DOÑA Modesta Singson Gaisano was a typical Filipina—she was active in Cebu’s socio-economic activities during her time.
She was always ready to support the government in its effort towards development, and above all she had a great heart for the needy.
As a loving tribute to her commitment for the poor, her sons—Stephen Sy Gaisano Sr. and Henry Sy Gaisano—established the Gaisano Foundation in 1955. The foundation helps poor but deserving students pursue higher education through its scholarship program.
The woman with a great heart for the poor was the only sister of President Sergio Osmeña. She died a happy woman in 1985 at 101 years old.
For doing many great deeds for her fellowmen, she was honored by the National Government with the Philippine Flag and a 24-hour honor guard during her wake. The Cebu City Government also named a bridge and a street after her to preserve her memory.
The Doña Modesta S. Gaisano Foundation’s stellar tradition of giving scholarship funds to deserving students started 59 years ago. The tradition of helping the needy still continues to this day because of the surviving Gaisanos’ generosity.
The foundation has appropriated P3 million for 30 outstanding graduates from different schools and universities in Cebu. Each graduate will receive P100,000 to fund their college education.
Considered as one of the biggest and longest-running scholarship programs in the country, the Gaisano scholarship is an annual project of the Dona Modesta S. Gaisano Foundation.
Now on its 58th year, the foundation was founded by the children of the late Gaisano matriarch—the late Don Stephen S. Gaisano and the late Don Henry S. Gaisano.
The beneficiary schools and universities are as follows: Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Saint Theresa’s College, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of San Carlos, University of the Visayas, University of Southern Philippines, Southwestern University, University of the Philippines-Cebu, Abellana College of Arts and Trade, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Centre for International Education, University of Cebu, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Eastern College, Sacred Heart School for Boys and Girls, Cebu City Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial High School, Philippine Christian Gospel School, Don Bosco Technology Center Inc., Seminario Mayor de San Carlos (Faculty of Theology), YLAC Free School, Cebu Samantabhadra Educational Institute and Bethany Christian School.
The scholarship grant for YLAC Free School will be shared by a number of deserving students to be handpicked by the school.
The foundation is now managed by the younger Gaisanos—Joseph Gaisano, chairman; Stephen Gaisano Jr., president; Alex Gaisano, chief executive officer; and Francisco Gaisano, Benito Gaisano, Edmund Gaisano, Jack Gaisano, Edward Gaisano, John Gaisano Jr., Hans Gaisano and Sally Gaisano. (S)