April 30, 2018
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Philippine Star for featuring our partnership with Petron!
#PBSPinEducation
FULL TEXT:
Petron honors over 400 graduating TAP scholars
Giving the underprivileged youth a chance to build abetter life through
education, Petron Corp., led by its corporate social responsibility arm
Petron Foundation, celebrates the graduation of its Tulong Aral ng
Petron (TAP) scholars from different academic levels in schools across
the country.
This year, a total of 432 TAP scholars, including
Petron's second batch of elementary graduates from Mindanao, its first
batches of K-12 graduates in NCR, and its third batch of college
scholars, are set to take the next step in their respective journeys.
To mark this important milestone, Petron recently held a graduation
ceremony for its Senior High School graduates from Metro Manila in its
headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Gracing the occasion are parents of
the scholars, school officials, and representatives from Petron's
partner institutions, the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Business for Social
Progress (PBSP), and local government units.
"Education is a
powerful tool in overcoming poverty. Over the years, it has been our
privilege to see our scholars succeed and become better students, better
sons and daughters, and better persons," Petron Foundation general
manager Charmaine Canillas said.
"We continue to strengthen our scholarship program in order to help uplift the lives of more Filipinos," she added.
TAP scholars begin their journey toward a brighter future with Petron
as early as Grade 1. They are nurtured through a comprehensive program
that measures not only their academic progress but also their holistic
development as individuals.
These scholars are provided with
school supplies, shoes, school uniforms, daily meal allowances, as well
as leadership and life skills workshops. Parents of TAP scholars are
also given skills training, livelihood opportunities, and other support
services to help their families become more sustainable.
"Petron
taught me not to lose hope," shares Ann Dante Mary Planco, a TAP scholar
since grade 1 and soon, a BS Electrical Engineering graduate from the
Technological Institute of the Philippines. "Now that this chapter of my
life is coming to a close, I can confidently look forward to what the
future holds. Mar anting salamat po Petron sa tiwala, sa pagtitiyaga, at
suporta."
Ronald Aranas, who will graduate from Far Eastern
University with a BSBA degree in Business Management this year, shares
the same sentiment. "They say good education is the key to a better
life. With Petron's help, my dreams for myself and my family are slowly
but surely becoming a reality," he said.
Planco and Aranas are among the 10 TAP scholars receiving their college diplomas this year.
As it continues to expand, the company is working toward having all its
terminals across the country adapt the TAP program. In 2017, Petron
introduced TAP in two new communities namely San Fernando City, Pampanga
and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
To date, over 8,200 TAP scholars from Petron's host communities have graduated from elementary, high school, and college.
Petron Senior High School scholars graduating with high honors are
given special recognition at the Tulong Aral ng Petron graduation last
April 13. Joining them are their parents and officials from Petron,
DepEd, DSWD, and PBSP.
Two of the newest TAP college graduates Anne
Planco (second from left) and Nathaniel Barbacena (second from right)
with former TAP scholars now Petron employees Danica Ramirez (third from
left), Queenie Vargas (center), and Mark Joel Dela Cruz (third from
right) share a special moment on stage with PBSP executive director
Reynaldo Antonio Laguda (left) and Petron Foundation general manager
Charmaine Canillas (right).
