SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid encouraged students to grab every opportunity to learn as education will give them a brighter future.

Lapid made the plea during a speech at the inauguration of a five-story school building at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Apalit, Pampanga.

The senator, who requested the funding for this project from Okada Foundation and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, urged young students not to let their chance to study slip while their parents are working hard to support their education.

Reflecting on his own experience, Lapid shared, “Kung may DHVSU noong araw, baka nakatapos din ako ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo.”

Due to the hardships his family faced at that time, Lapid said he was only able to complete high school.

He told students to be grateful for the support their parents give them.

“Pag pinag-aral kayo ng mga magulang n’yo, samantalahin nyo. Wag nyo po hahayaan na sisikat ang araw at lulubog na wala kayong natututunan. Kahit kelan hindi na muling maibabalik kapag lumipas na ang araw na ito,” the senator said.

Dr. Enrique Baking, president of DHVSU, the students and local government officials from Apalit, Pampanga thanked Lapid and Okada Foundation Inc. for their support to the school.

Okada Foundation Inc. President James Lorenzana said that the project is the first academic building his foundation funded and it allocated a budget of P50 million for its construction.