Insular scholars get school supplies

MANILA, Philippines - Grades two and four scholars of The Insular Foundation’s Adopt-A-Scholar Program received recently their school supplies, shoes, uniforms and storybooks. 

The 178 scholars are all students of the Itaas Elementary School situated inside the National Bilibid Prison Reservation Community in Muntinlupa City.

Parents accompanied their children as they received their school things on stage. Armin Bacsal, mother of grade four scholar Aaliyah Marie, who was also the top student among the grade three scholars last year, said, “We are very thankful to Insular for helping the kids with their school needs like uniforms and shoes. We were so happy when Aaliyah got another award, we really weren’t expecting it.”

Bacsal was referring to the cash awards that the Foundation gave to the top three scholars of grades one and three last school year. Maylyn Padua, mother of Carl Dion Josh Padua, the second highest among the grade one scholars last school year, agrees. ‘We are so thankful because this is such a big help since they are five siblings, and Carl is the eldest.”

The scholars are mostly children of prisoners, prison guards and employees, and parents who belong to the poorest of the poor in the community.

During the short ceremony, Insular Life chairman and CEO Vicente Ayllón encouraged the parents to inspire their children to go to school every day so they will learn from the daily lessons. He also thanked the teachers for making it their mission to not just teach the children and become their second parents, but also champion the children’s dreams, even while remaining the unsung heroes of the country.

The Adopt-A-Scholar Program is voluntarily supported by employees of Insular Life, who commit to support their scholars until they graduate from grade school by donating a year’s supply of school supplies, a set of uniform, school shoes or bags, and storybooks in support of Insular Life fs Literacy campaign.