Meet Marefe Genaen B. Ibit, a proud DOST scholar from Aklan State University (ASU), whose bold decision to shift her academic focus to BS Biology marked a turning point in her life. A month into pursuing a nursing degree, Marefe learned she had qualified for the DOST-SEI Scholarship. A decision that not only redefined her career aspirations but also ignited a deeper purpose: to serve the nation as a scholar and a future scientist dedicated to uplifting the health sector.
For Marefe, the DOST Scholarship has been more than just financial support. It carries an implicit duty to excel academically and give back to the community. Determined to make the Filipino taxpayers’ investment in her education worthwhile, she dedicates herself to her studies while passionately engaging in community service. Through the Biology Students’ Association and the ASU Association of DOST Scholars, she found opportunities to volunteer, cultivating a spirit of servant leadership and patriotism that extends beyond her academic pursuits.
“Attending the values formation program, the 2024 Scholars Leadership Camp (SLC), and the 2nd National Patriot Scholars Congress enlightened me about the greater calling of being a Patriot Scholar,” Marefe shares.
Marefe’s story resonates deeply within her coastal hometown of New Washington, Aklan, where her achievement as a DOST scholar has become a beacon of hope for aspiring young students. Her journey inspires them to believe in the possibility of realizing their own dreams, proving that perseverance and purpose can transform aspirations into reality.
Transitioning from nursing to biology was not without challenges. As an irregular student, Marefe faced the daunting task of adapting to a new academic environment, building new friendships, and navigating a different curriculum. She often felt the weight of expectations as the sole DOST scholar in her class. Balancing her responsibilities as a student leader and scholar tested her resilience, but through the unwavering support of her family, friends, and fellow scholars, she overcame these obstacles, learning to value her efforts regardless of the outcome.
“I realized that this achievement is not just for me—it inspires and gives hope to those who aspire to become DOST scholars,” Marefe reflects as her sense of purpose and commitment deepened to using her platform to uplift others.
Today, Marefe’s dreams have shifted from becoming a nurse to pursuing a career in microbiology and research and is motivated by a vision of improving healthcare access for marginalized communities, she aspires to contribute as a scientist dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Filipinos in remote areas.
To her fellow scholars, Marefe offers a heartfelt message: “Leading your community is a responsibility that requires resilience and a shared vision of excellence. Embrace your role as DOST scholars not only by excelling academically but by embodying social responsibility and servant leadership.”
Marefe’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, service, and patriotism. With a heart set on innovation and a mind focused on the greater good, she exemplifies the true spirit of a DOST-SEI Filipino Patriot Scholar. (MLGArticuna/STHRDS)
𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳: 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘝𝘐 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘚𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘋𝘚) 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛’𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘪. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛-𝘚𝘌𝘐 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘴, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱@𝘳𝘰6.𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘵.𝘨𝘰𝘷.𝘱𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 0917-801-1942.