Psychology graduates from Laguna College of Business and Arts in Calamba City, Laguna, expressed gratitude to Senator Bong Go for being instrumental in finishing their studies, as the veteran legislator personally met them recently.
Maria Geraldine Gimao and Luisa Intia, who now both hold degrees in Bachelor of Science in Psychology, were Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholars who benefited from the agency’s national program through the support of Go.
Gimao earned Cum Laude honors, while Intia received an Academic Achiever award.
As a seasoned lawmaker, the senator consistently pushes for sufficient funding so that CHED can continue helping thousands of students like Gimao and Intia, both from low-income families, as they strive for a better future.
“Graduate na siya (Gimao) ng BS Psychology sa Laguna College of Business and Arts. Isa po siyang iskolar at nakaka proud po na halos schoolmate sila ng anak niya. OFW ang asawa niya at mayroon silang tatlong anak. Graduate na siya ngayon. Hindi lang basta’t graduate. Nakapagtapos siya ng Cum Laude,” he noted.
“Mahirap ‘yung achievement ni Maria Geraldine kasi malayo sa asawa, at may tatlong anak, pero nagawa niyang gumraduate na Cum Laude.”
“Mahirap ‘yung achievement ni Maria Geraldine kasi malayo sa asawa, at may tatlong anak, pero nagawa niyang gumraduate na Cum Laude. Nakakaproud na magkaroon ng isang iskolar na Cum Laude.” Go added.
In an email, Gimao had invited Go to attend her graduation and personally place her medal, sharing that her husband, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), could not come home due to the high cost of airfare.
Deeply moved by her story, Go made time to meet her and congratulate her in person at a restaurant in Manila, recognizing not only her academic achievement but also her resilience as a mother of three who returned to school to pursue a college degree.
Gimao went back to her studies 14 years after graduating from high school, and it took 18 years for her to finally secure her hard-earned diploma.
Her journey began when she approached Go’s team during his Super Health Center inspection in Calamba City, Laguna, on February 5, 2024, seeking scholarship assistance. Along with several classmates, Gimao was granted support from CHED and became a scholar for six semesters.
According to her, the scholarship became their lifeline, enabling them to continue their studies without interruption.
“Ito ay isang halimbawa ng very hardworking mother at the same time, very hardworking student. Tularan po natin si Maria Geraldine. I’m so proud. Congratulations din po sa buong batch,” Go said.
“Ang edukasyon, dala-dala niyo ‘yan hanggang sa pagtanda ninyo.”
“Sa mga kabataan, tandaan niyo, kayo ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan at ang edukasyon, dala-dala niyo ‘yan hanggang sa pagtanda ninyo,” he added.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, Go has consistently pushed for policies that strengthen the education sector while prioritizing the welfare of students.
These include Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which he co-authored and co-sponsored to provide financial relief to students with outstanding loans during calamities.
Go also co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, also known as the Institutionalization of the Alternative Learning System Act, which ensures access to education for out-of-school and disadvantaged youth.
In addition, he also filed Senate Bill No. 514, which seeks to amend RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, to further refine the Tertiary Education Subsidy and ensure assistance reaches students who need it most.
“Asahan ninyo na patuloy nating susuportahan ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga kabataan, na nais makapagtapos. Ang edukasyon ay puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng bawat pamilya at ng ating bansa,” Go concluded.
