SM Foundation gathered around 1,200 current SM scholars from the National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of Luzon for its first college and technical-vocational (tech-voc) joint general assembly last October 6 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
In his speech, SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) Executive Director Harley Sy expressed his gratitude to all the attendees and highlighted the importance of having a positive outlook in life enable to reach your goals. “One of the things I’d like to suggest to all of you is to plan well and then work hard for it. Take your time, do not be in a hurry. Focus so you can achieve what you want in life,” he stated.
SMFI Executive Director Linda Atayde also addressed all the scholar-attendees and the partner school representatives present at the event. She reminded the scholars of the life principles of the late SM patriarch, Tatang Henry Sy, Sr., “Work hard. Study hard. We have to be very dedicated to what we have planned. So we are all here as one to in order for you to realize your dreams.”
As part of the program, the Foundation also invited some of its SM scholar-alumni to share their inspiring stories before the current SM college and tech-voc scholars.
Marc Rodolf Arca, a BS Accountancy graduate from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He graduated summa cum laude in 2012 and landed 4th place at the CPA board on the same year. He has been with SGV for seven years now and currently holds the position of Director in the Assurance practice.
“Everything I have now is a result of the fact that I was able to graduate from college with the help of SM Foundation — the foundation that Tatang built. The person I am right now has been greatly influenced by the experiences I had during my SM Scholarship days,” Arca stated.
Debbie Reyes-Ayson, a BS Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. She graduated cum laude in 2002 and is currently based in Singapore with her family. She flew to Manila just to meet all the SM scholars and be able to share her story. “the secret recipe to success is that you have to be focused on what you want to achieve and then you pair it with strong determination,” Ayson shared.
Also gracing the event were SM matriarch, Nanang Felicidad T. Sy, SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, Koleen Palaganas, SMIC VP for Sustainability, AVP for Education Eleanor Lansang, SMIC AVP for Corporate Affairs Victor Chan, and other officials and representatives from the SM Group.
