ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Youth devider From scholars to changemakers

From scholars to changemakers

Published Oct 23, 2024 03:05 am
SM Scholars.png
SM Scholars turned SM employees. (L-R) Happily serving as SM Foundation employees are alumni of the college scholarship program—Cherry Antonio, Allen Bermejo, Roma Hierro, and Michael Lumahan. The picture was taken during the SM Scholars’ Alumni Homecoming 2024

Reinforcing its mission to provide a launchpad towards scholars' success, the SM Foundation opens career pathways within the SM Group for its scholar-alumni. Through dedicated job fairs coinciding with annual graduation ceremonies and active recruitment via digital platforms, SM scholars can explore employment opportunities across the organization's diverse portfolio.

Such is the journey of SM scholars-turned-SM employees Allen Bermejo, Cherry Antonio, Roma Hierro, and Michael Lumahan.

Full-circle moment

Bermejo.jpg

Bermejo was a cum laude graduate from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a degree in Accountancy. She is grateful for being able to finish her dream course at her preferred university through her scholarship.

Right after graduation, she learned about the job opportunity at SM Foundation. Without haste, she applied: “In my first week, I started processing tuition fees and allowances for the scholars. It was a lot of work, but I knew how important this role was in ensuring that the scholars could focus on their studies without financial worries. It felt fulfilling to know that someone had done this for me before—and now, I get to play a crucial part in supporting the next generation of scholars on their educational journey.”

Another answered prayer

Antonio.jpg

Cherry Antonio is a Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting graduate from the Batangas State University-JPLPC Malvar Campus.

“The job opportunity at SM Foundation, like my scholarship, was an answered prayer. I have always wanted to be part of the SM Foundation as it was an opportunity to be a part of an organization that spreads social good,” Antonio said, adding that it was also a chance to give back to the Foundation that helped make her dreams a reality.

Her career at SM has enabled her to step outside her comfort zone and embrace personal and professional development.

“I am happy, and I enjoy my work. I have this eagerness to stay on top of my tasks because I know it’s for social good and many future scholars and other beneficiaries will benefit from the work that we do,” she said.

Giving back

Hierro.jpg

With seven years of working experience at SM Foundation, SM scholar-turned-SM Foundation program supervisor Roma Hierro graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Mathematics.

Hierro volunteered to assist in sorting files at the Foundation  when an SMFI employee mentioned a job opening, prompting her to submit an application.

She was interviewed by Connie Angeles, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health & Medical Programs. Angeles recalled, “She was very enthusiastic to join the SM Foundation.”

According to Hierro, the Foundation keeps paving new opportunities for her—from her first airplane ride to now taking on greater responsibilities. She currently spearheads the rollout of the digitization program of the Health & Medical team.

“I am happy that the company that gave me a brighter future through the SM scholarship is now my employer. I’m proud to be doing meaningful work, helping communities, especially in the areas of health and wellness. It’s fulfilling to see how our efforts in digitization are spreading social good, making healthcare more accessible and efficient for those who need it most," she shared.

Lumahan.jpg

Changing lives

A teammate of Hierro is Michael Lumahan, another SM Scholar, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Main campus.

A 2023 graduate, Lumahan plays a key role in coordinating the foundation's medical missions. He applies his academic training directly in his work, finding deep purpose in program implementation and community impact.

"Working directly in the field and collaborating with various stakeholders to organize medical missions and establish health centers bring a unique sense of fulfillment, knowing our efforts make an immediate positive impact on the health of vulnerable communities," he shared.

"Like my colleagues, I am dedicated to applying my academic training and upholding excellence in every aspect of our work—from distributing medicines and mission planning to engaging with stakeholders. My experience as a scholar has instilled in me the understanding that every program we implement has the power to change lives," he added.

Related Tags

SM FOUNDATION INC
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.