THOUSANDS of students from several public elementary schools in Apalit, Pampanga have received new school supplies from their fellow cabalen PLDT-Smart President and Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan.

As part of Pangilinan's 75th Birthday celebration, about 2,000 “Sacks of Joy” which contains school supplies were turned over by the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) to the local government unit of Apalit.

The local government unit (LGU) will distribute the donations to the following schools: Alauli Elementary School, Paligui Elementary School, Galang Elementary School – Calantipe, and Sampaga Elementary School.

Pangilinan has always supported education in the Philippines, believing that “Education is the key to success.”

His numerous donations of school buildings all over the country, as well as establishing professorial chairs in some universities, are reflective of his advocacy.

Pangilinan said education is one of PLDT’s strongest advocacy pillars.

“We hope to create a culture of excellence that brings our country to even greater heights. In PLDT, our goal is to have no learner left behind,” he said.

According to PSF President Esther Santos, “Despite the pandemic, we in PSF and our partners in PLDT, wanted to continue MVP’s tradition of giving back to his hometown, an effort which our Chairman truly appreciated.”

Pangilinan has often celebrated his birthday in Apalit, always giving back to his hometown with corporate social responsibility initiatives such as donating school buildings, water sanitation and hygiene station units, and conducting medical and dental missions, among many others.