Fehrly Ardimer pose for a souvenir photo with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. / Photo from Osmeña’s FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Fehrly Ardimer, 20, graduated with latin honors at Asian College of Technology on Friday, March 29.
Aside from the academic award that she received, Ardimer also got to share the most important day of her student life with no less than the mayor of Cebu City.
Ardimer who finished cum laude with a degree in elementary education at the Asian College of Technology, said that the mayor’s presence was already the most important gift that she received on her graduation day, aside from her college diploma.
Their meeting also allowed her to personally thank Osmeña for the city government’s help in ensuring that poor students like her are able to finish college.
“Mayor Tom thank you for everything (that) you’ve done. Dako kay kang parte sa among kinabuhi,” she told Osmeña during their brief meeting.
Ardimer recalled that her friendship with the mayor started when she finished high school in March 2015. Osmeña joined her graduation celebration on the invitation of mother, Aurelia, a Tabunan Barangay Councilor who was then serving her second term in office then. Aurelia was reelected for her third term in office in the October 2018 election.
During their first meeting, Osmeña asked if she wanted to become a government scholar and take up a college course of her choice for free?
Ardimer told Cebu Daily News Digital that she immediate grabbed the mayor’s offer and everything else was history.
Ardimer and her mother, Aurelia, during her graduation ceremonies. / Photo from Osmeña’s FB page
Surprise Visit
While they were having their graduation practice at about 10 a.m on March 27, Ardimer said she sent a text message to personally thank Osmeña for her scholarship grant and to inform him that she will be graduating cum laude.
“Hi Mayor Tom. This is Ferhly your scholar. (from Brgy Tabunan) Cum Laude ko Mayor. March 29 among graduation. Thank you kaayo sa tanan Mayor,” Ardimer said in message which she sent Osmeña.
The mayor replied to her message later in the afternoon to inform her that he will be attending her graduation rites.
Osmeña also posted a copy of Ardier’s text message on his Facebook page at around noontime on Friday, March 29, with the note: “I will be there Ferhly! On my way!”
Ardimer said that their graduation ceremonies, which started at 4 p.m. on Friday, was about to end when the mayor arrived at the ACT gymnasium. The mayor gamely posed with her for a souvenir photo during his brief stay.
Osmeña also posted photos of his surprise visit on his FB page.
As of 3 p.m. today, the mayor’s post generated at least 10,000 engagements, 523 comments and 231 shares. Among those who commented were other city scholars who personally thanked Osmeña for their college diploma which helped them land a good paying job.
Roj Gerra said that he used to be one of Osmeña’s scholars and now works as a teacher in California.
Another scholar, Niel Dindin Sunit, said he now a licensed marine engineer who works as a seaman.
Pamela Rose Evangelista asked Osmeña on FB if the city can also extend scholarship grants to those who wanted to get a masters degree and those who are enrolled in medical schools.
The Cebu City government releases cash subsidies to its scholars to help pay for their college tuition, books and other school needs.
Role Model
Ardimer is asking other government scholar and those who wanted to avail of the city’s free college education program to value the city government’s aid.
She said that being a government scholar is not easy. Aside from having to prove that you deserve the government’s help, you also have to serve as a “role model to everyone and not just to the (other) scholars.”
But at the same time it is also fulfilling because the scholarship grant allow scholars to better prepare for their future.
“To all scholars out there, laban lang gyud sa inyong mga pangandoy kay in the end kung magkugi gyud ta, we will reap the fruits of our hardworks and dedications. Don’t forget to pray and thank the Lord,” she said in an interview with CDN Digital.
After she completed her college education, Ardimer said that she is now a step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher. When she finds employment, it will already be her turn to also help her parents raise her three younger siblings. /dcb