Ms. Det de Leon, Ayen Retuta and Bea de Leon. PHOTO VIA ATENEO WEBSITE/ Tin Magboo
MANILA, Philippines — A volleyball fan is the first recipient of a scholarship for Ateneo de Manila University through volleyball standout Bea de Leon, the school announced on Friday.
Raphaella Ayen Retuta, an avid supporter of De Leon, took to Twitter last April 2022 upon receiving her acceptance letter from Ateneo. However, her scholarship application was rejected due to limited slots.
She shared her heartbreak via a tweet tagging her idols De Leon and basketball star Thirdy Ravena–both players from Ateneo.
“I wasn’t awarded with the scholarship I was aiming for — but glad to know that you want me, Ateneo. haay my dream school, in another life. Hope you’re proud of me [Bea De Leon] and [Thirdy Ravena],” then tweeted Retuta.
Ten months later, Retuta’s tweet earned her a scholarship from her idol De Leon.
Ateneo said the BS Management became the first Bea De Leon scholar, a program that was officially established in the Loyola Schools through a deal signing last January 27.
De Leon, a two-time UAAP champion and Season 81 Finals MVP, congratulated her first scholar, who was an active student-leader in high school and graduated with high honors.
“Congratulations @katorsero for being an exemplary student. May you serve to be an inspiration to others to continue working hard in pursuit of their dreams,” the Choco Mucho star wrote. “Much credit goes to the whole family as well. Dad, Mom, Kuya, may this only be the beginning!”
The ace middle blocker presented the scholarship to Retuta in an event graced by her mother Det de Leon, Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ, Director of Office of University Development Fr Kit Bautista, SJ. Director of Office of Admission and Aid Dr. Jo-Ed Tirol, Assistant to the Director for Scholarships Tin Magboo, and Scholarship Officer Jerome Valdez.
De Leon, who was an athletic scholar, graduated from Ateneo in 2018 with a degree in AB Management Economics and is currently finishing her Masters degree in Sustainability Management. She was also a finalist for the 2018 Ambrosio Padilla Athlete of The Year award, while being a consistent Dean’s Lister.