Jill Navales, a 4th-year graduating college student at the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD), lost his father in 2016, bringing major changes not only to his life but also to his family’s.
“I grew up in the Bicol Region—specifically in Pili, Camarines Sur. Back then, my dad either sold scrap materials or worked part-time as a farmer on my uncle’s land. My mom was a house helper,” he shared. “After my dad passed away, we moved to Tondo, Manila.”
Life wasn’t exactly luxurious for Jill and his family due to their financial struggles. After his father passed away from Parkinson’s disease, they not only had to move to another region and stay with their uncle in Tondo, but Jill’s mom also had to step up and take on the role of head of the family. “She makes a living by selling candy and drinks like coffee and bottled water on the sidewalk,” Jill added.
During the pandemic, Jill searched for scholarships while he pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He recounted how scarce scholarship opportunities were, both within UP and from private organizations. Fortunately, he was accepted into the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship for Excellence (STEM SFE) established by the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF).
“I didn’t really expect to get accepted into STEM SFE because, especially during the batch interview, I felt like there were so many outstanding applicants. I thought, ‘I might not make it,’” Jill said.
“The scholarship was a huge help—not just because of the stipend, but also because it came at a time when we really needed it, especially during the pandemic when our family’s income had dropped significantly,” he added. On top of the financial support, GBF also offered leadership programs, which Jill didn’t expect would help him grow so much as a person.
Through GBF, Jill is moving a step closer to his dream of having their own house. “Right now, we don’t have our own place. I really appreciate my uncle’s kindness in letting us stay, but I still dream of building a home for my family.”
Many students, like Jill, need support to fulfill their dreams for themselves and their families. Through scholarship programs like STEM SFE, GBF continues to empower more and more students to achieve their goals—serving not just its scholars but also the broader Filipino community.
