23/09/2026
THREE CHAPTERS. ONE FAMILY. ONE DREAM. 🎓💙
- Jan-Niño Bargado Quiming
Some dreams begin with one person.
Ours began with one, and continued through three.
In 1996, our story began with our mother, Merlita Bargado Quiming, a young woman who chose to pursue education despite the hardships that came with it. As a CICM scholar, her weekdays were devoted to being a student. She studied at school, spent time in the library, stayed in the dormitory, and found quiet moments in church.
But when the weekend came, being a student did not mean resting.
She went home to work in the rice and corn fields. She sold products and even did laundry for her classmates just to earn enough for her daily needs and for the school week ahead.
A student on weekdays.
A farmer on weekends.
A dreamer every day.
Her journey taught us that pursuing education sometimes means carrying responsibilities far beyond the classroom. Her path was never easy, but she continued walking toward her dreams.
Years later, another chapter unfolded.
My brother, Ruszlin Mark Laser Bargado Quiming, became a scholar and student assistant during college. Even when the pandemic brought uncertainty, he continued pursuing his education while serving as an altar boy at San Jacinto Church in Ermita.
His story showed us that receiving an opportunity also comes with the responsibility to give back, to serve, to persevere, and to make every opportunity meaningful.
And now, the story has reached the bunso, me.
Today, I am a STEP Scholar, pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher.
My journey may be different from Mother and Brother, but their experiences have become an inspiration and a guide for my own path. With every step I take today, I carry the lessons they have taught me and the dream that our family has continued to build. As the youngest, I have my own chapter to write, but the foundation remains the same: hard work, perseverance, love for family, and faith in the power of education.
I carry their lessons, their inspiration, and their dreams with me.
Behind these three chapters is Papa, the quiet strength of our family. He may not be the one receiving the scholarship, but he has always been part of every victory we achieve.
Through his support, encouragement, sacrifices, and constant belief in us, he has helped make many of our dreams possible.
Mama opened the door.
Kuya walked through it and served.
And now, Bunso continues the journey.
Three different journeys.
Three different seasons.
Three different chapters.
But one family. One foundation. One dream.
Our story is not simply about being scholars.
It is about what happens when opportunity meets perseverance, when sacrifice becomes inspiration, and when the courage of one generation becomes the reason for the next generation to keep moving forward.
To every student carrying struggles that others may never see, never be ashamed of where you came from.
The sleepless nights, sacrifices, work after class, and moments when you wonder if you can still continue are not the end of your story.
One day, those experiences may become the very reason your success becomes even more meaningful.
Keep studying.
Keep working.
Keep believing.
Keep moving forward.
Because someday, the struggles you are facing today may become the story that inspires someone else to never give up.
From Nanay, to Kuya, to Bunso, our family's scholarship journey continues.
As I take my own steps toward becoming a teacher, I carry their stories, sacrifices, lessons, and dreams with me.
This is more than a scholarship journey.
This is a legacy of perseverance. 🎓💙
To Saint Louis, thank you for becoming part of our family's story. Thank you for opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping generations of dreamers turn education into a better future.
Three chapters. One family. One dream.
And the story continues.
