The leading superapp works with PHINMA Education and BagoSphere to champion inclusive access to education.

Leading superapp Grab Philippines culminates the first year of its GrabScholar program by awarding six (6) deserving students full-ride college scholarship grants. Firmly committed to driving economic empowerment for every Filipino, Grab launched the GrabScholar Program earlier this year to empower underprivileged Filipino students to continue pursuing education.

The GrabScholar Program is a multi-pronged initiative by Grab Philippines in collaboration with PHINMA Education and BagoSphere. GrabScholars gain access to various opportunities which includes full-ride college scholarships with PHINMA Education, bursary support for elementary and high school students for their educational requirements, and a career acceleration program with BagoSphere for aspiring Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) professionals.

[L-R] Grab Head of Western Visayas Joann Yoshida, Iloilo GrabScholars Jasmine Nicanor and Jessa Mae Tabares from PHINMA University of Iloilo, and Grab Head of Operations CJ Lacsican and Grab Merchant Operations Lead for Western Visayas Vige Fajarillo.

As a key thrust under the GrabForGood Program, GrabScholar is geared at addressing current barriers in accessing quality education. Outstanding students were chosen based on their family background, academic records, and financial need. They also went through a rigorous interview process where they shared their personal aspirations and motivations, among others.

Cesario Cabuello III worked at a fast-food chain as a working student but had to stop studying due to difficulty in funding his education. Since then, he always dreamt of going back to finish his studies since he values having an education to succeed.

“Naniniwala ako na education is the key to success. Mahirap maghanap ng work ngayon pag wala kang diploma o degree… Nagbabase ang ibang company sa pinag-aralan ng isang tao, at ang education ay hindi ito makukuha sayo nino man,” he said.

Adrian Ortega, who works as a Grab delivery-partner, shares a similar viewpoint. He focuses on his studies during school hours but puts on a different hat as soon as the bell rings.

“Lingid sa ating kaalaman na marami na rin ang mga “working students” sa panahon ngayon dahil sa hirap ng buhay… Kung ating iisipin, maraming tao ang umunlad ang buhay hindi lang dahil sa edukasyon kundi sa diskarte. Ngunit akin din naman napagisip-isip na ang edukasyon ay isang mahalaga at mandatoryong elemento sa buhay ng tao,” he said. Adrian is taking up Marketing Management at PHINMA Saint Jude College Manila.

A partner to achieve success

Most of the scholars shared that they are driven to succeed both academically and in their future careers to bring a better life for their families.

Jasmine Nicanor, who currently pursues a Financial Management Degree, applied for a scholarship to ease their family expenses. Particularly, it is to help her older brother – a Grab delivery-partner – who supports her in her studies.

“Being a scholar can help me achieve my goals and dreams in life… Moreover, having a scholarship will enable me to support my brother fulfill his dreams as well. It motivated me to work hard and excel academically to become a scholar,” she said.

John Llyod Villa lives with his grandmother who raised him since he was young. Given the age of his grandmother, he worked hard to become a scholar. Now an English major, he wishes to pursue a Masters degree and PhD after graduating from college.

“It is very important to me kasi ‘eto na lang yung kayang ipamana sakin ng family ko sa akin… [and] ako yung unang magiging Bachelor’s degree holder sa aming family kung papalarin,” he said.

“It’s for my own personal development, especially for us future educators. We cannot give what we do not have, so we need to be better so that in the future we will be good teachers,” he added.

The students recognise the value of receiving a scholarship grant and appreciate the help extended by the superapp.

For Jessa Mae Tabares, a part-time employee in a call center, she sees this opportunity as her key to becoming a professional licensed teacher one day.

“Grab’s message truly reflects on their vision and mission to our community… and I am evidence of their kindness and giving back to the society… They bring new hope to the jobless, take the unprivileged on to greater heights of education, [and give aid] to the needy,” she said.

Mary Flor Valerie Rull put a halt to pursuing her studies after her father was diagnosed with cancer. Despite facing challenges, she still dreams of becoming a teacher.

This possibility is now made real with the help extended by Grab Philippines.

“Alam ko yung pakiramdam na walang wala, at walang handang tumulong… Masaya ako na may mga tao na mabubuti ang puso na tumutulong upang mapaunlad ang iba. It may not be a smooth journey, pero alam ko na nandyan sila to guide and help me become the person I want to be,” she said.

All scholars share the same dream of achieving success in the future. GrabScholar, together with its partners and co-facilitators PHINMA Education and BagoSphere, looks forward to having more scholars in Wave 2 of the program, which is now open for applications.

Interested applicants can visit Grab Philippines’ official website to know more about the program.