MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 14 June 2023 – Grab Philippines and PHINMA Education proudly announce the first batch of GrabScholars — six outstanding students from Greater Metro Manila and Iloilo City who have been awarded full-ride college scholarships.  Co-facilitated with online human-skills school BagoSphere, the initiative aims to empower disadvantaged Filipinos through inclusive education, fostering upward socioeconomic mobility.

The inaugural group of GrabScholars comprises six students with exceptional academic performance. [L-R] BagoSphere Project Specialist Arvee Buenaventura; Grab Philippines Country Marketing Head J-Anne Aruta; GrabScholars John Lloyd Villa, Mary Flor Valerie Rull, Cesario Cabuello III, Adrian Ortega; and Gloria Tutanes and Reigner Dawn Sanchez of PHINMA Education.

Among the deserving GrabScholars is Adrian Ortega, a 22-year-old GrabFood delivery-partner pursuing a degree in financial management at PHINMA Saint Jude College Manila. Prior to being a GrabScholar, Ortega fully funds his education by being part of the Grab delivery fleet – balancing his day between work and studies. In a poetic twist of fate, Ortega’s life took a transformative turn when he received confirmation of his scholarship while fulfilling a Grab order.

Reflecting on his experience, Ortega shares,“Bago po ako naging GrabScholar, ang mindset ko po ay dapat akong magtrabaho dahil kung hindi, baka hindi ako makakabayad ng tuition. Mahirap po noon dahil madalas kulang po sa tulog, lalo na kapag may exam, dahil sa gabi ako nagdedeliver. Kaya nung natanggap po ako bilang GrabScholar, tuwang tuwa po ako kasi ang unang pumasok po sa isip ko ay magkakaroon na ako ng panahon para magpahinga at mas maging balanse ang oras ko sa eskwelahan. Sobrang laking tulong po ng GrabScholar sa akin at sa aking pamilya.” Now equipped with a GrabScholar full-ride college scholarship, Ortega is even more empowered to go after his dream of establishing a successful career in finance. 

The other exceptional GrabScholars include Cesario Cabuello III, a former SK Kagawad and part-time fast-food restaurant crew member, who is pursuing Filipino Education at PHINMA Saint Jude College Quezon City.  Poised to be the first college graduate in his family, Rio dreams of becoming a teacher to motivate other underprivileged Filipinos to continue pursuing their dreams. Also on the roster of Greater Metro Manila scholars are Mary Flor Valerie Rull and John Lloyd Villa from PHINMA Rizal College of Laguna, majoring in Filipino and English Education, respectively.

Completing the first batch of scholars are Jasmine Nicanor and Jessa Mae Tabares of PHINMA University of Iloilo. [L-R] Grab Head of Western Visayas Joann Yoshida; GrabScholars Jasmine Nicanor and Jessa Mae Tabares; and Grab Head of Operations CJ Lacsican and Grab Merchant Operations Lead for Western Visayas Vige Fajarillo.

GrabScholar embodies  Grab’s commitment to making a positive impact in local communities, strategically aligning with its GrabForGood agenda.  Apart from college scholarships, GrabScholar has provided bursary support to numerous elementary and high school students, ensuring access to essential supplies.

“True nation-building begins with empowering individuals and communities. Through our GrabForGood fund and its many programs like GrabScholar, we are investing not only in education but also in the limitless potential of every Filipino. By opening doors to higher learning, we create pathways for empowerment, enabling more communities to thrive and contribute to the growth of our country,” says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

Established in 2021, the GrabForGood Fund serves as an endowment fund that provides vital support to key Grab initiatives in education, partner community care, and climate and disaster relief. One of the programs under this fund is GrabScholar. With the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic mobility of Grab partners, consumers, and the wider community, GrabForGood is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities as they transform their lives for the better.