Eighty-seven scholars of the pioneering batch of La Verdad’s free college program have received their college diploma last March 30 during their graduation ceremony held at the Plenary Hall of Paskuhan Village in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Daniel Razon is chairman and president of La Verdad Christian College while his uncle, Bro. Eli Soriano, who is presiding minister to the Members Church of God International (MCGI), is founder and president emeritus of La Verdad.

The first batch of graduates have completed two-year courses including Computer Programming, International Cookery, Mass Communication Technology, Nursing Assistant, and Office Management from La Verdad Christian College-Apalit Branch.

According to Carolinne Laguinto, college director of the Apalit, Pampanga branch of La Verdad, the Batch 2011 graduates makes up 84% of the pioneer recipients of the free education project. The remaining percentage of scholars are enrolled in a four-year degree and are expected to graduate after another two years.

In a recorded video presented during the ceremonies, Bro. Eli congratulated the graduates. He said in the vernacular, “You have finished your studies without spending anything, and we’re not asking anything from you in return but prayers that La Verdad may continue its noble intent.”

Bro. Eli also emphasized that such effort is rooted from the biblical wisdom to love God and fellowmen, and that part of loving others is providing free education.

Razon, who hosts various public service programs at local television channel UNTV, and Bro. Eli started La Verdad’s full scholarship grant in 2009 to help deserving but poor students finish their studies.

“There are those who really want to study but they hardly can … One may be capable of studying but cannot do so … (Now) why not give them a chance as well? For as long as we see the potential, the willingness to learn and [we see] the sincerity and perseverance, we will help them,” Razon said in an earlier interview with reporters.

In 2010, La Verdad opened another branch in Caloocan to accommodate more scholars. This academic year, La Verdad supports almost 400 scholars in the tertiary level alone from both Apalit and Caloocan branches. Two hundred more students avail the free elementary and secondary education in La Verdad Christian School.

Public charity events were held to finance the full scholarship grants of hundreds of recipients. Major events include the Isang Araw Lang Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo, the Songs from the Heart benefit concert, Daniel Razon’s Isang Araw Lang the Movie, and the charity match dubbed Hoopsters Meet The Legends – Just One day.

La Verdad’s free college education is one of the two educational projects under Razon’s Kahit Isang Araw Lang (Just One Day) advocacy. Late last year, Razon launched two mobile schools to rove around the remote provinces in the Philippines. The mobile school project was a joint effort of UNTV, Department of Education, and Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).

Isang Araw Lang also supports free medical and legal assistance, free rides, and transient homes, and pioneers the news tagline that is public service-centered, the Tulong Muna Bago Balita. – Hazel Chavez-David