Written by Dahlia Soriano and Gloria Nacua
“This scholarship is more than financial assistance—it is a reminder that hard work, perseverance, and faith can open doors to opportunities that change lives.”
These heartfelt words from Michelle Angelica Yesha S. Gatchalian, a fourth-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in English student and Rotary Scholar for Academic Year 2025–2026, capture the transformative impact of educational support on the lives of aspiring teachers. More than easing financial burdens, the scholarship became a source of hope, confidence, and motivation during one of the most demanding stages of her teacher education journey.
At the University of Baguio, student success extends beyond academic instruction. Through the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) and its Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Program, the University remains committed to ensuring that deserving students are provided with opportunities to complete their education despite financial challenges. This commitment reflects the University’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which promotes equitable access to quality tertiary education and the preparation of competent and qualified teachers for the future.
Michelle’s journey illustrates how meaningful support can transform aspirations into reality. As the eldest child in her family, she carried responsibilities beyond her studies. She balanced academic requirements with part-time work while helping support her family. With her mother working overseas to provide for the family while caring for an ailing parent and her father’s employment remaining unstable, Michelle persevered by saving her allowances, accepting part-time jobs, and actively seeking educational assistance to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher.
Her opportunity came when Dr. Antonio D. Mangaliag, Dean of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, through Dr. Dahlia D. Soriano, Program Chair of the Bachelor of Secondary Education Program, informed qualified fourth-year students about the Rotary Scholarship. Motivated by determination and hope, Michelle applied and became one of the scholarship recipients. The financial assistance enabled her to pay her tuition fees and support the expenses required during her final demonstration teaching, including instructional materials and other academic requirements, allowing her to focus on developing the competencies expected of a future professional educator.
The University likewise acknowledges the generosity of the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital, under the leadership of its President, Mr. Paraiso R. Bautista, whose commitment to supporting future educators continues to create life-changing opportunities for deserving students. Michelle also expressed her sincere gratitude to Mr. Jumel Oliver Salva for his guidance and warm assistance throughout the scholarship process and to Ms. Gloria P. Nacua for her patience in reminding scholars of important requirements and deadlines. Together with the support of Dr. Mangaliag and Dr. Soriano, these collaborative efforts exemplify how partnerships between educational institutions and community organizations can remove barriers to education and empower future professionals.
This collaborative initiative reflects not only SDG 4 (Quality Education) but also SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by expanding educational opportunities for students facing financial constraints, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by demonstrating how meaningful partnerships between the University of Baguio and the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital can create sustainable support systems for future educators.
More importantly, this initiative embodies the vision of Project BEACON CARE (Building Competent, Advocative, and Resilient Educators through Holistic Student Engagement and Support Systems), the flagship curriculum innovation initiative of the BSED Program under Project BEACON 2.0 (Becoming Empowered Advocates of Competence and Outcomes through Nurturing Learning Communities). Project BEACON CARE recognizes that preparing quality teachers requires more than excellent instruction. It requires holistic support that addresses students’ academic, financial, emotional, and professional needs. By integrating scholarship opportunities, mentoring, wellness initiatives, research engagement, and professional development into one cohesive support ecosystem, the program ensures that no deserving future educator is left behind because of financial hardship.
Michelle’s story exemplifies the transformative impact of this student-centered approach. Her journey demonstrates how investing in one future teacher ultimately creates opportunities for countless learners whose lives will one day be shaped by her classroom. As she reflected, she hopes “to one day give back and become a blessing to others just as the Rotary Club became a blessing” to her.
Through initiatives anchored on Project BEACON CARE, the University of Baguio continues to advance the Sustainable Development Goals by investing in future educators who will champion quality, equitable, and inclusive education. By empowering aspiring teachers today, the University is helping build stronger schools, more resilient communities, and a more sustainable future for generations to come.
