curly Joyce Palacios of Philippine Normal University-Visayas in Cadiz City; and Lorraine Tudillo of Binalbagan National High School in Binalbagan.
They were sent off by provincial officials led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Training Center Director Shigemi Watanabe during a fellowship and farewell dinner for the scholars held at OISCA-Bago Training Center in Bago City.
“Don’t forget to pray and ask God for guidance and strength. He has chosen you to be ambassadors of goodwill in Japan,” Marañon told the young scholars.
Lacson reminded the students to value the opportunity given to them and to be in their best behavior.
Watanabe said the first batch of students are doing very well and assured the parents of the scholars that Japan is a safe place for them to study and gain a good life experience.
The scholarship grant is being implemented through the provincial government’s Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP).
The students were accompanied by NOSP head Karen Dinsay and Special Programs and Concerns Division officer-in-charge April Duran during the trip.
The Province of Negros Occidental entered into a memorandum of understanding with Miyakonojo Higashi High School in June 2017 to provide educational opportunities to motivated and deserving Negrense high school students who aspire to study in Japan.
The provincial government provides financial support for the students’ other expenses while the school shoulders the full tuition, provides three-year full accommodation, ensures the scholars’ safety and security, and provides opportunity for further study after graduation. (PNA)
