SIX of the nine beneficiaries of Prestone’s “Anak ng Mekaniko” scholarship program who finished college this year were recently honored in a culminating activity.
They were Edmajea Aguinaldo from Makati City, the first degree-holder in her family who graduated from a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hospitality Management (BSHM) course; Melver Masangkay from Batangas, the most active in cocurricular activities who took up BS in Computer Engineering; Christian Diamante from Cagayan De Oro who was a consistent honor student and finished BS in Information Technology (BSIT); and Aulinda Buban from Antipolo City, Rizal, a mom-scholar with consistent good-standing grades who also earned a BSIT degree.
Two of their other coscholar-graduates from Camarines Sur, Bicol finished their studies with flying colors: Harvey Plazo, who graduated cum laude with a BSIT degree; and Anna Raiza Dela Cruz who, as a student, won two intraschool cooking and Scrabble competitions, marched as magna cum laude with a BSHM degree.
The latter expressed her appreciation to Prestone for the scholarship grant that helped her parents, especially her auto mechanic father, to provide her the opportunity to reach her dreams.
“I want to congratulate Prestone; they did not only help the mechanics, but also the youth to fulfill their dreams. I just hope that they can help more in their upcoming projects. As a scholar, we are also ready to help others to give back,” Dela Cruz told the BusinessMirror in mixed Filipino and English during the graduation ceremony last September 14.
Sharing the same sentiment, Plazo appreciated the way the company has changed their lives: “Big thanks to Prestone. It’s an honor to be included in their scholarship program. This is one of the most memorable experiences in my life.”
The trusted quality brand of auto-care fluids launched the award-winning scholarship grant in 2018 to mark its 90th anniversary, with the goal of giving back to hardworking and loyal auto mechanics in the country by providing their children with a free four-year course tertiary education in STI Colleges campuses nationwide.
From hundreds of aspirants who submitted their applications and essays, which narrated their pride at being a child of a hard-working auto mechanic, the firm chose nine scholars.
“Each scholar represented one decade of Prestone in the market,” explained Paulo Lao, commercial director of Clorox International Phils. Inc. (CIPI). “Being this long as a brand, we must continue to work hard to earn the trust and enduring loyalty of the market that we serve: our loyal consumers and the auto mechanics.”
According to Lao, the best way for them to be able to bring back the favor and show their appreciation to the auto mechanics that have made the brand successful through the years is by providing a better future for their children.
“Because one of the top dreams of every family—auto mechanics included—is to be able to give education for their children. So that’s what we wanted to give back to our loyal mechanics,” he noted.
Apart from tuition fees, the grant also includes stipends, laptops, books, uniforms and allowances. Faced by the challenges of the ensuing pandemic, the scholars were likewise provided with tools to help them cope up with online classes.
A day prior to the graduation rites, Prestone hosted a career-preparation workshop to help them gear up for the corporate world. They were also treated with a special tour at the historic Fort Santiago and Casa Manila in Intramuros, where they bonded and relaxed with their loved ones.
“There’s more to look forward to,” CIPI General Manager for Southeast Asia Marites Dagdag said of the upcoming initiatives they are planning. “We are, of course, evaluating it. We still want to help our auto mechanics, because they are really loyal to Prestone—whether it takes the form of scholarship, or some other support for them.”