(Awardees of SMFI scholarship grants at the MAAX Auditorium in Pasay City. Contributed Photo)
SM FOUNDATION INC. (SMFI) awards scholarship grants to around 500 incoming college students nationwide at the MAAX Auditorium in Pasay City, and in either SM Stores or SM Malls in various provinces, simultaneously on May 8, 2019.
In Tarlac, seven college scholarship recipients namely, Monica Charize Aguilar, Carol Beteño, Aisle Lush Valdez, Kyla Grace Aduca, Alliah angelica Banaybanay, Mark Lester Quiambao and Joseph Christopher Balabag, were oriented and awarded along with their parents and guardians at the training room of The SM Store at SM City Tarlac.
“We are very thankful to SM for this opportunity that we are granted”, said Mr. Rey Aduca, father of one of the SMFI scholarship recipients. He could not help his tears as he expressed his deepest thanks for the blessing given to their family.
Mr. Jerry S. Dy, Branch Manager (BM) of The SM Store shared words of wisdom to the new scholars. He encouraged them to study hard and to stay focused in their chosen courses. Meanwhile, Engr. Thelma Mangubat, SM City Tarlac’s Building Administration Manager (BAM), advised the scholars to have a vision and to keep an eye in that vision just as she did when she was their age.
Of the 500 new SM college scholars, 35% are from the National Capital Region (NCR) and 65% are from the other provinces, bringing the total number of college scholars to 1,200 for school year 2019 – 2020. This year also marks another milestone for the program as it expanded its reach to students from Bataan, Daet and Sorsogon.
The SM College Scholarship program was founded on SM patriarch, Tatang Henry Sy, Sr.’s belief that education is the greatest equalizer. He believed that if he could help send one child to school, that child can then help his or her siblings finish schooling and together, they can help uplift their family out of poverty. From its inception in 1993, the program has produced 3,274 college scholar-graduates and still continues to provide thousands of Filipino youth the chance for a better future through higher education.
SM Foundation is the social development arm of the SM Group of Companies. Its programs are focused on providing better access to education, healthcare, food security through farmers’ training, shelter, and social inclusion.
