Grab Philippines is marking a major milestone as five pioneering Filipino scholars become the first GrabScholar college graduates in Southeast Asia, completing their degrees under Grab’s flagship Grab Philippines is marking a milestone for its GrabScholar program as five pioneering Filipino scholars become its first college graduates in Southeast Asia, completing degrees in education, business and finance.
The graduates—Cesario Cabuello III, Mary Flor Valerie Rull, John Lloyd Villa, Jasmine Nicanor and Jessa Mae Tabares—are now beginning their professional journeys. Cabuello is a senior high school teacher at PHINMA Saint Jude College Quezon City, while Nicanor is completing a government internship in Iloilo. Tabares works as a corporate legal assistant and is preparing for the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, alongside fellow education graduates Rull and Villa.
Tabares, who earned a degree in Education majoring in English, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduating scholars during the awards ceremony. She also worked as a student assistant at Grab Iloilo for nearly three years, helping drivers, TNVS applicants, and passengers.
“When college came, I almost convinced myself it wasn’t part of my future because I didn’t want to be a burden to my family. Then GrabScholar came. It was never just about a diploma—it gave us a community that believed in us when it would have been easier to stop. Now that this opportunity has helped us rise, it is our turn to reach back, extend a hand, and help others move forward, too,” Tabares said.
Launched in 2023, GrabScholar has supported around 2,000 Filipinos nationwide. The program has awarded 30 full college scholarships, assisted 1,500 elementary and high school students with school expenses, and provided BPO skills training to 400 individuals. Its fifth batch of scholars joins the program this year.
Supported by the GrabForGood Fund in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and BagoSphere, GrabScholar provides tuition support, learning materials, living allowances, internships, and career development opportunities.
“People know Grab for rides, deliveries, and financial services. But those have always been part of a bigger mission: creating opportunities. GrabScholar is one example of that mission in practice,” said CJ Lacsican, President of Grab Financial Group Philippines.
“Five graduates in, we’re seeing what opportunity can build when someone gets a real shot, with degrees earned, careers started, and doors opened that weren’t there before. And it never stops with just one person. It lifts a family, changes what’s possible for the people around them, and reaches our communities. That’s the asenso we’re really after,” Lacsican added.
Grab Philippines said it will continue working with its partners and government stakeholders to expand access to education and skills development for Filipino youth.
