Four weeks into the fall 2024 semester, Edwin “TJ” Tjardes says he’s successfully dodged “freshmanitis”—the lack of motivation that college first-year students sometimes feel for school work as they join a vibrant new campus environment. As an intended biology major at the University of Iowa, Tjardes has spent the past few weeks diving into his pre-medical studies, making new friends, and getting involved in extracurricular activities.
“I’m the only one from my class who’s going to [the University of]Iowa, so everyone was a new face to me,” he said.
At a recent activities fair, he was sure to sign up for wiffle ball, as well as the Philippine Student Association — a nod to his maternal cultural heritage, and a potential continuation of the Filipino community he had in Madison through PAMANA (Philippine-American Madison and Neighboring Areas).
Tjardes is one of two 2024 PAMANA scholars who was granted $1,000 to put towards their education earlier this summer at the organization’s annual picnic. Born and raised on Madison’s North Side, Tjardes grew up sailing on the waters of Lake Mendota, playing baseball, and has recently discovered a love for chess.
The PAMANA scholarship is an annual award that has been supporting Filipino American Madison students since 2014. This year, scholarships were given to Tjardes and his fellow Madison East classmate Doreen Ayne Abejero.
“[The scholarship] is a way for the organization to give something back to our members [and] at the same time, promote getting a good education,” explained John Barut, a longtime PAMANA board member and co-chair of the PAMANA scholarship committee.
“[We’re] investing in their future and hope that they’ll become leaders of a community somewhere, if not Madison, and do good for the world.”
Powered by member donations and fundraising initiatives like PAMANA’s annual Christmas caroling event, the scholarships have been able to financially assist at least two Filipino American students in Madison every year since its inception.
“We’ve known these kids since they were small,” Barut said. “Their families have been active in our organization, whether that’s attending all the events or helping us volunteer at places around Madison.”
Tjardes’ family has been involved with PAMANA since he was young, which has allowed him to connect with his Filipino side. “My mom’s Filipino and she introduced me to a lot of Filipino food when I was younger,” he reminisced.
In his youth, PAMANA became an avenue for Tjardes to not only learn about one aspect of his cultural background, but connect with other young Filipino Americans in town, which he notes can be challenging.
“I got to know a lot of people my age from Filipino gatherings during Christmas and during the summer, too,” he explained. “That’s how I bonded with other people my age who are also Filipino.”
Tjardes’ mom immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 2002 to work as a nurse at a UW hospital, which is where she met Tjardes’ father, who is also a nurse.
He attributes his professional aspirations to his parents’ line of work. “Since they were both RNs in a hospital, I was interested in also being a nurse,” Tjardes explained. “During my senior year, I did a dual credit class with Madison College to be a CNA,” adding that he is currently interested in pharmacology.
The Tjardes family’s long-time involvement in PAMANA has allowed Barut to watch Tjardes grow as a person. “Especially in the last two years in high school, I saw a more motivated TJ. I think he became more independent as a single child,” Barut noted. “One thing that distinguishes him from other applicants is his passion for playing chess.”
Spending his freshman year of high school in lockdown, Tjardes discovered his love for chess. When in-person classes resumed, he and the world languages teacher at Madison East started an after-school club. “It’s still going on right now without me,” he said proudly. “I left my mark for it.”
This kind of passionate leadership is exactly what the PAMANA committee looks for in their scholars.
“Just like what I would wish for my own kids, I wish [this year’s scholarship recipients] luck,” Barut said. “[I hope] that they experience a full college experience on campus making new friends, hearing different perspectives, and finding their passion. And for that passion to include being a good citizen of the world.”
Tjardes expressed his gratitude for the role PAMANA is playing to help him spread his wings beyond Madison.
“I feel very grateful that they are giving me this opportunity to be a part of the community and be nominated for the scholarship,” Tjardes emphasized. “I’m cherishing the scholarship right now. It’s being put to good use for my out-of-state tuition here in Iowa.”
