Last October 23, 2023, the Fe Parajas Israel Benito Scholarship Fund was launched at the Bulwagang Tandang Sora. Five deserving students from the College of Social Work and Community Development received the certificates of scholarship awarded by UP officials.
The awardees were Brandt Ivann Paul U. Aquino, Jedidiah M. Apolinario, Adeza Ann EM. Azares, Perrie A. Rejuso, and John Bryan R. Salamanca.
Dean Lenore Polotan-Dela Cruz of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) opened the program while Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, Dr. Jeanette Yasol-Naval shared the inspiring story behind the endowment. Scholarship benefactor Ted I. Benito joined the launch through Zoom.
To honor the legacy of his mother, Director/Producer Ted I. Benito generously contributed to help support CSWCD students in accomplishing their academic endeavors. Thus, the Fe Parajas Israel Benito Scholarship Fund was born. It seeks to provide financial aid for students who are taking Bachelor of Science in Community Development (BSCD) and Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW).
Fe Parajas Israel Benito (UPD, AB Major in Social Work 1954) was actively involved in various charities, which greatly contributed to the development of Filipino communities in the Philippines and abroad. She was also an active member of the Filipino American community in Los Angeles, helping enrich the Filipino culture even on foreign soil. She was also the first Filipino recipient of the prestigious Cardinal’s Award, which honors leaders of the Catholic community for their services.
The scholarship program is a joint effort of Mr. Ted Benito and family, the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), the UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA), the Office of Scholarships and Grants (OSG), which is under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA), and the Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs, UP Office of Alumni Relations (UP-OAR).
To help expand scholarship opportunities for the UP Community, you may contact the Office of Alumni Relations for donations and other project partnerships through [email protected] or visit https://alum.up.edu.ph/.
Text by: Ken Russell M. Peñaflor
Photos by: Jomari C. Valdez and Ken Russell M. Peñaflor