SM Foundation aims for scholars’ holistic growth
SM scholar alumna Regine Duga-Mestula
SM Foundation (SMFI) believes that in order to ensure a brighter future for its scholars, it is vital to expose them to various enrichment activities and opportunities that will prepare them ahead on what’s next after their life in the academe.
During a recent kumustahan session, SM scholar alumni Regine Duga-Mestula and Jeff Moises Hontoria both shared how their part-time work experiences at SM during their semestral breaks gave a lasting impact to them, which to this day is still relevant for them.
Regine graduated from the Mindanao State University-General Santos City in 2016 with a degree in Business Administration Major in Management. She is currently employed at the Landbank of the Philippines. On the other hand, Jeff graduated from the Central Philippines University-Iloilo in 2018 with a degree in Accounting Technology. After graduating from college, he was elected as SK Chairman in their barangay.
“Bilang isang SM scholar, isa sa mga pinaka hindi ko malilimutang experience ay yung chance na makapag part-time job tuwing summer at Christmas breaks sa SM. Dahil sa karanasang ito, natutunan kong palaging respetuhin ang aking mga kasamahan sa trabaho,” Jeff said.
“SM not just taught me to be a responsible student, but also to have good work ethics,” he added.
“Holistic growth. ‘Yan ang sinigurado ng SM para sa kanilang mga scholar. Dahil po sa SM, hindi lang ako nakapag-earn ng college degree, naka-earn din ako ng experience sa workplace at may assurance din po ng trabahong papasukan pagka-graduate,” Regine said.
“After graduation, may job fair po ang SM. Masasabi ko talagang may competitive advantage ako among other graduates. Madali lang po akong nakapasok ng trabaho,” she further said.
Regine together with her own family
Reaping the fruits of their hardwork
Regine proudly shared that after finishing college and securing a stable work, she was able to help her family financially and also prepare for her own with her husband: “Nakatulong po ako financially sa pag-aaral ng dalawa ko pang kapatid at sa mga gastusin sa bahay. Naging inspiration din nila ako para pagbutihin nila ang kanilang pag aaral.”
“Masasabi ko pong naging mas mabuti na ang pamumuhay namin kumpara dati na wala pa kaming sariling bahay. Ngayon, nakapagpatayo na po ako ng sarili naming bahay.” she shared.
“Ibang-iba na talaga yung antas ng pamumuhay namin ngayon. Sa aming pagtutulungan, nakapagpatayo na kami ng sariling bahay at nakabili ng sasakyan. Nabibili ko na rin ang mga bagay na noon ay abot tanaw lamang,” Jeff also shared.
People helping people
According to Jeff, the “People Helping People” principle of SMFI inspired him to go into politics: “Noon, ako ang tinulungan ng SM, ngayon ako naman ang tumutulong sa pagtupad ng mga pangarap ng mga kabataan sa aming barangay sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng libreng school supplies, financial assistance, at marami pang iba.”
SM scholar alumnus Jeff Moises Hontoria
Jeff is in the government service for more than three years now and has implemented various projects for their barangay, including the “Binhi at Punla para kay Juan” - which won the Outstanding SK Project Award for Economic Empowerment from the Positive Youth Development Network and Galing Pook Foundation. The said project intends to provide the agricultural needs of small-scale farmers in their barangay during the pandemic.
Jeff together with his family
Just like Regine and Jeff, you may also fulfill your dream of finishing your tertiary education through the SM College Scholarship Program. Visit www.sm-foundation.org and follow @SMFoundationInc on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for more info.
SMFI, through its Scholarship program, provides deserving and qualified students with access to college education and technical-vocational studies since 1993. To date, SM has produced more than 8,000 college and tech-voc scholar-graduates.
