Six decades of service
CHRISTOPHER VALENTIN, 21, NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PROCEED TO
medical school after his graduation from college. With financial limitations hounding his family, he said his plan was to work first to save up for his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.
But things turned around when, after graduating summa cum laude with a degree in psychology from the Far Eastern University three years ago, Judy Araneta-Roxas offered to continue the scholarship that he receives from the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF).
“I am the first GRF scholar who is taking a post-undergraduate program,” he tells STARweek. “It is inspiring and energizing that there are people who would support students like us, to help us pursue our dreams.”
Like Christopher, Clarience Valderas, 20, is also a scholar of the GRF. She is currently on her last year at the Capiz State University, studying Bachelor in Secondary Education, major in English.
She says the financial support from the foundation significantly eased the financial burden faced by the family in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
“I actually used the first stipend that I received for the repair of our house,” she recalls.
Christopher and Clarience are just two of the thousands who are beneficiaries of the scholarship program of the GRF, which recently celebrated its 60th founding anniversary.
But aside from receiving finan- cial support, GRF scholars get more in terms of personal and character development.
Scholar and tourism management graduate Joann Eliseo, 21, says all GRF scholars and leadership awardees take part in a series of activities that develops their love for the nation.
“You’ll realize the value of serving the community, of sharing what you received with others,” she says.
Now working with Ayala Museum, Joann says she always makes it a point to take part in GRF activities, particularly community outreach activities, when possible.
This view was shared by Christopher and Clarience, who both pledged to use what they learn to give back after graduation from their respective courses.
GRF’s 60th anniversary
From a vision of providing education opportunities for underprivileged youth in Capiz, GRF has transformed into one of the leading organizations that recognizes, develops and nurtures leadership among young Filipinos nationwide.
Founded in 1958 by the late senator Gerry Roxas, the GRF – originally the Roxas Educational Advancement Committee – was established
as an educational trust that would enable poor students from the senator’s hometown in Capiz to have access to quality education.
This vision soon expanded nationwide, marked by the launch of the coveted Gerry Roxas Leadership Award in 1967. The award, according to the foundation, recognizes the “beginnings of individual excellence and leadership in the community” among young Filipinos.
Since 1975, the GRF has also been partner of the Philippine Jaycees in the annual search for The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, which recognizes Filipinos under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field and in the service of their community.
Over the years, other initiatives have been launched by the organization, including the barangay justice program to uphold and promote peace in communities and the establishment of the Institute for Local Governance to promote good governance among public and private partners.
It also partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to manage the Philippine-American Fund, which provides opportunities for non-state institutions to devise new solutions for various development challenges of the country.
Last month, the foundation – renamed as GRF in 1982 in recognition of its founder – kicked-off the celebration its 60th founding anniversary.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, himself a Gerry Roxas Leadership awardee, led the celebration of a thanksgiving mass attended by officials, partners, awardees and other stakeholders of the foundation.
In his homily, Tagle reminisced his conversations with the senator when he was still alive.
“It was like I was before my grandfather… We were not just scholars, we were not just recipients, we were part of a big family, and we felt cared for,” he recalls.
“That’s leadership. Making people, even those who do not belong to your immediate family, realize that other people care, that they belong,” says the cardinal.
Tagle was among the thousands who have received the award through the years, the roster of which includes Sen. Leila de Lima, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and former social welfare
The story of the nation
During the anniversary celebration, GRF board of trustees honorary member and the late senator’s son Manuel Roxas II said the story of the foundation had been the story of the nation in the past 60 years.
“The story of the GRF has really been the story of our country – through thick or thin; through good times and bad times; martial law, liberation; economic prosperity, economic downturn… ‘andyan
pa rin ang GRF (GRF is still there),” he says.
Roxas, himself a former senator who ran in the last presidential polls, says GRF has always stood for commitment, excellence and empowerment.
“The promise of empowering people has always been there for the GRF. GRF very much believes in excellence. It recognizes that only through (hard work) can one truly progress. There are no shortcuts, the inspiration comes after the perspiration,” he adds.
Roxas also paid tribute his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, whom he said has tirelessly steered the foundation to what it is now after his father died in 1982.
“Maybe it’s time for the board of trustees to talk about renaming GRF to become Gerry and Judy Roxas Foundation,” he says, to resounding applause by those in attendance.
Also during the event, the foundation recognized organizations and individuals who have supported GRF and helped implement its various programs.
Awardees include Belmonte, Soliman, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman, former Department of Health undersecretary David Lozada Jr., the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the US embassy in Manila, the Department of Education and the Quezon City local government.
Investing in the future
Roxas reiterated the foundation’s commitment to invest in communities, and particularly the youth, to ensure a better future for the country.
He noted various programs that stay true to the vision of GRF, such as the scholarship program that has to date enabled over 1,300 students to pursue college education in different higher education institutions nationwide.
Roxas also cited the barangay justice program, which trains citizen volunteers on mediation and peace counseling at the community level, and the micro-lending program that empowers communities by providing support to small entrepreneurs.
“Investing in the Filipino is investing in our future… We are, in our own way, giving as much as we can a ladder to each and every Filipino that we can touch (to help them improve their lives),” he says.
“The primary mission of GRF is empowerment, being able to give our people the tools and means to create better lives for themselves.”
They’ve done this for the past six decades, and look forward to doing so for the next six decades, and even beyond.