Jaienne Braveree Formoso Suralta
Grant-in-Aid Scholar Alumna (2018–2022)
“Ever since I was a little girl, I imagined myself as a Disney princess singing on stage.”
For many children, dreams like these quietly fade as they grow older.
For Jaienne, they became the very reason she kept moving forward.
Long before audiences applauded her performances and before she stepped onto professional stages, she was simply a young girl who loved to sing. At just five years old, her mother enrolled her in voice lessons, opening the door to a lifelong love for music and theater.
But while her passion for performing arts continued to grow, another opportunity was about to shape her future in ways she never expected.
It came in the form of a scholarship.
Encouraged by her uncle, who saw her academic potential, Jaienne applied for the Grant-in-Aid Scholarship at Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu. This moment truly motivated her to aim higher. When she learned she had been accepted, she could hardly believe it.
“Being accepted as an Ateneo scholar was shocking,” she recalled. “It encouraged me to become a better student and to be more responsible.”
What first seemed like financial assistance soon became something much more meaningful.
It became a responsibility.
It became a promise not only to herself but also to her family, who believed in her dreams, fostering a sense of confidence that their support truly makes a difference.
Receiving a scholarship meant maintaining the grades required to keep it. At the same time, Jaienne was deeply involved in theater, spending long evenings rehearsing while keeping up with schoolwork.
There were days when balancing both felt overwhelming.
While many of her classmates enjoyed weekends and free time, Jaienne often found herself choosing between leisure and the commitments that came with both her scholarship and her passion.
“There were sacrifices,” she shared. “I didn’t go out much. I didn’t spend my time playing games like other kids. I learned to set aside time for studying, rehearsals, and practice.”
Instead of seeing those sacrifices as limitations, she began to see them as investments in the future she dreamed of.
One lesson became her greatest companion:
Time management.
Against her own expectations, Jaienne not only maintained her scholarship; she exceeded it, earning Second Honors while actively participating in theater.
It became one of the first moments she realized that pursuing excellence didn’t mean choosing between academics and passion.
With discipline, both could grow together.
Beyond the classroom, Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu shaped the way she looked at life.
The school’s Magis spirit- always striving to do more and be more- became more than just a phrase she heard from her teachers. It became the mindset she carried into every performance, every project, and every opportunity.
“Why settle for less when you can do more? Why not be more creative?”
she reflected, remembering how her teachers constantly challenged students to go beyond what was expected.
Those lessons extended far beyond academics.
They nurtured resilience.
They encouraged creativity.
Most importantly, they taught her that growth begins when you’re willing to give your best, even when no one is watching.
Today, Jaienne continues to pursue both her education and her passion for the performing arts. She has also started building her own events and hosting business, applying the confidence and discipline she developed as a Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu scholar.
For her, success isn’t measured solely by achievements on stage or in the classroom.
It’s measured by the courage to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
“Big changes begin with small steps,” she said. “If you want your life to change, you have to start with yourself.”
Looking back, Jaienne knows the scholarship gave her more than financial support. It gave her the freedom and confidence to pursue opportunities her family might not have been able to provide.
It gave her early discipline, the confidence to dream bigger, and a reminder that someone believed in her capabilities.
Jaienne is deeply grateful to all Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu alumni, benefactors, and donors who continue to support scholars.
“You may not realize how much this scholarship helps our families, but it truly changes lives. One day, I hope I can do the same and give back to others the way you have given to us.”
Her experience shows that a scholarship is more than merely access to education. It opens possibilities.
Sometimes, believing in a young person’s dream is all it takes for the dream to become a purpose.
And once passion meets discipline, even a little girl who once imagined herself singing like a Disney princess can grow into a woman who inspires others to believe in their own story.
