Thank you, Tatang!

MANILA, Philippines - For the 125 college graduates of the different schools and universities in the country, many of them with academic honors, the only thing fit for them to say and sing during the 15th “graduation testimonial” held at the SMX Convention Center was the phrase “Thank you, Tatang” (tycoon Henry Sy Sr, SM’s founder) for the scholarship that opened doors of opportunities to them and the chance to rise above poverty.

These graduates comprised the 15th batch of successful college degree holders whose only obligation to SM Foundation is to maintain a high scholastic standing for four years in exchange for their free tuition and monthly allowance of P2,000 (which they could use to buy books, pay other fees and other expenses).

SM Foundation for Education Executive Director Linda Atayde told The Star that the scholarship will be expanded further, with at least three partner academic institutions to ensure that more poor but deserving students from far-flung areas will be provided access to college education, a dream for many Filipino families.

The goal of Sy is that one poor student per family will be given access to college education so that when they finish they will be their family’s hope for a better tomorrow and they could take on the responsibility of sending their younger siblings to school, Atayde said.

An estimated 14 percent of grade school and high school graduates cannot have college education because of poverty and large family size. Since basic education is provided free by the government, the average rural Filipino family ends up with a high school graduate or lower.

 Currently, the SM Foundation has 78 partner schools and universities, aside from the universities acquired and owned by the SM Group, Atayde said. The Foundation is also undertaking schoolbuilding programs in 15 sites namely Gen. Santos, Taguig, Antipolo and Cavite for grade school and high school.

Sy never misses a graduation testimonial. “He makes it a point to be there and personally receive the expressions of gratitude from his scholars, many of whom are now successful professionals working here and abroad,” Atayde added.

Although the students have the chance to have photo opportunities with the tycoon, many of them would like to hug and kiss him personally but cannot do so for security reasons. “It is enough that the students are able to personally express their gratitude in song, dance and fashion show numbers, which they did just now,” Atayde said.

Of the 15th batch of scholars, two were summa cum laude (from UP Diliman and University of Negros Occidental in Bacolod); 10 magna cum laude, 33 cum laude and five graduated with academic distinctions.

After graduation, the scholars may or may not opt to find jobs in any of the SM Group of Companies. But SM holds a Jobs Fair exclusively for the college scholars who have graduated such as the jobs fair held in the morning of the day they held the testimonial graduation at SMX last May 17.

Jay-Ann Dichella, summa cum laude in accountancy at Recoletos, Bacolod wants to take review for the accountancy board but will also apply with an auditing firm for the much needed exposure.

John Andrew Hernandez, summa cum laude in computer science from UP Diliman, wants to work immediately so he can support his siblings to college since his jeepney driver father can hardly support their higher education.