More HERO Scholars to honor Fallen Heroes

Manila, Philippines - More than a thousand military dependents will benefit from the P2 Million-per-year donation by the Asia Brewery Inc. (ABI) as it ties up with the Help Educate and Rear Orphans (HERO) Foundation, Inc. at the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) hosted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a simple ceremony held last week at the General Headquarters building.

The joint undertaking is also a way to commemorate and honor the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives in the preservation of peace. This comes very timely as the country will celebrate the 70th “Araw ng Kagitingan” or Day of Valor on April 9, Monday.

It commemorates the last stands of American and Filipino soldiers before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces in World War II.

The MOA signing formalizes ABI’s pledge to support the HERO foundation in financing more student scholars which are endorsed by the AFP Educational Benefits System Office (AFPEBSO).

In the agreement, the ABI – one of the major breweries in the Philippines – vows to donate P2 Million to HERO per year which will be very significant in providing financial aid to the children of our fallen heroes. The donation is said to be able to support 1,250 students in five years time.

In coordination with the AFPEBSO, the HERO Foundation Inc. has been providing financial assistance in the form of allowance to selected dependents of AFP members.

This is in line with the foundation’s goals of securing an educational support for children of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice of dying or being permanently incapacitated in the line of their duty as vanguards of our freedom and national sovereignty.

Among the signatories of the MOA were Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, HERO Chairman, Mr. Antonio T. Aquino, HERO President, Mr. Michael G. Tan, COO of ABI and Mr. Hubert L. Tan, Vice President for marketing, ABI to which the AFP Chief of Staff, LtGen Jessie D. Dellosa – represented by The Deputy Chief of Staff, MGen Gregorio E. Macapagal served as the witness.