For scholars under the SM Foundation, graduation signals a transition and the start of wider responsibilities, with many alumni continuing their ties to the program through work, service, and community involvement.
The SM Foundation, the social good arm of the SM Group, sustains engagement with its scholars beyond college through alumni activities, job fairs, mentoring initiatives, and regional assemblies under its Education Program. These efforts help build a network of graduates who contribute to their families, professions, and communities.
Peter Paul Alcober is one of the alumni shaped by the program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Saint Paul School of Professional Studies in 2019 and now works as a finance business partner at a multinational company in the National Capital Region.
“The years following my undergraduate studies have been a period of continuous growth, discovery, and professional development,” Alcober said. He shared that after graduation, he took on roles that strengthened his financial and analytical skills.
Alongside his career, Alcober pursued graduate studies and is nearing completion of his MBA. He described the period as demanding and credited discipline and time management for helping him grow in confidence and perspective.
Giving back to his family remains central to his life, Alcober said. He also stays active in the SM scholar community by attending activities and mentoring younger professionals.
“Whenever there are events, gatherings, or outreach programs, I do my best to attend,” he said. “Staying involved allows me to reconnect, give back, and continue supporting the Foundation’s initiatives.”
Another alumna, Danzel Bacaycay, graduated with a degree in Accountancy from Asia Pacific College in 2011. After gaining experience in finance, she entered the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2013.
Bacaycay has since served in finance and leadership roles across several Philippine Air Force units and currently works as chief of the Command Information and Historical Office of the Air Mobility Command. She is also a third-year law student.
“Thirteen years into my service, I still carry the discipline, perseverance, and humility instilled in me by my parents, my faith, and the SM Foundation,” Bacaycay said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the Philippine Air Force Quarantine Response Team in Mandaue City, supporting public health and humanitarian efforts.
“Giving back is a way of life,” she said. She added that she stays connected with the SM Foundation through updates, alumni activities, and opportunities to share her journey.
Both Alcober and Bacaycay remain active within the SM scholar network, maintaining ties with fellow graduates and responding when invited to share their experiences.
“Once an SM Scholar, always an SM Scholar,” Bacaycay said. “It is a lifelong badge of gratitude, resilience, and purpose.”
