

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 to all our JRSAA Recipients
We are very proud of YOU!




Who's next?
1ST PLACE, 2026

2nd Place -
3rd Place -
Honorary Recipients
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NALIYA MONTEBON
1ST PLACE, 2023

2nd Place - Stella Vianzon
3rd Place - Jonah Pasco
Honorary Recipients
- 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 JR.
1ST PLACE, 2011

2nd Place - Jennifer Owen
3rd Place - Marjorie Carlos
4th Place - Miky Tayoba

GLEN OLILA
1ST PLACE, 2008

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NOLAN CARREON
1ST PLACE, 2004

2nd Place - Marites Narciso
2nd Place - Ashlee Flores
3rd Place - Alexis Salas-Andres
4th Place - Scott Sia

STEPHANIE UNSON
1ST PLACE, 2000

2nd Place - Daphne Lim
3rd Place - Keith Reyes

KATHERINE ORO
1ST PLACE, 1997

2nd Place - Mae Pascua
3rd Place - Sharon Magpantay

CHERYL LECHUGA
1ST PLACE, 1993

2nd Place - Rina Imperial
3rd Place - Trish Lim

JULIE MAE OBNIAL
1ST PLACE, 1990

2nd Place - Joseph Gatdula
3rd Place - John Obsenares
4th Place - Ellen Dalagin

Who's Next?
1ST PLACE, 2025

2nd Place -
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Honorary Recipients
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SHANICE CONSON
1ST PLACE, 2022

2nd Place -
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JIELENA BRAGASIN
1ST PLACE, 2019

2nd Place -
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JOSEPH ESPIRITU
1ST PLACE, 2016

2nd Place -
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MATHEW SAN JOSE
1ST PLACE, 2013

2nd Place -
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MYLA TAYOBA
1ST PLACE, 2010

2nd Place -
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ANGELA GATDULA
1ST PLACE, 2007

2nd Place -
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DAVID SCHEIN
1ST PLACE, 2002

2nd Place -
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SHERYLLENE GO
1ST PLACE, 1999

2nd Place -
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YASMINE GOMEZ
1ST PLACE, 1996

2nd Place -
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Honorary Recipients
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GARY GATDULA
1ST PLACE, 1992

2nd Place -
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RINA IMPERIAL
1ST PLACE, 1989

2nd Place -
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Honorary Recipients
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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 Recipients
- Julia Camia
MIA SIMGEN
1ST PLACE, 2018


2nd Place - Hannah Ilagan
3rd Place - Nathaniel Medina
4th Place - Jose Marie Aquino
TRISHA MAGPANTAY
1ST PLACE, 2015


2nd Place - Mareiah Alfonso
3rd Place - Angelica Alberto
Honorary Recipients
- Eugene Paul 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
4th Place - Justin David
MARC ABUEL
1ST PLACE, 2009


2nd Place - Leah Angelica Carrillo
3rd Place - Lorenzo Rances
4th Place - 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 OXCIAN-YUHICO
1ST PLACE, 1998


2nd Place - Njambi Purdy
3rd Place - Jereme Suarez
ROSEMARY ESPEJO-VALENCIA
1ST PLACE, 1994


2nd Place - Meryl Pascua
3rd Place - Jamie Yraola
MARIA CORAZON VILLARIN
1ST PLACE, 1991


2nd Place - Paul Impreiral
3rd Place - Vivian Ruth Torredes
MARIA ESPEJO-VASSILAKIS
1ST PLACE, 1988


2nd Place - Mario Verdadero
3rd Place - Myra Jimenez

Scholarship Awardees

