Strengthening the PHINMA Group’s longstanding efforts to empower more underprivileged youth, PHINMA Corporation Vice Chairman Dr. Magdaleno B. Albarracin, Jr. and his wife Trinidad M. Albarracin are donating P400 million to PHINMA Foundation, Inc. (PFI) to directly support PHINMA Education students and ensure the completion of their studies.

Dr. and Mrs. Albarracin formalized their donation during the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing on February 16 at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club with PFI President Nicole del Rosario-Serafica and PHINMA Corp. and PFI Corporate Secretary Atty. Troy Luna. Under the agreement, PHINMA Education will receive P30 million annually over the next 20 years to better assist students in their college journey, from enrollment to graduation. During this period, about 30,000 underprivileged students will benefit from this financial support.

“Education is a very powerful instrument for uplifting our underserved youth—I myself have seen the many doors it opened and vast opportunities it unlocked for a better life. It is our hope that investing in our students will help them realize their full potential, build better futures for themselves and their families, and ultimately live fulfilling lives,” said Dr. Albarracin, who was also joined by his family and executives and officers of PHINMA Corp., PFI, and PHINMA Education during the signing.

PHINMA Education shall allocate the donation to 2 key initiatives: a scholarship fund benefitting qualified 2nd to 4th year college students, with scholars receiving P30,000 each annually until graduation; and a financial assistance program to students facing emergencies that could prevent them from completing their college education.

“On behalf of everyone here representing the PHINMA Group, PHINMA Education and the PHINMA Foundation, I’d like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Mag Albarracin, his wife Mrs. Trin Albarracin, and their family for this unprecedented act of generosity. Your gift will truly make lives better for thousands of Filipino families,” said Ms. del Rosario-Serafica. 

The EDCOM 2 report shows a 29% dropout rate in Philippine higher education for 2025, meaning 1 in 5 students leave college before completing their degree. To better understand why students leave—and how they can be supported to stay—PHINMA Education’s Analytics team developed a Dropout Framework drawn from years of analyzing institutional student data, and conducting research with students who left.

One of its central insights is that strengthening protective factors is critical to preventing student attrition. These safeguards help students navigate vulnerable moments and buffer the impact of ongoing pressures.

The research shows that students rarely leave school because of a single issue. More often, dropout is the result of accumulated challenges over time, with a triggering event—such as a financial emergency—serving as the tipping point. Among the most significant protective factors identified is financial flexibility. When students are given room to manage costs and respond to unexpected setbacks, their likelihood of persisting increases significantly.

“Our students have a strong desire to continue their education because they know a diploma can be a true game-changer for themselves and their families. But sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges their way,” said PHINMA Education Philippines Country Head Happy A. Tan. “We want to support them when it matters most and continue standing by them through any obstacles they may face throughout their entire college journey,” he added.

“I would like to share a quote that I thought was appropriate for the occasion: ‘A person’s true wealth is the good he or she does in the world.’ On this note, Sir, may I say that it is my hope that this donation brings as much joy to you personally as it does for those of us who are privileged to partner with you in bringing help to students in need while nurturing in them the values of integrity, competence, professionalism, and love of country,” Ms. del Rosario-Serafica said, further addressing Dr. Albarracin.

Now in its 70th year of making lives better, PHINMA commits to reaching more individuals and their families in need by providing them the essentials to live dignified lives. In empowering the underserved youth through affordable and quality education, values formation and leadership training, and crucial assistance during their studies, PHINMA provides them opportunities to improve their lives and eventually become nation-building citizens committed to positively transforming our society.

About PHINMA Corporation

PHINMA Corporation is a proudly Filipino conglomerate dedicated to making lives better and building the nation through successfully managing our businesses which are anchored on our core values of Integrity, Competence, Professionalism and Love of Country. Through our core businesses in education, construction materials, property development, hospitality, and community housing, we provide access to the essentials of dignified lives, uplift the underserved, and drive national progress. As we continue our journey, 70 years and beyond, we reaffirm our belief that business must serve as a Force for Good—harnessing the transformative power of business to address social challenges and create a lasting impact. Learn more here: https://www.phinma.com.ph/

About PHINMA Foundation, Inc.

PHINMA Foundation, Inc. is the corporate social responsibility arm of the PHINMA Group. It is dedicated to uplifting the lives of Filipinos by supporting underserved communities through scholarships, leadership development programs, and community-building initiatives. Learn more here: https://www.phinmafoundation.org/

About PHINMA Education

PHINMA Education is the largest private school network in Southeast Asia, operating 13 colleges and universities across the Philippines and Indonesia. Since 2004, it has pioneered student-centered learning strategies that empower first-generation college students to succeed. Learn more here: https://www.phinma.edu.ph/