Friends and batchmates of the late former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III launched a new scholarship in his honor.

With a P10.75 million fund, the Benigno Simeon C Aquino III Scholarship Endowment is for financially-challenged undergraduate students from outside Metro Manila.
Established through the efforts of Aquino's friends and batchmates, particularly members of the High School class of 1977 and the College class of 1981, the scholarship will be awarded every two years and will cover tuition and fees.
Aquino attended grade school, high school, and college at the Ateneo de Manila University. He passed last June 24, 2021 and his wake was held at the University's Church of the Gesu.
"Your benefaction is a mark of commitment to sustaining the goodness that you yourselves have received," said Dr. Maria Luz Vilches, vice president for the Loyola Schools.
"I am sure that Pres Noynoy is delighted about this, especially being launched on his 62nd birthday," Vilches added.
Architect Gerry Esquivel, the lead fundraiser for the Endowment, said that they hope that the scholarship will be "a gentle reminder" of PNoy's "love and contribution to Ateneo, our country, and its people."
"In many ways, I understand greatness to be, you, Mr. President, are a great man," Esquivel said of Aquino.
Meanwhile, Ateneo President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ said the scholarship is a great opportunity to help improve access to quality education, one of the University's new central goal as an institution.
"By giving deserving, talented young Filipinos from outside of the capital region the opportunity to study at Ateneo de Manila, the Fund can help make that goal a reality," Yap said.
"I am sure he would be glad that through this scholarship, he is – in a way – still guiding and helping the youth achieve their dreams, and become valuable members of society," he added.