Heroes Project PH: Scholarships for disadvantaged youth
National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Maribeth Espino shows the concert attendees the 30 scholarships donated by Informatics to Heroes Project Ph with Heroes Project Ph founder Mike Chan. Photo from Heroes Project PH
MANILA, Philippines - On December 31, Heroes Project PH launched its campaign to give away 30 college scholarships amounting to P2 million ($45,500)* to excellent but financially challenged students in the country.
The initiative will give selected students 3-year full scholarships in Informatics until June 2015.
Heroes Project PH is an initiative founded by Mike Chan, vocalist of the band Mike Chan and Anthem, with the help of musicians like Nyoy Volante, Sitti, Barbie Almalbis, Top Suzara, Noelle Cassandra, and Jason Fernandez, among others. It started in 2010 as a charity drive for children with cleft palates and calamity programs.
“My goal is to make everyone aware that their small actions do count! Small actions when done often and by a lot of people can change lives,” Chan said.
Due to Chan’s busy schedule, however, the project only ran until 2011.
As 2015 struck, Chan decided to revive the project, this time focusing on education.
Source of inspiration
Mike Chan and his band Anthem was one of the performers during the launch on New Year’s Eve. Photo from Heroes Project PH
Chan said his mom inspired him to revive the project.
When he was renewing his driver’s license in LTO recently, he saw a father and son waiting in line arguing because the father lacked the money to apply for a professional license and the son needed to get a job.
“My mom went up to them and offered to give the P500 they needed to get the license. It wasn't a big thing to me at the time and I’m pretty sure my mother didn't give it another thought because she could well afford to spare the P500,” Chan said.
He added: “Looking back, that P500 from my mom probably allowed that young man to get the job he seemed so desperately needed. It seemed like a small thing at the time but it was probably a game changer for the young man and his family.”
Chan and his corporate partners chose New Year’s Eve in Luneta to relaunch the project to make a statement and inspire the 1 million people who celebrated the start of 2015 there.
Students, partners wanted
Heroes Project PH is still looking for partners who will take part in the initiative. Recently, La Consolacion College agreed to donate 5 high school scholarships to support the cause.
"It is my hope that as we go along, more schools will help out and add to our tally. Hopefully, the kids we help today will remember the leg up they received from Heroes Project, and when the time comes - when they are in a position to extend a helping hand - will not hesitate to do the same,” Chan said.
Interested parties may endorse candidates through the Heroes Project PH Facebook page. Students must pass the following criteria:
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must have an average GPA of 88% with no grade lower than 85%
- Family aggregate annual income of not more that 250,000 pesos
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Of good moral character
Heroes Project Ph will start touring SM Malls and campuses to start looking for 30 deserving and underprivileged young adults to send to college.
"We never know what our actions would bring about, so never assume that what you do will not matter and most of all, never hesitate to do anyone any good because…there is no such thing as ‘too small’ in the grand scheme of things,” Chan concluded. - Rappler.com
*USD 1 = P43.9
