(19 October 2012. Pasay City, Philippines). SM Foundation scholars continue to excel as four of them topped the recent Certified Public Accountants (CPA) board examinations. Wayjorie Depayso, magna cum laude graduate from Saint Louis University in Baguio City placed third, while Marc Rodolf Arca, summa cum laude graduate from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) placed fourth. Jannen Barona, who graduated summa cum laude from University of the East (UE) Caloocan placed sixth while Bryan Abanilla, who graduated summa cum laude from Meycauayan College in Bulacan placed ninth.

For the school year 2011-2012, 65 SM scholars graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Of this batch, 52 took the recent CPA board exams wherein 48 scholars passed. This translates to a remarkable passing rate of 92% for SM scholars.

Ms. Carmen Linda Atayde, SM Foundation executive director for education congratulates the SM scholars for achieving another milestone. “SM Foundation is privileged to be part of their journey towards the fulfillment of their dreams. We congratulate them for a job well done, and we wish them continued blessings as they prepare to join the mainstream. We hope that wherever their paths will lead them, they will carry on the learnings which they acquired as SM scholars. We would also like to congratulate their parents for inspiring their children to do their best,” Ms. Atayde said. 

Last May, 164 SM scholar graduates were presented to SM chairman and founder, Mr. Henry Sy, Sr., and his wife, Mrs. Felicidad Sy. Among the graduates, 75 or 46% graduated with honors. 

In 1993, the scholarship program of SM Foundation was launched by Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. as a means of helping promising students whose families have no financial capability to provide them with a college education. Mr. Sy envisions that the SM scholars would in turn help in sending their siblings to school thereby increasing their opportunity to have a better quality of life. Since its institution, the SM Foundation has given such college education to over 1,500 Filipino youths.

For further information, please contact:

Linda M. Atayde
Executive Director for Education 
SM Foundation, Inc.
Tel.: 831-8282
E-mail: education@sm-foundation.org

Date: Friday, October 19, 2012