MANILA — With her good performance in academics and the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Cadet 2nd Class Kricia Bico’s efforts paid off when she received financial aid worth PHP50,000 from the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP).
Bico, a student of St. Anthony’s College in San Jose, Antique, applied for the grant when her Community Development Council (CDC) director learned that her general average for the semester was 94 percent. They recommended that she try as they observed that she managed her time to study even with the reservist training on the side.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday, Bico bared that she keeps her grades higher than 88 percent so she could maintain the academic scholarship offered in her school.
She added that joining the ROTC did not come off as a distraction, but it inspired her to be goal-oriented and persevering.
“Both of my parents do not have stable jobs, so I give my best. I manage my time attentively. I always bear in mind that I should excel in school through any possible ways,” Bico said.
Last January 11, Region 6 (Western Visayas) CDC Commander Col. Reyes Alcon Magdamit turned over the cash grant to Bico for the school year 2019-2020.
Along with Cadet Bico, 13 others were accepted for the grant — Cadet Maj. John Baliaran of the University of the East; Cadet 2Lt. Arnel Ancheta of Isabela State University; Ara Jane Morta of Bicol State University; Cadet 2Lt. Jessa Bansuelos of Pagadian Capitol College; and Christine Albore of the University of Mindanao from the Army.
The Air Force, on the other hand, named Cadet. Lt. Col. Alvin Collarin of Cronasia Foundation College, Inc.; Cadet Col. Angela Decale of Western Mindanao State University; Cadet Maj. Ella Geanga of South East Asian Institute of Technology; and Loui Umpad of the Philippine State of College of Aeronautics.
Meanwhile, the Navy offered Cadet Commander Joshua Mellarpis of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University; Cadet Commander Beatrix Castillote of the Iloilo State College of Fisheries; Cadet Lt. Junior Grade Eljane Ponce of Iligan Capitol College; and Cadet Midshipwoman Jessica Telan of the University of Makati.
ROTC cadet officers are eligible for scholarship grants if their grades average 88 percent or higher. Those with an average of 94 percent or higher are awarded the CSAFP Scholarship.
Aside from scholarship grants, ROTC cadet officers are also provided with a PHP2,500 subsistence allowance of 15 days per semester.
Bico encouraged the incoming college freshmen to choose ROTC so they can avail of these benefits and to develop their potentials as dynamic leaders.
“This will serve as a stepping stone so that I can reach my goals in life. I’m hoping that one day, I will be a successful officer or military. If it is my destiny, I will accept it wholeheartedly,” she said.
ROTC is a way of life, Bico said.
“It is not just about marching and drills. We have to prove that ROTC officers are academically competitive, that we can be the best of what we can be. I have proven that. You can, too”, she added.