By Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondent

The holiday season became brighter for MMSU College of Teacher Education (CTE) students by introducing two new scholarship grants during its Christmas Lighting Celebration on December 11, formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with alumni and donors. The Maximilla Pangaliman Raquino Scholarship and a one-time financial aid grant from Federico Acob will assist 18 students this year, helping ease their financial challenges and enabling them to focus on their goal of becoming educators.

Named after Maximilla Pangaliman Raquino, an alumna of the Ilocos Norte Normal School (Batch 1958), the scholarship provides financial aid to eight scholars annually. Each student receives Php 5,000 per semester for four years, supporting a total of 32 students across the eight degree programs of CTE. Spearheaded by the benefactor’s daughter, Dr. Estrella Raquino-Pacis—who is also a retired MMSU professor and former college secretary—the program aims to reduce financial barriers for students from low-income households.

The recipients of this scholarship are Ma. Danaiah Deus (BEEd), Steward Delos Santos (BSEd), Elija Galvico (BECEd), Rhaine Pascua (BSNEd), Sean Kairo Barrozo (BPEd), Chylyn Blasico (BCAEd), Rishel Mae Labasan (BTLEd), and Jealliane Garcia (BTVTEd).

During the same event, Mr. Federico Acob, a 1970 alumnus of the Northern Luzon Teachers College, announced a one-time financial grant to further support CTE students. Ten deserving students pursuing a Bachelor of Elementary Education were selected, each receiving Php 5,000. The beneficiaries of Mr. Acob’s grant are Chrystel Jhanne Barruga, Erika Manuel, Catherine Orque, Jamaica Agtagma, Rizza Mae Manuel, Rizza Rose Cajudoy, Hanelyn Marcos, Edmarie Aquino, Trixie Bonoan, and Jolyn Natasha Adzuara.

Present at the MoA signing ceremony were MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco, Vice President for Administration and Finance Oscar Agpaoa, CTE Dean Aris Reynold Cajigal, CTE Planning and Development Coordinator and Alumni Relations Head Fe Erlinda Ibalio, CTE College Secretary and Scholarship Coordinator Madeline Fernando, and Chief of Scholarships and Financial Assistance Jahnese Asuncion.

These two new scholarships further expand the growing list of private-sponsored grants available to CTE students, helping ease their path to achieving educational goals.

In November, MMSU partnered with the Normalites of Hawaii to distribute stipends for the Albarracin Scholarships and the MMSU Batch 84 CTE Bright Scholarship. These partnerships highlight the unwavering support of MMSU alumni for students, particularly those pursuing careers in education.