MANILA – Proudly Filipino conglomerate PHINMA, through its foundation, on Tuesday recognized one of its scholar-graduates for embodying the qualities that the company values the most: academic and leadership excellence, integrity, and social responsibility; and for living up to the company’s mission of making lives better.

PHINMA’s Making Lives Better Award is given to a graduate of the PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS) Program who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, and commitment to PHINMA’s core values.

This year’s awardee, John Paulo Aniceto, graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University in 2022. In his senior year, he was chairperson of the PNU Red Cross Youth Council. He was also active in Red Cross activities outside of school, serving as a youth peer educator since 2014 and internal vice-president from 2018 to 2021 in the institution’s Rizal chapter. Today, Aniceto teaches Filipino in the grade school department of Colegio San Agustin-Makati.

“It is disheartening to observe that our students come from a generation when the information they utilize to learn about and understand their world comes from erroneous and incorrect sources. So let’s keep holding up the torch high at the forefront of change…If I keep doubting myself because of the shortcomings and depressing realities we have seen, this award will mean nothing to me. We are now left with no choice but to constantly stand up and build our communities up to their full potential. Whereas our children are the dream-makers, each with a special capacity for nurturing ideals and aspirations,” he said as he accepted the award.

Aniceto’s mother, Nila, is especially proud of him, as she has witnessed how he persevered through the challenges presented to their family. She also thanked PHINMA for being their partner in reaching for their dream of a comfortable life. In her speech to the crowd, she addressed the parents in the audience, urging them to let their children become active participants in society.

“Masaya rin na makita siyang nakakatulong at nakakapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataan. Nagsimula ito noong sumali siya sa Red Cross Youth kung saan mas nahubog niya pa ang sarili bilang leader at hanggang sa pumasok siya dito sa PNU. Kaya naman, bilang Nanay niya patuloy ang aking pagsuporta sa kaniya dahil dito raw niya nakikita ang kabuluhan ng kaniyang buhay…Sa atin pong mga kasama rin na magulang na nandito po ngayon, gaya po ng aking patuloy na sinasabi sa sarili. Hayaan nating magsuri ang ating mga anak sa kalagayan ng ating bansa, suportahan natin sila sa kung papaano nila nakikitang makapagbibigay ng kakaunting pagbabago sa ating komunidad,” she said.

PNU President Dr. Bert Tuga, in his closing remarks, talked about the power of dreams, which provide a clear vision and a sense of purpose and direction in life. He applauded the awardee and scholars present who “have forged their own path to achieve remarkable success and make a positive impact on the world around them.” He also thanked the PHINMA Foundation for its “unwavering support in our mission to provide quality education to Filipinos.”

“Your generous contributions have made a significant impact on our efforts and we are honored to have their partnership in this important endeavor. Your contributions continue to help enhance the quality of education and create opportunities for Filipinos to access education and make their lives better regardless of their socio-economic background. Because of you, we are able to actualize our core values of truth, excellence, and service. Thank you for your continuous support and trust.”

Tuesday’s luncheon was not only to recognize Aniceto as an exemplary scholar-graduate, but also to thank PNU, which has been PHINMA Foundation’s partner for 17 years in its scholarship program. “The Philippine Normal University was identified from the start as our preferred partner and will continue to be key to the program’s success especially as we expand to include scholars from the other PNU campuses across the country,” said PHINMA Foundation Vice President Peter Perfecto.

PHINMA and PNU have been partners for the last 17 years in providing scholarships to deserving students with great leadership potential. Out of the 253 graduates of the PHINMA National Scholarship Program since 2006, 189 were from PNU. Sixty-five PHINMA scholars are also currently enrolled in PNU.

The two institutions are united in molding future leaders like Aniceto, who dreams of someday serving in the Department of Education as a school division superintendent. Apart from Aniceto, eight PHINMA scholars who graduated from PNU have been recognized for their contributions in making lives better.