Pastil Seller to UScholar:

Rodrigo transforms Php 20 to Php 58 million

Php 20 for every pastil she sold to her classmates and friends.

She also added that she kept her small food business afloat while juggling college applications, academic work, and extracurricular activities simultaneously.

"Senior year was the busiest I have ever been. It was very difficult juggling acads, extracurriculars, and college applications. In the end, it was all WORTH IT!!" Rodrigo said.

Moreover, Rodrigo was also accepted with full-ride scholarships to other top US colleges, namely; Princeton University and Amherst College.

"By getting accepted to the best schools in the world—Harvard, Princeton, and Amherst—my heart is filled with gratitude and excitement for the resources, experiences, and knowledge I will acquire over the next four years." Rodrigo added.

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According to Rodrigo, she used to sell pastil, a Filipino meal wrapped in banana leaves, in school to finance her education and contribute to her family’s needs—where she earned

In an exclusive interview, Rodrigo revealed that she was awarded an annual need-based grant aid of $89,000 from Harvard, $91,000 from Amherst, and $88,000 from Princeton, which amounts to almost 58 million pesos for her total undergraduate education in all institutions.

Furthermore, she came from a family of farmers, and her father is also a tricycle driver, which has fueled her motivation to apply for scholarships abroad.

"That is why I’ve always strived to help them in ways I know how (selling pastil and chili peppers at school for my allowance and buying simple necessities at home). And now, finally, I can give them the perfect gift—going to college for free and becoming a future environmental scientist (hopefully)," Rodrigo said.

Rodrigo emphasized in her Facebook post that aspiring students who wish to study abroad should be proactive, opportunity-seeking, and unafraid to take risks and ask for help.

"I hope my experience and story inspire other students. Whatever your background, embrace your ambitions and reach for the stars. You may face obstacles and challenges along the way, but don't let them discourage you. Remember that there is no limit to what you can achieve, as long as you believe in yourself and are willing to put in the effort. If you're a Filipino interested in studying abroad, feel free to contact me." Rodrigo stated.