Village Connect
When dreams seem distant, opportunity becomes the bridge—and for two young Filipinos, it came in the form of an SM scholarship.
For many senior high school graduates in the Philippines, college remains a dream deferred. Studies show that while 81% of students move on to higher education, 35% never finish due to financial struggles. But for Gerald Mallari and Carlo Kristian Napucao, that statistic became a challenge to overcome.
Both men came from humble beginnings. Gerald, the son of a furniture trader and a banana cue vendor, once thought high school would be his finish line. Carlo, whose father worked as a sewer laborer, faced the same uncertainty, with his sister sacrificing her education to help their family get by. Yet, both stories took a turn when they were accepted into the SM College Scholarship Program—a lifeline that would open doors they never imagined possible.
Gerald pursued civil engineering at National University, determined to make the most of his chance. “I didn’t expect to study at a prestigious school,” he said. “The scholarship gave me hope that I could break the cycle and build something better for my family.” Today, he’s an assistant project manager at SM Engineering Design and Development Corp., helping shape the same communities that once nurtured him.
Carlo, who studied property management, endured six-hour daily commutes from Bulacan to Manila, living on ₱200 a day and wearing the same polo barong throughout college. That barong, now framed in his closet, stands as a symbol of perseverance. “It reminds me that humility and hard work will always take you far,” he shared.
Beyond academics, both scholars found in SM Foundation a deeper purpose. Vacation work at SM stores taught Gerald teamwork and discipline, while Carlo’s faith was tested when illness struck after graduation. Through it all, the lessons of gratitude and resilience stayed.
Now, Carlo has come “home” as a Property Administration Officer at SM Fairview Towers. “I wasn’t required to return,” he said, “but I chose to—because SM believed in me first.”
Their journeys mirror the mission of SM Foundation, which on October 23 will celebrate its newest batch of 200 graduates—many earning top academic honors. Each one, like Gerald and Carlo, proves that when perseverance meets opportunity, success doesn’t just change one life—it transforms generations.
#SMFoundation #SMCares #EducationForAll #ScholarStories #SocialGood #VillageConnect
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