Vic Vic Bautista

Navigating a world where spoken words play a major role in communication can be difficult for someone with hearing loss.

This issue further widens the gap in the Philippines, where there are few options for the deaf, especially in the areas of work and education. Their quest for knowledge and skills is made more difficult by the fact that there are so few secondary educational institutions that can meet their particular demands. In addition, the cost and state of the facilities further impede their efforts.

A personal advocacy 

Shery Funcion, the Principal of the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City, is no stranger to these challenges. 

Her dedication to the cause began with her college thesis, focusing on job opportunities for deaf learners. Since then, she has immersed herself in various organizations and volunteer activities, gaining firsthand insights into the limited opportunities available to deaf learners. 

She eventually became a SPED teacher, before taking on the role of principal in PSD. 

“The immersive experience really showed me how important these projects are for our students—kung gaano kahalaga ang pagbibigay ng mga pasilidad sa mga mag aaral lalo na sa mga bingi,” she underscored the importance of providing facilities for students with hearing impairment. 

A facility that produces opportunities 

In the century-old PSD, their senior high school laboratory building serves as the training ground for students. Its classrooms and halls, no matter how old, have always played their role in honing and preparing deaf students to have solid career prospects after PSD. 

Amidst the competing priorities within the school and the broader Philippine educational system, the facility barely had enough funds for the rehabilitation and major repairs it needed. For years, students and teachers worked around issues ranging from dim lighting and leaking roofs to uneven floors. These not only presented structural concerns but also hindered the overall learning experience of students. 

“Our deaf learners need special accommodation to fulfill their special educational needs. They need to have a conducive learning environment so we can optimize the activities and learning programs,” Funcion stressed. 

Funcion further shared that the 2023 collaborative project of the Henry Sy Foundation, SM Foundation (SMFI)—the social good arm of the SM Group, and the Department of Education’s Schools Division Office of Pasay City could not have come at a better time. 

“The rehabilitation of the Home Economics (HE) laboratories is crucial because students need to fulfill their performance tasks. These are vital components of our senior high school program to ensure that they acquire essential skills and competencies for employment post-graduation from PSD.” 

The partnership has given PSD access to much-needed resources in the areas of dressmaking, hair care, cooking, electrical work, bartending, food and beverage preparation, ICT, and dancing.

For Henry Sy, their Funcion. The Senior Building is a fantastic starting point that will help create equitable opportunities and a future in which the ability of deaf students will be recognized both within and outside the classroom walls.

Led by their dedication to sustainability and inspired by the late Henry Sy Sr.’s faith in the value of education, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a prominent integrated real estate developer, has teamed up with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to offer scholarships.

The program, appropriately named the “SM Sustainability Scholarship,” demonstrates SM Prime’s dedication to sustainability stewardship as well as educational access.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h4uWMsYylmpLrW9og-PqkdO0Oxy8Hbyu?usp=drive_link

Video courtesy of SM Prime

Ten worthy students will receive full assistance from the program for their UPLB undergraduate studies, giving them the chance to major in either forestry or human ecology and earn bachelor’s degrees. These areas complement SM Prime’s emphasis on creating sustainable futures and resilient communities.

At a meet-and-greet at UPLB, the scholarship recipients—who were carefully selected for their superior academic standing and commitment to sustainability—were formally named SM Sustainability Scholars.

Each scholar will receive a full scholarship covering tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, and a book allowance, ensuring they can focus on their studies without financial worries.

During the gathering, College of Human Ecology (CHE) Dean Dr. Jennifer Amparo expressed that the pursuit of sustainability is most effectively undertaken collaboratively.

“CHE is one of the colleges that puts a premium on interdisciplinarity and trans-disciplinarity because we believe that in sustainability, you don’t work in silos. We need to work together and build each other’s skills, know-how, and also our programs together to ensure sustainability,” she said.

“I would also like to thank SM Prime for putting emphasis on this scholarship. SM Prime did not just provide the finances or scholarship. They invested the time to really meet our scholars and provided other support mechanisms to ensure that our scholars thrive in their academic lives. This is also a manifestation of SM’s commitment to sustainability by really developing our future sustainability leaders,” she added.

College of Forestry and Natural Resources’ Prof. Marilyn Combalicer also extended the college’s support to the scholars on behalf of the college’s dean, Dr. Marlo Mendoza: “We hope to continue nurturing such meaningful collaboration and initiatives that enhance our educational experience and initiatives for our students. Rest assured that we will continue providing support to our students in ensuring their growth and success in both academia and beyond.”

Meanwhile, SM Prime AVP and Head of Marketing, PR and Corporate Communications, Rida Reyes-Castillo, echoed that the fundamental values of the company are intricately interwoven with both education and sustainability.

“SM Group’s founder, Mr. Henry “Tatang” Sy, Sr. believed that education is a great equalizer, and he envisioned that sending one child to college would create ripples of social good not just for families but for an entire community,” she said. “The improvement of the well-being of the youth and the partner communities is something that we at SM invest in.”

The SM group has accepted the duty to support national development for many years by implementing social good initiatives in the areas of high-quality education, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and disaster relief. Business growth and social development work together to create a better future for everyone by enhancing the lives of those residing in these host communities.

This is a paid partnership with SM Prime Holdings.

Revitalizing the Philippine School for the Deaf

The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons of the Philippines guarantees the self-reliance, self-development, and rehabilitation of people with impairments. From school to tertiary education, the nation offers educational aid to individuals with impairments, including vocational or technical training.

The Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City is one such institution. The school has been demonstrating for more than a century how education can empower people with a variety of disabilities and help them realize their full potential in life.

One of Southeast Asia’s oldest schools for the deaf, the school is a tribute to the Philippines’ longstanding commitment to education for people with disabilities, but its ability to carry out its goal is compromised by time and wear.

The school lacked basic facilities and accessibility features: converted classrooms, timeworn corridors, limited space for vocational training, inadequate furniture, dilapidated walls and ceilings, broken tiles and faucets, and dim lighting. It was also prone to flooding due to drainage problems, and it had only one functional toilet with a broken door infested by termites.

Revitalizing a legacy

In a transformative partnership, the Henry Sy Foundation, SM Foundation (SMFI), and the Department of Education’s Schools Division Office of Pasay City joined forces to breathe new life into the Senior High School building and a four-story, 12-classroom structure. This initiative, executed under the DepEd’s adopt-a-school program, stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in revitalizing educational infrastructure for the benefit of the community.

Previously hindered by infrastructural limitations, the century-old school now features enhanced learning spaces dedicated to various subjects, including dressmaking, beauty care, cookery, electrical, bartending, food & beverage preparation, ICT, and dance. A dance studio with a dressing room and a conference room were also refurbished.

To enhance safety and accessibility, ramps and railings were installed throughout the campus, ensuring ease of movement for all students. Aside from revitalizing 10 classrooms, the SM group also refurbished the conference rooms, and the lobby with a reception area to provide a comfortable environment.

A handwashing station and separate male and female restrooms were renovated with clean, functional cubicles, urinals, and PWD-accessible amenities to promote excellent hygiene and healthy habits.

Restored with a roomy stage, the covered court offers an ideal setting for outdoor education and leisure.

In addition to addressing the physical issues, the PSD’s facilities were rehabilitated to create an atmosphere in which each student may succeed. The project is evidence of the SM and Henry Sy Foundations’ unwavering dedication to empowering people with disabilities via education and their ongoing pursuit of inclusivity.

SM scholars recall the beginning of their SM scholar journey

While some instances pass away with time, others create an enduring impression that shapes not just our paths but also our identities. Regarding Attorney. The SM scholarship application, for Amanda Hora and Marmie Deniega, wasn’t merely a means of gaining access to higher education; it was also the turning point in their lives.

The first to obtain a degree in the family

When Amanda happened upon a Facebook post regarding the SM scholarship application, her incredible journey as an SM scholar got underway.

“It has always been my dream to pursue a quality education without the burden of tuition expenses. I enrolled in a university in Senior High School because of a scholarship, and I know that the only way to continue my college years at the same university is to obtain another full scholarship. That is why I never hesitated to apply for the SM scholarship, hoping to be accepted,” she said.

In the quiet hours of the night several years back, an email from the SM Foundation lit up her phone’s screen, informing her that she had been selected for their scholarship program.

The acceptance was a mark that she was a few steps away from fulfilling another goal: “I pursued college because I wanted to become the first in our family to get a college degree.”

“My parents did not finish their studies due to financial difficulties, but they’ve always been supportive of my dreams and aspirations. Also, I believe in the importance of quality education. It is something that nobody can take away,” she added.

The scholarship opened doors throughout her college years. Beyond the academic realm, she had the opportunities to join competitions, intern at prestigious firms, and build a network that extended far beyond the classroom.

She shared: “As a scholar, the foundation’s programs and webinars allowed me to hear inspiring stories from other scholars, mentoring and motivating us to pursue our goals. When COVID-19 affected the country and whenever there were calamities, the SM Foundation looked after us. They provided us with tools that are essential for remote learning. It made me feel that I am part of a bigger family and that I am not alone in this journey.”

These experiences paved academic and personal growth. As she graduated cum laude with a degree in BS accountancy in 2023, she aims to contribute to the community by creating a ripple effect of kindness.

“I would use my knowledge to find ways to provide livelihood programs, especially in areas or communities where it is much needed. I would also advocate for financial literacy to help people effectively manage their finances and build resilience, especially during unpredictable life events.

I would also use my story to inspire the youth, especially the current and future scholars, and remind them to never give up on their dreams,” she shared.

Scholar makes an impact on the community

Much like Amanda is CPA-lawyer Marmie Dyan Deniega.

Raised by a single mother amid financial struggles, the pursuit of a college degree seemed like an unattainable dream until she chanced upon a TV commercial that introduced her to the SM College Scholarship.

Recalling vividly the moment, she shares: “My mother and I were watching the television. The commercial for SM Foundation came in, and the application deadline was flashed through the screen. Coincidentally, it was on that day itself, so I rushed and submitted my application at the nearest SM Mall.”

The scholarship became the cornerstone of Marmie’s academic success. She graduated with cum laude honors in Accountancy from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, crediting the scholarship for providing not only financial support but also the freedom to focus on her studies.

The scholarship not only shaped her academic journey but also fueled a sense of responsibility, which proved valuable when she pursued a law degree with the help of her aunt and part-time jobs.

Now, she proudly serves as an Attorney III at the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Mandaue City, actively contributing to her community’s development. She is one of the people who played a pivotal role in streamlining business permit processing in their city, making it more accessible to constituents.

As a firm believer in spreading social good, she finances the education of her siblings while actively engaging in community-based projects. She also stands as a resource speaker in schools for several crucial topics, such as the Anti-Bullying Law.

Apart from legal aid work in far-flung areas in Cebu, through the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, she also volunteers with Law Inc., an organization helping victims of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). She conducts seminars across various locations in Cebu, shedding light on the intricacies of VAWC.

In the confines of her office, clients naturally turn to her for legal advice, seeking guidance on various matters: “It cannot be helped that clients will also seek legal advice from me, hence I also make it a point to help them, to the best of my ability, and within the boundaries set by law.”

The success stories of Amanda and Marmie demonstrate the value of education in addition to being examples of personal growth. Through the SM College Scholarship Program, numerous dreamers just like them are given the courage to follow their academic goals and forge successful careers each year.

Numerous more lives could be impacted as the SM College Scholarship Program application period opens on February 1 and ends on March 31, 2024.