SM Foundation recently presented to the Sy family 225 SM scholar graduates who finished their baccalaureate degrees at the dose of school year 2012-2013. Four summa cum laude graduates-Cederic Aeron R. Baybayon, Jennifer Z. Camenting and Dan Jeward Rubis graduates of the National University and Jessica Aliana S. Habunal from the Central Philippines University in Iloilo-lead this batch of scholar-graduates.

The presentation of the SM scholar-graduates to their benefactor is a yearly tradition. It is an opportunity for the Sy family to meet the graduates and likewise an. occasion for the scholars and their parents to personally thank

the Sy family for their benevolence. As in the past years, the graduates receive congratulatory gifts from their benefactor.

Forty percent of this year’s batch of graduates finished their degrees with honors. Aside from the four summa cum laude, 19 completed their degrees as magna cum laude, 47 cum laude and 20 were awarded academic distinction. SM Foundation maintains 1,200 scholars nationwide and this year, it hopes to enroll 1,300 students. Already plans are afoot to increase the number to 1,500 in two years’ time, an increment of 100 students per year.

Now on its 20th year, the SM Foundation scholarship program, the flagship project of the foundation aims to provide college education to deserving public high-school graduates who are unable to further studies due to financial difficulties. Aside from providing matriculation fees, SM Foundation also allocates funds for the scholars’ monthly allowance.