Ayala Group boosts support for children of fallen soldiers

DEEPER COMMITMENT Ayala Group representatives with Hero Foundation officials at the signing ceremony (from left): Augusto Bengzon, chief financial officer and treasurer, Ayala Land Inc.; Anna Ma. Margarita Dy, president and CEO, Ayala Land Inc.; lawyer Solomon Hermosura, corporate governance group head and chief legal officer, Ayala Corp.; Bernard Vincent Dy, president, Hero Foundation Inc.; Maj. Gen. Victor Bayani, executive director, Hero Foundation Inc.; Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chair, Hero Foundation Inc.; John Eric Francia, president and CEO, ACEN; Maria Yolanda Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer, Globe Telecom Inc. and Maria Cristina Go, EVP and head of consumer banking, Bank of the Philippine Islands —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Ayala Group, in collaboration with Hero Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing educational support to the children of Filipino soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation. Ayala Corp., Ayala Land Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Globe Telecom and ACEN have officially pledged their support to the Hero Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to offering educational assistance to children who have lost their parents in the military.

Since 1988, the Hero Foundation has been empowering and supporting the children and siblings of fallen soldiers, ensuring that these young individuals receive the necessary educational opportunities to build a brighter future. Hero stands for Help, Educate and Rear Orphans.

‘Profound impact’

Over the past 35 years, the foundation has provided secure and consistent educational support to military orphans. “It is a huge honor for the Ayala Group of Companies to continue being the Hero Foundation’s partner… I am confident that together, we can continue to make a profound impact in the lives of many young Filipinos,” Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chair of Hero Foundation, said during the ceremonial event.

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This year, Ayala Corp., Ayala Land, BPI, Globe Telecom and ACEN have collectively pledged to contribute P2.5 million per company per year for the next five years. This significant financial support will enable the foundation to continue its important work and make a profound impact on the lives of these young scholars.

“Our collective aim is to reach a level of self-sufficiency for the Hero Foundation in the coming years, and every step we take today brings us closer to that goal,” said Zobel de Ayala.

Key objectives

The additional support will be used primarily focus on three key objectives:

First, it aims to establish a sustainable trust fund that will provide for the current and future orphan scholars from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This trust fund will ensure that these children have access to quality education and necessary resources.

Second, the funds will bolster the REACH Program, which goes beyond traditional college scholarships. This program provides additional support to top students by offering opportunities for personal and professional growth. The REACH Program equips scholars with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen fields.

Finally, it will support the Hero Foundation’s mission of assisting scholars in finding employment after graduation. By connecting scholars with job opportunities and providing career development programs, the Ayala Group aims to empower these young individuals to become productive and responsible citizens of the country.

2,733 and counting

To date, a total of 2,733 scholars have been supported by the Hero Foundation, with 1,240 of them successfully graduating from college. These graduates have gone on to pursue various professions, including engineering, nursing, medicine, aviation, law enforcement and the military.

The foundation has disbursed a total of P188 million to support the educational needs of military orphans.

This year alone, the Hero Foundation is currently supporting 232 scholars who are pursuing their education.

Hero Foundation Inc. was established in 1988 with the help of business leaders, including Ayala Corp. chair emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala who also served as the foundation’s first board chair. The Ayala group of companies has since been one of the strongest supporters of Hero. —contributed