Renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) welcomed twelve college students who qualified for the 2021 Bridging Gaps in Higher Education through Tertiary Scholarships (BRIGHTS) program in a virtual event held on August 11 and August 31 for SNAP-Magat and SNAP-Benguet, respectively.
The twelve incoming freshmen from Benguet, Ifugao, and Isabela are deserving students from low-income families who were chosen through a competitive selection process. This year, a total of 63 applicants were screened.
The BRIGHTS program, according to SNAP President and CEO Joseph Yu, is a game changer. “This scholarship will have a significant impact on these scholars’ lives as well as the community as a whole. During this difficult time, more families need educational assistance, so we continue to work with parents and educators to assist deserving students in achieving their goals while also developing well-rounded individuals who will contribute to driving positive change in their communities in the future.”
Ferlyne Grace Buscas expressed her gratitude to the company during SNAP-Magat’s online orientation. “This scholarship program will significantly help me achieve my goals for myself, my family, and the people I hope to help and inspire one day. Your faith in our abilities will be one of the driving forces behind our efforts to become the people we aspire to be in the future.”
Meanwhile, Marjorie Dela Cruz, mother of Ernest Mahershalal Dela Cruz, a SNAP-Benguet 2021 BRIGHTS scholar, thanked SNAP for the opportunity to assist her son. “Receiving a SNAP scholarship grant is a huge blessing. We will do our best to guide our son and support him to achieve his dreams.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, SNAP held virtual orientations for new scholars and their parents and guardians.
BRIGHTS is a scholarship initiative under SNAP’s corporate social responsibility program that targets deserving students from the company’s immediate host communities who have limited financial resources. Each scholar will receive funding to cover tuition and school fees through BRIGHTS, and remaining funds can be used to cover the scholars’ living and educational costs, such as room and board, books, uniforms, and other school-related expenses.
The program has produced nine graduates since its launch in 2017. This year’s batch brings the number of active scholars to 59 with current university partners such as Benguet State University at La Trinidad and Bokod, Benguet, Cordillera Career Development College at La Trinidad, Benguet, University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City; Ifugao State University in Alfonso Lista; Isabela State University in Echague town; Philippine Normal University in Alicia, Cagayan Valley Computer and Information Technology College, Inc. and Northeastern College in Santiago City; and Nueva Vizcaya State University, and PLT College Inc. in Bayombong.