Betting on burger

MANILA, Philippines - John Paul Obiar – “Jhepie” to friends and family – is in a crisp white polo shirt and baggy black pants, his school satchel under his arm, on his way to school. The neighborhood bullies are hanging around the sari-sari store as usual, overflowing with machismo and contrived toughness. “Estudyante, estudyante (Hey, student)” they jeer. “Pa-burger ka naman dyan (Treat us to a burger)!”

Jhepie does not react. He walks away, confident in the knowledge that he’s getting an education – and they aren’t.

Jhepie is one of a hundred night high school students qualified by Springboard and A Better Chance Foundations, and supported by German multinational company Robert Bosch, Inc. The students under the company’s Class of 2010 at Siena Colleges in Taytay, Rizal and Quezon City are beneficiaries of Bosch’s adopt-a-school project. The company also supports local initiatives in health and humanitarian support.

“We are extremely happy to note that we have a 100 percent passing rate among our scholars,” notes Kaycee Crisostomo, Bosch corporate communications manager. “From when we started in 2006 to date, these kids have been given the opportunity to pursue a better life through education, which is the most sustainable of developments.”

“I’m extremely grateful to Bosch,” says Jhepie. “Without them, I would not have this opportunity. Education is so important – it changes you, it makes you better. I have a brighter future because of the education I’m receiving. Those bullies who ask for burgers every morning, I don’t mind them. My attitude is different because I’m being educated. They’re barumbado (rude); I have a future.”

The program was conceived in 2005 as a milestone project – adding significance to Robert Bosch Inc.’s 10th anniversary – and in search for an initiative that dovetailed with the larger organization’s thrust. Moreover, the program was envisioned to be quantifiable and sustainable over the long-term. Over the past few years, approximately 100 scholars have been supported, and the firm has kept a close watch on the grades and pass rates of the students with the hope of achieving sustainable development – in other words, giving these children a brighter future.

As Bosch currently leads the local aftermarket for automotive parts, it also maintains its partnership with TESDA for the successful Hari ng Talyer program, providing Filipino mechanics access to certificate courses in advanced automotive technology. With over 1,000 graduates in 2008 alone, the program greatly widens their livelihood opportunities and strengthens their chances of getting jobs abroad. Also in the pipeline with the Philippine Contractors Association and TESDA is the conception of skills-development courses for the country’s construction workers.

The German company, a worldwide leader in automotive technology and power tools, is owned by the Robert Bosch Foundation. Its patriarch and founder, who died before the close of the Second World War, indicated in his will that a good size of the company’s earnings should be dedicated to charitable works. The Bosch Group today has over 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 150 countries where it performs country-specific social projects. 

Bosch himself was a staunch philanthropist, and in his lifetime, supported various efforts to help war victims escape persecution. He also instigated the eight-hour workday, and strongly advocated peace and human rights in Europe. 

“In honor of our patriarch, social projects are deeply-ingrained in our business plans,” says Crisostomo. “Nowadays, with the ever-changing world of business, we endeavor to extend beyond philanthropic gestures and focus more on sustainable development – something that our beneficiaries can hold on to for life.” The famous tagline of Bosch – Invented for Life – articulates this ideal; products, services and programs that are life-inspired and have a lasting benefit.

Bosch’s strong local presence through its CSR initiatives is positive for students like Jhepie. “Sometimes (the night high students) get looked down upon by the regular students because we can’t afford the tuition. Through the scholarship I’m getting, I’m receiving the same education as they are – and it’s always great to show them that we in the night high are just as smart,” he exclaims. 

Jhepie has always wanted to be an engineer and wants to enter the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) post-Siena, but another option is to pursue his lifelong love – cooking. A little embarrassed but with an air of pride, Jhepie says: “During birthday parties, I volunteer to help my mom in the kitchen. I love cooking and maybe one day I can be a chef.”

And when that day comes, those bullies will finally get those burgers they’ve been clamoring for.