Saint Louis University (SLU), through Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, signed the “Saranay ti Alumni” terms and conditions with Engr. Francisco Cervantes, Jr., Chairman, Scholarship Project and of SLU-Engineering Batch 1976 and Friends Financial Assistance Program on 26 February 2024 at the Alejandro Roces Boardroom, Administrative Center, Fr. Burgos Building, SLU Main Campus. Fellow engineers from the Class of 1976, Engr. Jonathan Lacambra, Engr. Januario Ursua, and Engr. Virginia Peralta also joined the said signing.
The ceremonial signing of “Saranay ti Alumni”, which means to help and to serve others, formalized the commitment of Engr. Cervantes and his batchmates in leading the scholarship project of Batch ‘76, which, in their words, is called the “Fruit of the Class ‘76.”
The scholarship project will be implemented in the next academic year, AY 2024-2025, while details on its application will be released by the Center for Counseling and Wellness (CCW) soon.
“Let me– on behalf of SLU, the staff, and students, thank you for your generous hearts. Thanks to you, we will be able to help these students finish [their studies] and make their dreams come true like you.” Fr. Sales expressed gratitude and appreciation for this grand gesture, seeing the sky-high potential and capabilities of the students at SLU.
Eager and hopeful of making a difference for the community they grew up in, Engr. Cervantes stated that they have always been talking about giving back to the Louisian Community. When asked about what urged him to finally make the big move, he said, “Giving back has always been part of our conversations. To say you are going to do it is one thing, and I’m glad that I have the gift to be able to put it together, properly plan it, and sell the idea for the plan to come into fruition.”
With the hope to contribute to the Louisian community, this signing and collaboration of SLU and the Batch of 1976 Engineering Alumni align with United Nations Sustainable Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). This also affirms the CICM Advocacy of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation as well as the CEAP-JEEPGY value of Youth Empowerment.
