In a graduating class where a sizeable amount is composed of scholars, Stephanie Sumalinog (A.B. Economics, ’18) stands out from the rest.
She started her Pathways journey as a participant in Alay ni Ignacio (ANI) six years ago, when she was an incoming junior in high school. Today, as her graduation day nears, Stephanie—or “Ate Steph,” as she is known to the newer batch of Pathways students—is giving back the best way she knows how.
Photo courtesy of Steph Sumalinog
Steph was accepted into the scholarship program of Pathways to Higher Education in 2013. Since then, she has been an active participant, enlisting in many of its various projects, including holding a leadership position in its student-arm, ANI. In August of last year, she was given the Tatak Trailblazers Award for being an active participant in all Pathways activities,a consistent dean's lister and a staunch volunteer and officer of our student arm, Alay ni Ignacio in her batch. Aside from ANI, she is also involved in other organizations within the university like Ateneo Gabay, Barefoot Philippines and Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL).
She dreams of working in government and furthering her studies. “I want to help in promoting economic growth and the development of our country and learn more about the stock market and encourage other Filipinos to invest earlier for their retirement,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Steph Sumalinog
It wasn’t easy getting to where she is. Steph lives in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City with her father, three younger siblings, and nine other relatives. A consistent name on the Dean’s List, she has a full scholarship from Ateneo, which includes a monthly allowance.
“Because I am a scholar and the eldest child, my college years were difficult. We didn’t have enough money to pay even one-fourth of my tuition fee. That is why I had to study hard not to fail any subject because failing my subjects will result in losing my scholarship,” she says.
“I was also pressured to get good grades because I was told they will help me get a better job in the future. However, Pathways has been there to support and guide me. It equipped me with the necessary skills through different trainings and volunteer opportunities.
Photo courtesy of Steph Sumalinog
Steph speaks fondly about her time in Pathways, especially regarding how much it has influenced her in all her years with the organization. “Through its program and different volunteer opportunities, Pathways has formed me to become who I am right now. I was actually a shy student,” she says, “quietly sitting in a corner and afraid to take risks or to try something new. Now, I am able to conduct interviews with aspiring participants of Pathways and assume leadership positions in ANI, which I never imagined that I can do.”
“There are also camps that made us realize that we are part of a larger society,” she adds. “That there is a call to respond to the needs of this society, particularly the marginalized sector, and that having servant leaders in our country are vital given our situation nowadays. Thus, Pathways helped me to become more aware in the happenings around me which I believe is very important as part of a community. Nararapat lamang na mayroon tayong pakialam sa ating kapwa at sa lipunang ating kinabibilangan lalo na’t hindi tayo umiiral nang mag-isa.”
Photo courtesy of Steph Sumalinog
Carrying with her the values and learning in her journey as an Atenean and a Pathways scholar, Steph is now ready to go down the hill and help her family and her country.
Read the full interview with this outstanding scholar below.
You’re graduating! Congratulations! What’s going through your mind right now?
Two things: one is this interview and second is my graduation.
If there was a song that perfectly encapsulates what you’re feeling during these times, what is it, and why?
“I’m So Excited” by the Pointer Sisters, because I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it!
How has Pathways helped or influenced you in all the years you’ve been with them?
One of the things I learned from Pathways which I will always value even outside Pathways and Ateneo is pakikipagkapwa or treating other people with respect and dealing with them as fellow human beings. Related to this is solidarity, or having sense of communion with other people regardless of their background to achieve common good, which is also one of the core values of Pathways. These two have become the backbone of how I make decisions and actions in everyday life.
What continues to give you strength to keep doing what you’re doing; to keep persevering and to never give up? Who serves as your most important inspiration?
The people who believe on me and on my capabilities serves as my inspiration. They are my family, especially my parents and grandparents, friends, orgmates, the Pathways staff and other people who have always been supporting me. And of course, God who always guides me and gives me strength to overcome the challenges that I am experiencing.
Because I am a scholar and the eldest child, my college years were difficult. We don’t have enough money to pay even ¼ of my tuition fee. That is why I had to study hard to not fail any subject because failing my subjects will result to losing my scholarship. I was also pressured to get good grades because as what other people said to me, having an honor will help me get a better job in the future. However, Pathways has been there to support and guide me. It equipped me with necessary skills through different trainings and volunteer opportunities. Ngayon, kaya kong makipagsabayan sa ibang estudyante kahit na hindi ako lumaking mayaman.
In addition, going back to my “whys” or the reasons why I started doing things motivates me to not give up. That is why it is important to pause and reflect on the happenings in our lives because it is through pausing and reflecting that we are remembered by these whys. For instance, being a student and an officer in an organization at the same time was not easy especially during my last year in college. But seeing our Pathways participants reminds me of their bright future that are in our hands.
What advice can you give to students who may be struggling to find hope in the current bleakness of society?
It is to not give up because I believe that there are lots of wonderful things that we can find in our society. For instance, I know many international and local organizations that really help to improve the lives of Filipinos and even our society as a whole. And behind those organizations are the selfless people who love and have care for our country. So, let’s hold onto these wonderful things no matter how small these things are. Panghawakan natin itong magaganda at mabubuting bagay sa ating komunidad, because these things can make us more motivated and hopeful to our country.
What’s something that you wish you knew before you entered college? Is there anything you would redo?
I can’t think of something that I wish I knew before I entered college. However, I wish that I was able to maximize the opportunities I had when I was still studying. I wish that I was able to join and stay in an accredited organization of Ateneo with the same advocacy as mine. I also wanted to apply for an OJT which I was not able to do.
What’s your favourite memory in Pathways/ANI/your other orgs/Ateneo in general?
It’s the fun and meaningful interactions I had with our Pathways-ANI participants which started from being an adviser to becoming the VP for Student Care this year. I remember when I was still a high school participant of Pathways, I wanted to become an ANI tutor or adviser someday when I enter college. My experience before really touched my heart that I want to be an Ate to the Pathways kids as well. Now, I am very blessed that I became Ate Steph not just in a particular class but to the whole batch of participants, composed of 90 students, we have right now.
What’s the one thing, or the one piece of advice, you’ll always keep close to your heart even as you move on from Ateneo?
Stay in love with learning and service. Stay in love with learning because even if my life as a student will already end in a few days, I believe that learning will never stop because it is a continuous process. I know that there are still a lot of things that I will learn outside Pathways and Ateneo which can help me to further improve myself. Stay in love with service because I know in my heart that to serve is my calling. I enjoyed being with other people and I will be happier and content helping them to improve their lives in my own ways no matter how small it is.
What is the one thing you learned in Pathways that has impacted you and that you will bring with you long after you graduate from the program?
One of the things I learned from Pathways which I will always value even outside Pathways and Ateneo is pakikipagkapwa or treating other people with respect and dealing with them as fellow human beings. Realizing that we have shared identity with other people is important. That is why everyone must be treated equally, regardless of background. I believe that it is through our relationships with other people that we can find the meaning of our lives and not with the wealth or the popularity that we were able to accumulate.
Steph’s answers have been edited for clarity and length.