The Palawan Group of Companies continues its commitment to education as it welcomes its 29th batch of scholars, composed of 160 freshmen, during a confirmation program held at the company’s head office in Puerto Princesa City on August 31. They now become part of a growing community of young Filipinos supported by the program throughout their college journey.
The Palawan Executives with the 160 new scholars
For many Filipino families, sending a child to college represents more than an educational milestone. It carries the hope of a better future—one that can open doors to new opportunities, help families move forward, and give young Filipinos the chance to build a life they may have once only dreamed of.
This belief has remained at the heart of the Palawan Group of Companies Scholarship Program (PGC-SP) since it was established in 1998. Nearly three decades later, the program has produced 900 graduates, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to helping young Filipinos pursue higher education.
For Chairman and Founder Bobby L. Castro, the scholarship program is a deeply personal endeavor. He and his wife, together with their five children, were once scholars themselves, giving the family firsthand experience of how education can open doors for those determined to succeed. That experience eventually inspired the couple to establish the scholarship program in 1998.
“Scholar tayo noon; naging scholars din ang lahat ng mga anak natin. Panahon na para tayo naman ang tumulong sa iba,” Castro recalled.
What began with just 10 scholars has grown over the years alongside Palawan Pawnshop’s business, reaching more young Filipinos and creating opportunities that go beyond financial assistance.
900 Lives, Countless Stories
Today, the impact of the program can be seen in the achievements of its graduates. Many have become academic achievers and licensed professionals, including Certified Public Accountants, lawyers, engineers, teachers, social workers, psychometricians, and agriculturists.
As of June 2026, 104 scholarship graduates are also part of the Palawan Group’s workforce, further reflecting how the program’s impact can continue from education to employment.
For Castro, however, the milestone of reaching 900 graduates is ultimately about the lives behind the number.
“That is 900 changed lives. 900 na mga batang nangarap lamang noon, at sa tulong po natin, ay sila naman ang nagpapaaral ng kanilang mga kapatid ngayon,” he said.
Each graduate represents a story of ambition, perseverance, and opportunity—and a reminder that when education is made accessible, its benefits can reach far beyond one individual.
More Than a Scholarship
Over the years, the PGC-SP has evolved beyond financial assistance, providing scholars with opportunities and experiences designed to prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
For the current school year, the program supports 455 scholars in their second to fourth year of college across Palawan State University and Western Philippines University, including students enrolled in five-year Architecture programs.
Scholars may also take part in career orientation and readiness activities, industry exposure, internship opportunities, and skills development programs, giving them practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the workplace.
The program also supports their holistic development through mental health and wellness activities, community involvement, and volunteer opportunities. These initiatives help scholars prepare not only for their chosen careers but also for meaningful participation in the communities they will eventually serve.
For the Palawan Group, these efforts reflect its role as a long-term partner to its scholars—helping them maximize their education while preparing them for the opportunities and responsibilities that await them after graduation.
Putting “Pilipinas, Mahal Kita” into Action
For Deputy Chairman and Co-founder Angelita M. Castro, the scholarship program embodies one of the company’s core values: “Pilipinas, Mahal Kita.”
“Para sa amin, ang pagmamahal sa bayan ay di lang salita kundi ito ay sa gawa, sa gawa at pamamaraan upang makapagbigay ng oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa mga kabataan,” Castro said.
This philosophy has guided the scholarship program since its beginnings and continues to shape how the company supports every new generation of scholars.
For the Palawan Group, love for country is expressed not simply through words, but through concrete efforts that create opportunities for young Filipinos to learn, grow, and build a better future.
Carrying the Journey Forward
Nearly three decades after the program welcomed its first 10 scholars, the journey continues with another generation of young Filipinos preparing to write their own stories.
The approximately 900 graduates who have passed through the program demonstrate what can happen when young Filipinos are given the opportunity to pursue higher education. Their achievements serve as a reminder that the impact of education does not stop with the individual—it can extend to families and communities along the way.
For the 29th batch, Bobby Castro’s message is simple: make the most of the opportunity and, when the time comes, pass it forward.
“Sana, pagdating ng araw na kayo naman ang nasa posisyon na tumulong sa iba, maalala ninyo ang pagkakataong natanggap ninyo ngayon at maipasa ninyo ang kabutihang iyon sa iba,” he said.
That spirit of malasakit is what the Palawan Group hopes its scholars will carry with them—not only the determination to succeed, but also the willingness to create opportunities for others when their own time comes.
Because when we invest in education, we invest in the country’s future.
For the Palawan Group, that is what “Pilipinas, Mahal Kita” truly means: turning love for the country into action by believing in young Filipinos, opening doors of opportunity, and helping them become thriving and contributing members of society.
