January 5, 2018
Petron Corporation, through its corporate social responsibility arm Petron Foundation, continues to make Christmas more special and meaningful for thousands of Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) scholars through its annual Christmas project dubbed Project JOY (Jesus, Others, and You).
For the past 20 years, Petron Foundation in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other implementing partners, has been mounting this event to share the spirit of the Season with Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) scholars from different parts of the country. One of Petron’s flagship corporate social responsibility programs in education, TAP aims to give underprivileged children from the company’s fenceline communities a brighter future by sending them to school and providing them with the necessary tools for learning.
Through this year’s Project JOY activities, nearly 3,000 TAP scholars from Metro Manila; Mabini, Batangas; San Fernando City, Pampanga; Rosario, Cavite; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; San Fernando City, La Union; Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City, Cebu; Iloilo City, Iloilo; Roxas City, Capiz; Tacloban City, Leyte; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Davao City, Davao Del Sur; General Santos City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte; Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur were treated to an early Christmas celebration. The schools’ principals and teachers, as well as LGU social workers also received Noche Buena packages to bring home to their families.
In December, scholars from Manila, Pasay, and Navotas likewise enjoyed a full day of learning and discovery at the National Planetarium. Officials from DepEd led by Atty. Tonisito Umali, Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnerships Service and School Sports, as well as some members of the Petron Blaze Spikers joined the festivities and witnessed the performances of the students.
“Ang mensahe sa inyo ni Usec. Umali ngayong Pasko is all about giving,” said Usec. Umali in his message for the TAP scholars. “Kayo ay beneficiary ng kagandahang loob ng ating sponsor, ng Petron Foundation, sana darating ang panahon na tayo na naka-biyaya ng kabutihan ng Petron Foundation, kapag tayo’y naka-graduate na, tayo naman ang magbibigay sa ibang mga kabataan na nangangailangan o kaya’y magbibigay serbisyo sa bayan.” [“My message for all of you is all about giving. You are all beneficiaries of the goodness of Petron Foundation. So I hope one day, after you graduate, you will also give back by helping other children who are also in need or by serving our country.”]
Petron Foundation General Manager Charmaine Canillas expressed her gratitude for partners such as DepEd and local government units, who share in their mission of providing a better future to the youth of today. “Making a lasting different in the lives of these children requires commitment, perseverance, and a lot of hard work,” she shared. “We are grateful for the support of our partners who serve as our allies in bringing hope to the underprivileged members of our fenceline communities.”
