Supporting Children of Fallen Soldiers

HERO Foundation President Bernard Vincent Dy and Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala with student beneficiaries, ALI President and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita Dy and Treasurer and CFO Augusto Bengzon, and HERO Foundation Executive Director Maj. Gen. Victor Bayani

Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, and ACEN have officially committed to supporting HERO Foundation, Inc, an organization that provides educational assistance to children of fallen soldiers.

Each of the Ayala companies has pledged a yearly contribution of P2.5 million for the next five years. This financial support will enable HERO Foundation, which marks its 35th year, to continue its important work.

The funds will be utilized to establish a trust fund that will benefit both current and future scholars. Additionally, the ongoing scholarship program will be strengthened, with a focus on expanding beyond solely providing educational aid. The aim is to assist scholars in finding employment opportunities after completing their studies.

HERO stands for Help, Educate, and Rear Orphans. The foundation was formed in 1988 by a group of businessmen led by Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Gen. Renato de Villa, after President Corazon Aquino made an appeal on behalf of the families of Filipino soldiers who died in active duty. Since then, Ayala companies and their senior leadership have supported the foundation, which has disbursed a total of P188 million to support 2,733 scholars. The foundation currently has 232 scholars, assisting them in their much-needed requirements such as school supplies, transportation, meals, and part of their tuition.

It is a huge honor for the Ayala Group of Companies to continue being the HERO Foundation’s partner... I am confident that together, we can continue to make a profound impact in the lives many young Filipinos.

FERNANDO ZOBEL DE AYALA
HERO Foundation Chairman