BAGUIO CITY — For many Filipino families, an acceptance letter to college brings both joy and worry. It opens the door to higher education but also raises a difficult question: How will we pay for it?

For 27 graduates in Baguio City, that question found an answer through the SM Foundation Scholarship Program.

The newest batch of scholars received more than financial assistance. They gained an opportunity to pursue their dreams without the constant burden of worrying about tuition, school expenses and the sacrifices their families would otherwise have to make.

Among them is Justin Espanto, who will begin her journey toward becoming a certified public accountant at Saint Louis University.

“I truly promise to do my absolute best,” Justin said, grateful for the opportunity that will allow her to pursue one of the country’s most demanding degree programs.

Behind Justin’s determination is her mother, Nancy Sabado, who has spent years raising her family on her own.

Like many single parents, Nancy has learned to stretch every peso to cover daily expenses. Sending a child to college, however, remained one of her greatest challenges.

“As a single mom, this is truly a massive help for us,” she said.

For families like the Sabados, the scholarship represents more than financial relief. It provides reassurance that hard work and determination can still open doors despite limited means.

The SM Foundation said its scholarship program goes beyond paying for education. Scholars also receive mentoring, leadership development, values formation, and career-readiness training designed to prepare them for life after graduation.

The 27 scholars come from different schools and backgrounds, yet they share a common goal — to earn a college degree, secure better opportunities and help lift their families out of hardship.

For the foundation, education remains one of the most effective ways to create lasting change. By investing in deserving students, it hopes to develop future accountants, engineers, teachers, healthcare workers and other professionals who will eventually contribute to their communities.

As the new academic year approaches, the 27 scholars will carry more than books into their classrooms. They bring with them the hopes of their families, the confidence of those who believed in their potential, and the determination to prove that opportunity, when matched with perseverance, can transform lives.

For these young scholars, college is no longer just a dream. It is now a journey they are finally ready to begin.