Driven by the common belief on the value of education, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) and the Liong Tek Go Family Association recently launched a new scholarship program

The GBF-Go Family Association College Scholarship Program aims to provide financial assistance to high-potential members of the Go family who are in need of support to continue their college education. The joint program was developed through the initiative of Mrs. Elizabeth Gokongwei, GBF Board of Trustees member and wife of Founder and Chairman, Mr. John Gokongwei, Jr. 

The first batch of scholars is composed of six students studying in top Philippines universities – University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, and Far Eastern University. 

“Gokongwei Brothers Foundation is happy to welcome these new members our community of scholars who exhibit excellence in their chosen courses, majority in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. On behalf of Mrs. Elizabeth Gokongwei and GBF’s Board of Trustees, we look forward to strengthening this partnership with the Liong Tek Go Family Association to help more deserving students gain access to quality education. We look forward to seeing these bright students contribute to their families and to nation-building after graduation,” GBF Executive Director Grace Colet said.

Meanwhile, Go Family Association President Tiong Rosario encouraged the inaugural batch of scholars to be models of the next scholars to enter the program.  

“You are the future of the Go Family Association. We would like to thank Mrs. Elizabeth Gokongwei for offering this scholarship to our children. We hope this is only the beginning,” he said. 

Each student is guaranteed to receive a fixed grant to cover and support their tuition fee and other school-related expenses annually until they graduate. As part of GBF’s vision to promote excellence among Filipino youth, scholars should maintain a General Weighted Average of 80% with no failed, dropped, or incomplete subjects to keep the scholarship.

One of the scholars, Jyian Supelaña, shared how the scholarship motivated him to study harder. Supelaña, 18, is a freshman student of BS Management Information System in Ateneo de Manila University. 

“I applied for the scholarship to help my family. The scholarship is a big help for me and the other scholars because it can really boost our motivation to really work harder on our studies and finish it,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He was also inspired to give back someday when he fulfills his dream of becoming a tech entrepreneur. 

“I think the online-based businesses will expand in the future. Once the younger generation discovers that, they can also set up a business even at a young age. They will be entrepreneurs who can help provide employment to the people. As a GBF scholar, I want to inspire others to help everyone. I want to give back to those who helped me from the beginning,” he said.

GBF was established through Mr. Gokongwei’s vision of building the future through education. For the past 27 years, the Foundation has built quality learning facilities, granted scholarships to deserving youth, supported academic institutions through endowments and donations, and created synergies geared toward promoting STEM and uplifting the Filipino youth.

The Liong Tek Go Family Association was originally set up as a social club to keep family members in touch. Through the years, it has evolved into a charitable institution as it provides educational, medical, and financial assistance to needy members of the Go family. 

For more information about GBF’s various scholarship programs, visit their website at www.gokongweibrothersfoundation.org .