Village Connect
For former SM scholar Emma Elarde, earning a college degree was never simply about reaching a personal milestone. It became an opportunity to help her family move forward—and to make sure her younger siblings could pursue their own dreams through education.
That purpose became especially meaningful last July when Emma joined her family at Visayas State University to celebrate the graduation of one of her younger siblings. The achievement marked another proud chapter for the Elarde family, with three of five siblings now having completed college.
“It was a truly fulfilling moment to witness my sibling receive the gift of education and to see my parents proudly celebrating another milestone in our family’s journey,” Emma shared. “Seeing their joy and sacrifices rewarded reminded me why I continue to work hard.”
The celebration also reminded Emma of her own journey as an SM College Scholar.
She graduated from Western Leyte College of Ormoc in 2023 with a degree in Accounting Information Systems. Today, she works as an Accounting Assistant at BDO Unibank in Ormoc City, where she continues to develop her skills and build a career in banking.
For Emma, joining a company within the SM Group also carries personal significance. The scholarship that supported her education became part of the reason she wanted to build her professional career within the organization.
“I wanted to give back by becoming part of an SM company that has played a meaningful role in my journey,” she said. “Working at BDO has allowed me to develop professionally and gain valuable experience in the banking industry.”
Her responsibilities, however, extend beyond building her own career. With two siblings still attending college, Emma hopes to help them complete their education while contributing to a better quality of life for their family.
“I’m still in the early stages of my career, but my goal is to help them finish their education and improve our family’s quality of life,” she said.
Emma’s journey reflects the vision behind the SM College Scholarship Program established by SM founder Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr.—that education can create opportunities extending beyond a single scholar.
For Emma, the scholarship provided more than financial support. It strengthened values of discipline, perseverance, humility, and gratitude while inspiring her to share the opportunities she received.
That continuing cycle was reflected during the 2026 Presentation of the SM College Scholar Graduates last September 21, when SM Foundation welcomed another generation of graduates ready to begin their professional journeys.
Emma’s story shows how one scholarship can create ripples: one graduate succeeds, a family moves forward, and another sibling gets closer to achieving a dream.
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