I look back 35 years ago, on the RMHS quadrangle and I could see the innocent young man that I was – unsure of myself, much more, of my future. Majority of the RMHS students are poor, but only in a few material way. Being poor was a thrust upon us, it is not of our choosing. Poverty is indeed humbling, but only becomes humiliating when we embrace it, when we refuse to release ourselves from its clutches, when we resign ourselves to wallow in self-pity.
The Alumni Tree Scholarship Project, through the generous donors, provides an avenue for these under privileged students to excel and seek their rightful place in the sun. Talent, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence will be rewarded. If Dr. Jose Rizal was born poor, would he have achieve his greatness? or would he been relegated to some unknown farm and condemned to die in obscurity? The financial aid that the Alumni Tree provides, though modest, is substantial. That’s a few pesos more which will enable these students to come school. Poverty should not prevent these deserving students from pursuing their dreams.
The future is always uncertain, much more for students under the shadow of poverty. They look with eyes of great foreboding and anxiety. With the generous donors, the Alumni Tree will give these students a glimmer of hope that will shine in their innermost beings.
One day, these scholars will be the pillars of the community, who will pay forward the rewards of this noble project to the next generation. The students look up to the Alumni Tree with eyes full of hope. We, the donor alumni, will never pass that road of our high school days again. But looking down from the branches of the Alumni Tree, the view is one of awe and wonder.
Thank You.
I am sure all of us will agree that education plays a critical role in everyone’s lives. High school in particular, which is at the crossroads of the transition from youth to adult life, makes a lasting impression on both the academic and emotional development of an individual that guides him through the rest of his life.
Ramon Magsaysay High School is certainly one of the best if not the best public educational institutions providing this critical development role, especially to deserving but under privileged students. It has always advocated a “culture of excellence” which today continues to reap awards for both the students and the school in a very meaningful way. This is clearly evident in the quality of the graduates it has produced and the many success stories and fulfilling careers it has generated among its alumni, both in the public and the private sectors.
In gratitude for all these, we have responded with “Kinabukasan Mo,… Sagot Ko!”, a scholarship program targeting promising, academically proficient, socially involved and under privileged students. It is our way of giving back or paying it forward – to the students and the school – what we have reaped by way of success through the years, which we owe in no small way to the institution from which we have graduated.
It is in this context that we call on all alumni and other generous benefactors and sponsors who share our vision to support this worthy undertaking . Our condition to the program is an investment in someone Else’s future.
Thank you for your support.
from a Seed of A dream to a tree:
The Alumni Tree Project
by: Cesar Agtarap, Batch 1976
The dream for a better future is the seed that gave birth to the Alumni Tree Project (ATP). When i first envisioned this, the goal was two-fold; first is to help the indigent but deserving RMHS students, and second, to celebrate the accomplishments of the alumni.
There are many alumni here and abroad who have distinguished themselves in various fields. We have generals in our armed forces, top leaders in the business sector, doctors, dentists, lawyers, nurses, artists, etc. The list is endless but the common denominator that binds us all is our Alma matter. Their success should be celebrated, and should be looked upon as an inspiration for our students. Most of them have overcome economic struggles through high school, as most of our present day students encounter here today.
However, inspirations, noble as they are, cannot provide the real and tangible financial needs of these students. The ATP aims to provide that financial help. It may not be much, but it is enough for them to make it through another day, because each day forward brings them closer to their ultimate goal.
Right now, we have 68 scholars in all, 41 in High Schools and 27 in College. One day, these students will become solid citizens, pillars, and leaders in their communities. We can only ask them to look back and pay it forward.