SINCE 1993, the SM Foundation has been empowering deserving youth from vulnerable backgrounds to pursue their dreams through access to quality higher education. To date, the foundation has supported over 4,200 college scholar graduates.

SM Group founder Henry Sy believed that the human spirit thrives on passion. It is the fuel that ignites creativity, drives innovation, and propels us towards fulfilling lives. But for many, the path to pursuing their passions is riddled with various life constraints.

As he was familiar with the hurdles of life and how education can break down barriers, he established the SM Foundation Scholarship program to broaden the horizons of aspiring youth like Mary June Felongco.

Since childhood, Felongco's inquisitive mind has been captivated by the intricate mechanisms of machines. Her family, though burdened by financial constraints, nurtured this budding passion, dreaming of one day having an engineer in the family.

It was during those formative years that her mother saw the SM Scholarship Program poster near SM City Iloilo.

"My father's dedication as our sole provider, coupled with my mother's vision, served as my inspiration to work toward my dreams of becoming an engineer. In turn, it would lift our family from poverty," she recalled.

Fueled by her family's support, she consistently rose to the top of her class and graduated as her high school's salutatorian. Her mother remained by her side as she applied for the SM scholarship, which was geared to ensure her college years would shape her personal and professional development.

Today, as a resident engineer at SM, Felongco takes pride in her work ethic and integrity. As she journeys with SM, she continues to learn about perseverance, gratitude and the boundless potential within each individual as she shows how determination unlocks boundless opportunities for her and the people around her.