In May, 2002, one AdNU alumnus, Mr. Rico V. Brizuela (HS Class '62), took time off to visit his Alma Mater, the Ateneo de Naga University. He came for a purpose. He was in search of five (5) deserving students to whom he wanted to grant full scholarships.

This was not the first time Mr. Brizuela was doing this. Two other recipients of his generosity had by then already graduated from the high school and were moving on to the college. This second batch was going to be a little more distinguished, though. No less than Mr. Brizuela himself was going to interview them.

Nine (9) students were lined up for this particular interview with Mr. Brizuela. It was a grueling morning, both for him and for the nine applicants. These nine boys came fully aware that only five of them would be chosen. Understandably, they were tense. The spirit of anticipation weighed heavily on the group.

By noon, Mr. Brizuela came up with a decision. And what a decision it was! It disarmingly surprised, and delighted, the members of the Committee of Scholarships. Mr. Brizeula announced that since he both was hard put and did not have the heart to eliminate anyone from among those he interviewed, he had decided that he would grant scholarships to all nine! It was a gesture that truly overwhelmed not only all the applicants but also no less than the University President himself! In a personal letter to Mr. Brizuela, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., wrote:

With and in behalf of the nine high schools students who will enjoy the benefit of an Ateneo education due to the magnanimity of your heart, I wish to express my sincerest and most profound gratitude!

I am particularly overwhelmed by your gesture of having considered all nine (9) applicants to the scholarship even after, I was told, you were initially contemplating only five. This seems to say a lot about the strength of your convictions regarding Jesuit education as well as the compassion of your heart. It is thus a gesture that is both utterly inspiring and uplifting to us who work in this university. Not only are those whom you are sponsoring blessed but those of us to whom such education is entrusted as well. It is truly an additional boost towards accelerating our efforts so that we may be worthy of one with such convictions as yours.

I would like to mention, too, that the first two recipients of your scholarship grants are presently joining the batch of freshmen college students we will be welcoming this year! It is indeed no secret that recipients of scholarships generally pursue noble goals and move on to become blessings to others as well! May this thought be a source of some gratification to you in your generosity.

Mr. Brizuela continues to be among our outstanding benefactors. In the hope that the inspiration that he is to us who work in and for this university be passed on, we asked him to share with us a few of his thoughts. Mr. Brizuela graciously responded. Furthermore, he kindly gave us permission to publish these responses on our scholarship website.

These, then, are Mr. Brizuela's thoughts - in his own words. In them, you get a glimpse of one whose heart is bigger than words can contain. His generosity is truly testimony to the fact that it is possible to live by noble Christian and Ignatian ideals in a world that too often says otherwise.

Here goes:

I am compelled to support the education of other students by the conviction that it all begins with education, quality education. My personal belief is that in order for one to be successful in life, in whatever field or endeavor, quality education will undoubtedly be the common pre-requisite. I also believe that people who are in a position to help should help especially those who are in dire need such as the poor people of Bicol. I believe that essentially part of one's obligation is to contribute something substantial to society.

A positive experience that results from supporting scholars is when they are able to attain the required general average or better yet, when we see that the general average through the four quarters in a school year show a positive trend. Such situation gives a sense of fulfillment.

Honestly, we d not really expect anything in return from our scholars except their commitment to make good in their studies as proven by attaining and maintaining a general average of at least 85% by the end of the school year. This should lead them to enter and hopefully finish college and thereby become responsible citizens in the future. Who knows, when they become successful, they will themselves be sponsors of yet aspiring but poor young people in Bicol.

I do encourage these scholars to treat education as a major asset - a useful tool that may definitely be used to become more responsible citizens who can contribute to nation building.

To prospective benefactors, especially to successful alumni and alumnae of AdNU as well as other big-hearted individuals and sectors of society, I want to say that one little but noble way of contributing to society is through helping our less-fortunate but deserving brothers and sisters through providing scholarship grants.

I, in particular, have chosen AdNU as the school whose scholars I support because I believe it is the best school in the region. With a huge number of less fortunate youth in Bicol, I believe that opening up opportunities at AdNU would eventually translate to a brighter future for the Bicol region.

This, in a nutshell, is the story of Mr. Rico V. Brizuela as a benefactor. There certainly is much more to him than what these words portray. Ateneo de Naga University is most privileged to count him among its most valued partners in its mission of providing excellent education in Bikol. May his tribe increase!

Dios Mabalos, Mr. Brizuela!

© 2003 Ateneo de Naga University