For many Filipino families, graduation is more than just a ceremony. It is the reward for years of sacrifice, perseverance, and the unwavering belief that education can change the course of a person’s life.
That was the spirit behind “Pagkilala at Pasasalamat Para sa Ating mga Iskolar,” a thanksgiving celebration hosted by the Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) to honor the latest graduates of its scholarship program.
The gathering brought together 120 scholar-graduates, each accompanied by a loved one whose support helped make the milestone possible. This year’s batch includes one Magna Cum Laude and eight Cum Laude honorees, raising the total number of graduates produced by the Palawan Group of Companies Scholarship Program (PGC-SP) to 900 since it was established in 1998.
Inside the venue, the celebration extended far beyond academic recognition. Parents, siblings, mentors, and friends shared in the moment, reflecting on years of hard work and determination that had finally culminated in a college diploma.
For many of the graduates, the scholarship represented more than financial assistance — it made higher education possible when the path forward seemed uncertain.
Investing in people, one scholar at a time
Palawan Group Chairman and Founder Bobby L. Castro
For nearly three decades, the Palawan Group has quietly invested in students whose ambitions were often greater than their financial means.
Today, many of its scholarship alumni have gone on to become licensed engineers, educators, certified public accountants, and professionals in various industries. More than 100 graduates have even returned to the company, now helping build the organization that once invested in their education.
Addressing the graduates, Palawan Group Chairman and Founder Bobby L. Castro said education remains one of the most meaningful ways to create lasting opportunities — not only for individuals but also for the communities they will eventually serve.
“Education creates opportunities, transforms lives, and uplifts communities,” Castro said. “I truly believe that every scholar we support is a key to a better future for the Philippines.”
Rather than asking graduates to repay the company, Castro encouraged them to invest in themselves and, when the opportunity comes, help open doors for others.
“Ang ating scholarship program ay walang hinihinging kapalit. Ang akin lamang hinihiling, paunlarin ninyo ang inyong mga sarili. Balang araw, kayo rin ay makatutulong magpa-aral ng susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino,” the chairman added.
A celebration shared with families
Palawan Group Deputy Chairman and Co-founder Angelita M. Castro
The day’s most meaningful moments were not limited to the graduates alone.
Every scholar attended alongside someone who had been part of the journey—a parent who worked extra hours, a sibling who offered encouragement, or a relative who believed in them when pursuing a college degree seemed impossible.
Recognizing those sacrifices, Palawan Group Deputy Chairman and Co-founder Angelita M. Castro, who helped establish the scholarship program, reminded the graduates that success is measured not only by professional achievements but also by the values they carry throughout life.
“I was tasked to deliver an inspirational message,” she told the graduates. “But really, you are our inspiration.”
She urged the scholars to remain kind, stay grounded, and continue honoring the families whose sacrifices helped make their education possible.
As they begin their professional careers, she encouraged them to carry forward the spirit of malasakit and integrity wherever their ambitions take them.
Paying opportunities forward
One of the scholars, Nicha Mae Diamante, speaking during the event
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Nicha Mae Diamante, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Palawan State University, reflected on the deeper purpose of earning a college degree.
She reminded her fellow graduates that education becomes truly meaningful when it is used to improve the lives of others.
“Walang saysay ang diploma kung hindi natin gagamitin ang ating edukasyon para makatulong sa iba at mapabuti ang ating mga komunidad,” Diamante said.
She also encouraged her fellow scholars to remain honest, uphold integrity, and use the opportunities they have received to make a positive difference in the communities they serve.
Beyond graduation
Since launching the scholarship program in 1998, the Palawan Group has continued expanding its efforts to make education more accessible for deserving students despite financial challenges.
While the company has grown into one of the country’s leading financial services providers —through Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PalawanPay — it says investing in education remains one of its most meaningful contributions to nation-building.
For the newest batch of graduates, however, the celebration was less about looking back than looking ahead.
As they begin careers in accounting, engineering, education, business, and other professions, they carry with them not only the knowledge they gained in school but also the hopes of the families who stood beside them throughout the journey.
Their diplomas mark the end of one chapter, but perhaps more importantly, they represent the beginning of lives that can inspire — and create opportunities for—the next generation of Filipinos.
