Corporal Casil was the family breadwinner. With a household to feed, clothe and shelter, his widow could no longer afford to send Joulean to school. Little Joulean was destined to grow up uneducated and probably illiterate. Joulean’s fate consigned her to a life of poverty and need.
The good news is that both Joulean and Zaryn are back in school, thanks to scholarship grants given by the Bayaning Pulis Foundation Inc. . Both kids are doing well and thriving. Joulean is now in grade one and aspires to be a nurse, while Zaryn is in grade three and hopes to be an engineer. Both their futures look bright.
The scholarship recipients are evaluated by a committee headed by BPFI’s president, Police Brigadier General Noel Baraceros. Baraceros is a retired leader of the PNP with a well decorated career. BPFI’s initiatives augment the existing scholarships provided under Republic Act No. 6963. Bayaning Pulis Foundation is the brainchild of Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico. Many may recognize Ambassador Yujuico as a successful institutional investor, land developer and technology capitalist. But many may not be aware that the man is a fervent patriot who goes over and above the call of duty for worthy causes. Yujuico has always had soft spot for our police force.
I first met Ambassador Yujuico in 2021 when he showed me the technology innovation center he had built in a sprawling 1,000-square meter space in the MOA district. The center boasts state of the art facilities and equipment meant to provide Filipino tech start-ups with the tools they need to get their ventures off the ground. Fledgling entrepreneurs can use the facilities free of charge.
Back in the day when members of Congress were among the nation’s best and brightest, the Senate and the House of Representatives were seen as springboards for the presidency.