‘Gallery of Giving’ for women empowerment
Life was difficult for a single mother who had to stop her schooling after her third year in college because she had run out of funding. Another young woman, whose mom has passed away and whose dad was never in the picture, was relying on her grandfather’s pension of only P3,000 a month for all of their expenses; education had to be pushed out of the picture.
These are just some of the stories from the now 410 women to whom U-Go, in partnership with Ayala Foundation, have granted scholarships since it was launched in the Philippines in 2022.
U-Go is a global nonprofit organization that partners with individuals and corporations, with the aim of helping highly motivated yet underprivileged women pursue higher education through scholarship grants. There is no age limit, so as long as they are enrolled in a state school, even older women who wish to continue their studies may apply.
“We try to give to the women who most need it—not the smartest,” said Joanna Duarte, Ayala Foundation senior director for social development.
Earlier this month, a group of empowered women that consisted of Duarte, Ayala Land Inc. senior vice president for leasing and hospitality and U-Go global board director Mariana Zobel de Ayala and sisters Mia Lauchengco, Kimi Delgado and Georgia Chu of Galeria Paloma banded together to announce the launch of “The Gallery of Giving” online fundraising art auction that runs until April 10 (galeriapaloma.com/auction). Lots may be viewed at Artist Space on the ground floor of the Ayala Museum annex until March 26.
“If we empower more women, we empower more families, and we have a better country,” said Duarte.
Scholarships and grants
Zobel de Ayala added that doing so benefits the economy as well. “One thing that’s especially important to us is to ensure that that scholarship and grant opportunity ends up in meaningful employment.”
According to her, it doesn’t end with just the financial grant toward education. They are also embarking on a curriculum vitae and interview workshop to better equip the women in participating in the labor market.
Duarte lamented how, when a Filipino family has little income but is able to actually send someone to school, it’s the boy that gets sent, not the girl. The U-Go program gives girls the chance to also get an education they deserve and want, just like the boys.
“It is truly saddening, maddening and a great injustice that for many young women, education is a luxury they can’t even dream about,” said Delgado, Galeria Paloma gallery director.
When they first heard about U-Go and what they advocate, she said they knew it was a cause they could champion as women and as daughters of an educator themselves.
Among the lots to be auction off include works by masters like sculptor Julie Lluch, painter Onib Olmedo, esteemed contemporary artists such as National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Soler Santos, Bjorn Calleja, CCP Thirteen Artists awardee Ernest Concepcion, Carina Santos, Isabel Echevarria, Lina Llaguno-Ciani, Aba Dalena, Martin and Barbie Honasan, Basti Artadi, Sarah de Veyra-Buyco and Hamill Buyco, and Carlos.
A separate section will feature emerging artists and another will present works by notable digital artists like Luis Buenaventura, Skye Nicolas, AJ Dimarucot and Isaiah Cacnio. INQ
