In 1997, after graduating from Timoteo Paez Elementary School, a blessed opportunity came for Ligaya Gastalla and her family. AmCham Foundation reached out to various city schools to offer scholarship to worthy individuals. Ligaya, the youngest of four siblings, was informed by her school principal regarding the scholarship.
Knowing the life of poverty and how it could have hindered her from pursuin g her goals she set for herself, Ligaya seized the chance without hesitations. “When AmCham came, it was the answer to my prayers,” she started.
“As I’ve said, it was an opportunity I really wanted to grab, so when we got the invitation, we worked on the requirements right away and finished it within a day. So I think it wasn’t that difficult [because we managed to complete it in a day.]”
Confident and Principled
Ligaya’s aspiration to be on the top was hammered out by the exposure she received from the various activities and seminars of AmCham. This includes meeting with several alumni, who became successful in their own professional fields. “That is what I appreciate the most. I learned a lot of things which I think, at that time, a student at my age, never got to explore,” she expressed. “AmCham also give us opportunities to work with them such as during events. Although I have organizations in school, with AmCham Foundation it is different because it’s big.”
The sense of maturity that sparked Ligaya’s personality paved way for her to mold a principle to live by, in both her professional life and personal relationships. “You will encounter a lot of difficult people, a lot of difficult situations, but you have to stick to your goal, you have to make it happen. But, you also have to be accountable to the people you work with and to the people you work for. I think that is the biggest impact of AmCham Foundation to me because until now, I keep that value with me,” Ligaya shares.
Having grown with AmCham Foundation, the eight years Ligaya shared with the foundation bolstered her caliber. She asserted that AmCham “is not just a one time help; it’s instilling a culture of excellence in you. AmCham gives you the perspective that you are bigger than what you think you are. That’s what stuck to mind ever since I joined the foundation. What you are now, it doesn’t stop there, and it’s not the only thing that you’ll ever be. You’re given the chance to reach your full potential because we know that you can make it.”
As for AmCham’s future, Ligaya wished for more involvement from the previous scholars of the foundation. “ I think it would be an enormous help for AmCham if they would tap the alumni. Before, when I was still new to AmCham, we often mingled with the alumni. It would really inspire you, especially because you’re young then you see them as CPAs already, and you’re just starting out in high school or you have no idea yet of what you want to take in college. Then you realize, they’re also not wealthy, they also didn’t have the means, but look at them now, they have stable income and created a name for themselves. It’s really inspiring.”
Moreover, Ligaya claims the importance of the alumni for the continuity of AmCham. “I think it would also help in the sustainability of AmCham Foundation. The sponsors now wouldn’t be there forever, so it should really tap the alumni, especially those who are very successful. I think it would sustain the organization, not just financially, but also morally; they could even share their talents.”
Finally, Ligaya expressed her sentiments toward the foundation. “I’m always thankful to AmCham, because I’m here where I am now. And since I joined AmCham, I never stopped from giving. Perhaps, for some people, they get contented with having a salary. But for me, AmCham has really instilled the idea of excellence – I wouldn’t stop until I know I can be in a better position. I would be forever grateful to AmCham for that. They helped me not only financially, but they gave us more concern that we thought we deserve. During that time, it was like we were nobody, then AmCham reached out to us. AmCham will forever be part of my life.”
Having graduated from the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a bachelor’s degree in Economic and now successfully employed at Procter and Gamble*. Ligaya proves to AmCham that it had certainly made the right decision twelve years ago. Ligaya had indeed made things happen, and will continue to make things happen for sure.
*Upon the release of this article, Ligaya is no longer connected with Procter and Gamble.
Copyright © Ammado AG, 2012