Gerry Peligno Berongoy is the second child in the family of 5 children. His father does not have a stable job, working part time as boatman in Roxas Boulevard. His mother, on the other hand, works as a street vendor.

The family did not have a permanent residence, transferring from one house to another. This led to Gerry staying in shelters like Ka ibigan and Pangarap Foundation in order to focus on his education.

In 1999, Gerry finished his primary education in Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary school and in 2003 he graduated high school at Pasay City West High School. Although Gerry chose not to pursue college, he decided to take vocational course. He went to Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati and took up Mechanical Technology. After graduating in 2004, he worked for various companies such as FKI Logistics which enabled Gerry to pay for his house rental and help his family financially.

Gerry’s struggle to provide a good life for him and his family paid off when he was hired to work at Jad Pictyurs Laoang at Doha Qatar, Saudi Arabia.  He signed a 5-year contract with 1 month vacation every year. As his sacrifices and hard works start to pay off, Gerry remembers how he struggled to reach his goal, “When I was in high school and under a residential care, I was teased by my classmates and colleagues due to my physical appearance and age.  I was hurt and want to give-up. But seeing my family and not being able to help them, it motivated me to continue to go to school and study, believing that I can be what I want to be in the future.”

He also recognizes how AmCham Foundation and its donors and supporters helped him. “If AmCham Foundation did not support my education, probably I’m still in the street doing awful things just to have a food on my plate.”

He continues on how, aside from the educational assistance, the activities helped him develop his personality “I value all the support given to me by AmCham Foundation, from developmental activities to educational assistance.  All of them did positive effects on my personality.It all works for me now.All the teasing and bad experience I had experienced before doesn’t matter to me anymore”.

“That’s why I’m very thankful to God for all that’s happening in my life right now and I can proudly tell others that I’m an AmCham Scholar.  Without AmCham Foundation who stands as my second family, perhaps I will not be where I am now”.To my AmCham Family, thank you very much by continuing to reach out and help people in reaching for their dreams. I will not forget all the good things you’ve done in my life." 

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*American Chamber Foundation Philippines Inc. is currently providing educational assistance to 50 enrolled scholars -- from elementary to vocational courses. To know how you can help less fortunate but deserving youth in the Philippines, you may visit our website: http://www.amchamfoundation.com or you may email us at amchamfdn@amchamphilippines.com for details.