TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - - Fernando V. Abanto,  a recipient of the Overseas Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Dependents Scholarship Program and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), ranked third in the February 2024 Criminologists Licensure Examination. 

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Abanto said he is grateful to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and CHED, as the stipends he was receiving from the two programs paved the way for him to finish his studies.

“Sobrang laking tulong po ng pagiging scholar ko ng OWWA. Alam naman po nating lahat na isa sa kinakaharap na problem ng isang estudyante ay yung pinansiyal. Ang OWWA ang nagbabayad ng tuition ko sa school. Hindi ko po ma-express sa words kung gaano ako nagpapasalamat sa OWWA,” Abanto shared.

(My OWWA scholarship was very helpful during my studies. We all know that one of the problems faced by a student is the financial aspect. OWWA pays my school tuition. I cannot express in words how grateful I am to OWWA.)

Abanto, whose mother is an OFW in Abu Dhabi, was receiving P10,000 every semester.

Aside from being an OWWA scholar, he was also receiving financial assistance from CHED through the Merit Scholarship Program to cover his other school fees.

Abanto is one of the pioneer graduates of the criminology program at Saint Joseph’s College in Baggao, Cagayan.

“While you're still studying, do your best and work hard. Build a strong foundation,” Abanto advised students and scholars, saying that they should not take the scholarships given to them for granted.

At present, he teaches as a full-time instructor at Saint Joseph’s College, intending to inspire his students to strive hard for their families. (OTB/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)