JOSE RIZAL SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
June 19, 1861 - December 30,1896
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was a Filipino nationalist during the tail end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is tagged as the national hero (pambansang bayani) of the Filipino people.
Rizal was skilled in both science and the arts. He painted, sketched, and made sculptures and woodcarving. He was a prolific poet, essayist, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels, Noli Me Tángere and its sequel, El filibusterismo. These social commentaries during the Spanish colonization of the country formed the nucleus of literature that inspired peaceful reformists and armed revolutionaries alike. Rizal was also a polyglot, conversant in twenty-two languages.
HOW JRSAA STARTED
Fil-Am’s greatest pride is the formation of the scholarship program. The
association's value education, was the motivation behind the creation of this
program.
The Jose Rizal Scholastic Achievement Award was founded in 1990 under President Rhod Resella's leadership. The program recognizes senior high school students who achieved academic excellence, displayed leadership, and have engaged in civic and humanitarian projects.
The deserving students are awarded by plaques of recognition and cash grants. The first place winner’s name is also be added on to our JRSAA Perpetual Plaque. But more than these awards, the students take pride in being recognized for their achievements and being in the roster of esteemed Fil-Am scholars.
To date, we have recognized over 100 deserving scholars.
Rizal's multifacetedness was described by his German friend, Dr. Adolf Bernhard Meyer, as "stupendous." Documented studies show him to be a polymath with the ability to master various skills and subjects. He was an ophthalmologist, sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. Aside from poetry and creative writing, he also dabbled with varying degrees of expertise in architecture, cartography, economics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, dramatics, martial arts, fencing and pistol shooting. He was also a Freemason, joining Acacia Lodge No. 9 during his time in Spain and becoming a Master Mason in 1884.
Rizal was a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain.
He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after the Philippine Revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. Though he was not actively involved in its planning
or conduct, he ultimately approved of its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence.
His undated poem Mi Último Adiós, believed to have been written a few days before his execution, was hidden in an alcohol stove, which was later handed to his family with his few remaining possessions, including the final letters and his last bequests.
He is considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines and has been recommended to be so honored by an officially empaneled National Heroes Committee.
The Jose Rizal Scholasrhip Achievement Award was formally established in 1990 during Rhodamin Resella's presidency.
The Search is On for the
2025 Fil-Am JRSAA Awards!
The Fil-Am Association of SCV, Inc. (Fil-Am) is announcing its annual search for candidates for the Jose Rizal Scholastic Achievement Award (JRSAA). This educational achievement award is open to students graduating from high school, who qualify under the following criteria:
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Must be of Filipino descent whose parent(s) reside(s) or is/are employed in the Santa Clarita Valley area.
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Must be a graduating senior in a local high school in the Santa Clarita Valley, or an equivalency, and will be enrolling in college.
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Must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.80.
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Must be involved in extracurricular activities in school, community, and/or Fil-Am Association’s projects or events.
Should the applicant meet the above criteria, the following documents are required for submission:
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A completed online application form.
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An official sealed copy of the high school transcript of records to be mailed by the school directly to the Scholarship Committee, Fil-Am Association of SCV, P.O. Box 801753, Valencia CA 91380.
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A letter of recommendation from a school official.
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A 400- to 500-word essay on the topic specified on the online application form.
In addition to individual Plaques of Recognition, the following awards will be given to three outstanding candidates:
First Place $1,000.00
Second Place $ 500.00
Third Place $ 300.00
Click on this link to apply and register.
Deadline for application is Friday, May 16, 2025.
For inquiries, please send an email to Verna Argüelles at filamscv.jrsaa@gmail.com.
CONGRATULATIONS
2024 JRSAA RECIPIENTS
By Verna Arguelles - 2024 Scholarship Chairperson
Congratulations to all the 2024 Jose Rizal Scholastic Achievement Awardees.
This year was another extraordinary year! Our awardees far surpassed the standard qualification in becoming one of Fil-Am JRSAA recipientS. Each one of them have exceeded the required GPA, they all have served the community and have unbelievable artistic talent.
We are extremely proud of this year's awardees. These students have exhibited academic excellence and have a very bright future ahead. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to all our JRSAA Recipients
We are very proud of YOU!
Who's next?
1ST PLACE, 2026
2nd Place -
3rd Place -
NALIYA MONTEBON
1ST PLACE, 2023
2nd Place - Stella Vianzon
3rd Place - Jonah Pasco
Honorary Merit Award
- Ethan Capalad
- Audrey Dornidon
- Tyler Molina
ASHLEY KUA
1ST PLACE, 2020
2nd Place -Jeremy BischofF
3rd Place - Noah Rop
Honorary Recipients
- Allyson Asis
- Christian Gutierrez
- Julianna Lozada
- Mindy Mello
- Keri McWilliams
- Danielle Nalangan
- Katelynn Zara
DAVID RAMOS
1ST PLACE, 2017
2nd Place - Sydeny Wexler
3rd Place - Taylor Oshiro
PAOLO ARGUELLES
1ST PLACE, 2014
2nd Place - Alyssa Pabalan
3rd Place - Stephanie Gimenez
DAVID TROY
1ST PLACE, 2011
2nd Place - Jennifer Owen
3rd Place - Marjorie Carlos
Honorable Merit Award
- Miky Tayoba
GLEN OLILA
1ST PLACE, 2008
.
NOLAN CARREON
1ST PLACE, 2004
2nd Place - Marites Narciso
2nd Place - Ashlee Flores
3rd Place - Alexis Salas
Honorary Merit Award
- Scott Sia
STEPHANIE UNSON
1ST PLACE, 2000
2nd Place - Daphne Lim
3rd Place - Keith Reyes
KATHERINE ORO
1ST PLACE, 1997
2nd Place - May Pascua
3rd Place - Sharon Magpantay
CHERYL LECHUGA
1ST PLACE, 1993
2nd Place - Rina Imperial
3rd Place - Trish Lim
JULIE MAE OBNIA
1ST PLACE, 1990
2nd Place - Joseph Gatdula
3rd Place - John Obsenares
Honorary Merit Award
- Ellen Dalagin
Who's next?
1ST PLACE, 2025
2nd Place -
3rd Place -
SHANICE CONSON
1ST PLACE, 2022
2nd Place - Jazley Andrada
3rd Place - Ella Cabigting
Honorary Merit Award
- Michael Garcia
JIELENA BRAGASIN
1ST PLACE, 2019
2nd Place - Cailin Garcia
3rd Place - Cate Gabon
Honorary Merit Award
- Juliana Caballero
- Juliet Vianzon
- Benjamin Wexler
- Rowan Wong
JOSEPH ESPIRITU
1ST PLACE, 2016
2nd Place - Danielle Villaruz
3rd Place - SJ Sahagun
Honorary Merit Award
- Trent Larson
- Evan Block
- Abby Gordon
- Reden Camonayan
- Kobe Damaso
- Zion Calvo
MATHEW SAN JOSE
1ST PLACE, 2013
2nd Place - Alana Pasion
3rd Place - Joshua Sherfey
Honorary Merit Award
- Sarag Carey
- Samila Reynes
- Joseph Montesclaros
MYLA TAYOBA
1ST PLACE, 2010
2nd Place - Adrian Marin
3rd Place - Lemuelle Carrillo
ANGELA GATDULA
1ST PLACE, 2007
2nd Place - Casey Schein
3rd Place - Alyssa Pasamba
Honorary Merit Award
- Courtney Uy
DAVID SCHEIN
1ST PLACE, 2002
.
SHERYLLENE GO
1ST PLACE, 1999
2nd Place - Gary Catig
3rd Place - La Crista Joi Fuqua
YASMINE GOMEZ
1ST PLACE, 1996
2nd Place - Aryan Bordallo
GARY GATDULA
1ST PLACE, 1992
2nd Place - Maria E. Vassilakis
RINA IMPERIAL
1ST PLACE, 1989
2nd Place - Nora Reyes
YRA CLIMACO
1ST PLACE, 2024
2nd Place - Saira Castor
3rd Place - Isa Magee
JOELLEN BRAGASIN
1ST PLACE, 2021
2nd Place - Tristan Manalang
3rd Place - Kyle Dizon
Honorary Merit Award
- Julia Camia
MIA SIMGEN
1ST PLACE, 2018
2nd Place - Hannah Ilagan
3rd Place - Nathaniel Medina
Honorary Merit Award
- Jose Marie Aquino
TRISHA MAGPANTAY
1ST PLACE, 2015
2nd Place - Mareiah Alfonso
3rd Place - Angelica Alberto
Honorary Merit Award
- Eugene Mesina
- Marissa Magsarili
- Jayden Pasco
- Patrick Saulo
- Hayden Matheus
- Samantha Gebers
- Mizhael Dones
- Daniel Lee
ERIC JAMES OLILA
1ST PLACE, 2012
2nd Place - Megan Sarte
3rd Place - Nicole Sanchez
Honorary Merit Award
- Justin David
MARC ABUEL
1ST PLACE, 2009
2nd Place - Leah Carrillo
3rd Place - Lorenzo Rances
Honorary Merit Award
- Christine Soriano
MIKO TAYOBA
1ST PLACE, 2005
2nd Place - Jeremy Schein
3rd Place - Marc Miranda
REGINALD PANALIGAN
1ST PLACE, 2001
2nd Place - Angela Guiao
3rd Place - Russell Taylor
NERISSA YUHICO
1ST PLACE, 1998
2nd Place - Njambi Purdy
3rd Place - Jereme Suarez
ROSEMARY ESPEJO
1ST PLACE, 1994
2nd Place - Meryl Pascua
3rd Place - Jamie Yraola
MA. CORAZONVILLARIN
1ST PLACE, 1991
2nd Place - Paul Impreiral
3rd Place - Vivian Torredes
MARIA E. VASSILAKIS
1ST PLACE, 1988
2nd Place - Mario Verdadero
3rd Place - Myra Jimenez
Scholarship Awardees
