“Nawawalan na po ako ng motivation para sa school but this scholarship gave me the drive to aim higher. Na-shape niya ‘yung mindset ko na may mas mataas na responsibility ako, na mas ayusin ko pa (I have lost my motivation to go to school but this scholarship gave me the drive to aim higher. It shaped my mindset to do better because I have a higher responsibility as a scholar),” shared Nevon Genrick Loo, Metrobank Foundation-Boysen scholar, 2nd year BS Architecture at National University (NU) Manila.
Nevon is among the recipients of the 4-year scholarship program of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and Boysen Philippines. He has been applying to different scholarship programs and the MBFI-Boysen scholarship is his 4th attempt.
“May part po sa akin na umaasa akong makuha ako since pang-apat ko na po na take ng scholarship. Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na makukuha ko naman yung time kung kelan ako makakatangaap ng kahit isa man lang na scholarship. Thank God po na natanggap ako sa scholarship na ito. Hanggang ngayon po, hindi ako makapaniwala (A part of me is hoping to get the scholarship since this is my 4th attempt. I told myself that my time would come. I thank God because it did this time. Even now, I can’t believe I got the scholarship),” added Nevon.
Recently, MBFI and Boysen awarded scholarships to eight outstanding 2nd year Architecture students from NU and the University of Santo Tomas.
“MBFI’s thrust has been equity and quality—whether that be in access to basic food, health services, livelihood, or education. With our scholarship programs, we empower our academically gifted but financially challenged scholars to learn things and skills that will help them get jobs and become productive citizens of our country,” said MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.
“Through our partnership with Boysen and educational institutions, we help schools get better, so everyone gets a quality education, no matter where they come from,” Sobrepeña added.
“The scholarship program with Metrobank and Boysen has been very beneficial to our architectural students. Giving this chance to outstanding budding architects does not mean just a benefit for themselves nor their families. But more importantly, it really is contributing to the betterment of the profession,” shared NU President Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita, Jr.
Beyond financial support, MBFI helps the scholars realize their greater purpose by instilling in them the ‘Pay-it-Forward’ principle, emphasizing service to the 4Cs: Creator, Clan, Community, and Country. Apart from the regular check ins, MBFI conducts a series of mentoring and equipping sessions with its scholars highlighting the values of faith, love, and service.
“In the future, kung sakaling magka-firm man o magkatrabaho, I will pay it back po para sa future architects (In the future, when I establish a firm or get a job, I will pay it back by supporting future architects),” Nevon shared.
Since 1995, MBFI has been awarding financial grants to support deserving students through college. Ten years later, MBFI launched another scholarship program in partnership with Boysen to support more Filipino youth, particularly Architecture students.
The MBFI-Boysen Scholarship program has a proven track record of success, producing around 116 architecture graduates, including 58 Latin honorees and 90 board exam passers with four topnotchers.
Apart from investing in the education of the Filipino youth, MBFI also advocates for excellence in public service, supports Philippine art and artists, and provides grants to programs addressing gaps in basic health and nutrition, education, livelihood, and disaster management.