Petron brings holiday cheer to 3,000 scholars

TAP scholars from Manila, Pasay and Navotas celebrated Christmas early with Petron and DepEd officials at the Project JOY kick-off in Manila last December.

Petron Corp., through its corporate social responsibility arm Petron Foundation, made Christmas more special and meaningful for thousands of Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) scholars through its annual Christmas project dubbed Project JOY (Jesus, Others, and You).

For the past 20 years, Petron Foundation, in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other implementing partners, has been mounting this event to share the spirit of the Season with Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) scholars from different parts of the country.

One of Petron’s flagship corporate social responsibility programs in education, TAP aims to give underprivileged children from the company’s fenceline communities a brighter future by sending them to school and providing them with the necessary tools for learning.

Through this year’s Project JOY activities, nearly 3,000 TAP scholars from Metro Manila; Mabini, Batangas; San Fernando City, Pampanga; Rosario, Cavite; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; San Fernando City, La Union; Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City, Cebu; Iloilo City, Iloilo; Roxas City, Capiz; Tacloban City, Leyte; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Davao City, Davao del Sur; General Santos City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur were treated to an early Christmas celebration.

Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) scholars from Metro Manila are all smiles as they wait for their turn inside the National Planetarium.

The schools’ principals and teachers, as well as LGU social workers also received Noche Buena packages to bring home to their families.

In December, scholars from Manila, Pasay and Navotas likewise enjoyed a full day of learning and discovery at the National Planetarium.

Officials from DepEd led by Tonisito Umali, undersecretary for legislative liaison office, external partnerships service and school sports, as well as some members of the Petron Blaze Spikers joined the festivities and witnessed the performances of the students.

Petron Foundation general manager Charmaine Canillas expressed her gratitude for partners such as DepEd and local government units, who share in their mission of providing a better future to the youth of today.

“Making a lasting difference in the lives of these children requires commitment, perseverance and a lot of hard work,” she shared. “We are grateful for the support of our partners who serve as our allies in bringing hope to the underprivileged members of our fenceline communities.”