CLARK FREEPORT --- “Education will cut short the cycle of poverty.”
These were the words of businessman Irinero “Bong” G. Alvaro Jr., chairman and president of the Bridges and Benevolent Initiatives (BBI) Foundation, during the formal awarding of scholarship to some 95 college students at Midori Resort and Casino here last Friday.
Alvaro asked the scholars to study hard in order to complete their education and fulfill their dreams to help their respective families.
Alvaro said that his father always reminded him that “education is your only ticket to cut short the cycle of poverty where we are in. These are the very words of my father.”
“Ang sabi ng tatay ko sa akin ay kung gusto mong maging karpentero kagaya ko at kagaya ng tatay ko at tatay ng tatay ko ay huwag ka ng mag-aral. Ang dunong ay ang tanging bagay na hindi pwedeng manakaw sayo kung ikaw ay magsusumikap,” Alvaro said.
The scholarship program is in line with the BBI Foundation’s mission to help exceptional and deserving students realize their dream of a college degree, according to Alvaro.
“The foundation’s goal is to act as the bridge and bring about change in the lives of the needy in poverty-stricken areas through its social services, entrepreneurial empowerment including disaster management programs,” he added.
The foundation also aims to provide opportunities for people to become self-reliant, independent, resilient and productive members of the community.
Beneficiaries under the scholarship program come from various universities in Pampanga and Angeles City which include Angeles University Foundation, City College of Angeles, Mabalacat City College, Don Honorio Ventura State University, Systems Plus, and others.
The foundation spends around P2-million per year for the scholarship program, it was learned.