Empowered to succeed

Leyte SM scholars nurture their talent and confidence

For many young Filipinos, education is a way to build skills and shape a future that can uplift both themselves and their communities. Students enter college determined to turn their talents into meaningful opportunities, but the path is rarely straightforward.

Even with free tuition in public universities, everyday expenses make pursuing a degree a challenge. These costs test the resilience and resourcefulness of students, often forcing them to balance work, family responsibilities, and academics just to stay on track.

Scholarships from private organizations help bridge this gap, giving students the chance to focus on developing their abilities without being held back by financial barriers. With this support, talent is transformed into tangible achievement, enabling scholars to advance toward their goals.

Ormocanon students Hannah Charis Canoy, Ryzel Fernandez, and Mark Lester Piangco saw these first hand.

Hannah Charis Canoy applied for the SM College Scholarship to ease the financial burden on her parents, who work as freelance photographers. The support allowed her to focus on her studies without adding to their already heavy load.

Through the program, Hannah pursued a degree in Accounting Information System at Western Leyte College. The shift from her original Accountancy track taught her both confidence and a broader perspective on the field. 

She explains that accounting goes beyond numbers, showing how technology and systems can be used to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions, which are skills that reveal a broader view of how businesses operate.

With a new skillset and broader perspective in her career that gave her confidence, she now plans to join a major company like the SM Group.

Like Hannah, Ryzel Pajaron Fernandez applied for the SM College Scholarship to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a CPA and to ease the financial burden on her family. Her father passed away when she was eight, and her older brother took on much of the responsibility of supporting her and her siblings. 

With the weight of financial challenges, the scholarship gave her the chance to focus fully on her studies. 

“I didn’t apply anywhere else because SM Foundation was the only scholarship that truly fit the course I wanted to pursue,” she said. “The fact that they offer help without asking for anything in return meant a lot to me. It felt like they genuinely wanted to support students like me.”

Being an SM scholar also taught her to balance academics with values the program encourages. “It pushes me to be better, even on days when it’s hard,” 

Each year, she says she feels closer to her goal: “Every year I feel like I’m getting closer to it.” The scholarship has given her both the support and confidence to stay on track, and she hopes the program continues helping students who dream big but lack the means. “With their help, so many of us can build a future we once thought was impossible. I’m grateful to be part of that.”

For students like Hannah and Ryzel, the path to college is rarely smooth, but their journeys show that with the right opportunities, doubt can be transformed into the realization of untapped potential.

Nurturing growth and building community. SM Scholars from Iloilo and nearby provinces gathered for a day of mentorship, check-ins, and supportive camaraderie. The assembly provided a space to unwind and connect with fellow scholars.

Scholars gain mentorship through various initiatives such as general assemblies and alumni networking events and build practical experience through internships and vacation jobs within the SM Group.