- 2 minutes ago
Amanda Balaba went from earning scholarships in the United States to graduating Summa Cum Laude and becoming a Certified Public Accountant. She shares the journey, challenges and lessons behind her academic achievements.
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we look deeper into Amanda’s journey and the hard work behind her success.
Beyond the Headlines — Look Deeper. Think Deeper.
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we look deeper into Amanda’s journey and the hard work behind her success.
Beyond the Headlines — Look Deeper. Think Deeper.
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NewsTranscript
01:49Then, everything else.
01:51Could a young student from Lapu-Lapu City really make it to an American university without necessarily having the money
01:59to pay for it?
02:01Good afternoon. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
02:03I'm DJ Moises, and today's conversation is brought to us by Coffee First.
02:08For many talented Filipino students, studying abroad can seem like a dream reserved for those who can afford it.
02:16But Amanda's story shows that sometimes the opportunity is not about having the means.
02:23It is knowing where to look, having the courage to try, and refusing to give up.
02:30Let's look deeper and think better.
02:32Today, we meet Amanda Balaba, a young Sabuana whose journey took her from Lapu-Lapu City to the United States
02:40from a scholarship opportunity to graduating Sumacum Laude.
02:44So, hello, Amanda. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
02:47Hello. Thank you all for having me. I'm so grateful.
02:51We're also just as grateful because hopefully this will also inspire our young viewers who are watching us today to
03:01also follow the path that you have paved for the rest to be able to explore.
03:09So, for starters, where are you now in the United States, Amanda, and what is your normal day like?
03:22So, right now, I'm currently residing in Chicago, Illinois, and I moved here since graduation in May of 2025.
03:34And so, my normal day just looks like waking up at 6.30 a.m., and then getting ready for
03:41work at 8 a.m., and I'll be at work from 8 to 5, and then I'll be heading back
03:50home from work.
03:51And then sometimes I have plans with friends after work, but sometimes I just go to the gym and then
03:59call my family back home.
04:02And that's kind of like what a normal day would look like for me right now.
04:08Actually, while looking at your trajectory, it's very impressive, and at the same time, inspiring also for, not just for
04:16our young viewers, but for the dreamers who are also watching.
04:20So, you first got your scholarship in one of the universities in Chicago, and then you graduated Summa Cum Laude.
04:29Now you're a CPA, and you're working for Deloitte.
04:33Was this trajectory something that you've always imagined as a young girl in Lapu-Lapu City?
04:41So, honestly, growing up, I really did not know what I wanted to do.
04:46All I know was I wanted to do well in my chosen field.
04:51And I think as a high schooler or growing up in Lapu-Lapu, all I wanted was to get into
05:01a good school.
05:02And at that time, I really just wanted to get into UP Diliman and study in Manila and pursue my
05:10dreams there.
05:10And I initially wanted to do pre-law too.
05:14So, I did not even think about even working at Deloitte when I was in high school.
05:22It just happened that way when I started to learn more about the opportunities through the years.
05:30But I never would have imagined that I would even take this path.
05:36So, what were you like as a child?
05:40Because some people, they would ask, maybe you're drinking a special type of milk or a different kind of water.
05:46But seriously, joking aside, what were you like as a child?
05:52So, I would say I was very, I guess I was very determined and ambitious.
05:58I was stubborn in a good way where if I wanted something, I would really work hard for it.
06:06And I just really liked school too.
06:09I was very studious.
06:11I remember my parents would have me, my siblings, and my cousins all together in the living room to study
06:19after school
06:20and do all of our homework.
06:21And I wouldn't complain about it.
06:24I would actually enjoy doing it, doing the activities.
06:27So, I think I already had it in me.
06:30But what also really helped was how supportive my family was.
06:36So, I was ambitious growing up.
06:39And so, it also just helped.
06:40Were you always a high-achieving student or was that something that developed later in your life?
06:51So, I would say throughout elementary school, my parents wanted me to just get good grades.
06:58And so, I just did the bare minimum to get good grades.
07:01Like, not really stride for anything like, oh, you need to graduate class valedictorian or class valedictorian.
07:07But once I entered high school and I started getting through higher ranks in school,
07:19that's when I realized that I could actually do it.
07:23And I started to put in more effort and put in more work in high school.
07:28And, well, I can tell at least from your initial responses that your parents truly are a strong influence in
07:38your life.
07:39So, what did they teach you about life, about work, or about education?
07:44I know there's a lot, but at least top of mind, that you still remember or you bring with you
07:49until today.
07:51I think my parents just really helped us learn the value of education and how much that can change your
08:00life.
08:02Because even just like looking back on my life and how far I've gotten,
08:10I wouldn't be where I am right now if I didn't get the education that I did in high school
08:17and if I didn't put in the work.
08:19And so, my parents just really taught me to value hard work and determination
08:24because it will get you where you want to be.
08:29And I think that was the most helpful piece of advice that they've given me throughout the years
08:38is to really put in the work in what you do and it will pay off.
08:44The cool thing about your story, as I've mentioned in the introduction,
08:49because some students would think that being able to afford and be able to finish
08:55in one of the top universities in the United States is only reserved for the upper 20%
09:03of the economic and social ladder in the Philippines.
09:07And yours is unique, you know, and that's why this is really among the trailblazers
09:14that we could say that our young students could also explore and take.
09:20So, when did the idea of studying in the United States first entered your mind?
09:27So, it was actually during COVID in 2021 and at this time, I was a grade 11 in senior high
09:37school.
09:38And initially, I never really thought of studying abroad because in my mind,
09:42it's always been UP High School in Cebu and then UP Diliman or UP Cebu.
09:47And so, I never really thought of even going abroad because no one I know from Cebu
09:54or I didn't know of anyone who studied abroad.
09:57And so, it was because of COVID that I got to connect and reach out to different people
10:05who are from the Philippines who are studying abroad.
10:08And I got connected to this group.
10:11They're still active now.
10:13It's called COS Philippines Coalition of American University Student Experiences.
10:19It's a group of high school seniors who mentor other Filipino high schools.
10:27to study abroad.
10:29And so, just coming across that page made me rethink about my whole future about,
10:34oh, what if I can just try applying to schools abroad?
10:37Like, that wouldn't hurt.
10:38And if it weren't for that opportunity, I wouldn't even have thought of studying abroad.
10:46And I've met actually your parents in one of the gatherings here in Cebu.
10:51But for the benefit of our viewers, what does your parents actually do now?
10:57And how are their career choices also influence the path that you are in today?
11:05Yes.
11:06So, actually, my mom is a stay-at-home mom.
11:10So, she doesn't work.
11:12She stopped working when she was pregnant with my younger brother.
11:17So, probably like 2000, I can't recall now, 2009, 2008.
11:24But she stopped working since.
11:27And my dad works as a marketing specialist at Bug E-Big.
11:33And so, he helps promote Bug E-Big's housing, loan savings, and programs to the public.
11:42But really, with my family's, with my dad's salary, I wouldn't even be able to afford studying at a private
11:51school,
11:52let alone in the United States.
11:54And so, it really wasn't something that we were considering of when looking at colleges,
12:00which was why we just wanted to aim for UP because we know it's free of tuition.
12:08We just wanted to make sure that it would be no cost to us.
12:11So, what was their reaction or your family's reaction when they learned that you were accepted
12:17and you received a scholarship in the U.S.?
12:24So, both my parents were very, they were very happy.
12:28They were very surprised.
12:29Because I did tell them about it.
12:31And I told them that, oh, I'm just going to try.
12:35If I get in, I get in.
12:37But we don't really have to think much about it until we get there.
12:41And so, they were like, okay, just apply.
12:44They don't really know how much it would cost or everything.
12:47And so, when I told them at first, they were very happy.
12:51But then, we also have to think realistically, we wouldn't be able to afford any of it.
12:58And so, that was the problem.
13:03We'd have to really look into more scholarships or look into our network
13:11and see who could potentially help us, who could potentially help me fund my education.
13:18What's remarkable about what you just shared, it's because, and I hope that our viewers were able,
13:24or the dreamers were able to capture that, is you did not necessarily allow what was your current circumstance to
13:32box you in.
13:33So, you will search for the possibilities, and then you figure things out from there.
13:41So, like I say, let's cross the bridge when we get there.
13:44But to begin with, let's get to the bridge first.
13:49Instead of just saying the bridge is too far, it's a long shot.
13:52You just really went to the bridge, and then let's figure how to cross it.
13:57So, how many bridges, or sorry, how many universities or schools did you apply
14:04before you decided to take this particular route?
14:11So, I applied, so in the Philippines, I applied for the usual schools.
14:16I applied to UP, Dilliman, LaSalle, Ateneo, UST.
14:21And then in the U.S., I applied to the school I went to, which was Illinois Wesleyan.
14:29And then probably about four or five more, no, actually more than that, around 10 schools.
14:36But I just got selected to, like, probably just three of those with scholarship, with scholarship available.
14:44But I applied to a lot of schools just to increase my chances.
14:49Yeah, that's a very good point.
14:51Because when I was also your age, my dad actually also used to tell me the importance of just showing
14:58up.
14:59Yes.
15:00And then take it from there.
15:02And yours is actually an even more successful story than mine.
15:07That's why I know that your story is truly encouraging for the young viewers out there.
15:13So, was there a feedback that was given to you, or at least when you did your own assessment,
15:19what got you the, because I know there are a lot of requirements,
15:23but what particular piece of the screening process which you think you really aced it?
15:28Was it the essay, or was it the recommendation?
15:33I think it was mostly a mix of the essay, the activities I did while I was in high school,
15:44and also my grades.
15:46Because specifically for U.S. colleges, they want a holistic approach.
15:52So, unlike schools in the Philippines, so schools back home, where it's mostly based on test scores,
16:00schools in the U.S., they want to see that you're actually involved in the community,
16:04that you've done a lot of activities while you were in high school, while also maintaining good grades.
16:11So, I think it was a mixture of all of those.
16:15And actually, you raised an important point, because those who are reviewing the application
16:23most likely would be able to get the feel of who you are becoming through also what you write
16:31in combination also with the grades, the good grades that you had in school.
16:36So, when Illinois Wesleyan offered you the financial package, what did you feel, or what was your reaction?
16:47At first, I was so surprised that they would actually be willing to give me that amount of money.
16:54And so, it was just a bit of a shock for me, and also for my parents.
17:02Like, they also couldn't believe that I actually got in, because we were just,
17:06oh, like, let's just see, let's just try.
17:09And then, I actually got the financial aid, and so things started to become more real after that.
17:16So, now let's move the narrative from the young girl in Lapu-Lapu City to still a young girl,
17:23but this time in Chicago.
17:26So, what was the adjustment like for you?
17:30Honestly, it was kind of a, not super big of an adjustment,
17:37because as I was in high school, I lived alone at a small dorm near UP High School,
17:46and so I was already living independently.
17:49And I also grew up very independent, which helped,
17:54and so that kind of helped in the transition of living alone.
17:59It was definitely hard living away from my parents,
18:02because I'm very close with my family,
18:06but that's kind of why I talked to them every single day.
18:09And so, the adjustment was not as bad as I thought
18:14from transitioning from in Lapu-Lapu to here.
18:19So, my upbringing back home really helped.
18:22So, you've mentioned earlier that you were the studios,
18:27and you were the achiever type of student, even when you were young.
18:31And you elevated further by graduating Summa Cum Laude.
18:36So, were there any additional versions of you that you can share to us
18:43that also led you to graduating Summa Cum Laude in the U.S.?
18:52I think I was very involved in other areas of college.
19:05Like, I wasn't just very focused on school.
19:08I was also making sure that I was making friends.
19:10I was involved in the Asian Pacific American Coalition Club,
19:16expanding my network, and just being a more sociable person, I would say.
19:24And so, I think that also helped in shaping who I am now,
19:28aside from just studying in college.
19:31So, just like runners, some of them would prefer sprint,
19:37that sudden burst of energy,
19:40while other runners also prefer the longer distances,
19:45the pacing of a marathon.
19:47When you were a student,
19:49were you the type who would study every day,
19:52regardless of whether there's going to be an exam?
19:56Or you also had your days,
19:58just like students or people like me,
20:00that you also crammed in your exams?
20:06So, I would say,
20:08when I was in high school,
20:10I was definitely very studious,
20:12where I wouldn't even give myself breaks.
20:15I was super stressed out in high school.
20:17I would study 24-7.
20:18I didn't really have much of a social life going on.
20:21But that kind of changed when I got into college
20:26because I wanted to enjoy college more.
20:30And so, I had to find a balance
20:32between studying hard
20:35and also making time for myself and for my friends.
20:40And so, I definitely experienced both.
20:42And it's good that you also pointed that out
20:46because I know that there still are a few students now,
20:49at least within my circle,
20:51who would really think that
20:53to get to where you are today
20:55and to be on top of one's game,
20:58a lot of them really sacrificed their social development
21:02just for them to be able to achieve that.
21:05And yours is one of those well-balanced stories
21:07that both can actually be achieved.
21:10So, how do you define success today?
21:14And how different was it
21:16when you were still a student?
21:19So, when I was still a student,
21:21success was very straightforward.
21:23It was good grades, honor roll,
21:28no grades below 85 or something.
21:30But now, it's more of like success just means
21:34being able to like what I'm doing every day,
21:39being able to feel fulfilled in the life I'm living,
21:43just feeling like I can give back to my family,
21:46to my parents, little by little.
21:48And just being fulfilled in different areas
21:51and not just one-sided,
21:53not just in my job, in my career.
21:55It's just feeling happy in all aspects of my life.
21:58And I can tell, no,
22:00because you've been factuating
22:02almost all of your sentences
22:05with the mention of your parents.
22:09And how do you normally,
22:11and this is for the parents who are watching,
22:15because you,
22:16at least from what I gathered in your earlier response,
22:19you already started a bit of living independently
22:22as early as high school, no?
22:24So, for parents who are watching,
22:28what would be the better approach, no?
22:33Especially when they also have children like you
22:38who also is just as determined to carve their own path
22:43even at such a young age.
22:46So, I would say really give your kids that trust
22:52because they really do need your trust and support.
22:57And I, for one,
22:59I'm very grateful for my parents
23:00because they've been very supportive
23:02and just very trustworthy of me,
23:07which helped me get this far.
23:10Because if they didn't trust me
23:11with my actions and with my decisions,
23:14I probably wouldn't be here.
23:16And, of course, I still needed their guidance.
23:18But it's just trust that your kids
23:22will be able to figure things out
23:24eventually on their own.
23:26And as they say,
23:28trust is both earned and given.
23:31So, in your case,
23:33and for the students also who are watching
23:36and they wish to also carve their own path,
23:39while still being in touch with their parents,
23:41but at least having a mind of their own,
23:44how, what are your suggestions or hacks as well
23:47for the young students who are watching
23:49to earn their parents' trust?
23:54I would say really,
23:56like, really respect your parents.
23:59They've been there for you.
24:01They're there for you.
24:02And are trying their best to support you.
24:06So, I say respect.
24:08Give them some respect.
24:10And then show some gratitude towards them
24:14because they're doing all they can
24:16to care for you.
24:18And just try your best in your studies
24:21and anything that you do
24:23just to show that you're paying it forward.
24:28And, of course, for every success story,
24:30there's always a lot of hard work
24:33and lessons learned behind it.
24:35Now, let's go back to the context
24:37of applying for scholarships.
24:40Were there particular lessons
24:42or maybe mistakes or missteps
24:45that you've made
24:46in the course of your application
24:48that you can also share
24:49to our young viewers
24:51so that they will not be able,
24:52they won't make that same misstep again?
24:57I think when I look back
24:59on my application,
25:02I think one thing
25:04that I wish I would have done
25:06is look into the schools
25:08and programs a lot more closely
25:12because each school
25:14has unique programs
25:16that they can offer you.
25:18And what I did
25:20that I wish I would have done differently
25:23is I wish I didn't really
25:25just give a general essay
25:28for some of the schools
25:30that I applied to.
25:31And I wish I put in more thought
25:34into looking at the different programs
25:37that they have to offer.
25:38So really try to do your research
25:41and try to spend more time
25:43reading different programs
25:45about what the school can offer you
25:47instead of giving a generic answer
25:49or essay for each of them.
25:52And by the way,
25:54while you were giving your answer,
25:56I was able also to learn one thing
25:59because it's practically the same pattern.
26:03When you apply for a job,
26:06it's not just you want to get the job
26:08or the role,
26:09but you also need to get to know
26:10the company that you are joining
26:12and the person or your leader
26:14that you will be working with.
26:16That's the same pattern
26:17also when we engage in business.
26:19We just don't look at business partnerships
26:21based on capitalization,
26:23but also the values of the business partners,
26:27the potential business partners.
26:28And now what you're also saying is
26:30even when we apply for scholarships,
26:32of course we collect.
26:35But eventually we also need to still
26:37get to know the universities
26:39before we decide joining
26:41because now I can tell that
26:43aside from your grades
26:44and you being well-balanced,
26:46there was also a good fit.
26:47That's why you also excelled
26:49in your engagement
26:52in the university.
26:55So given everything that you have achieved
27:03and you're a CPA now
27:05and you're working in Deloitte,
27:08if you are to go back to the young Amanda
27:11in Lapu-Lapu City,
27:13I think she should be 16 or 15
27:17or maybe even 17.
27:19What would you tell her?
27:22I think I would just tell her
27:24to not stress out about a lot of things
27:27because there are some things
27:30that are out of your control
27:31and unfortunately,
27:32the only thing you can do about them
27:35is how you react to these situations.
27:37And there are just some things
27:39that you just let it happen.
27:44And I guess I was just super stressed out
27:46when I was 15, 16 in high school
27:49thinking about my future.
27:50And I wish I could just tell her
27:53that it will all work out just fine.
27:56Even if plan A doesn't go according
28:00to what you wanted,
28:01there's still other things in life.
28:04And you are an achiever
28:07and you are a dreamer now.
28:10And I'm sure that's also the same trait
28:14that you had even as a young girl now.
28:17So it should not be a surprise
28:18that you are living such a trajectory
28:22as a young person now establishing
28:25her own career in the United States.
28:29But if we are to go back
28:31to that girl also searching for opportunity,
28:35what do you think really changed?
28:38Of course, there are so many factors,
28:40but what do you think was the most critical one?
28:44Was it the scholarship that you received
28:48or the drive that you had
28:51to keep on applying?
28:54I would say if I wasn't determined
28:59or driven enough,
29:02I wouldn't have gotten to even the scholarships
29:04in the first place.
29:06So I think what really made a difference
29:09in where I am was just my drive and grit
29:13in continuing to look for funding
29:17and in continuing to look for people
29:20who can help support my education.
29:23And I'm just grateful for that younger me
29:26who didn't stop pursuing this dream
29:30because I wouldn't be where I am
29:33if I gave up then.
29:36And actually, that was already supposedly
29:38my last question,
29:39but how long have,
29:40but now I just remembered before I close it,
29:43how long have you been away
29:45from the Philippines or from Cebu?
29:48I remember,
29:49I think the last time I visited
29:51was December of 2024.
29:58I believe, yes.
29:59December of 2024.
30:01Yes.
30:02And I suppose that was my last question
30:06because this is also good lessons
30:08for families in long-distance relationships,
30:13not just lovers,
30:15but even families.
30:16What's the frequency
30:18that you have a conversation
30:20with your parents and your family?
30:24So with my family,
30:25I'm very close with them,
30:27as you can tell.
30:28I call my mom every single day.
30:30I was just on the phone with her
30:32a couple hours ago,
30:33and I text my siblings every day.
30:36And so we just constantly text each other
30:39and communicate.
30:40It's like I never really left home.
30:42And leveraging technology.
30:44Some people, they would say that
30:46technology is a wedge between people
30:50to establish relationships.
30:52But in your case,
30:53that's in fact the strength.
30:55That's why you stayed in touch with your family.
30:58So thank you very much
30:58for making time for us
31:00and for sharing your thoughts and insights,
31:02especially to parents
31:04and young viewers who are watching.
31:07Yes, thank you.
31:08Thank you so much for having me.
31:10I feel very grateful and honored.
31:12And we are also just as grateful and honored.
31:14So thank you.
31:17So Amanda's story began in Lapu-Lapu City,
31:20but her dreams took her thousands of miles away.
31:24She found a scholarship.
31:26She took the opportunity.
31:28She worked for it.
31:29And she made it.
31:31Sometimes the opportunity is there.
31:33We just have to believe enough
31:35to look for it.
31:37So I'm DJ Moises.
31:39Shout out to Coffee First
31:40for supporting conversations that matter.
31:43This is Beyond the Headlines.
31:44Let's look deeper and think better.
31:47Have a good afternoon.
31:53It starts with a fresh shot of espresso.
31:57Bold, rich, bold, just right.
32:03Then comes the milk.
32:05Steamed, smooth, creamy, and balanced.
32:08The perfect latte is not brushed.
32:11It is crafted.
32:12One cup at a time.
32:15Your perfect latte is ready.
32:17Coffee first.
32:19Then, everything else.
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