BPI Foundation awards scholarships to next of kin of medical front liners

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, has chosen 10 additional students for its “Pagpupugay” Scholarship program, which aims to support the next of kin of medical front liners who contracted COVID-19 or passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial disruptions for many of our fellow Filipinos, including our medical frontliners who continue to be at the forefront of this ongoing war against the deadly virus,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “The second batch of Pagpupugay scholars will ensure that children and/or next of kin of our COVID-19 heroes are not deprived of higher education opportunities that will pave the way for a secure future.

"Pagpupugay” is a scholarship program where each scholar will be provided a maximum of P100,000 scholarship fund per academic year to cover tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses. Five scholars were chosen in 2020, while 10 students were added this year.

Sophia Bea Dulay, one of the "Pagpupugay” scholars and a BA Sociology freshman at the University of the Philippines Diliman, is the daughter of Sheila Dulay, a nurse at Davao Doctors Hospital who contracted COVID-19. "My dream has always revolved around helping people, contributing to the improvement of our society, and influencing others to do the same,” she shared. “I would like to give my sincerest gratitude to BPI Foundation for their financial assistance. This scholarship will help in continuing my education and bringing me a step closer to my dreams.”

Another scholar, Lorraine Grace Bassig, is a 2nd year BS Civil Engineering student at the Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila. She is the daughter of Florentino Bassig, a Medical Technologist at Quezon City Health Department who passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic. When asked about her motivation amid these difficult times, she said, “After our father died, our family struggled financially to continue our education. This scholarship will serve as my source of inspiration in achieving my goals of becoming a Licensed Civil Engineer.”

“Our front liners are doing their best to fight the pandemic. They are putting their own lives at risk to save others and it inspires me to pursue my dream,” said Daren Mar Bumanlag, a 1st year student at PHINMA – University of Pangasinan. Inspired by his aunt, Jenelyn Olivar, a nurse at Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Saudi Arabia, Daren is pursuing BS Pharmacy.

The other seven "Pagpupugay” scholars are Mariah Nicholle Collado, Patricia Maren Viray, Cyrille Rose Virocel, Barbeth Nicole Galecer, Julia Macasa, Florraine Kazelle Dela Rosa, and Chris Angelo Bactad.

To continue honoring the heroic efforts of more COVID-19 medical front liners, BPI Foundation is set to open more slots for the "Pagpupugay” Scholarship program next year.