Nurturing Tree unveiled at ISM

MANILA, Philippines - A tree is nurturing, and it grows.

The unveiling of the Vicky SyCip Herrera Nurturing Tree held last April 11 at International School Manila (ISM) Fine Arts Theater Lobby was a joyful celebration attended by several ISM personalities. And no wonder. Vicky Herrera, beloved ISM guidance counselor for 38 years, touched the lives of so many students and continues to do so through the Vicky SyCip Herrera ‘68 Scholarship Fund, established in 2011 upon her retirement, to help fund the education of an additional Filipino scholar at ISM. The Nurturing Tree sculpture commemorates not only Vicky’s service to the community but also the generous contribution of the donors who have supported the scholarship program.

More than a hundred guests attended the unveiling of the sculpture. The tree was created by alumnus Niccolo Jose (2005), using hundred-year-old recycled woods like sampaloc, narig and mangkono. Celebrating with the community was Vicky’s family, including her  father, Washington SyCip, who himself is a supporter of the scholarship program. Superintendent David Toze spoke with great pride of the scholars who continue a legacy of excellence started back in 1967 when the Philippine Scholarship Program at ISM was born. Also speaking at the event were scholars past and present, Tiny Meneses (1969) and Josh Heredia Miller (2017). Other scholars in attendance were Bon Farolan (1983) and Rose Sagun (2005). Miller is currently attending ISM as the first Vicky SyCip Herrera scholar, while Savion Mikel Garcia is the second VSH scholar joining ISM as a Grade 8 student in August.

To cap off the evening’s festivities, alumni, faculty, students and friends participated in the ISM Art Auction, which featured artworks  from the community. The event raised nearly P400,000 in donations for the Vicky SyCip Herrera Scholarship Fund.