SM Foundation offers better lives, greater opportunities for bright but poor students

Academic Year 2018-2019 is unique as schools welcome the first batch of Grade 12 graduates. Many of the incoming college freshmen come from families that are financially-challenged and barely have the means to make ends meet, more so for their college education.

Determined to continue schooling despite the challenges, a number of these young people studied very hard to qualify for college scholarships. Among those available for bright yet poor students is SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), the scholarship program arm of retail giant ShoeMart Store.

While SMFI increased its technical-vocational scholars in the middle of the K-12 basic education curriculum transition, its collegiate scholarship program continued.

As expected, new scholars for the transition year were not as many as in previous years, but for the new academic year, hundreds of new scholars throughout the country have simultaneously signed up for the program last month.

Barring unforeseen events, they now have the likelihood to obtain a college degree – their stepping stone to good jobs, which clearly means that they have just been given the chance to better their lives and can now aspire for greater opportunities for themselves and their families.

Qualification and benefits

To qualify for SMFI scholarship, the student must come from an indigent family, with the head of family earning barely minimum income; must meet the required grade; plus the dream and passion to have a better life.

The scholarship (free tuition plus allowances) also comes with benefits of social activities—free movies, personality development seminars, religious retreats, Christmas parties, among others—to make the scholar well-rounded and develop social skills.

An added opportunity, if the scholar so desires, is to work with any SM store during summer or Christmas breaks to augment their allowances. Upon obtaining college degree, scholars get priority hiring as participants in an exclusive job fair by the SM Group, as compared to the general job fair held annually.

The scholarship does not bound anyone to work for any SM Group company after graduation.

“The only requirement [for a scholar]is to pay it forward by being productive and viable citizens to their country and their families,” SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) chairman and SMFI president Jose Sio said.

Those who have government-sponsored scholarships such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or free tuition fees in state colleges and universities (SUCs) must choose which offers them the best option to enable other poor and deserving students to enjoy SMFI scholarships.

Profiles

One of the scholars is Arwin Stephen Samonte Lalim from Marikina City. A son of a UV driver, he will enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) for a degree in Accountancy. He applied for the grant online, took the qualifying exams and interview at SM Marikina.

“I must study hard so I can help my two younger siblings to school. Ano na lang ang saya at ginhawa maibibigay ko sa mga magulang ko kung makatapos ako ng pag-aaral? Salamat sa Panginoon at sa SM sa malaking biyayang ito,” he said.

Kit Adrian Martin came to the awarding with his father, an air-con technician, who encouraged him to pursue an Electrical Engineering course in Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) after his graduation from the Malabon National High School.

He said he would not be able to go to college if he did not win this scholarship grant.

“That is why as soon as I finish my studies I must give back to SM the greatest and the best graduation gift I have ever received,” he said.

Ashley Khay Hanapin graduated valedictorian at the Amazing Grace School and went to senior high at the University of Perpetual Help in Laguna.

She qualified as an SM scholar to take up BS Accountancy at PUP. Her father earns a living as a barber while her mother is a casual teacher aide. Ashley said she is determined to finish her course so she can help her parents.

“Makabawi man lang ako sa hirap nila at makabawi ako sa SM sa binigay nitong oportunidad sa isang estudyanteng tulad ko,” she shared.

Seventeen-year-old Chenalyn Rioveros from Bacoor graduated from Gov. Juanito Reyes Remulla Senior High School. She went to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo High School for her Grades 6 to 10 studies.

She will pursue college in San Sebastian College in Cavite City, which is near her residence to save on transportation expenses and to help out her carpenter father Noel and her mother Emelita, who runs a small carinderia.

She was interviewed in SM Bacoor and was told she qualified as an SM scholar.

“Ipaabot naman po ninyo kay Tatang [Henry] Sy at Nanang [Felicidad] Sy ang lubos kong pasasalamat sa binigay na scholarship ninyo sa anak ko,” Chenalyn’s father Noel said.

“Balang araw masusuklian ko rin ang SM ang kabaitan ninyo,” the teener enjoined.

SMFI scholar-graduates Christian Acosta and Katherine Velasquez shared their experiences as scholars and how the scholarships changed their lives.

The signing of agreements was witnessed by no less than SM Group matriarch Felicidad Sy and son Harley (who himself has personal scholars), Sio and the different executives of the SM Group and SMFI trustee Chito Macapagal and SMFI Director for Education Linda Atayde.

In her speech, Atayde emphasized to the graduates that their “journey has just begun” with the scholarship program and that it is up to them to prove deserving of it until they complete their degrees. The SMFI scholarship program has been going on for 25 years now.

The signing of scholarship contracts was held at the SMX Hall B while simultaneous contract signings were held in other parts of the country by the SMFI.

Another unique feature of the signing was a hall-wide “selfie” of the scholars with the SM Group matriarch and her son and Chairman Sio.