By Karren Jay G. Asgar
CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy (left) donned the medal and certificate to Valerie Hipolito Pineda (middle) together with Pastor Alfred Morales, Director of the Office for Student Development and Programs (right) in the Office of the President.
Valerie Hipolito Pineda, a fresh graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies, Magna Cum Laude, has been awarded the prestigious UniFAST Academic Excellence Award from the Commission on Higher Education Department-Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST).
In recognition, she received an Academic Excellence Award (gold medal) and a Certificate of Achievement donned to her by the CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy together with Pastor Alfred Morales, Director of the Office for Student Development and Programs, on August 12 at the Office of the President.
Pineda, who has consistently been on the dean’s list throughout her college years, has also distinguished herself through various organizations, such as the CPU-English Language Society Organization’s 1st Year Representative (2020-2021), Treasurer (2021-2022), and Vice President of Internal Affairs (2022-2023).
“I am truly thankful for being chosen as a CHED TDP-TES grantee. The financial assistance from the scholarship eased a significant burden and motivated me to work hard to maintain this golden opportunity. I may not have always been the smartest student in class, but I was certainly the most diligent in my studies. With that determination and passion, I have come this far as a recipient of this remarkable achievement,” Pineda said during an online interview.
She also shared that it was her late father who encouraged her to apply for various scholarships during times when they were struggling financially. Because of her timeless dedication, she also became a scholar of USWAG from 2021 to 2024.
“I understand how tough it can be to juggle financial problems while studying. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and discouraged. Instead of focusing on my studies, I often found myself preoccupied with our financial situation. But I believe that God will provide (Philippians 4:19).”
She is an outstanding Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) beneficiary of the Tulong Dunong Program-Tertiary Education Subsidy (TDP-TES) and has the highest general weighted average (GWA) as a recipient who graduated in CPU.
“Life can be unpredictable, but don’t let that hold you back! Trust in His plans. I know that the reason I’ve come this far isn’t just due to my own efforts and the support of my loved ones, but also because of God’s love and plan for me,” Pineda’s message to the Centralian community.
In recognition of the efforts to champion a quality higher education system in the Philippines and actively promote the programs of Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Commission on Higher Education and UniFAST confers the UniFAST Academic Excellence Award to outstanding beneficiaries of Free Higher Education, Tertiary Education Subsidy, and the Tulong Dunong Program from participating state universities and colleges (SUCs), CHED-recognized local universities and colleges (LUCs), and partner private higher education institutions (PHEIs).