A signing of memorandum of agreement was held on October 17, 2023 at the Henry Sy Building, De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila, hosted by Ms. Charlie Espiritu of De La Salle Advancement Unit. This signing event is the official renewal of UTFI’s Geronimo Z. Velasco (GZV) scholarship program for 22 De La Salle High School students. The renewed 6-year partnership will end up to school year 2027-2028.
UTFI trustee, Mr. Armando Alberto, gave a brief background of Mr. Geronimo Z. Velasco.
This scholarship program was initiated by Paxys, Inc. in 2008 to honor the legacy of the lateMr. Geronimo Z. Velasco. He got his primary education at La Salle in 1934 and graduated from high school in 1946. He then pursued Mechanical Engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology. He held significant private and government positions particularly in the energy sector. He became the CEO of the Philippine National Oil Company andthe first Minister of Ministry of Energy when it was created in 1979.
Paxys Inc. handled the initial partnership with De La Salle Brother Inc. (DLSBI), and this was continued in 2015 by UT Foundation.
UT Foundation Inc. was established in 2010 to handle Usaha Te gas group’s charitable and educational activities in the Philippines. UTF aspires to transform Filipino lives through partner hip with reputable institutions by promoting access to quality education to under privileged students across the country; and providing humanitarian assistance in disaster situations.
In the past years, beneficiary schools are De La Salle Lipa, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas Cavite and Jamie Hilario Integrated School in Bagac, Bataan.
To-date, a total of 40 students have graduatedfrom various De La Salle schools under the GZV scholarship program. DLSBI expressed their deepest gratitude for the
DLSBI expressed their deepest gratitude for the support as it prepared the younger generation with Lasallian education in their high school studies.In the signing of the renewal of partnership, present are UTFI trustees, Mr. Armando S. Alberto and Mr. Tarcisio M. Medalla. De La Salle Science Foundation, Inc. President, Br. Raymundo B. Suplido, FSC., Br. Bernard Oca, FSC, Br. Antonio Cesar I. Servando, FSC.
Further, it is with great honor to also have the wife of Mr. Velasco, Mrs. Erlinda Velasco, and her son Mr. Banjo Velasco, who is also a De La Salle alumnus, to be present in the event.
In his message after the MOA signing, Sir Banjo highlighted the importance of education, an equalizer that paves the pathway to a brighter future.
Ms. Charlie Espiritu as she personally hand over a rosary as a token of appreciation to Mrs. Erlinda Velasco.
Followed by Br. Raymundo Suplido and Br. CesarServando who expressed their appreciation for the renewed partnership between UTFI & De LaSalle for the high school scholarships.
Br. Bernie Oca, who founded the Jaime Hilario Integrated School, concluded the ceremony with his inspiring closing remarks. He cited that the Geronimo Z. Velasco legacy is a challenge to all – that is to live a life with a purpose and to create an impact on the lives of others.
Above table is the summary of students per school as recommended by De La Salle Advancement Unit.
With parallel aspirations, UTFI and De La Salle continue to work to bridge the gap for intellectually gifted but financially challenged students to attain high quality education.
In frame are Mr. Alberto and UTFI staff with the high school scholars from Jaime Hilario Integrated School, Bataan.
