Pampanga SM scholar alumni model for their ‘kabalen’
MANY Filipino students — especially those from lowincome communities — face uncertain paths to higher education regularly.
They frequently think about forgoing education and starting work as soon as they finish high school because of the pressing need to help provide for their families.
This could have been the story of Prince Mangahas and Queenie Alfonso — if not for an SM scholarship.
Both are from Pampanga, whose family backgrounds painted a picture of hardship.
With Mangahas’ mother returning from overseas work and a struggling household, a college education seemed out of reach.
“I felt I needed to step up for the family and be the provider. I was really determined to get an education no matter the odds because I was heartbroken by the fact that my siblings had to stop going to school. As the big brother, I wanted all of us to climb up the ladder together,” he shared as he contemplated enrolling in a short vocational course instead of attending college.
Hope emerged when he stumbled upon the SM Foundation scholarship program at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF).
“There were times when I couldn’t afford lunch and had to walk for hours just to attend classes. But I never lost focus because I am an SM Scholar. SM had it all for me. All I had to do was immerse myself in my studies. Struggle was real, but I was not battling alone. SM was there,” he reflected, acknowledging the role the scholarship played in shaping his journey to becoming the accomplished educator he is today.
Education was not just Teacher Prince’s ticket to a better life; it has become his tool to empower his students and give his family the life he hoped to have.
Motivated by the influence of education on his life, he extends his influence beyond the classroom. Besides his primary role as a math teacher, he takes on leadership responsibilities as the Grade 9 coordinator and does private tutoring for added income.
During the pandemic, he leveraged his expertise as a DepEd TV Math TeacherBroadcaster, creating video lessons for students nationwide. At one point, he was the lone tutorvolunteer for Mathematics 6 of DepEd’s ETUlay online tutorial program.
“Through education, one becomes aware of the prevailing issues,” he said, adding that he sees education as a force for social good.
He envisions teaching math and using his story to inspire students to dream big and contribute to a better society.
“Education plants a seed in someone’s heart; nourish it until it bears the fruit of compassion,” he said.
Much like Mangahas is Alfonso. While her parents strived to provide the best for their family, the combined income from selling street food and working as a driver for her father was not enough to send her and her sibling to college.
Determined, Alfonso saw her SM scholarship as her ticket to breaking the cycle of poverty, making the most out of it, including working part-time at The SM Store during breaks. This exposed her to the corporate world early on and provided additional financial aid, enabling her to concentrate on her Management Accounting studies.
Upon graduation, she immediately began her career in accounting with The SM Store.
“Tatang [Henry Sy Sr.] once dreamed of fostering employment opportunities. Now, SM Supermalls and SM Stores are everywhere, transforming dreams into reality through job opportunities,” she shared.
“Inspired by Tatang’s vision, I, too, aspire to establish a business that generates jobs with God’s grace. As Tatang said, ‘You have to have a dream, big or small, then plan very well, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goal.” TMT