One hundred seventy-eight Grade two and four scholars of The Insular Foundation’s Adopt-A-Scholar Program received their school supplies, shoes, uniforms, and storybooks during the turnover ceremony on July 25.

The scholars are all students of the Itaas Elementary School situated inside the National Bilibid Prison Reservation Community in Muntinlupa City.

Parents accompanied their children as they received their school things on stage. Armin Bacsal, mother of grade four scholar Aaliyah Marie, who was also the top student among the Grade Three scholars during the School Year 2011-2012, happily said, “nagpapasalamat po talaga kami dahil malaki po ang naitutulong ng Insular sa mga bata, Namemaintain yung mga pangangailangan nila sa school, may uniform at sapatos pa. Nung nakatanggap pa ng dagdag na award si Aaliyah, sobrang tuwa din dahil di namin ineexpect na makakatanggap pa sila ng karagdagang award.” Bacsal was referring to the cash awards that the Foundation gave to the top three scholars of both Grades one and three last school year. Maylyn Padua, mother of Carl Dion Josh Padua, the second highest in ranking among the Grade One scholars last school year, agrees. “Malaking pasasalamat po talaga dahil malaking tulong po ito sa amin dahil marami po sila. Lima silang magkakapatid at si Carl po ang panganay.”

The Program’s scholars are mostly children of prisoners, prison guards and employees, and parents who belong to the poorest of the poor in the community. During the short ceremony, Insular Life Chairman of the Board and CEO Vicente R. Ayllón encouraged the parents to inspire their children to go to school every day so they will learn from the daily lessons.  He also thanked the teachers for making it their mission to not just teach the children and become their second parents, but also champion the children’s dreams, even while remaining the unsung heroes of the country.

The Adopt-A-Scholar Program is voluntarily supported by employees of Insular Life, who commit to support their scholars until they graduate from grade school by donating a year’s supply of school supplies, a set of uniform, school shoes or bags, and storybooks in support of Insular Life’s Literacy campaign.
 

 
Photo shows the grade four scholars with Mr. Ayllón, Insular Foundation Administrator and PR Staff  Sr. AVP and Head Ana Maria R. Soriano, and the school administrators and teachers.
 

The grade two scholars with Ms. Soriano, the school administrators and teachers, and the Insular Life Public Relations Staff.
 

Mr. Ayllón’s scholar, Aaliyah Marie Bacsal topped the grade three scholars last school year. In photo with her after she received her school things are (from left): Mr. Ayllón, mother Armin, Ms. Soriano, and Itaas Elementary School Principal Jane May Valbuena.
 

 
The truly happy occasion brought out these sunny smiles, unmindful of the rains that accompanied that morning’s ceremony.