Glenn Paul Embodo, survivor of super typhoon “Yolanda,” dreamed of a better future through education — a feat he accomplished after becoming a certified public accountant.
The journey was not easy but through the help of SM Foundation, Embodo — who was one of SM Foundations’ Yolanda scholar alumni, graduated cum laude with a double degree: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology from the Saint Paul School of Professional Studies in Palo, Leyte.
Glenn found himself sharing his life story and the difficulties his family had to go through as an aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. He was teary eyed as he narrated his anxiety that he might not be able to finish schooling despite his determination to do so. “I knew the scholarship would take a lot of burden off my parents’ shoulders, so that day when I sat in the interview room, I said to myself ‘This is my chance, I will tell them every achievement I have. I will not waste this shot, I will write my own deliverance.”
Due to the financial support provided by the scholarship, Glenn focused strictly on his academics, and finished his studies in 5 years with flying colors. He remembers vividly his graduation where his parents came up the stage to pin a gold medal on his chest.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to become Tatang’s scholar. Being an SM scholar was something that I treasure: it gave me the opportunity to enjoy my studies without thinking of the financial burden that my family would shoulder. It gave me an opportunity to grow mentally and spiritually participating in Foundation-sponsored growth seminars, personality development seminars, annual spiritual retreat and doing volunteer work for the outreach activities of the Foundation. Above all, the scholarship made me realize that education is a stepping stone to a better life.”
Glenn is now employed with an auditing firm as a Tax Associate. Currently, he is applying for a Master’s program in UP Diliman. After this, he plans to enroll in the College of Law.
The “Yolanda scholars” of SM Foundation were all from the municipalities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
The scholars have since graduated and are now gainfully employed. Many have opted to remain and work in Tacloban and its environs, trying to pay it forward, showing gratitude in their own way for the support they were given during their most trying times.Many of them still keep in touch with the Foundation; many assist the Foundation in doing interviews with new recruits and do volunteer work in medical missions, Operation Tulong and other activities of the Foundation.
