Last August 2022, we celebrated nine students who reached their college graduation milestone: Stephanie, Stykember, and Joy, who graduated with honors “cum laude” in Education; Jay Marie, “summa cum laude” in Political Science; Flordyliz, who graduated in Accounting Management; Rosefel in Business Administration, Jinky in Hospitality Management, Rosalie in Industrial Technology, Rodah May got her degree in Social Work. Below are some of Jay Marie’s answers to our questions.
What did you learn at BP? “No one is so poor that they cannot give and no one is so rich that they cannot receive”. This motto was written on the threshold of Bukas Palad Center when I first entered, and over time I realized how powerful it is. When you have less in life, you always want to receive. You rarely freely give- this is because we feel that tomorrow is not guaranteed for us. Meals are measured, the family budget is counted to the centavo and there are expenses to pay. So, as much as possible, we keep our pockets closed and only open them when we need to receive something. However, with Bukas Palad, I learned the value of reciprocity. I realized how nice it is to be able to
give something too. And sometimes, what I can give doesn’t even compare to the material things money can buy. My time, effort, love, talents, and abilities are actually valuable contributions that other people greatly appreciate; even the rich. Since then, I’ve learned to love concretely by giving and sharing. Another thing I learned is “taking care of the community”. As beneficiaries of the “Support at a distance program”, Bukas Palad ensured that we are involved in serving different communities. Therefore, whenever there are initiatives such as feeding programs, street cleanup drives, and other projects, we are encouraged to participate. With this experience, I developed a habit of participating in worthy causes and offering what I am able to do for the community.
How do you apply what you learned at BP in your life? In the family, I tried to see my parents with new eyes, have more patience, and recognize their efforts, and that I, too, have to change. Our relationships became less confrontational. In my relationships with others, I was always shy and introverted, but being part of the Bukas Palad animators group helped me develop my social skills. Communicating with the community became much easier. Now, I can approach people with more confidence, and I’m also recognized as a leader. At my university, I joined the student electoral organization and became a representative of our group.
What can you say about your experience in Bukas Palad over all these years? Having been a student of the Suppor tat a Distance Project will remain in my story. At first, I thought I was just another scholarship student where I had to maintain good grades to receive financial assistance. However, Bukas Palad is not just an ordinary NGO; it is a community that cares for its beneficiaries. I can say this because I feel that I am part of an extended family. I didn’t just receive financial help – I received comprehensive guidance on how to grow as a person. It’s easy to get material 
help, but spiritual and moral guidance is another story. The topics we talked about in our monthly meetings were very interesting. The experts invited shared their experience in the field. We could ask many questions, even the most difficult ones and for this, I feel really privileged. I also did my summer internship in Bukas Palad: I organized focused group discussions among students to get their views on the SAD project rules and was able to draft a regulation that reflects their needs. I also had the chance to be a speaker in one of our monthly formation meetings, and it was really a very nice experience for me. Simply put, being a scholar of Bukas Palad means being able to develop yourself in relation to God, others, and society. It is a challenging and rewarding journey. I’m far from being an ideal young adult, but I know I had a good start thanks to the solid foundation laid by Bukas Palad. In fact, when you help the poor, you don’t just give them fish to relieve their hunger for a day, but you teach them to fish so they can survive for a lifetime. Now that I received a solid education, I am confident that I can change my life very soon. I leave Bukas Palad with a grateful heart and the determination to continue doing for others what has been done for me over the years.
