By Air Urquiola
Mangarap. Mag-aral. Mag-tagumpay.
These are the very words that Prestone Philippines envisioned four years ago when they launched Prestone’s Anak ng Mekaniko Scholarship Program. During their 90th anniversary celebration last 2017, the country’s undisputed and most GTRUSTED auto fluides decided to give back with the gift of education.
Prestone executives Marites Dagdag, General Manager, Clorox International Phils, Inc. and Paulo Lao, Commercial Director, Clorox International Phils, Inc. launched the campaign with a mission to provide the most valuable gift that parents can bequeath to their children.
“Prestone launched the Anak ng Mekaniko Scholarship Program to give back to our unsung heroes which are the auto mechanics. Through this program, Prestone wanted to give hope and to change lives through education, where the main beneficiaries are the children of our hardworking auto mechanics” said Marites Dagdag, General Manager, Clorox International Phils, Inc.
Hundreds of applicants from across the country submitted their applications and letters, which narrated how proud they is to be a son or daughter of a hard-working auto mechanic or Anak ng Mekaniko.
“It seems like yesterday when we introduced the scholars of Prestone’s Anak ng Mekaniko Scholarship Program. Through this project, we made a promise that we will always be here to support them to finish their studies. It has been quite a journey and Prestone is thankful to all those who have made this program a resounding success” said Paulo Lao, Commercial Director, Clorox International Phils, Inc.
Ang Pagtatapos: Graduation Ceremony event presented the six scholars that featured Edmajea Aguinaldo from Makati City, the first degree-holder in her family who graduated with a BS in Hospitality Management; Melver Masangkay from Batangas, the most active scholar in co-curricular activities who took up BS in Computer Engineering; Christian Diamante from Misamis Oriental, Cagayan De Oro, a consistent honor student who finished with a BS in Information Technology; and Aulinda Buban from Antipolo City, a mommy scholar with consistent good-standing grades who finished with a BS in Information Technology.
Meanwhile, Bicol’s pride and additional scholars Harvey Plazo, graduated cum laude with a BS in Information Technology, while Anna Raiza Dela Cruz, graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Hospitality Management.
“Isang karangalan na ako ay Anak ng Mekaniko. Nakita ko ang pagiging masipag ng akingTatay. Hindi alintana sa kanya ang pagod at hirap at lagi siyang handing mag sakripisyo para sa aming pamilya. Ang pagiging mekaniko din ng aking Tatay ang naging daan para maging isa akong scholar ng Prestone. Dahil dito, nagging malaking tulong ang kumpanya para matapos ko ang aking pag-aaral” shared Anna Raiza dela Cruz, Prestone Anak ng Mekaniko Scholar, Naga City.
Hosted by Prestone, the two-day culminating event gave the scholars a career preparation workshop to help them gear up for the corporate world and ceremonial graduation to recognize the scholars and their families. They were also billeted in Verjandel Hotel in Quezon City, with a dinner treat in Romulo Cafe in Sct. Lazcano Street and a relax and recreation activity with their family in Ace Water Spa in Pasig City.
“When we started this scholarship program, our goal was to celebrate and put a spotlight on our neighborhood auto mechanics. As our way of celebrating their hard work, we found these deserving ‘Anak ng Mekaniko’ scholars with a fire to learn and reach their dreams.
And as they embarked on their college journey these past years, they exude passion and dedication to achieve a brighter future for their parents and loved ones” shared Monique Gonzales, Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia at Clorox International Philippines, Inc.
Now that our Prestone Anak ng Mekaniko Scholars have reached the pinnacle of their journey, Prestone salutes the proud graduates of STI College.
