The #MyTEStimony Photo Contest, conducted in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), aimed to showcase the success stories and experiences of Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries through the art of photography. Centered around the theme “Inspirasyon ng Kuwentong TES,” the contest encouraged students to share their inspiring narratives and images as TES grantees, aiming to motivate their peers to pursue higher education despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. The contest awarded one grand winner and two runners-up each from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Grand Winner
Mangaoang, Troy
Integrated Innovation and Hospitality College
This picture is of me when I'm about to give up. I started asking myself how I was going to finish my studies if we lacked money. My family is just doing their job to give us our daily needs until UniFAST lends me a hand and offers me a full scholarship that can help me cover my tuition until I graduate.
Thank you so much, Landbank and UniFAST, for providing us with this opportunity to pursue our dreams; we will do everything we can to make the impossible a reality. For those students who are struggling right now, just wait. Your time will come! You will get the life that you want someday; just don't give up on the life that you have right now! May God give you more blessings to lend more hands to those who are in need.
1st Runner Up
Surial, Andrian
National Teachers College
TES became the light when we needed it the most. The light that shines to be our guide, a stepping stone, and a reminder that we are moving forward towards our dreams.
Life was hard before being part of TES. As a working student and away from my parents’ support, I needed to work to pay my school expenses and to satisfy my hunger. Because of TES and everyone behind it, I can now foresee a brighter future that awaits all the grantees.
2nd Runner Up
Cortez, Lorena
Cavite State University
Nahinto, nagpatuloy, naging iskolar ng bayan. Labing-isa kaming magkakapatid, kahit isa, walang nakapagtapos dahil sa kahirapan. Ngunit dahil sa paniniwala ko na ang edukasyon ang magpapabago ng iyong buhay, nagpursigi ako magpatuloy kahit matagal na nahinto sa pag-aaral.
At dahil sa TES program, nabibili ko ang aking mga pangangailangan sa aking pag-aaral lalo na ngayong online class. Pangarap ko lang noon, magiging titser na ngayon.
I'm a proud TES grantee!
Grand Winner
Mariano, John Ace
Divine Word College of San Jose
Ako'y isang mag-aaral na puno ng pangarap sa buhay, nangangarap na balang araw ay masilayan ang matamis na mga ngiti ng aking magulang. Mula sa kanilang maaliwalas na mukha habang suot ang itim na toga at kapit-kapit ang mahiwagang diploma; ngiting walang katumbas na tanging kaligayahan ng bawat TESkolar.
Kaya't sa mga kapwa ko TESkolar, tayo'y magpatuloy sa paghakbang ng ating mga paa, sabay-sabay nating mararating ang tagumpay ng pangarap at pagbabago ng ating buhay.
#ProudTESkolar
1st Runner Up
Marfil, Darwin
Southern Masbate Roosevelt College
No one and nothing can hinder a man from achieving something that he puts his heart intently upon. A poor man can dream, can’t he? Only his faithful 3-wheeled companion knows.
Time and circumstance will never tell, but his determination and courage will.
2nd Runner Up
Acosta, Imee
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Hindi ganoon kadali ang pagkamit sa mga pangarap, lalo na kung walang mapagkukunan ng suportang pinansyal. Ito na ang huli kong sagwan patungo sa aking pangarap na makapagtapos sa pag-aaral. Maraming pagsubok ang aking tinahak sa napili kong landas, ngunit sa kabila nito ang mas maraming rason upang ako ay magpatuloy sa pagsabay sa agos ng buhay kolehiyo.
Grand Winner
Leopardas, Maribel
Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College
Sa kalagitnaan nang pakikipagsapalaran at pagsagwan sa isang mapanghamong laot, bumulusok ang isang suportang pinansyal sa mga koliheyong mag-aaral, ang Tertiary Education Subsidy o TES. Ito ay naging tulay tungo sa pag-abot na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral na pinapangarap ng lahat.
Isang kagalakan ang mapabilang sa mga masuwerteng nakakatanggap nito dahil ito ay naging susi at gabay sa pagtahak sa daan ng aking pangarap.
1st Runner Up
Flores, Rodel
Bohol Island State University
The dimmer the light, the more we should strive for a future that is bright.
2nd Runner Up
Berdin, Marvie Ann
St. Anthony's College
Heavenly shaken by the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic which led to a massive darkness all over the world - poverty rises as more people were affected by the current situation. As a working student, who is independently supporting myself in every way I can. TES has been a great help to me in supporting my education. TES Scholarship serves as my ray of light and hope during my darkest journey in life, the reason why I'm becoming a step closer to my dreams.
Grand Winner
Dacay, Danica
Mindanao State University
I’m a daughter of a fisherman. My father has been braving heavy ocean waves and horrifying weather for the survival of our family while holding onto his dream of a better life for us. When I skated through college, I am deeply grateful to have been part of the TES program it filled me with positivity, gave me hope by removing my financial barriers, and allowed me to provide my educational needs without worrying about student loan debt.
1st Runner Up
Enomar, Mark Daryl
JHCSC (Dumingag Campus)
"Pain, Penny, and Pen." Hands that carry stories of hope and love, adorned with calluses, stain, mud, wrinkles and pain. Each adornment laid the history of hard work and story of tears. Despite of all hardship, disappointment, rejection, injustices and discrimination, I did not stop pursuing the dream of being a teacher. take those negativities as motivation to strive hard, make a difference, and surprise people the result of my consistent determination- that the mere peasant is soon to be a professional teacher.
2nd Runner Up
Pantuhan, Rodel
As a student living in a province it's very hard to learn amidst this pandemic because I need to look for a better internet connection. I even need to climb a tall tree just to have good signal for online class.
Despite the challenges, I remain self-determined for my dreams... With the help of TES program, I will be able to prioritize my needs without having to worry about my financial problems.