A scholarship backed by Metrobank Foundation and Boysen Paints has helped turn a once uncertain dream into a licensed profession for Rheanna Yzabelle De Guzman, underscoring the role of sustained support in shaping future builders of the Philippines.
Now a licensed architect, De Guzman describes her journey as a “full circle” moment—from aspiring student to practicing professional—after overcoming financial hardship that once threatened to derail her studies.
“It’s funny how time works… now, I’m standing here, no longer just a student or a dreamer, but as a full-fledged architect,” she said during the Metrobank Foundation – Boysen recognition ceremony, reflecting on milestones that once seemed out of reach.
Raised by her single father, Rhonnel De Guzman, with support from her grandmother, Librada De Guzman, she faced a critical turning point when her father was forced to stop working due to heart disease. By her second year in college, funding for her education had nearly run out.
“When my father had to return home due to heart disease, our world shifted. His savings could only carry my education until my second year. At that point, the dream of becoming an architect didn’t just feel far away; it felt impossible,” she said.
The uncertainty, she added, made it difficult to see a way forward.
“If I’m being honest, there were many days when I didn’t think this circle would ever close.”
Her situation changed when she was awarded the Metrobank Foundation – Boysen scholarship shortly after her birthday—a moment she described as transformative.
“All we had was prayer and a quiet hope that the Lord would provide. And He did. Two days after my birthday, I got the news: I was a scholar.”
The support enabled her to continue her studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where she later graduated with honors. More than financial aid, she said, the program provided mentorship and a sense of direction at a critical stage.
“They did not only help sustain my education. They also stayed by my side. They saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. They didn’t just see a student in need; they saw a professional in the making.”
Freed from constant financial pressure, De Guzman said she was able to focus on excelling academically—a shift she credits for helping her complete her degree with distinction and eventually pass the Architecture Licensure Examination in January 2026.
Her success was shared by fellow Metrobank Foundation – Boysen scholars Joanna Rose Irinco of National University – Manila and Lycel Anne Pineda of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, highlighting the program’s broader impact on developing young professionals.
For the foundation, such outcomes reflect a long-term investment in nation-building through education.
“We believe that empowering individuals goes beyond enabling personal success. It is about inspiring them to give back and take part in building stronger communities,” said Metrobank Foundation president Philip Francisco Dy.
De Guzman’s story, however, is as much about family as it is about opportunity. In her speech, she acknowledged the role of her father and grandmother, crediting their sacrifices and belief in her ambitions.
“To my parents… thank you for everything. I’ll never get tired of sharing our story. We finally did it.”
As she begins her professional career, De Guzman frames her achievement not as an endpoint, but as a responsibility—one that extends beyond architecture itself.
“Our journey doesn’t end with this license. It begins with the responsibility to build, not just structures but also hope,” she said.
She added that she hopes to return one day with her own “full-circle moment”—not only as a successful architect, but as someone who has helped others follow a similar path.
Her journey illustrates how targeted educational support, combined with mentorship and resilience, can bridge opportunity gaps—turning hardship into achievement while reinforcing a cycle of paying it forward.
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