Gokongwei Brothers Foundation

Creating Pathways to Possibilities

2023 Report
Outlook for 2024

The Year at a Glance

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation journeyed through the year with remarkable momentum in creating pathways to possibilities for Filipino learners and educators. GBF has continued to find inspiration in the battle cry “Posible” in closing its 30th year long anniversary. With greater clarity and conviction, GBF persisted in 2023 in its efforts to sow seeds of positive change and take action to make things possible for Philippine education.

In 2023, GBF brought together, for the first time, its stakeholders, partners, and program recipients from different sectors during its 30th anniversary culminating event. Before them, in keeping with the occasion’s spirit of gratitude and solidarity, GBF declared its continued commitment to building the future through education—with a focus on advancing STEM education and intensifying support for educators.

GBF’s flagship program for educators, the “GBF Class Builder,” was unveiled at the event. Co-developed with the global innovation company IDEO and public school teachers themselves, the GBF Class Builder is a teacher’s partner in delivering great STEM lessons while they master their craft. Ultimately, the goal of Class Builder and its teacher partner is to improve the science and math learning outcomes of our students.

In 2021, GBF began putting into action a five-year plan of taking part in the learning journey of 10,000 educators and one million learners. Only three years into the endeavor, GBF has surpassed its initial goal—serving over 17,000 educators and over 1.5 million learners from 2021 to 2023 alone.

17,198

Educators

1,589,889

Learners

Juan Kapatid for Resilience

GBF's five-year plan is driven by the following strategic imperatives in service of Filipino learners and educators:

Elevate educators' professional development

Increase the underprivileged sector’s access to quality education

Create quality content that is accessible to educators and learners

Support the growth of STEM and digitally-enabled learners and professionals

2023 Milestones

By the Numbers

Educator Programs
30,000

educators in a teacher community

6,673

teachers trained

Scholarships
2,749

lifetime scholars

1,446

lifetime graduates

Juan Community for Education
2,292

learners served

135

schools served

Educator Programs

GBF believes that educators are heroes of change who play a crucial role in nurturing Filipino learners—our future leaders and workforce. They are also key to scaling and sustaining the impact to learners that the foundation wants to achieve. The organization is dedicated to providing educators with support to grow in their professions, develop their competencies, advocate for their well-being, and build their networks.

EDP held within class

STEM Collab

STEM Collab is a trusted community of STEM educators. Launched in 2022, the community housed on Facebook helps its members expand their skills through live online learning sessions, community engagement activities, and peer learning opportunities.

STEM Collab by the numbers in 2023
30,000

members

13,400

resource downloads

6,600

teachers issued with certifications

28

live online learning sessions

718

average live online learning session attendees

230,000

social media engagements

Class Builder

In 2023, GBF unveiled its flagship program for educators—the GBF Class Builder, a platform for STEM educators to access innovative and engaging lessons while developing their content mastery and pedagogy.

The GBF Class Builder platform provides interactive coaching to STEM teachers in the process of preparing for their upcoming classes. It builds teacher skills by walking them through lesson content, teaching strategies, and effective facilitation techniques while providing ready-to-use and customizable lesson materials.

Since 2022, GBF has worked with IDEO, a global innovation company and leading proponent of design thinking, to ideate and develop the program. For School Year 2023-2024, GBF has implemented the Class Builder's beta phase by extending the platform's operational version in pilot partner schools.

GBF Class Builder by the numbers in 2023

As of December 2023, or 40% of SY 2023-2024

36

lessons in Grade 4 mathematics produced

29

public school partners in Region 4A and NCR

73

math teachers engaged

14,600

learners reached

Scholarships

GBF continues to be one of the biggest private sector providers of STEM-related scholarships in the Philippines. In 2023, GBF welcomed 467 new scholars, reaching over 2,700 scholars supported since 2016.

1,000

2023 total scholars on board

467

Learners (High School & College)

461

Educators (College & Masters)

72

Iskolar ni Juan (Tech-Voc)

Scholarships

GBF continues to be one of the biggest private sector providers of STEM-related scholarships in the Philippines. In 2023, GBF welcomed 467 new scholars, reaching over 2,700 scholars supported since 2016.

1,000

2023 total scholars on board

467

Learners (High School & College)

461

Educators (College & Masters)

72

Iskolar ni Juan (Tech-Voc)

EDUCATORS

Scholarships

301 scholars
TeachSTEM College Scholarship

2018

For undergraduate students who aspire to teach STEM in public schools

160 scholars
TeachSTEM Master's Scholarship

2019

For public school teachers and college instructors who champion STEM and aspire to become academic leaders

LEARNERS

STEM Scholarships

250 scholars
GBF-Gokongwei Group STEM Scholarship for Excellence

2011

For outstanding students and future STEM professionals requiring financial assistance to pursue their STEM undergraduate degree in centers of excellence

30 scholars
STEM Agri Senior High School and College Scholarship

2020

For URC partner sugarcane and potato planter-farmers’ children enrolled in agriculture-related fields of study

25 scholars
Young Scientist Award Scholarship

2019

For outstanding finalists of leading Philippine-based STEM and innovation competitions

LEARNERS

Scholarships with Affiliates and Partners

121 scholars
Next Gen Scholarship for Excellence

2010

For Gokongwei Group employees' children and siblings who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential

8 scholars
DLSU Gokongwei College of Engineering Grant

2012

For outstanding students taking any undergraduate degree program at DLSU Gokongwei College of Engineering

8 scholars
Ateneo John L. Gokongwei Scholarship

2006

For outstanding students taking any undergraduate degree program at the Ateneo John Gokongwei School of Management

10 scholars
Go Family Association College Scholarship

2019

For outstanding members of the Go clan

LEARNERS

High School Scholarships

10 scholars
St. Stephen High School Scholarship

2012

For select students of St. Stephen High School

5 scholars
Xavier-Zuloaga Scholarship Fund

2020

For select students of Xavier High School

LEARNERS

Technical-Vocational Scholarships

72 scholars
Iskolar ni Juan Tech-Voc Scholarship Program

2014

For senior high school graduates with technical inclination and in dire financial need. A fully subsidized one-year technical-vocational training at the GBF Technical Training Center, with work immersion and employment opportunity at Universal Robina Corporation.

Scholar Development

GBF prepares its scholars to become future industry champions, community leaders, and education advocates through enrichment programs incorporated in their scholarship journey. After onboarding, milestones in the GBF scholar journey include leadership development, upskilling to career preparation, employment, and contributing expertise as GBF alumni.

Juan to Serve

Juan to Serve (JTS) seeks to support GBF scholars in navigating the path of self-discovery and to promote a culture of continuous learning and giving back. It aims to build a community of servant leaders who possess a strong sense of self and others. In 2023, 100 scholars joined the intensive cohort program of servant leadership, social realities, community service, and creating positive impact.

PWR Up

Through PWR Up (Program for Workforce Readiness through Upskilling), GBF equips scholars with skills for the 21st century workplace. In 2023, GBF together with Habi Education Lab trained 70 scholars on design thinking as a learning framework. Their capstone projects revolved around solutions for challenges in their immediate communities.

Juan Community

GBF strives to contribute to building the nation, one community at a time, through strong and sustainable STEM education programs. Through Juan Community, GBF seeks to encourage and support communities to work together toward building a better future through education.

Juan Community

GBF strives to contribute to building the nation, one community at a time, through strong and sustainable STEM education programs. Through Juan Community, GBF seeks to encourage and support communities to work together toward building a better future through education.

Juan Kapatid

Juan Kapatid (JK) is GBF’s community-based learning recovery program that aims to build on foundational skills in literacy and numeracy of learners through teachers. It is GBF's response to the pressing need to ensure that no Filipino child is left behind and to close the learning gap among our learners.

JK employs a Teaching-At-The-Right-Level (TARL) approach championed by GBF's implementing partner AHA Learning Center. The program also integrates socio-emotional learning and actively mobilizes teachers and parents.

Under JK, “struggling learners” are called “JK Achievers” and are supported through a journey from “kaya kong sumubok,” to “kaya kong maging,” to “kaya kong magbigay.”

From 57 JK Achievers in one partner school during its pilot year in 2021, JK served 2,268 grades 3 to 6 learners in 2023 through a hundred teachers in 20 public schools in CALABARZON.

In July 2023, “JK Teachers” took part in a five-day intensive fellowship program on transformative and holistic approaches to learning recovery. The JK Teacher Summit was made possible through GBF's partnership with the Department of Education Region 4A CALABARZON and the generous support of Shang Properties, Inc., Kerry Foundation Philippines, and Universal Robina Corporation.

Aside from holding after-school literacy and numeracy remedial classes for the learners, JK Teachers also actively engage the learners' parents in order to ensure a strong support system for them at home.

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Juan Kapatid by the numbers in 2023
2,292

JK Achievers supported

100

JK teachers from 20 public schools in CALABARZON engaged

68%

of non-readers in the cohort became readers after 30 out of 60 remedial classes

67%

of non-numerates in the cohort can at least add after 30 out of 60 remedial classes

Juan Brigada Eskwela

Through Juan Brigada Eskwela, GBF supports learners and educators by providing their basic needs in school. GBF mainly delivers such assistance through participating in the Department of Education’s annual Brigada Eskwela or nationwide school maintenance program.

In 2023, Juan Brigada Eskwela provided support to 135 schools with the generous help of True Value, Cebu Pacific, SC Johnson, and the Gokongwei Group through its newly launched Juan Commitment Employee Volunteerism Program.

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Advocacy

GBF furthers its advocacy for the advancement of STEM education and excellence in STEM fields by strategically supporting our partners' relevant initiatives.

GBF Young Scientist Award

GBF YSA is a recognition given to outstanding finalists of prestigious Philippine-based STEM and innovation competitions aiming to promote greater interest in innovation and the sciences among young Filipino learners. The award includes a STEM college scholarship grant.

In 2023, GBF partnered for the third straight year with the Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute on their sixth cycle of “imake.wemake: create. innovate. collaborate.” competition. STEM college scholarships were awarded to three students from among the winning teams in the innovation competition for senior high school students.

Support for DepEd & Education-Related Events

In 2023, GBF supported various initiatives backed by the Department of Education for learners and educators.

  • National Learning Camp supported through remediation and enrichment activities in reading, science, and mathematics at GBF public school partners in NCR and Region 4A
  • National Teachers’ Month supported through learning and wellness sessions for educators that were organized and hosted virtually by the GBF STEM Collab Community
  • National Assembly of Education Leaders, an annual gathering for over 4,000 DepEd leaders and decision-makers, where GBF participated through a plenary presentation and a registration booth for the STEM Collab Community

Advocacy

GBF furthers its advocacy for the advancement of STEM education and excellence in STEM fields by strategically supporting our partners' relevant initiatives.

Endowments & Synergies

Recognizing the strength in collaboration, GBF synergizes with the leading academic institutions and educational movements to elevate the quality of STEM education.

Endowments & Synergies

Recognizing the strength in collaboration, GBF synergizes with the leading academic institutions and educational movements to elevate the quality of STEM education.

Formal Partnership with the Department of Education

In 2023, GBF and the Department of Education formalized their partnership through a memorandum of agreement. GBF is honored that the Department finds promise in its programs for learners and teachers. The formalized partnership enables closer cooperation and more responsive support on matters concerning the national education agenda. Ultimately, it will enable GBF to reach more students, teachers, and schools who are in need of educational support or opportunities.

Support for the SMU Philippine Community Fund

GBF joins other Philippine foundations and industry leaders in supporting outstanding Filipino students who wish to pursue higher education at the Singapore Management University (SMU), one of the leading business schools in the world.

With its contribution to the SMU Philippine Community Fund, GBF will be able to support one Filipino scholar per year in perpetuity. A GBF scholar at SMU is to receive a partial postgraduate scholarship that covers a significant amount of the full tuition for the 1.5-year Master of IT.

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SMU, from Ayala Corporation

Khan Academy Philippines (KA Philippines, Inc)

In 2023, GBF partnered with Sunshine Care Foundation Inc. to fund and support the growth of Khan Academy adoption in the Philippines. It aims to strengthen Philippine education through the introduction of a “Filipinized” version of Khan Academy for online learning in public and private schools across the country. 

Khan Academy is a globally known nonprofit that offers “free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” They create a set of online tools and videos that help educate students. Their impact study shows that 30 minutes of ”khan time” increased students’ competencies in subjects like math. Its website also includes supplementary practice exercises and materials for educators.

In 2023, Khan Academy Philippines was launched in 34 schools across Metro Manila and Dumaguete with quality localized learning materials for grade 4 mathematics.

Core Membership at the Philanthropy Asia Alliance

GBF has joined the newly launched Temasek-led Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). PAA convenes donors, knowledge experts, and program partners with the goal of accelerating the collective impact of philanthropic capital in Asia. The Alliance is expected to “build capabilities, capacities, and communities in the philanthropic sector, and harness multi-sector partnerships to catalyze Asian solutions for global challenges.”

As a core member of the organization, GBF together with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and 17 other leading nonprofits forms part of PAA’s Impact Action Council.

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University Endowments

GBF has supported centers of excellence and innovations in Philippine education through endowments that consist of significant allocations for student scholarships, faculty and student research, and facility improvement.

  • Ateneo de Manila University John Gokongwei School of Management (2002)

  • De La Salle University Gokongwei College of Engineering (2011)

  • Ateneo de Manila University Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (2021)

Outlook for 2024 & Beyond

GBF is dedicated to rapidly scaling sustainable initiatives for Filipino educators and learners in light of the pressing need to address learning gaps and numerous other challenges facing the education sector.

GBF hopes to be in service of more than 17,000 educators in 2024 alone—roughly the same number of educators the group has helped over the previous three years.

Ultimately, at the heart of all GBFs efforts is uplifting our Filipino students, improving their competency in science and math which is the bedrock for critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation which our country direly needs.

The organization aims to serve 3.2 million learners in 2024, more than doubling its three-year impact reach in a single year.

2024 Plans and Targets

50,000

educators receiving timely and relevant professional development opportunities through the STEM Collab Community

240,000

grade 4-5 learners and 1,200 teachers in 300 schools supported with quality learning and teaching materials through GBF Class Builder

1,173

scholars supported

250

scholars empowered through Juan to Serve in the leadership development programs and career-assistance activities

4,300

learners helped in achieving age-appropriate learning milestones through the Juan Kapatid learning recovery program

150

public schools receiving much-needed learning resources through Juan Brigada Eskwela

STEM Excellence to be continuously promoted through partnerships with reputable institutions and recognition of exceptional students

Accreditation of the GBF Technical Training Center as a TESDA Assessment Center

Accreditation as a PRC Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provider for professional teachers