SM Scholars Aspire to Share the Gift of Education

"I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation."

These motivating sentiments are expressed by 18-year-old Princess Eunice Motel, a recipient of an SM scholarship who is currently furthering her education at the Philippine Normal University. She is one of two offspring of Hildajane, who works as an on-call factory re-packer, and Richard, who is employed as a set man, both originating from Caloocan City. Princess has nurtured her dream of becoming a teacher throughout her life, a goal firmly ingrained in her heart and mind since her early years. This sense of purpose grew even stronger when she embraced her Christian faith.

"My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church dedicated to teaching children about God's word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope, and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation," she said.

In pursuit of her aspirations, Princess has opted to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution. She spoke highly of PNU's reputation for nurturing outstanding teachers, saying, "PNU is well-known for its ability to cultivate exceptional educators. As I strive for greatness and excellence in my journey to become an educator, there's no better place to achieve that than at PNU."

Taking inspiration from her mother, Jhona Bolinas is following a path similar to her mother's by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but chose to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

Even though Jhona considered other career options, she ultimately decided on education, drawing motivation from her mother, who is also an educator. She explained, "By watching, observing, and listening to her, I gained a strong foundation." Fueled by her passion for reading and writing, she also selected English as her specialization.

When asked about her plans after graduation, Jhona is keeping her options open, acknowledging it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She elaborated, saying, "At the moment, my priority is to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision."

Another aspiring educator in the group is Krissa May Oquindo. Her father, the family's sole provider, works as a cable technician, while her mother dedicates her time to caring for the family. Krissa completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four State universities and ultimately decided to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), which is known for producing graduates highly sought after by employers, according to a recent survey.