Marlon Baldago 
Samar State University graduate and Tertiary Education Subsidy grantee Reynan Labong engaged in a conversation earlier today, February 2, 2024, with Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, at his residence in Brgy. Lagundi, Catbalogan City.
Additionally, the CHEDRO VIII Director Dr. Maximo Aljibe, SSU President Dr. Marilyn Cardoso, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Felisa Gomba, and Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Gina Españo and other officials of both CHED and the university were present in the home visit.
From a poverty-stricken family of eleven, Labong, a Bachelor of Secondary Education – Social Studies graduate shared with Chairperson de Vera that he initially planned to quit college from the onset of his freshman year due to financial constraints and other difficulties such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but managed to pull through the first year.
Although dealt with a bad hand, he wanted to finish college to provide proper medical attention for his older brother who was then hospitalized but died ultimately.
Consequently, he wanted to quit college for the second time, but upon seeing his name on the official list of the TES grantees, which was released one week after the death of his brother, he decided to pursue his degree and turn grief into inspiration.
To which Chairperson de Vera replied with his sympathies saying how he knows the difficulty Labong must have faced, “Baka ‘yun ‘yung message ng Diyos, kaya dumating ‘yung ano [grant,]” the Secretary added.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with The Tradesman on the same day, Labong narrated how the TES grant secured his college and household finances that allowed him to continue his studies.
“In terms han amon needs like food, dako an nahibulig han TES kay nakakapag-grocery ak hadto ngan napo-provide ko an akon karuyag, ngan because of TES, also nakapalit ak laptop ngan netbook, ngan nagkamay-ada ak nak first investment which is nakapalit ak lote,” he said.
When asked by the The Tradesman if he would have been able to continue his studies without the grant, he replied, “Siguro diri na talaga ak hadto mag-proceed pag-college kay tungod han kakuri-an, like as in kun waray an TES bagan I’ll consider myself a failure. An TES kumbaga an naging bridge para makuha ko an degree na may-ada ak yana.”
Furthermore, in his sit-down conversation with Chairperson de Vera, he expressed his aspirations for his upcoming Licensure Examination for Teachers this March 17, saying he is aiming to top the boards.
“Please continue your education and get that degree, ipaglaban niyo yung degree niyo because isa rin po ako sa [mga] nangarap and natulungan ni Sir Popoy, ng CHED at ng UniFAST na makapagtapos sa aking pag-aaral,”
urged Labong, ending the interview with Chairperson de Vera.
