The Future’s Bright For These Young Scholars

The Iskolar ni Juan program gives deserving but underprivileged youth a chance at a better life.

“This is not the end, this is just the beginning,” said Grace R. Colet, executive director of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), at the recent graduation ceremony of the Iskolar ni Juan program. It was a reminder to the young and bright students, the seventh batch of the program to graduate, that their journey to fulfill their dreams of a brighter future had only just begun.

Launched in 2014, the Iskolar ni Juan Technical-Vocational Scholarship program, a project of GBF in partnership with URC Branded Consumer Foods Group (URC BCFG), grants scholarships to deserving high school graduates from low-income households. Qualified applicants receive full subsidies for food, housing, transportation, uniforms, school supplies and miscellaneous expenses, and are trained and housed at the GBF Technical Training Center.


The 41 proud graduates of GBF's Iskolar ni Juan with officers from the foundation and TESDA.

Out of more than a thousand who applied to the year-long program, there were 41 graduates this year; 18 completed the Instrumentation and Control Servicing Program, while 23 completed the Mechatronics Servicing program. Jointly designed by GBF TTC and URC BCFG, both technical courses are duly recognized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). At present, the passing rate of scholars who take TESDA’s competency-based assessment and obtain a National Certificate Level II (NC II) is 100 percent. Upon their graduation, scholars are offered jobs as either production operators or maintenance technicians at various URC BCFG plants all over the country. While a college degree is usually required for URC job applicants, Iskolar ni Juan graduates are provided with this golden opportunity to fast-track their careers.

At the graduation ceremony for the Iskolar ni Juan’s seventh batch, which took place on January 30 at the GBF Technical Training Center in Pasig, GBF Values Formation Associate Benjamin V. Macabontoc warmly congratulated the students in his opening remarks. “Some have long anticipated this day. Some with eagerness, some with anxiety, some with complicated mixed emotions, but whatever you are feeling here today, you deserve to hold a keen sense of pride. You’ve made it, Batch 7, you’ve made it!”

Soon after, GBF Technical Training Center Director Manuel Mirabuenos presented the graduates, who were officially accepted by TESDA Supervising Technical Education and Skills Development Specialist Analyn Panopio. One by one, the graduating students walked up the stage to receive their diplomas, then they were met by their proud parents or guardians as they came down.  


Representing URC-BCFG at the ceremony was Paul Alexis Borgonia, URC Cluster Director for Manufacturing, who delivered an inspirational message. Making the most out of opportunities was the theme of his speech, which used his own career arc as an example. Do not be daunted by life’s challenges, Borgonia told the graduates. “Coming from a young cadet engineer, up to where I am now, I think it’s because of these opportunities at hand, at kung paano ko tinignan ang mga opportunities na ito. Ang isang aral na pwede kong ibahagi sa inyo, ay marami ang mga oportunidad sa URC. Nasa inyo kung paano ninyo titignan, paano ninyo gagamitin, para sa inyong tagumpay.”


From left: Manuel Mirabuenos, GBF Technical Training Center Director; Paul Alexis Borgonia, URC Cluster Director for Manufacturing, Renzel Limense, Iskolar ni Juan Batch 7 Valedictorian and Best in Mechatronics Servicing Awardee; Andrei Lawrence Reyes, Salutatorian; Trixy Tatad, Top 3 and Best in Instrumentation and Control Servicing Awardee; Louie Niño Bacamante, Academic Excellence Awardee; John Paul Benlayo, Academic Excellence Awardee; Analyn Panopio, TESDA Representative; Grace Colet, GBF Executive Director. IMAGE Gokongwei Brothers Foundation

At present, Borgonia said that there are over 180 scholars in either probationary or regular positions at 16 URC plants across the country, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. That number is expected to grow as some graduates of Iskolar ni Juan join the workforce. In addition, qualified employees could get the opportunity to work in URC plants in the Asia Pacific region, including China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. “Pagbutihin ang inyong mga trabaho, and who knows? These opportunities might be yours, pagdating ng ilang taon,” said Borgonia.  Aside from technical skills, Borgonia emphasized that embodying URC and JG Summit’s corporate values—the Passion to Win, Dynamism, Integrity, and Courage—will be important in their careers.


Renzel C. Limense, a high school graduate from Fr. Pierre Tritz Institute-Erda Tech, emerged as this year’s Iskolar ni Juan class valedictorian. In his valedictory speech, Limense profusely thanked his mentors at GBF TTC as well as his peers who challenged him for top honors. He also expressed his gratitude to the Gokongwei Family and the foundation for the chance to be an Iskolar ni Juan, which polished his interpersonal skills and self-confidence. “One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my stay her in GBF is that it is okay to make mistakes. Lahat ng bagay may first time… for every mistake there is a lesson learned. There is room for improvement.” To illustrate the dedication of his instructors, he quoted one of them. “Ayoko kayong pumasa, ang gusto ko, maging magaling kayo,” he said, repeating a line by Edison Joseph Estrera, Technical Training Associate at GBF TTC. Following the theme of making the most of life’s opportunities, Limense said, “Rest assured that this chance you have given us will not be taken for granted.”


GBF Executive Director Grace Colet brought the simple yet heartwarming ceremony to a close with a few inspiring words of her own. “Please, continue to dream,” she told the scholars. “Continue to aspire, continue to be willing to work hard. Pursue your dreams, don’t stop dreaming. Mangarap kayo para sa sarili n’yo, para sa pamilya n’yo, para sa bayan.”

Never stop learning, Batch Seven. Congratulations!

For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, please visit www.jgsummit.com.ph/gokongwei-brothers-foundation. You may also call (02) 451-8888 loc. 1118 or email Ryan.Serra@gbf.com.ph.