The ripples of giving back
The story of SM scholars does not end after graduation. Through SM Foundation’s holistic support, the scholars actively spread social good beyond the four walls of the classroom by supporting their families and communities.
For SM Foundation scholars, graduation marks a transition rather than an endpoint. Long after they leave campus, many alumni remain connected to the Foundation, to one another, and to the communities that helped foster their abilities.
The SM Group’s social good arm maintains engagement with its scholars beyond college through alumni activities, job fairs, and mentoring initiatives. Through SM Foundation’s Education Program, this holistic support is reinforced by regional assemblies, helping sustain a network of graduates who remain inspired to support their families, industries, and communities.
Through the various activities of SM Foundation’s scholarship program, it builds a network of graduates who remain inspired to support their families, industries, and communities. In photo: SM scholar-alumni join the general assembly in SM City Iloilo.
One such alumnus is Peter Paul Alcober, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Saint Paul School of Professional Studies in 2019. He is now a Finance Business Partner at a multinational company in the NCR.
“The years following my undergraduate studies have been a period of continuous growth, discovery, and professional development,” Alcober said. “After graduating, I was able to build a solid foundation in my field, taking on roles that strengthened my financial and analytical capabilities.”
Alongside his career, Alcober pursued graduate studies and is set to complete his MBA degree. He described the period after graduation as transformative, requiring discipline and strong time-management skills.
“I’ve grown not only in my career but also in my confidence and perspective as a professional,” he said.
SM scholar-alumnus Peter Paul Alcober pursues graduate studies and nears completion of his MBA. He describes the period as transformative, crediting the discipline and time-management skills he honed as an SM Scholar.
Alcober said giving back to his family remains central to his life. “One of the most meaningful ways I’ve been able to give back is by providing emotional, practical, and financial support, whether it’s helping with household needs, supporting the education of a younger sibling, or simply being someone they can turn to.”
He also stays involved with the SM scholar community, attending activities and mentoring younger professionals. “Whenever there are events, gatherings, or outreach programs, I do my best to attend because it’s a meaningful way to reconnect, give back, and stay engaged with the community that supported me. Staying involved has allowed me to maintain strong relationships with other scholars and continue supporting the Foundation’s initiatives.”
Another alumna, Danzel Bacaycay, took up Accountancy from Asia Pacific College in 2011. After gaining experience in finance, she entered the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2013.
SM scholar-alumna Danzel Bacaycay (first from left), an Asia Pacific College Accountancy graduate, enters the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School and becomes a 2nd Lieutenant in 2013, taking on finance and leadership roles in the PAF.
Since then, she has held key finance and leadership roles across several Philippine Air Force units and now serves as Chief of the Command Information and Historical Office of the Air Mobility Command. She is also a third-year law student.
“Thirteen years into my service, I still carry the discipline, perseverance, and humility instilled in me by my parents, my faith, and the SM Foundation,” Bacaycay said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the PAF Quarantine Response Team in Mandaue City, supporting public health and humanitarian efforts.
“Giving back is not a one-time act, it is a way of life,” she said. “I also remain connected with SM Foundation whenever they reach out for updates, stories, or alumni participation. Every time I am invited to share my journey, I feel honored, it reminds me of how far I have come and how deeply the Foundation has shaped my life.”
Both alumni remain active within the SM scholar network, maintaining relationships with fellow graduates and responding when the Foundation calls on them to share their stories.
“Once an SM Scholar, always an SM Scholar,” Bacaycay said. “It is a lifelong badge of gratitude, resilience, and purpose.”
