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Beyond Education: Metrobank Foundation Scholars Pay It Forward
With education as one of its main thrusts, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), through its College Scholarship Program (CSP), continues to give hope of a brighter future to the youth by providing assistance to financially-incapable yet deserving students. Now on its fifteenth year, the Metrobank Foundation has been providing opportunities for better education to aspiring college students through covering 100% of their tuition and other fees and giving them allowance.
  Jasper Ian D. Munji, president of the scholars’ alumni organization ASSET (Alumni Scholars for Service and Excellence, and Transformation) presents the vision and mission of the organization to the newest batch of scholar graduates including its pay-it-forward projects. But more than financial assistance, the Metrobank Foundation College Scholarship Program also helps its scholars build their character by encouraging them to participate in community projects that benefit the less fortunate.
Sheena Dacmay, a BS Accountancy graduate of Saint Louis University and one of the Foundation’s Class 2010 scholars, was once involved in an organization which conducts outreach programs to indigenous peoples. She and her group had then donated blankets and school supplies to early grade schoolers of Ubuag Primary School, located in one of the remote towns of the province of Ifugao. Sheena was also affiliated with another community-based organization wherein they organized lectures and information drive on the basic rights of Filipino citizens to the people living in a far community. “I may have contributed a little, but I am proud that, in a way, we were able to bring those smiles and gratitude on their faces. In my own little way, I was able to help and encourage others in our community to join these activities,” said Sheena, who finished her degree as a cum laude.
Another Metrobank Foundation scholar is Cherry Bepitel, a BS Accountancy cum laude graduate from the Ateneo de Davao University. As a member of the spiritual Reachers’ Club in their university, she had the chance to participate in a weeklong feeding program implemented in one of the barangays of Davao City, serving lugaw and bread for the people in the community. Cherry participated in other activities as well, including visits to places for the elderly and immersion activities as part of their Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) program.
The urge to make a difference in the lives of others has become particularly strong in the Metrobank Foundation scholars, being recipients of the gift of education themselves. Thus, they want to instill the importance of education and help to make it possible for others. And this particularly showed in the endeavors of Lorenz Bagayas, a BS Accountancy cum laude graduate from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Lorenz was so moved by the story of a girl in their area who, in her desperation, resorted to selling her clothes just so she could take the exam for a particular school year. As a result, Lorenz organized a fund-raising drive in order to support the child’s education. At first, there were only six (6) of them from their batch supporting the child. But through word of mouth, a majority started allocating a small portion of their allowances to the move, each donating P15 every month. “Last March 26, 2010, Kimberly Luna finished her elementary and we’re hoping that she’ll be accepted as a scholar when she enters high school,” revealed Lorenz.
To celebrate graduation of the Metrobank Foundation Scholars of Class 2010, all 56 scholar graduates from various parts of the country were gathered last April 30 and May 1 for the Graduates’ Forum. The Graduates’ Forum is an annual assembly of the Foundation’s graduate scholars where they get to meet and interact with their fellow scholars as well as their benefactors. The event also allows the Foundation to hear the scholar graduates plans for the future, particularly on how they intend to give back the gift of education that the Foundation provided them.
Since 1995, the CSP has been assisting outstanding students in their college education. Over the years, the CSP has produced a total of 777 graduates, more than 500 of whom are now licensed professionals and about 700 scholar graduates working in some of the country’s top corporations. This year serves as a milestone for the program as it celebrates the formal closing of two (2) scholarship programs of the Foundation — Metrobank ACCESS (Assistance for the Completion of College Education for Superior Students) and GRACE (Grants in Aid of College Education) to give way for another program in education that will better serve the most number of beneficiaries.
“As you now step out of the boundaries of your universities to work in your chosen professions, we urge you to carry with you our advocacies and commitment to nation building by helping others who are in need,“ said Metrobank Foundation vice chairman Placido L. Mapa, Jr. The Foundation believes that more than giving the scholars the opportunity to enjoy quality education, that sense of responsibility and stewardship for their communities is also being instilled.
The Metrobank Foundation continues to produce responsible citizens as new batch of scholars graduate every year. Judy Anne Manalang, a BS Civil Engineering cum laude graduate from the University of Sto. Tomas, proves to be one of them. As early as now, she has plans on how she will share the gift of education that she has received. “I would like to continue to serve the community by joining organizations whose projects focus on giving free access to quality education especially for the underprivileged students as I believe that education is the key to our nation’s progress. I would take an action to continue what the Metrobank Foundation had given their scholars. I would live up to the values that they had taught us and that is be of help to others and use my skills for the advantage of the many,” she stated.
One of the concrete results of this are the social responsibility projects of the alumni organization of MBFI scholars — ASSET or Alumni Scholars for Service, Excellence and Transformation. New graduates automatically become members of ASSET which serves as a venue for them to establish personal and professional networks and give back to society through community and outreach projects. One of their projects includes the conduct of summer tutorial classes for elementary students to help them enhance their reading abilities. Dubbed as “Project ABC,” the program was started in April 2008 with Marcela Marcelo Elementary School in Malibay, Pasay City as the pilot school for its implementation. For its successful implementation, other tutorial sessions followed extending the program to students of Sinag-Tala Elementary School in Roosevelt, Quezon City and HOPE Worldwide Philippines, Inc. in Brgy. Baseco, Port Area Manila. Project ABC is currently extended to students of Napindan Elementary School in Taguig City.
12th GRADUATES’ FORUM FOR CLASS 2010 SCHOLARS
SUMMARY OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVEMENTS
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I. WITHIN THE BARANGAY / COMMUNITY: |
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1. Andrei May C. Agcol
(MSU-IIT) |
Andrei was a member of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) where he was elected as bookkeeper in his fourth year in college. To give back to his community, Andrei, together with other members of the JPIA, conducted outreach programs to help the victims of the flood caused by tropical storm “Ondoy.” From their organization’s fund, the JPIA was able to donate canned goods and other relief goods to the victims. For Andrei, helping other people is a way of spreading God’s love. |
2.Roscel J. Araneta
(Western Mindanao State University) |
Roscel was a member of Student’s Scholar Association (SSA) in her school where she constantly participated in the organization’s annual outreach programs conducted in different barangays in their place. Through joining these outreach activities, she was able to help the sick and the less fortunate by providing them some of their basic needs.. Aside from these, Roscel also volunteered for the Red Cross and joined the “Plant a Tree for the Future” activities. |
3. Lorenz G. Bagayas
(Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology) |
Lorenz started paying forward the good things he received while being a Metrobank Foundation scholar in 2009. He learned of a grade 6 pupil who was willing to sell her clothes just to be able to take an exam. Touched by the willingness of the student to go to school, he suggested to his batch mates and teachers that they support the tuition of the child. At first, there were only six of them who were supporting the child, but as the news spread in their batch, all his batch mates agreed to give P15 a month to finance the tuition of the grade 6 pupil. Because of their effort, the grade 6 pupil named Kimberly Luna graduated last March 2010. |
4. Cherry D. Bepitel
(Ateneo de Davao University) |
Cherry was involved in many community-building activities, but she considers her involvements in the Immersion at New Hope Day Care Center, Brgy. 21-D Feeding Program and the Co Su Gian Outreach Program as her most significant experiences in community-building. She was able to teach songs, dance steps and poems to kids in the immersion, as well as interact with the elderly by feeding and entertaining them. She was also the secretary of Reacher’s Club, one of the spiritual/religious clubs of Ateneo which aims to reach out to brothers and sisters whom others found to be unreachable or untouchable. |
5. Hanna Astrid R. Canseco
(University of San Carlos) |
Hanna once volunteered to help build houses for the scavengers in Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for her Construction Materials class. During the construction, she was able to interact with the scavengers who were also helping them in building the house. Through this experience, she realized how she is still very blessed despite the problems her family faces. In the future, she wants to have a similar project that will be implemented with the help of like-minded construction companies. |
6. Jonas M. Cantillo
(Negros Oriental State University) |
The community projects that John was involved in as a volunteer were mostly associated with children or infants. During his second year in college, together with his classmates, he visited the “Children of Hope” in Jawa Valencia, where they brought food and toys for the kids, and at the same time, played with them. While he was in third year, they sang Christmas songs for the street children at the dawn of Christmas day and gave them food. Recently, together with his group, he visited the pediatrics ward in Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) where he and his group shared some infant care products to the parents of the children. These experiences made him realize how blessed he is and the experience made him feel good because was able to comfort those who are less fortunate. |
7. Cherryl Joy D. Chin
(University of San Agustin) |
Cherryl was an active volunteer of CBAA Agustino Community Service, where they adopted barangays and conducted tutorial and feeding programs for the children. They also provided medical and dental services to the barangay residents through the help of their partners and private doctors and dentists. She was also a University of San Agustin TILIPUNAN reserved volunteer, where they provided livelihood training for the residents of their school’s adopted community. |
8. John Kenneth W. Chua
(West Visayas State University) |
As a volunteer of Gawad Kalinga and Bantay Bata during his first two years in college, John Kenneth visited orphanages and donated books, clothes and other goods to the needy. in his last two years in college, he became involved in the college student council, and became one of the organizers of activities that extend help not just for kids and orphans but also to the elderly as well. Some of the activities they organized included a free medical check-up in an isolated barangay, and a feeding program in their local dumpsite in Mandurriao. |
9. Sheena B. Dacmay
(Saint Louis University) |
Sheena was involved in various community service activities, among which is the BIBAK-SLU Ifugao Provincial Assembly outreach in Ubuag, Higyon, Ifugao. In their provincial assembly outreach, they provided blankets and school supplies to grades 1 and 2 pupils of Ubuag Primary School. She was also a part of the Peer Assistant Leaders (PAL) of their municipality. As a member of this organization, she participated in PAL’s volunteer activities such as the outreach program at Humalophop where they gave the residents a lecture on human rights. Sheena is currently involved in the political education campaign of the St. Paul the Apostle mission in their municipality. This summer, she will take part in a play that touches on political education in preparation for the upcoming elections. |
10. Edaine Ricci E. Dy
(San Beda College) |
Edaine participated in several outreach programs such as the JPIA Outreach Program in Hapay na Mangga, Taytay, Rizal. She also became an Ondoy volunteer in San Beda. Aside from these, she also participated in a dialogue with the inmates in Manila City Jail, and also became part of various free medical and dental missions conducted by the Rotary Club District 3790. She likewise headed her NSTP group in an entrepreneurial assistance in Pagsanjan, Laguna, and participated in the Hospicio de San Jose Voluntary Immersion. |
11. Kimberly Joy L. Caparas
(San Beda College) |
Kimberly was a member of the Philippine Council for Peace and Global Education for 2 years, an organization that aims to promote environmental awareness among the youth. She joined one of their summer youth camps which served as her venue to learn new things about the environment and its preservation. As a result, she has become an active individual promoting care for the environment through joining Earth Jams, Earth Hour, and tree-planting activities. In their Lay Apostolate Class, Kimberly experienced helping Meritxell Foundation by tutoring young girls who happens to be orphans. |
12. Debbie Ann A. Gange
(University of San Agustin) |
Debbie Ann experienced to live with a family in another barangay during one of their outreach programs. Her experience enabled her to meet different kinds of people and to listen to their experiences. One of her most memorable experiences include meeting Aetas and being able to know their life experiences. Through this outreach program, she realized the value of sharing with those who do not have much, and learned not to lose hope in trying times. |
13. Julie Anne S. Guillermo
(Central Luzon State University) |
Julie Anne was a member of organizations involved in academic, non-academic, cultural and community-service activities. She became part of a feeding program for children in some barangays in the cities of San Jose and Muñoz, where they had story telling activities and song and dance competitions for the kids. They also donated school supplies, clothes and toys for the children. She has also been part of Bible studies for prisoners in San Jose City. Through participating in these activities, she learned that not having much is not a hindrance to helping other people, and devoting one’s time to make others happy is one way of reaching out to the less fortunate. |
14. Justine Gornez
(University of San Carlos) |
During her first year in college, Justine took part in providing livelihood seminars to the residents of a remote barangay in their place. She was moved when she saw the depressing state of the community. Their class taught the residents how to make candles which can serve as their source of livelihood. They even conducted a seminar to teach the community different designs of candles. Through these experiences, she realized that she has to be thankful to the Lord for all the blessings she has received despite the financial problems that her family also faces. |
15. Davie Z. Guillen
(Silliman University) |
Davie was an active member of the Silliman Pathways Youth Group, a non-profit organization which aims to help the poor but academically deserving students to continue their schooling. They have projects like “Sharing the Light Project,” an effort to improve the quality of the library system of a public high school and “Cents Make Sense,” a fund-raising activity for the students they are assisting. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the chairperson of the Silliman University Student Government Scholarship Committee. He likewise participated in various environment-related projects, such as tree and mangrove planting activities of the Biology Society and the Silliman University Student Government, and the Wildlife Conservation Caravan in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental where he gave a lecture on Waste Management and Recycling. |
16. James Bryan Labergas
(De La Salle University – Manila) |
While in college, he spent two terms in a community in San Mateo, Rizal where they reached out to the families residing there. They conducted information drive on recycling and waste management, tree-planting activities, house-to-house visits, and brief tutorials in Math and English for the kids. During the 2007 elections, he was a PPCRV volunteer who served as a poll watcher who assisted voters in their precincts. |
17. Michael John H. Limon
(Notre Dame University) |
Michael is involved in various socio-civic and volunteer organizations. He was a member of the Ayala Young Leaders Alliance (AYLA), the Vice President for Communications Mindanao of the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) and was once a volunteer of the Asia America Initiative (AAI). As a volunteer of the AAI, he took part in an outreach program that engaged him to help disadvantaged communities. Through the feeding program initiated by AAI, he has touched the lives of indigenous peoples displaced from their homes and livelihood. |
18. Judy Anne S. Manalang
(University of Santo Tomas) |
Judy Anne participated at Lakbay Turo (NSTP LTS) where she taught Aetas how to read and to write. She also joined a community service activity conducted by Becarios de Santo Tomas called “One Day Isang Araw,” In this activity, she experienced being a parent to a kid from Tondo for one day. They prepared an educational field trip for the children and likewise conducted tutorial sessions and feeding programs in Tondo. |
19. Erika A. Manansala
(Saint Louis University) |
Erika joined tree planting activities and cleaning drives organized by their barangay officials. She planted tree seedlings and ornamental plants alongside the roads to different sitios, and took part in cleaning the banks of the irrigation canals. In Baguio City, she helped in the packing of goods to be distributed to the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. |
20. Marvin M. Martija
(San Beda College) |
Marvin volunteered for the outreach project of Barangay Talim in Binangonan, Rizal which intended to educate the less fortunate residents of the community. As part of the outreach activity, he spent one day as a teacher to the pupils of the daycare center in the barangay. He likewise served as a volunteer in the outreach program for typhoon Ondoy victims where he distributed basic needs, such as food and toiletries, to the victims. |
21. Raissa A. Marudo
(Cavite State University) |
Raissa was involved with the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) Outreach Program in 2008. As an officer of the said organization, she planned and facilitated the outreach activity for the less fortunate kids of Brgy. Aguado in Trece Martires City. Aside from providing entertainment, they also brought fruits, toys and other gifts for the kids. Raissa wants to empower herself so that she can help more people in the future by offering her services and assistance to many disadvantaged groups. |
22. Kristine May Nagnal
(University of San Agustin) |
Kristine May volunteered in a medical mission that was conducted by the Texas-based Presbyterian Church in Oton, Iloilo. This mission provided the community with free medical and dental check-up and medicines. Though she is not a nursing student, Kristine May volunteered for the medical mission because she wanted to learn how to organize one. Through her experience, she realized the importance of one’s willingness to help and to serve in the success of an activity, and that doing something that is beyond one’s profession is very self-fulfilling. |
23. Reynaldo E. Monte
(University of Santo Tomas) |
Reynaldo was a student leader for five years in the UST Engineering Student Council, and has been involved in various community development projects. The highlight of his community service experience was the “Tulong Dunong Project” in academic year 2009 to 2010 where they conducted seminars, tutorials and trainings to high school students of Montalban Heights National High School. Being able to teach high school students made him happy that he was able to contribute to the formation of the students because he believes in the importance of education. Reynaldo is also a member of Youth for Christ where he encourages the youth to do good deeds, obey their parents, be a good influence to his fellow youth, and be a steward of God. |
24. Albert Nino B. Paler
(MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology) |
As an officer of the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants-MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology chapter in the school year 2008-2009, Albert Nino became part of various outreach programs in his school. He took part of an outreach program for the victims of the surprise attack of the MILF rebels in Kolambugan and Linamon in Lanao del Norte. In this outreach program, which was held in the evacuation areas, he and his group distributed relief goods to the evacuees and organized games for the children. He also participated in an outreach program for the flood victims in Iligan City as a member of the packing committee, and distributed relief goods for the flood victims. |
25. Nympha S. Quimosquimos
(Silliman University) |
As a member of the Silliman Pathways Youth Group, an organization that envisions a society where everyone has equal access to quality higher education, Nympha has been part of several projects that benefited less fortunate students. The activities of her organization included book drives, the Dream Makers’ Project, and Sharing the Light Project. One of the beneficiaries of the Sharing the Light Project was the Dauin National High School, where the school’s library was improved in terms of physical layout, lighting and the variety of reference materials. Her organization’s other activities included informing the graduating top ten honor students of public high schools of the scholarships in Silliman University, and coordinating with the University Registrar to allow these students to take the entrance examination for free. |
26. Don Cezar Santillan
(University of San Agustin) |
As a member of Western Visayas Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, Don Cezar was involved in a tree planting activity in Oton, Iloilo and in a project called “May Pera sa Basura” where he and his group sold recyclables to a junk shop. Through these activities, he realized the importance of caring for the environment. He intends to expand his involvements in these kinds of project by joining other organizations with the same advocacy. |
27. Arra Q. Adajar
(MSU-IIT) |
Arra was engaged in several outreach programs such as visiting the elderly in home for the aged, the abused women and children in House of Ranao Women, and the prisoners in the city jail. She also took part in outreach programs for street children and less fortunate students. Aside from these, she was also involved in environmental projects such as tree planting and coastal clean-up. Moreover, she also practices the 5S + 1 (Sorting, Straightening, Shining, Standardizing, Sustaining, Safety) to help reduce global warming. |
28. Maria Delvie Y. Cabataña
(MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology) |
During her senior year in college, Maria Delvie participated in an outreach program for the residents of one of the barangays in Iligan City, where she, as an officer, helped in packing and distributing the relief goods. Her batch also financed the education of a grade 6 student by contributing P15 a month. Through these experiences, she learned to appreciate all the blessings that she has received and to value the allowance that was given to her. |
29. Rose Aleli N. Juanite
(Cavite State University) |
As the Director of Academic Affairs of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) – CvSu Chapter, they organized an outreach activity during Christmas time. They visited a Gawad Kalinga Village in Trece Martires City wherein they treated kindergartens to a mini Christmas party. It was also an opportunity for them to interact with the parents of the children. |
30. Leia N. Marohombsar
(MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology) |
She was once involved in an outreach activity of their organization, CBAA EC, distributing relief goods to Kauswagan evacuees after a massive flooding. At school, they also organized a rummage sale activity, of which the proceeds went to a community extension project in an adopted community in Bayug, Iligan City. She also had the opportunity to work with Bantay Bata on a special project in Iligan City. They organized a gift giving activity for street children. They also organized series of workshops among high school students on how to prepare a business plan as a prerequisite in starting a business. |
31. August Joel A. Tamsi
(MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology) |
He participated on a project entitled “Empowering the Marginalized Fisher Folks Along the Coast Lines of the Municipality of Initao, Misamis Oriental” under the program Integrated Services for the Livelihood Advancement of Fisher Folks. He worked as a volunteer member of the monitoring team. He also participated on the relief-distribution activity organized by the officers of batch 2008- 2009 of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – MSU-IIT Chapter for the typhoon victims of Barangay Sta. Felomina in Iligan City. |
32. Millicent C. Caraos
(University of Santo Tomas) |
During her second year, she became part of GK Project in Agudo, Boni. She also took part in redeveloping some houses in Payatas spearheaded by their scholarship benefactor, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines (MBFI-Boysen Paint College Scholarship Program). |
33. Leah F. de Guzman
(University of Santo Tomas) |
Taking up NSTP-CWTS in college allowed her to be part of community-oriented activities. One of which was conducted in Gawad Kalinga Community Housing Program in Boni, Mandaluyong. They helped in constructing low-cost houses, wherein everyone would line up and pass big sacks of gravel and cement. Part of the activity also includes story telling sessions with the children in the community. Another activity he attended is visiting an orphanage in Tondo, Manila named “The Missionaries of Christ.” Together with other Boysen scholars, they visited a housing development project in Taytay, Rizal wherein they interviewed families as to how they would want their houses to be improved. They made architectural sketches out of the interviews they conducted. |
34. Jessica C. Gado
(University of Santo Tomas) |
She designed socialized housing units for a Payatas community they visited. “The activity provided me an opportunity to share our skills and thoughts in responsible community development for infrastructures that would encourage people to utilize cleaner and greener methods of contruction. As a result, we hope to make these communities more livable for the people,” said Jessica. |
35. Yvan Giel S. Gemanil
(University of Santo Tomas) |
Just like Jessica, Yvan was also instrumental in designing houses in the Payatas community. The objective of the activity is to renovate the existing houses using low cost materials and create a theme for the whole community. |
36. Ella Ellyka R. Mangaran
(University of Santo Tomas) |
She was also a member of the team who designed low-cost housing for the residents of Payatas. “As a designer, you have the power to change the lives of other people through your craft/expertise,” said Ella. |
37. Ariane L. Pantaleon
(University of Santo Tomas) |
Her 5 years of stay in the university provided her the opportunity to become part of some outreach activities but the one that created the most impact on her was during a mission in a remote place of minorities in Tarlac. They provided them food and school supplies for the children. |
38. Vinson P. Serrano
(University of Santo Tomas) |
He was involved with United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxilliary (UAPSA), an academic organization of the architecture students in the country that provides relevant activities necessary for the formation of future architects. He spearheaded seminars, tours, and other related activities in which the participants are not only the members from his home university but also from other schools of the country. He has also been involved with an international organization, the WWF, during his last year in college. He has been part of promoting the protection of the whale sharks in his hometown in Donsol, Sorsogon. |
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II. WITHIN THE CHURCH |
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39. Precious Love Yu Esquillo
(Notre Dame University) |
She is a member of Days with the Lord, a religious organization that aims to spread God’s love and wisdom. Her involvement with the group strengthened her faith that made her a better individual. They also organized masses for their school chapel including the regular observance of Holy Week, All Souls Day, among others. |
40. Irish Kristine M. Ha
(De La Salle University) |
Part of their religion classes is to render service to church and other civic organizations. This has become her ticket to become an active member of their parish. She was able to participate in different community programs such as teaching of catechism to children and dental missions. She also experienced volunteering for the Gawad Kalinga community in Baseco, Tondo wherein they helped in the construction of houses. In addition, she also took part on a relief distribution mission of their university after the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. |
41. Arianne Joy Q. Dullas
(University of Santo Tomas) |
In high school, she was once involved with a church-based organization, Legion of Mary, in which she was tasked to teach children as young as 3-12 years old. Her skills in art and design (now an architecture graduate) became useful in teaching art to these children. “Being a young catechist was not easy during that time. I initially thought that I was wasting time on people I did not know, teaching kids things about God that they would probably forget in a couple of years. But as time passed by, as I see their works, I realized that what I was doing was a God-given opportunity for me to prove myself that I am worthy of the blessings. These kids may not remember me when they grow up, but what is important is that in my heart, I know at some point of their Christian life, I became a part of it,” said Arianne. |
42. Mark Feliciano S. Timbang
(University of Santo Tomas) |
He is a member of Twinville Choral Society, a choral founded in September 1982. One of the recent event they have organized is the “Twinville Choral Society Christmas Concert: 25 Taong Paglilingkod” wherein the proceeds went for the construction of the Chapel of the Risen Christ. The event showcased 3 generations of the choir group, from the pioneers up to present members. “The choral has become part of my life for the past 7 years of my service in the church. It’s all about sacrifice, letting go of your self-interests in order to serve the community. I’ve learned the value of commitment that through singing I express my passion towards my faith in Him,” said Mark who finished his degree in architecture as cum laude. He is currently the president of the organization in which they lined-up several activities in the coming year. |
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III. WITHIN THE SCHOOL |
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| 43. Odessa E. Alpay (Ateneo de Zamboanga University) |
She took part on the Self-Actualization for Leadership Training (SALT Community) which they co-organized with the Office of the Student Affairs of their university. Activities conducted include: school-to-school campaigns, orientation seminars, open houses and facilitation of entrance exams. SALT Community also conducted an outreach program entitled “Cradle to Crane,” a feeding program for street children. Other activities they spearheaded were a visit to a place for the elders and an annual traditional Alay Lakad for the physically-disadvantaged. |
44. Natasha S. Rodriguez
(Manila Doctors College) |
She served as the vice president of Laurel’s Society, a school-based organization that provides free tutorial services to those students who are having a hard time with their studies. Early this year, she was also able to participate in a gift-giving project held at the Pediatric Wards IX and XI and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Taft Avenue, Manila. |
45. Hazel Joy A. Temprosa
(Silliman University) |
She volunteered for an organization called Pathways Silliman, an arm organization of the bigger Pathways to Higher Education of the Ateneo de Manila University (previously known as Alay ni Ignacio). Basically, the organization envisions a society where every Filipino has an equal access to higher quality education. One of the projects they conducted was called “Sharing the Light” project in partnership with the Children’s Hour Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).It aims to improve public high schools through adoption of libraries, facilities improvement, conduct of training workshops for teacher-librarians, and the implementation of a reading program for the students of their adopted high schools. Another project she participated in is the “Dream Makers’ Project,” which aims to provide opportunity for top public high-school graduates to pursue a college education by linking them to potential donors or benefactors. |
46. Mark Anthony C. Tolentino
(Ateneo de Manila University) |
He volunteered for a school-based organization called Alay ni Ignacio wherein they conducted review classes for 4th year high school students necessary to prepare or equip them for university entrance exams (i.e. ACET, UPCAT). The program is under Pathways Foundation that also provides scholarship to outstanding students. He thought the math subject, handling about 35 students during the summer of 2007 and 2008. |
47. Sheila May E. Tonido
(Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan) |
Sheila was a member of Supplementary Training to Reinforce Education to Academically Gifted but Marginalized (STREAMS) Pathways for Higher Education. She was assigned to ask pertinent information, such as, time and date of examination/tests, interviews and requirements regarding the scholarships offered in the different schools and colleges in Cagayan de Oro as well as private company and government offered scholarship grants. |
48. Marc Louie Yap
(University of San Carlos) |
He was part of Kabataang Kalinga, a one year long GK build. Every Saturday, they build houses for the community. He also participated at the Pasko sa USC. He also made the Shoe Box Advocacy, an activity for Christmas where he tapped the CSWTS and RE-ED department to invite students to put gifts in a shoebox and wrap them beautifully for the children of Cebu. He also incorporated the outreach program during the SSC organized activity GADJA 2008 where he headed a team to gather and raise fund to buy materials for the hospitals of Cebu. He was also the proponent of the resolution that created the Carolinian Students Volunteers group. He became the head of Talamban Campus. They helped in the outreach programs of several organizations. During his term as President for the Integrated Samar and Leyte Association of students, he headed activities like make a child hay drive, children bathing program, sagip Ondoy victims drive, urban farming seminars and lectures and during his second year, he helped in the relief operations for the Guinsaugon landslide. |
49. Angeli C. Famadico
(Ateneo de Zamboanga University) |
During her college years, she actively participated on the yearly project of Ateneo de Zamboanga which is the “Love Drive”. It is a project that encourages the students and the whole Ateneo community to wholeheartedly give their old but usable clothes, toys, canned goods and other stuff to fellow Filipinos who are less privileged in life. |
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50. Jenelyn L. Narte
(Cavite State University) |
Submitted her questionnaire but said that she has not been involved with community projects. |
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  Alumni scholar Manuel Hermano talks about the various activities he has been involved with related to environment, architecture, youth empowerment, even “greening” the judiciaries, lawyers, and law students, among others, in partnership with regional and national organizations. |
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Alumni scholar Manuel Hermano talks about the various activities he has been involved with related to environment, architecture, youth empowerment, even “greening” the judiciaries, lawyers, and law students, among others, in partnership with regional and national organizations. |
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  Lorenz Bagayas, a BS Accountancy cum laude graduate from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology shares his social responsibility activities to his fellow scholars. Lorenz was so moved by the story of a girl in their area who, in her desperation, resorted to selling her clothes just so she could take the exam for a particular school year. As a result, Lorenz organized a fund-raising drive in order to support the child’s education. A majority in their batch started allocating a small portion of their allowances to the move, each donating P15 every month |
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Lorenz Bagayas, a BS Accountancy cum laude graduate from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology shares his social responsibility activities to his fellow scholars. Lorenz was so moved by the story of a girl in their area who, in her desperation, resorted to selling her clothes just so she could take the exam for a particular school year. As a result, Lorenz organized a fund-raising drive in order to support the child’s education. A majority in their batch started allocating a small portion of their allowances to the move, each donating P15 every month |
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The Metrobank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, was established by its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. With the theme “Excel. Engage. Empower.” the Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, such as Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also engages its partners and awardees in different activities geared towards giving back to the society. Through these initiatives, the Metrobank Foundation empowers its awardees and partners to become better citizens of the community. As part of its contributions to help improve health care services in the country, Dr. Ty donated a two-hectare lot along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, costing about P1.2 billion, that would be the site of a modern tertiary medical center complex. This new hospital, once completed, will have a 1,000-bed capacity, making it one of the biggest hospitals in the country owned by a not-for-profit organization. |
Broadcast journalist Karen Davila graced this year’s Graduates Forum by inspiring the scholars with her life story as well as sharing her experiences in the profession. 
Jerome Orbe of the Christ’s Youth in Action shares his insights on experiences on faith, vocation, and social responsibility. The annual Graduates’ Forum showcases invited speakers aimed at inspiring the graduates to put into context their unfolding professional lives and guide them towards the fulfillment of their careers and their heightened inclination to serve the community and their fellow Filipinos. 
The graduate scholars with broadcast journalist Karen Davila who served as one of the resource speakers during the session. 
Scholar graduates during the ASSET Night. 
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