A student from Valencia, Bukidnon, Angelo Fernandez Virgo, has secured a full-ride academic scholarship at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Thailand after a Facebook post, originally meant as a joke, sparked a life-changing opportunity.
In April 2020, Virgo’s friend tagged him in a Facebook post announcing the Royal Scholarship for ASEAN students offered by SUT. The scholarship application was initially seen as a joke, but Virgo, then 17 years old and freshly graduated from senior high school, began to consider the possibility of studying abroad.
At the time, Virgo had already received a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology to study in Bukidnon. However, the idea of studying in Thailand intrigued him. What started as a humorous conversation with friends turned into a serious decision as Virgo decided to apply for the scholarship.
A Journey to Thailand
After meeting the requirements, passing a screening exam, and completing interviews, Virgo was awarded the scholarship, making him one of seven scholars from the Philippines in his batch.
Despite his strong academic record, Virgo faced financial challenges. “My parents are both laborers, and I am the only one in the family with a bachelor’s degree,” he shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
However, Virgo found support from his friends, sponsors, and mentors, who helped him overcome these financial obstacles. He was grateful for their assistance, saying, “I look up to them and will forever be thankful.”
By January 2021, Virgo was on his way to Thailand to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
Adapting to a New Environment
Virgo always had a passion for Civil Engineering, believing his skills with numbers and interest in building things made it the perfect career path for him.
The Thai royal scholarship covered his expenses, including accommodation, food, and a stipend, allowing him to focus entirely on his studies. While he initially struggled with the local cuisine, Virgo made an effort to learn the Thai language and culture, gradually adjusting to life in Thailand.
However, the most challenging part of his journey was adapting to the demanding academic system in Thailand, which operates on a trimester schedule. “We have three months of studying, followed by one month of rest,” Virgo explained.
In addition to his studies, Virgo was an active member of the university’s cheerleading squad and the Filipino community in Nakhon Ratchasima. He believes that achieving one’s dreams requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone, saying, “My motivation was to break the cycle of poverty in my family.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, he added, “I used to commute to school every day. Education starts at home, and I am proud to carry the values my parents instilled in me.”
Graduation and Future Plans
Virgo graduated in October 2024 and returned to Thailand in February 2025 to pursue a master’s degree in Engineering, still supported by the SUT scholarship.
He was endorsed for the “One Research One Grant” scholarship, a prestigious award from SUT, by his lecturer and former mentor, Dr. Aphai Chapirom. Virgo is the first Filipino recipient of this scholarship, which will fund his Master of Engineering program.
In the future, Virgo aims to take the licensure examinations in both the Philippines and Thailand, with the goal of obtaining his professional license.
The Royal Scholarship at SUT is available annually to ASEAN citizens, including Filipinos, for courses in Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering, and Innovative Agripreneur. The scholarship covers four years of tuition, on-campus accommodation, health and accident insurance, and a monthly allowance, with 20 scholarships awarded each year.
