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Angelo Virgo | Photo courtesy of Angelo Virgo and SUT
Angelo Virgo | Photo courtesy of Angelo Virgo and SUT
Angelo Fernandez Virgo’s story may sound cliché—he is the youngest of seven children in a farming family with limited means, and from an early age, he knew that education would be his path to a better life.
“None among my siblings has ever finished college, that is why finishing college and becoming a professional is very crucial for me. I want to prove that poverty is not a hindrance to achieve success,” Angelo said in his introductory speech when applying for the Royal Scholarship for Asean Students at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in 2020.
In April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelo Fernandez Virgo, a 17 year old from Valencia, Bukidnon, was browsing Facebook. He had just graduated from senior high school at Central Mindanao University – Senior High School and was looking forward to a university life under a DOST (Department of Science and Technology) scholarship.
One day, a friend tagged him in a Facebook post—intended as a joke—about the Royal Scholarship for Asean Students. Endorsed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the program offered full scholarships for engineering and technology courses at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The link was posted by a professor from Mindanao State University (MSU), which at the time had a memorandum of understanding with SUT.
READ: Pandemic took a heavy toll on Thailand’s education system
“I read the terms and conditions for the Royal scholarship grant, it is like the DOST Scholarship but without the return service condition and no refund policy in case the scholarship gets terminated during study (e.g., failing to meet the minimum average grade). It’s also a chance to explore Thailand and study for free,” Angelo recalled.
Angelo passed all the interviews and exams to clinch the scholarship. He was one of the seven Filipino students and 19 others from Asean countries who studied Innovative Agripreneur, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering. Angelo was accepted for Mechanical Engineering course. But the real challenge was the travel restrictions due to the pandemic and the financial difficulties.
“I had to secure a quarantine pass just to travel and process the school requirements including my passport,” Angelo said.
Due to travel restrictions, Virgo and his fellow scholars attended online classes for a few months before flying to Thailand on January 20, 2021.
READ: Filipino students in Thailand choose transnational education
“I had to stay at the house of another SUT Royal Scholar in CDO because we didn’t have internet and computer at home,” he said.
Plane tickets were costly, and upon arrival in Thailand, he had to book a quarantine hotel, which cost more than 28,000 THB. Medical insurance was also mandatory. Yet, Angelo and his family did all they could to have this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.
From left to right: Kunrithy Kong (Cambodian), Angelo Virgo, Asst. Professor Dr. Akawut Siriruk (Thai | Internship Supervisor), Leanne Renz Malamog. Photo courtesy of Angelo Virgo and SUT
In Thailand, Angelo and the foreign students struggled during their first few months.
“The language barrier was tough. Many locals struggled with English, and most signs were in Thai. Inside the university, it was easier because we were in an international program, but outside, I had to rely on gestures and body language. Over time, I learned basic Thai words to make interactions smoother,” Angelo explained.
He also learned to eat spicy Thai foods.
Homesickness was another major challenge. “I often cried during video calls with my family. But having fellow Filipino scholars at the university helped me adjust. We shared dormitory rooms and supported each other.”
Angelo also connected with the small Filipino community in Nakhon Ratchasima, eventually making friends and easing homesickness. He was only able to return home in October 2024 after completing his studies.
Angelo Virgo receiving his diploma from Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during the graduation ceremony held at SUT on March 23, 2025. Photo courtesy of Angelo Virgo and SUT
Was it his dream to become an engineer?
Knowing his family’s financial struggles, Angelo said that he resolved to study harder. He excelled in mathematics during his elementary and high school years.
“In elementary school, we had writing exercises about our ambitions. At first, my parents influenced my dream of becoming an engineer, specifically to plan and build houses. I believed that Civil Engineering would be our way out of poverty,” he said.
“My family remains my biggest inspiration—I want to give them the best life possible.”
Angelo and the first batch of Filipino Asean scholars graduated on March 23, 2025. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn conferred their degrees in the largest and most elaborate graduation ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima.
However, earning his bachelor’s degree was not enough. Angelo believed that specializing in specific areas of Civil Engineering would open doors to various opportunities in the field.
In February 2025, Angelo was awarded another scholarship—becoming the first Filipino recipient of the One Research One Grant (OROG) Scholarship for Master of Engineering (M.Eng). He was endorsed by his adviser, Asst. Professor Dr. Theerawat Sinsiri. The scholarship covers full tuition and school activity fees, as well as research and conference expenses, though students must cover their own monthly and living allowances.
To the young people who are dreaming big, Angelo has wise words to impart:
“The possibilities out there are limitless. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself; you must be willing to get out of your comfort zone and grow. You have the ability and freedom to write your own story so be sure to make the most out of that. Dream as big as you can; it’s free. Be grateful to those who support you, and most of all, don’t forget to appreciate and give credit to yourself as well.”
According to its website (interadmission.sut.ac.th/royal-scholarship/) Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has endorsed to support international education cooperative development programs for students in Asean countries to succeed in higher education levels. To align with this initiative and promote the university at an international level, Suranaree University of Technology offers scholarship support under the Royal Initiative Project for students from Asean countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The Royal Asean Scholarship (interadmission.sut.ac.th/royal-scholarship/) opens every year for the following bachelor’s degrees: Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering, and Innovative Agriprenuer. Five scholarships are given for each courses.
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The scholarship application is extended until April 7, 2025.
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