Executive Secretary Ralph Recto turned to family history as he urged a hundred Presidential Scholars in Dumaguete City to persevere in their studies, telling them that education can change not only one life, but the course of an entire family.
Speaking before the scholars, Recto recalled the story of his grandfather, the late statesman Claro M. Recto, who grew up at a time when students had fewer opportunities and schools lacked even basic facilities.
Yet despite those limitations, he said, Claro Recto, whose mother was a teacher, worked hard in school and developed a deep love for reading — habits that would eventually shape his future.
“And because he strived hard, nag-aral nang mabuti, mahilig magbasa, he became one of the brightest Filipinos,” the ES said.
Claro M. Recto would later go on to become a congressman, senator, government official and successful lawyer, building a career that left a lasting mark on public life. But for Recto, the significance of that journey was not only in the titles his grandfather earned, but in the generations that benefited from his commitment to learning.
“And because of that, for three generations, hanggang sa amin ngayon, napakinabangan ko ’yung ginawa niya. So that’s how it changed our family,” he said.
Recto’s message to the scholars was simple: what they do now may shape lives far beyond their own. The effort they put into school, he said, could one day open doors for their children and grandchildren, much as education did for his own family.
“So I’m sure that many of you will have a similar story in the future,” Recto said.
The gathering also underscored the scale of the government’s education push. He said the Marcos administration is spending close to P1 trillion on education this year, benefiting around 30 million students nationwide. About 25 million of those are enrolled from kindergarten to high school, while another five million are in college and programs under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Of that number, about 200,000 students are expected to benefit from the Presidential Scholars program, with each scholar receiving about P20,000 in assistance.
Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, who joined Recto in meeting the Presidential Scholars, thanked the Marcos Administration for prioritizing education and helping the LGUs bring support closer to deserving students across the province.
Recto said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants Filipino families, especially in every barangay, to have at least one college graduate, describing education as one of the country’s strongest tools against poverty.
“Sa kada barangay, the vision of the President is that all families should have a college graduate,” he explained.
