For over three decades, the SM Foundation has been empowering countless aspiring youth through its scholarship program. What began as a vision of SM Group founder Henry Sy, Sr. to uplift communities through education has now grown into a powerful force for positive change.

Nurtured by the SM Foundation’s commitment to both academic excellence and personal growth, its scholars are driven by a deep sense of purpose. They do not only excel in their studies but also actively seek to uplift their families and communities.

A former SM Scholar, now multihyphenate woman-in-tech

SM Scholar Darmae Tan, raised in a bustling urban poor community in Cebu, dreamt of a better life for herself and her family. Despite financial challenges, she excelled academically, attending a private Catholic elementary school through a full tuition waiver and later gaining admission to a national science high school. 

Her strong will led her to the SM Foundation College Scholarship program despite the societal pressures surrounding women pursuing higher education at that time. This supported her education at the University of the Philippines Cebu. Free from the burden of working while studying, she could fully engage in co-curricular activities, honing her skills and developing her leadership potential.

“My success would not have been possible without the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program. My experience as a recipient of this scholarship shaped my personal and professional values and instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and purpose. This has been a driving force in my endeavors after graduating college. 

Today, Darmae is a successful technopreneur. She co-founded MYT SoftDev Solutions, a software solutions company focused on Filipino talent and innovation. The company establishedd MYT Foundation, which financially supports high school and college scholars, as well as student-athletes. She also manages ErrandBoy.Ph, a courier service established during the pandemic to empower displaced workers. 

“Aside from my entrepreneurial work, I am also a lecturer with UP Cebu, teaching Software Engineering and Management of Information Systems courses. I continue to be passionate about the pursuit of knowledge and the value of education and created an internship program in my company called Module Zero, to mentor younger generations who want to start a career or business in IT,” she shared.

A former SM Scholar, now an Airforce Pilot

Coming from a humble background, a college degree seemed out of reach for Edjil Lopez. However, the scholarship program became his “wings,” allowing him to pursue his dream of finishing college and pursuing other endeavors such as becoming a pilot in the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Edjil’s time as an SM scholar provided the financial stability and focus he needed to excel in his studies and personal development. His scholarship instilled in him the values of perseverance, resilience, and commitment to excellence, which continue to shape his approach to life and service. 

Today, Edjil serves as an Instructor Pilot at the Philippine Air Force Flying School. He finds immense fulfillment in shaping future pilots by imparting technical skills and character traits needed to navigate a challenging career.

“This process of mentorship feels like a natural extension of my duty to serve. It’s as if all my experiences–from my humble beginnings as an SM scholar to my missions as a military pilot–have converged to this point. My journey has allowed me to give back in one of the most meaningful ways possible and helped me ensure that the values and dedication that defined my path to success will continue to soar with each new generation of pilots,” he shared. 

SM Foundation continually paves the way for aspiring youth through its education program, welcoming each year’s graduates as they embark on new futures for themselves and their families while becoming agents of change in their communities. This year, the foundation proudly introduces a new class of graduates ready to build brighter futures and drive positive change in their communities—just like Darmae and Edjil.