News Archives

SSRDF was founded in 1976 principally to enable students who, while being academically qualified, could not study at St. Scholastica’s College without financial assistance.  The move was likewise a response to the missionary thrust of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters who own and operate the institution.  Incorporators included like-minded lay men and women and members of the Benedictine Sisters.

For purposes of tax advantage, the corporation applied for certification for tax exemption for donors with the Department of Science and Technology.  Certification, renewable every five years, has been enjoyed by the corporation since then.

Initial donors were alumnae and friends of St. Scholastica’s College. Interest rates being favorable at the time, “restricted” funds were established – keeping the capital intact and using only the investment income for support of scholars.

Jubilarian graduates traditionally donated towards the Fund on Alumnae Day, held on or near the feast of St. Scholastica, February 10.

Mid-1980.  SSC’s administrators allowed students to hold special days with activities with fund-raising as part of school festival days.  Proceeds were donated in whole or in part to the SSRDF.  This became an annual event till difficult economic times hit the country when fund-raising events were discontinued.

1999.  The first “pledge donation” was given for a certain amount annually for five years, for a memorial scholarship fund.  Five years later, the pledge was extended for another 5 years.

Former classmates and schoolmates set up memorial scholarship fund for Marilyn Bengzon-St. Pierre. Fellow Scholasticans now residing in Toronto recently established the Marilyn Bengzon-St. Pierre Memorial Scholarship with the SSRDF for their friend who had succumbed to a fatal sickness.

Zennie Lat Bernardo visited and brought an additional donation to the fund in the name of the Scholastican alumnae of the Canada chapter of the alumnae association.

Additional donations were sent in by former pupils of Sister Simeona Ricalde and Mrs. Gloria Aspillera Quintos to the respective commemorative scholarship funds.  Similarly, in remembrance of Sister Mary Sylvester Marpa from a former pupil.

A good friend added to the scholarship fund remembering Ma. Corazon Sta. Romana.

For the second consecutive year, the Foundation received a generous donation from an anonymous donor.  Again, greatly appreciated.

SSRDF scholars obtain bachelor’s degrees.  On March 22, 2009, Ten (10) SSRDF grantees successfully finished their college studies and obtained their respective degrees, 3 with honors.

SSAA in the US West Coast hosted a reunion of alumnae in Las Vegas early July 2009, and sent a donation for the SSAA 2009 Reunion Scholarship Fund.

The 2009 list of college graduates included 10 SSRDF-sponsored scholars.  Among them were three (3) who graduated with honors: 1 magna cum laude, 1 cum laude, and 1 with distinction.

Alumnae Homecoming 2009 brought donations from Emerald jubilarians and Sapphire jubilarians which put up their respective scholarship funds. 

Alumnae Day 2010 brought donations to the SSRDF from AB'60, celebrating their golden jubilee of graduation from college and HS'47.

 Mila Alvarez-Magno has likewise started a scholarship fund in memory of her mother, Mrs. Helen 
 Soriano Alvarez.

 Teresita Jesswani, a former college teacher at SSC, has time and again sent in or brought
  donations for the SSRDF scholarship program.  Now living in Canada, Teresita visited SSC when
  she came home for some months to be with her sick sister who lives in Greater Manila.  She too will
  have a scholarship in her name.

Donations have come in too from former scholars now graduated and working in different areas and
  capacities.  Heartening!

A Remy Palileo Memorial Scholarship Fund was initiated by her family as a tribute to Remy Agra Palileo (HS Class '39) on the occasion of her first death anniversary on April 26, 2010. Husband Atty Eugenio Palileo with daughters Cristina Palileo-Tuazon (SAA - HS '62), Josefina Palileo-Sangalang (HS '63), Maria Clarissa Palileo (HS Class '65), and Concepcion Palileo-dela Rama (HS '70) set up the fund in May. Recently classmates Salve Peña-Neelankavil, Rosemary Peña-Blancaflor, and Neni Sta Romana-Cruz have pledged contributions to the Remy Palileo Memorial Fund.

Former scholar donates scholarship.  Ma. Fe  Perez Agudo, was a BSC graduate of 1983 and an SSRDF scholar during her college years.  Ma. Fe is now the president and chief executive officer of the Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.  Last year Mrs. Agudo sponsored a scholar in accounting.  This year she has added two more scholarships.  The new grants can be for any degree course.  Beautiful gesture!

Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz, 2010 PAX Awardee, had a novel wish for gifts to her from classmates and friends on the occasion of her PAX Award by SSC: a donation to the scholarship fund in memory of her sister, Chona.  SSRDF received all the donations, increasing the Corazon Sta. Romana Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Another recent recipient of a scholarship fund in her honor was Sister Fe Andrea Collantes, OSB, who celebrated her golden jubilee of monastic profession last May 9, 2010.  This was the gift of her former students in SSC, led by Neni SR Cruz.  Sister Fe Andrea was visibly and happily moved by the thoughtfulness and love behind it all.