Scholar Lawrence Sombreno: “We do not have to carry the weight all by ourselves”
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon— Forty qualified students of Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) will receive a monthly stipend for four academic years under the NBSC-LGU-Vienovo Scholarship, starting in Academic Year 2026–2027.
The program is a partnership of NBSC, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manolo Fortich, and Vienovo Philippines Inc. through VIECare, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. The partners signed a memorandum of understanding on August 4, 2026, at the NBSC Boardroom. NBSC’s Student Affairs Services and Development Division, led by Director Rowena E. Bagongon, manages the program.
The scholarship prioritizes Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, students from low-income families, and other marginalized sectors.
A scholar’s message of gratitude
Scholar Lawrence Sombreno shared what the support means for his family during the contract signing on October 27, before NBSC officials, scholarship partners, and fellow scholars.
“My father works so hard every single day just to keep our family afloat,” he said. “I felt that heavy, quiet fear that maybe, just maybe, my dream of finishing school would become too heavy a burden for my family to carry.”
“This scholarship is more than just financial help, it is a true lifeline,” Sombreno said. “It tells my family, and families like mine, that we do not have to carry the weight all by ourselves.”
He thanked Vienovo and NBSC for “believing in their potential,” and urged his fellow scholars to help others when they succeed.
Giving back to Bukidnon
For Vienovo, which runs a feed plant in Bukidnon, the scholarship is a way to give back to the community.
“Many of our employees and partners come from farming families in Bukidnon,” said Dr. Aileen Guerrero, Vienovo’s Marketing and CSR Manager. “Helping students like Lawrence stay in school is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us.”
The scholarship falls under the education pillar of VIECare, which also supports livelihood, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.
