Siam Cement Group (SCG), a leading business conglomerate founded in Thailand, continues its long-standing commitment to education by awarding scholarships to 290 deserving students in the 17th year of its ‘Sharing the Dream’ program.
Since its inception in 2008, the program has been a cornerstone of SCG’s corporate social responsibility efforts, providing essential educational assistance to underprivileged yet promising students across the regions where the company operates-including countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.
This year’s theme, ‘Green Generation,’ highlighted the program’s strong belief that every person’s potential matters and that education is the key to building a stronger, more sustainable nation.
SCG Country Director Mr. Jirasak Kaewubol echoed this theme, stating, ‘We believe in the value of individuals. That’s why we believe building human capital is the most important, which we achieve through education and upskilling people. That is what we have been doing for so many years.’
The official turnover ceremony on September 12 at Acacia Hotel Manila saw 250 high school students and 40 college students from Batangas, Manila, Bulacan, and Taguig receive their scholarships.
High school students were awarded an educational assistance package of P12,000 each while the college students were given P20,000 annually to support their educational journeys.
‘The Royal Thai Embassy really appreciates the initiative of SCG. SCG also plays a part in promoting people-to-people connections, which I think is very important and is a strong foundation for every policy that the government would like to move forward with,’ said Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, the Thai Ambassador to the Philippines.
A privilege and a commitment
For 17 years, the Sharing the Dream program has awarded over 4,000 scholarships in the Philippines. This enduring commitment is rooted in a meticulous selection process that carefully chooses students for whom the scholarship will be an instrumental stepping stone toward their dreams.
High school applicants must maintain an average grade of 85% or higher with no grade below 80%, while college student applicants must maintain a general weighted average of at least 1.75. All applicants are also required to demonstrate active participation in non-academic and extracurricular activities.
An SCG scholarship alumnus, Ma. Jesiery Rose F. Guevarra, knows this process well, having received scholarships from SCG for both high school and college, which helped her achieve her dream of becoming a nurse.
‘It’s important for you to be true to yourself for them to see the genuineness of your heart,’ she advised, adding that showing eagerness is crucial for SCG to see an applicant’s true intentions and promise.
Guevarra, who benefited from the program’s support, describes the scholarship as ‘a fuel of my dreams. because when you know there’s someone willing to help you, that’s when you push forward to dream more.’
Similarly, former SCG scholar Ma. Theressa F. Orbeta, who received support for eight years and is now an employee of the company, highlighted the program’s holistic approach. ‘SCG doesn’t just help us financially; we gradually discover ourselves and realize our dreams,’ she said.
Orbeta further emphasized the program’s focus on personal growth beyond financial assistance. ‘I also experienced collaboration and socializing activities with other scholars,’ she explained. ‘Through these, we learned about their stories and also gained emotional intelligence.’
‘The Royal Thai Embassy really appreciates the initiative of SCG. SCG also plays a part in promoting people-to-people connections, which I think is very important and is a strong foundation for every policy that the government would like to move forward with,’ said Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, the Thai Ambassador to the Philippines.
A partnership for uplifting Filipino lives
The partnership between SCG and the Department of Education is a powerful one, as highlighted by DepEd Director, Atty. Camara Jr.
He emphasized: ‘We see through the high school students that it was not only the material things that were brought in, but actually the confidence that empowers them. That actually changes not only their lives but the lives of their families and the communities as well.’
Atty. Camara further elaborated on the broader impact of this collaboration. ‘This partnership brought not only the resources of SCG but also a sense of solidarity between our two countries,’ he said.
He believes the program demonstrates how international friendship and industry collaboration can significantly strengthen a nation’s local education system. ‘SCG’s presence in our communities shows that the challenges of poverty and inequality can be confronted not just by the Philippines, but with our partners,’ he added.
Drawing on its 17-year history of providing educational support in the Philippines, SCG’s ‘Sharing the Dream’ program continues to champion the next generation of Filipino leaders. The initiative goes beyond financial aid, strategically investing in students from select areas by providing comprehensive assistance, fostering strong character, and encouraging active community participation.