PRINCESS Eunice Motel said, “I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream, but also to be a blessing to the next generation.”

These inspiring words came from an 18-year-old who was an SM scholar, currently pursuing her education at the Philippine Normal University (PNU). She was one of two children of Hildajane, an on-call factory repacker, and Richard, a set man, who hailed from Caloocan City.

The younger Motel’s dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong aspiration, deeply rooted in her heart and mind since her childhood. This calling became even more pronounced when she embraced her Christian faith.

“My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church, dedicated to teaching children about God’s word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation,” Motel said.

To attain her dream, she chose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution.

“PNU is renowned for its ability to nurture exceptional teachers,” Motel remarked. “As I aspire to become an educator, I also strive for greatness and excellence, and there’s no better place to achieve that than at PNU.”

Like mother, like daughter Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jhona Bolinas pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but opted to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

Despite considering other career paths, Bolinas opted education, drawing inspiration from her mother, who was also an educator.

“Watching, observing and listening to [my mother], I learned the basics,” Bolinas shared.

Driven by her love for reading and writing, Bolinas also chose to specialize in English.

When asked if she planned to work abroad after graduation, Bolinas said she was keeping her options open, recognizing an offer overseas would be a once-in-alifetime opportunity.

“But right now, I want to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision,” Bolinas explained.

A passion for teaching

Another aspiring educator was Krissa May Oquindo.

Her father, a cable technician, was the family’s sole breadwinner while her mother spent time caring for the family.

Oquindo completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four state universities and, ultimately, chose to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, lauded in a recent survey for producing graduates that were highly sought after by employers.

When asked about her motivation to become a teacher, Oquindo responded: “Being an educator has always been my passion. From the moment I set foot on a school campus, the idea of standing in front of students and sharing knowledge [excited] me.”

She selected science as her major to deepen her understanding of the subject and to enlighten others about it.

Oquindo had no plans to teach abroad. She believed that while there was demand for teachers overseas, the same was true in the Philippines.

“My passion for teaching is rooted in caring for the next generation, especially for the youth of our country,” Oquindo said.

The SM college scholarship program

Through the years, the SM college scholarship program has empowered 3,791 graduates, who have enrolled in over 120 partner colleges and universities across the nation. These scholars enjoyed full tuition benefits, monthly allowances, part-time work opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks, job offers from the SM Group upon graduation, and engaging activities and enrichment programs.

Additionally, SM’s technical-vocational scholarship program has produced 4,669 graduates, contributing further to the development of skilled professionals in various fields.