In a world often divided by circumstance, there are rare moments that shine through history as triumphs of hope—and this year, Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) celebrates one such moment.

The university marked a historic milestone during its 47th Commencement Exercises, as the first batch of graduates from the Affirmative Action Program proudly walked the stage, transforming years of hardship into academic victory. 

Held on May 6 and 7 at the BiPSU gymnasium, five pioneering scholars, including Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and underprivileged youth, fulfilled dreams that were once shadowed by poverty.

Launched in the Academic Year 2021–2022, the Affirmative Action Program is a benevolent initiative spearheaded by BiPSU’s President Dr. Victor Catigbe Cañezo, Jr. and proposed to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office VIII—an undertaking not previously advanced by any other SUC president in the region. It was never merely a financial aid scholarship, it was a movement. It is an emphatic institutional effort aimed to level the academic playing field for students often overlooked by privilege: IPs, persons with disabilities, and youth from economically depressed areas.

Amid the sweeping inequalities of higher education in the country, this initiative emerged as a bold answer to an urgent question: “What if we removed the barriers and believed in their potential?”

This year, that belief has come full circle.

Among the program beneficiaries who have successfully graduated, two have officially earned degrees in Bachelor of Science in Criminology, namely John Paradas and Judith Bernaldo; two with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, who are Ernesto Amen Jr. and Jay Sonet; and one with a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree, in the person of Donna Abrigo.

Each of them once bore the weight of money deprivation, social stigma, and impossible odds. Now, they carry black togas, laurel medals, cap tassels, and life-defining victories.

For Abrigo, the journey from saleslady to scholar to graduate has been nothing short of transformative. The Affirmative Action Program has been a “tremendous help” as it served as a bridge from her journey of being a simple sales clerk to becoming a proud graduate of the School of Teacher Education, which brings her closer to the future she’d always envisioned.

“The scholarship offered me more than just financial help, it also gave me hope and encouragement,” said Abrigo in an interview. “As an IP, I once thought my dreams were out of reach, yet, BiPSU gave me the chance to pursue my passion for education and reminded me that no dream is ever too big when you’re given the right support.”

She added that without the program’s assistance, managing her academics alongside financial struggles would have been tough. It truly created opportunities for her and allowed her to concentrate on studies.

“I am deeply honored and forever grateful to have encountered this scholarship in my life. I entered BiPSU full of dreams, and now I leave with the knowledge and confidence to pursue them,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Sonet, another IP graduate, expressed how the scholarship program has helped him to be able to graduate. “It carried me through college, thanks to the benefits it provided—especially the ₱2,500 monthly allowance that covered my daily expenses,” he said. “But most importantly, the free dormitory accommodation made a huge difference as renting a boarding house can be costly, and having a place to stay without that financial burden was one of the scholarship’s most valuable contributions to my college journey.”

The graduation ceremony is a moment not just for Abrigo and Sonet, but for their entire community, especially the Mamanwa tribe, as living proof that education can truly transcend walls.

Without a doubt, the Affirmative Action Program was born not from charity, but from commitment to justice. It is a recognition that talent exists in every corner of society, and that opportunity must, too. Through BiPSU’s visionary efforts, Filipino youths from remote barangays, mountain communities, and struggling households have been given not just a scholarship—but a lifeline.

For communities that have been on the margins for generations, this initiative has sparked belief that education is possible, and that their children belong in classrooms, laboratories, and offices.

In a message, President Dr. Cañezo, Jr. lauded the graduation of the scholars as a proud and defining moment for the institution. “This achievement affirms our core belief that education must be inclusive and empowering; and these graduates are not only proof of what access and opportunity can achieve, but are also powerful reminders that excellence exists in every community when given the chance,” he stated. “At BiPSU, we remain deeply committed to breaking down barriers and uplifting every learner who dares to dream.”

With the first batch graduating, they carry more than degrees but a message: That affirmation breeds transformation. That given the chance, marginalized youth can rise, shine, and succeed.

That access, when paired with support and trust, can change entire life trajectories.

This is not the end of a story; it is the dawn of a new chapter. As Abrigo shared, “Graduating is just the beginning for me to become an educator who can make a meaningful impact in our community.” When these graduates step into the professional world, they do so not only with hope but with the responsibility to uplift others, just as they were uplifted.

In the Philippines where many are still torn between choosing “diploma o diskarte,” BiPSU's Affirmative Action Program answers: “Why not both—and more?”

Because when we invest in equity, we don’t just educate students; we change lives, break generational poverty cycles, and ignite the future of entire communities.

#WoWBiPSU

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No. 4: Quality Education, No. 10: Reduced Inequalities, No. 1: No Poverty, and No. 5: Gender Equality.]