SM Foundation leads nationwide ‘Pinoy Iskolar’ program

Pinoy Iskolar works to expand education opportunities for underprivileged youth with support from Pinoys from all walks of life

(Manila, Philippines, March 14, 2013)—Celebrating 30 years of commitment to uplifting lives of the Filipinos, SM Foundation is launching a nationwide program that champions education and spirit of ‘bayanihan’ to enable the youth to achieve their full potential. Introducing ‘Pinoy Iskolar’ as its flagship education program, the Foundation seeks to provide underprivileged students across the nation with access to quality college education.

“For years, SM Foundation, through its college scholarship program, has helped thousand of scholars in the country complete their tertiary education, pursue their dreams and attain a better future,” said Linda Atayde, executive director for education at SM Foundation. “Through Pinoy Iskolar, we are redoubling efforts and aiming to grow our advocates and supporters. We consider every Filipino as our partner in expanding education opportunities for the youth.”

Atayde said Pinoy Iskolar will open new avenues for partnership and encourage the public to invest in education. The program will be formally launched in April as part of the 30th anniversary of the SM Foundation and 20th anniversary of the SM College Scholarship Program. “What we are truly celebrating is the success of our scholar-graduates who are now prepared to reach for their dreams. The Foundation, through Pinoy Iskolar, remains steadfast to its commitment to quality education,” said Atayde.

For school year 2013-2014, a total of 346 new incoming first year students will compose the pioneer batch of Pinoy Iskolars, the latest coming from Cauayan and Tacloban. According to Atayde, SM Foundation invites private individuals and companies to join as partners in the cause.

“Pinoy Iskolar will bring people together to take action for education by helping send bright and underprivileged high school graduates to college. More importantly, Pinoy Iskolar reminds us of the great social impact of education to our nation,” said Atayde. “Investing in education is investing in a brighter future for the country.”

To know more about applying for a scholarship and how to support Pinoy Iskolar, please contact Ms. Eleanor “Lingling” Lansang of SM Foundation through education@sm-foundation.org.

About Pinoy Iskolar
Pinoy Iskolar is the flagship education program of the SM Foundation. Inspired by the success of SM Foundation’s 20-year-old college scholarship program, Pinoy Iskolar seeks to champion the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ by providing opportunities for college education to bright underprivileged youth, partnering with the public to take part in the cause, and creating a significant impact to nation-building.

About SM Foundation
SM Foundation is the socio-civic arm of the SM Group of Companies through which it helps the less fortunate in the communities it serves. The Foundation has four areas of advocacy: education through scholarship programs and donation of school buildings; health through medical missions, mobile clinics, and establishment of wellness and health centers; mall-based outreach programs through donations of basic commodities, books, medicines, toys, and relief goods for distribution to depressed communities; and community, religious and housing programs including livelihood training, vegetable farming, construction, repair of churches, and building homes. The Foundation intends to serve more communities as SM builds more malls around the country.