MANILA, Philippines – Over a hundred scholars of the SM Foundation who graduated this year will be honored by Henry Sy Sr., chairman of SM Foundation, on May 12 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia with former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban as guest speaker.
The ceremony is an annual tradition to honor the graduates while giving them and their parents an opportunity to personally meet their benefactor and the entire Sy family, who will also give out graduation presents.
Five of the 102 graduates obtained magna cum laude honors: Lorenz Payton Domer from the University of the Philippines; Von Ryan Enriquez and Layraline Quiambao from the Far Eastern University; Michelle Mae Olvido of the Cebu Normal University; and Gerdy Valerio of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. In addition, there are 16 cum laude graduates.
The SM Foundation scholarship program, the flagship project of the Foundation started in 1993, aims to provide quality education to deserving public high school graduates who are unable to pursue a college education due to financial difficulties. Aside from providing tuition, SM Foundation also allocates funds for the scholars’ monthly allowance. The Foundation supports 700 to 750 scholars every school year nationwide.
The Foundation also supports scholars in vocational schools like Don Bosco and Punlaan School. Thus far, 1,176 have graduated under the program. Graduates are encouraged to join job fairs offered by the SM Group of Companies.