2 Fil-Ams win college scholarships from young professionals group

WATCH: YFPA video by Vic Valbuena Bareng / INQUIRER.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Two graduating high school students received college scholarships from the Young Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) at awards ceremonies May 9 at the Philippine Consulate.

Now on its second year, the YFPA college scholarship program gave $2,500 to each of the winners, Precious Listana of the Tenderloin district in San Francisco and Jerold Yu of the South of the Market Area (SOMA).

Having two winners this year was a step up from having only one awardee last year, and with a higher monetary value after more supporters donated more funds at a gala the group had early this year.

YFPA Scholarship Director Alan Paredes, scholars Jerold Yu and Precious Listana pose with YFPA President Rex Ryan Magadia. PHOTOS BY JUN NUCUM

President Rex Ryan Magadia led YFPA directors and members in thanking supporters for the scholarships awarded to the two deserving students. “We are privileged to give Jerold and Precious the recognition and confidence that they are going to need plenty of to succeed in their careers and beyond,” Magadia stated.

Speaking for the consulate, community affairs Consul Carlyn Monastrial, the keynote speaker, commended the scholars for having “a clear vision of your future.”

“YFPA has chosen you for your excellence in academics, your leadership skills and your civic involvement with the Filipino community. While I congratulate you on your achievements, let this serve as a gentle reminder that Filipinos back in the Philippines also need your skills and expertise. Try to see how you can contribute to the development of the Philippines too,” reminded Monastrial.

Precious Listana is a Bicolana who immigrated to the United States when she was eight and lives in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. She has been deeply involved with the Filipino community ever since she can remember.

“I have been with community, especially the non-profit my dad started, the Tenderloin Filipino-American Community Association, and we organized a lot of Filipinos there. I try my best every day to help the young people through community events, tutoring in the boys and girls club and anything I can do to help, I put my hands on.”

She is now a senior at Sacred Heart Cathedral and will start her college courses in Applied Mathematics at the University of California in Berkeley.

Listana said winning the YFPA scholarship was overwhelming. “And I am humbled and grateful that there are Filipinos who believe in me, in my potentials and capabilities. And I know that the money will be used for the right reason—for my college—because my dream is to really is to get a PhD.,” Listana vowed.

She added that she wants to return to her community and expose the youths to educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, and also make District 6 of San Francisco safer for all.

Awardee Jerold Yu, graduating student of Galileo High School, came from Quezon City in 2002 and has lived in the south of the market area (SOMA). He attended Bessie Carmichael Elementary School and is a core member of the youth-led Youth Organizing Home and Neighborhood Association (YOHANA), which strives to mold future leaders through leadership-building and political awareness.

As a YOHANA leader, Yu spoke in front of City Hall to demand an increase in the minimum wage and the passage of the Housing Balance Act. He will start attending Stanford University in the fall of 2015.

“I feel really honored. I know Precious is really smart too, so to be in the same scholarship is cool. My advice to all immigrants is to get involved with the community and really explore the options that are given to them like what I did. I took advantage of the programs in the community. And they have really helped me,” Yu explained.

“Go after what you want. Pursue your passion, be resourceful, take advantage that are given to you, take nothing for granted and really prioritize your education,” Yu added.

Community Affairs Consul Carlyn Monastrial congratulating scholarship awardees and the sponsoring Young Filipino Professionals Association.

Listana and Yu are just two of the 11 applicants who underwent screenings before they were considered for the scholarship.

”For students to be eligible for scholarship, they should be college-bound, graduating high school senior students, attending high school within a 50-mile radius of San Francisco, a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher and have been accepted to a four-year college at the time that the scholarship awarding is held.

“They are also required to write an essay on how they are able to make an impact in the community as they are also expected to be involved in the Filipino community,” stated Lydia Neff, YFPA Marketing and Communications director. She added that Listana and Yu can use the scholarship for expenses such as books and other things that can help them through college.

YFPA Scholarship Director Alan Paredes commended the two scholars, who have shown exemplary school performance and a long list of achievements besides also being leaders in their respective neighborhoods.

“There are plans to make the award even larger and have more recipients than two,” Paredes revealed of their plan in the next years. Towards this end, Neff stressed the need to improve the group’s relationship with the community and prospective partners in the business community.

“We raised money by having the gala in February, when we invited our partner organizations to participate and basically fill the tables for dinner and entertainment,” disclosed Neff.

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