SM Foundation’s commitment to education leads to lasting impact on Filipino families

Written by: Kenneth M. del Rosario

Education has long been the bridge that helps people cross from hardship to opportunity. But for many Filipino families, it’s a bridge often out of reach. Many young Filipinos from underserved communities are left wondering if they’ll ever have the means to complete their studies, let alone pursue a college degree.

SM Foundation celebrated 218 scholar-graduates at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay on November 20, 2024, with 62 graduating with honors. Since 1993, SMFI has supported and graduated over 4,000 students nationwide.

Yet, they often only need a supportive hand that lifts them and guides them in the right direction. This is exactly what SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) has been for thousands of scholars, transforming lives through access to education since the program began many years ago.

For decades, SMFI has opened doors to a brighter future for aspiring students through financial aid, mentoring, and career opportunities. Two such scholars, Jeffry Manhulad and Rica Mae Marbebe, are powerful testimonies of how the SMFI scholarship program helps Filipino youth realize dreams once thought impossible. Their stories are distinct but intertwined by the common thread of resilience and gratitude.

Beyond financial aid, SM Foundation’s scholarship program offers mentoring, career opportunities, and a brighter future for Filipino youth.

FROM FARM LABORER’S SON TO INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Manhulad’s journey from a small and remote town of Maramag in Bukidnon to a successful career overseas is nothing short of inspiring. Manhulad was raised by his father, a Manobo farm laborer who struggled to provide for his three children after their mother left. His father did everything he could to send his children to school, even though the family could barely afford
basic necessities.

From walking 10 kilometers to school daily in Bukidnon to working as a software engineer in Singapore, SM scholar Jeffry Cambarihan Manhulad proves that determination and opportunity can transform lives.

Growing up, Manhulad and his siblings would walk 10 kilometers to and from school every day, carrying packed lunches of corn rice and dried fish wrapped in banana leaves, as actual “baon” was a luxury beyond their reach.

Despite the hardships, Manhulad excelled in school. By fourth grade, his teachers noticed his academic achievements and potential and even took him in, providing him with shelter and support as he continued his studies. His determination paid off when he graduated from elementary school as valedictorian. Manhulad’s talent and grit eventually earned him a place
among the Ten Outstanding Public School Students of the Philippines, which in turn led him to become an SM Scholar. This scholarship changed everything for him.

Through SMFI, Manhulad was able to attend the prestigious Liceo de Cagayan University, pursuing a degree in Information Technology. SMFI covered his tuition and provided an allowance that lifted a huge burden off his shoulders. He went on to graduate cum laude in 2015, the only one in his college to earn Latin honors that year.

Following graduation, SM Prime Holdings offered Manhulad a position as an IT Specialist at its headquarters in Pasay City. This first job opportunity gave him invaluable training and experience that prepared him for bigger roles. After four years, Manhulad left for Singapore, where he now works as a software engineer, developing systems. His accomplishments have empowered him to support his father and siblings. His family now has a small farm to call their own, and he is helping his younger siblings pursue their education.

Even while building his career abroad, Manhulad remains committed to helping his community. He organized an initiative called “Bring a Smile to Bukidnon Kids,” delivering school supplies, ice cream, and gifts to elementary students in his hometown. “The support I received from SM Foundation goes beyond education. It gave me a sense of purpose to help others,” he said.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE THROUGH HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE

Marbebe’s life is a story of resilience and achieving one’s dream. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Mindanao, Marbebe earned her BS in Accountancy against the odds, coming from a family that struggled to make ends meet. Her father works in a motor parts shop, while her mother manages the home and cares for her younger brother with special needs.

Marbebe’s story shows the ripple effect of SM Foundation scholarships— enabling her to uplift her family and inspire others through her success.

They supplement their income with a small sari-sari store and vegetable gardening. Yet Marbebe’s aspirations were far greater than the financial limitations her family faced. Her parents’ earnings were often barely enough for daily needs, and the medical costs for her brother added extra pressure.

At one point, her brother experienced a seizure, and the family couldn’t afford hospital care. For Marbebe, that experience sparked an intense drive to lift her family out of poverty. She knew
her path to creating a better future lay in finishing her studies, and an SMFI scholarship would prove to be her biggest ally.

“Being an SM Scholar was my chance to break the cycle of poverty and give my parents the life they deserve. Most of all, it was a path toward getting my brother the care he needs,” she said.

Her journey wasn’t without hurdles. During the pandemic, she faced the sudden shift to online learning without the basic tools that many students take for granted. “It was tough. I didn’t have a laptop and had to rely on my phone to attend online classes and take exams,” she said. Poor internet connection in her low-lying neighborhood added to her challenges.

In moments of frustration, Marbebe leaned on the values she’d built: grit, resourcefulness, and gratitude for the opportunity the SMFI had given her. She resolved to overcome every obstacle, knowing that her education was not just for her own advancement but also for the stability and well-being of her family.

Her graduation is just the beginning of a promising journey. As Marbebe steps into the professional world, her goal is to use her skills to make a difference and, someday, give back to the SM
Foundation that believed in her potential.

Today, Marbebe is a young woman empowered by her experiences, fueled by her dreams, and ready to make an impact.

RIPPLE EFFECT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

As Manhulad and Marbebe demonstrate, SMFI’s scholarships are about much more than financial support. They are about empowering young people to break the cycle of poverty, enabling them to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

In the words of Manhulad, “The only obligation SMFI ever asked us, SM Scholars, was to finish our degrees and help our families. They gave all of us a new beginning. Now I want to pass that gift on to others.” Indeed, for thousands of SM scholars, the journey may begin with a helping hand, but it continues with a lifelong commitment to making a difference.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by SM Foundation.