As the Ateneo community closes the curtains on this year’s graduation ceremonies, one name stands out not only for academic excellence but also for her quiet strength and heart-led journey: Sam Tongco of ME Batch 2025, who graduated magna cum laude and was a recipient of the FAME Mari-Jo Ruiz Scholarship Fund during her last semester.
Rooted in Grit, Guided by Grace
For Sam, the ME journey wasn’t just about excelling in academics—it was about constantly striving, balancing, and building a life of purpose. "In high school, I was often called ambisyosa—and not always in a good way," she recalls. “But in ME, I finally found people who understood that drive and shared that same hunger to grow.”
That drive carried her through a college journey filled with case competitions, internships, and organization work—all while holding down a full-time job since July of her senior year. “I’ve always pushed myself. I gave my best in everything, even when it was hard,” she says. “And it was hard—a lot of the time.”
Sam’s story is one of perseverance, often quiet, often unseen. “There were times I felt like a zombie—emotionally and physically drained—but no one really knew,” she shares. “That experience made me realize how important it is to check in on others, to ask how they really are.”
It’s this deepening empathy and self-awareness that she carries with her into life beyond Ateneo.
A Magna That Mattered
Graduating magna cum laude had been a long-time goal—something Sam set her sights on as early as her second year. "This was the only school I got into without a scholarship," she shares. “So I wanted to prove to myself that it was worth it. That I was worth it.”
But it wasn’t about chasing accolades. It was about doing justice to the effort, sacrifice, and love of the people who believed in her—her family, friends, mentors, and the community she found in MEA. “My family was everything. They brought me food when I didn’t come home from the dorms. My friends were always on the same wavelength—we studied hard but also made time for each other. And MEA? That organization gave me every opportunity that led to where I am now.”
Even when her calendar overflowed—like during the semester she simultaneously served in MEA’s Central Board, took on her first internship, and survived one of the program’s most intense semesters—she didn’t let the pressure define her. “It wasn’t perfect. My priorities were split. But I learned that it’s okay to try, to fail, and to grow from the discomfort.”
The Power of Community and Paying It Forward
Sam’s final semester was made possible through the FAME Mari-Jo Ruiz Scholarship Fund, and to her, that support meant everything.
“At that point, I was considering a loan or dipping into my savings,” she says. “Getting the scholarship gave me peace of mind—it meant I could keep studying and keep working without the weight of uncertainty. It reminded me that there really are people out there who are willing to help.”
Encouraged by her professors and mentors, Sam applied and received support quickly. "It was a very smooth process. FAME was so quick to say, ‘Yes, we’ll help.’ I’m really grateful for that.”
Now, Sam is already setting aside money for her younger brother’s education—so that, like her, he can choose the best school for himself, regardless of cost.
Carrying the ME Legacy Forward
As she steps beyond the halls of Ateneo, Sam remains deeply grounded in the values that defined her ME journey: resilience, excellence, and above all, community.
She’s determined to be a leader who listens, someone who checks in with others and makes space for people’s silent struggles. “Empathy doesn’t come naturally to me,” she admits. “But it’s something I want to work on. I want to be the kind of person who takes the time to ask, ‘How are you—really?’”
Sam is also a proud advocate for the ME program. “Bilib na bilib ako sa ME,” she says. “People in my workplace are always so impressed by the consistency and excellence of ME graduates. There’s something about the way we’re formed—it’s second nature.”
From Scholar to Supporter
For Sam, being a scholar was never just about receiving help—it was about recognizing the power of community and the importance of giving back.
From the people she met in MEA, to the mentorship she received from upper batches and colleagues at WAVE (where she interned and worked for two years), she knows that her story was shaped by a village. “Everyone around me—friends, mentors, teammates—helped me stay grounded. They reminded me what mattered.”
And now, with a diploma in hand and a heart full of gratitude, Sam Tongco is ready to carry that legacy forward.
