History
History of the Godparent Program
Some of the young scholars of the PSHS are students from financially disadvantaged families. A socio-economic crisis plagued the country in 1983, severely affecting the families of students. The students’ stipends were not increased and many students had to skip meals. Some parents thought of pulling their children out of school. Others asked the PTA for loans and financial assistance, but these were not available. To assist such students, the foundation gave assistance to students in the form of grant-in aid until the Godparent program was established in 1984 as an emergency measure to cope up with the problem. Chairman Augusto de Leon approached Jaime Ongpin, the chairman of the Benguet Corporation who readily recognized the nobility of the cause and would support the program only if someone who could be relied upon would become the “chief godfather,” whose main task would be to look for godparents. The choice was Mr. Felimon T. Berba. Mr. Jaime Ongpin mobilized Benguet executives to participate in the program and these executives became the program’s first “godparents”. In Jaime V. Ongpin’s honor, the “Jaime Ongpin Godparent Chair” was established by the PSHSFI. The three components of this program are the stipend supplementation, student assistantship and the additional scholarship donation of the La Tondena Corp. who ceased helping the program due to lack of fund in 2002. The company sponsored five scholars up to their graduation from PSHS. The hope of the foundation that another company would follow suit was never materialized.
It was in 1990 that the alumni started to show interest in the godparent program with the Jose brothers, Mel of class ’77 and Karel of class ‘83 who selected 11 godchildren all from the first year. In 1994. Mr. Berba transferred the mantle of responsibility to Mr. Mel Jose who in turn managed the program until SY 1999 to 2000. Then, class ’80, under the leaderships of Lenard and Nina Berba, decided to manage the Godparent program for SY 2000-2003. To date, they are no longer managing the program, as they could not sustain it anymore because their batch hosted this year’s alumni homecoming.
The Godparent program is more than the act of giving a donation. The “godparent” and “godchild” actually get to meet, write each other and develop a lasting relationship. Some “godparents” have in fact continued giving to their “godchildren” in college just like the case of Mr. Lito Sibayan who is still supporting a Batch ’02 Chemical Engineering student in UP. Most of the recipients have already graduated but they are still in touch with their benefactors.
Support for the Godparent Program comes from individuals, families, corporations and alumni classes. They give because they believe in what the foundation is doing, or as a sign of gratitude for what the PSHS has done for them.