Generika Drugstore, in partnership with Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), has introduced the Enrollment to Employment Scholarship Program, designed to support aspiring pharmacists and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals, particularly in underserved areas. The initiative aims to provide deserving students with the opportunity to complete their education and pursue careers in pharmacy, with the potential to give back to their communities.
One of the scholarship recipients, Micaella Abedejos from Davao City, is pursuing a pharmacy degree to help her grandmother manage multiple medications. Her experiences inspired her to pursue a career in pharmacy, seeing it as a way to empower people through education and proper healthcare management.
“Whenever I come home from school, my grandmother would ask me about her medications, and being able to explain it to her made me happy,” Micaella said. “This inspired me to share my knowledge about her medications because I didn’t want her taking them without knowing what they were for. I felt motivated to help and make a difference.”
Despite financial challenges, Micaella’s academic excellence and determination earned her a place in the scholarship program, which is specifically designed for students in need of support to complete their studies.
Atty. Yet Abarca, President and CEO of Generika Drugstore, emphasized the critical role of pharmacists in delivering accessible healthcare, especially in areas where drugstores often serve as the primary healthcare resource.
“This is really a milestone for us as we embark on this program with Ayala Foundation. Central to our promise of ginhawa is the pharmacist. We take pride in our network of friendly and knowledgeable pharmacists who are at the core of delivering our ginhawa promise to the communities that we serve,” Abarca said.
Inspiring Stories from Scholars
Three other aspiring pharmacists also shared their experiences as beneficiaries of the scholarship program.
Elizabeth Montano from Bacoor, Cavite, was driven to pursue pharmacy after helping her father recover from a stroke. She found herself fascinated by the complexity of the medications and saw pharmacy as a way to ensure patients’ safety.
“Ang dami pong kailangan na skills. Hindi lang po sa memorization, sa pag-intindi rin po, at sa pakikipag-usap sa mga tao. Kasama po lahat ‘yun,” she said. “Nag-aaral po ako nang mabuti, para as a future pharmacist, masisiguro po nating safe ang patients natin.”
Maureen Concon of Davao City, whose family relies on a small sari-sari store for income, felt immense relief after being selected for the program.
“Parang nabawasan ‘yung worries ko financially kasi I no longer have to ask my parents for an allowance. It also lessens the worries of my parents,” Maureen said.
Another scholar, Hannah Menor from General Trias, Cavite, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity the scholarship provided to her family.
“Sobrang natuwa po ako kasi po ginusto ko po talagang maka-help sa family namin regarding sa finances. Sobrang thankful lang po talaga ako kay Lord for this opportunity,” she shared.
Pathways from Employment to Entrepreneurship
Antonio Lambino II, President of Ayala Foundation Inc., highlighted the long-term potential for scholars to advance their careers, noting that Generika Drugstore’s network opens doors not only to employment but also to entrepreneurship.
“Opening up slots for pharmacy scholars in key Generika Drugstore business locations makes a lot of sense, not just as a business solution but also as support for local community value,” Lambino said. He also emphasized the value of the scholarship-to-employment track, which gives Generika access to talented pharmacy students while fostering human capital in local communities.
The program aims to ensure that scholars not only complete their studies but also gain access to meaningful careers within the Generika Drugstore network, where they can directly impact communities by providing affordable, quality healthcare.
One inspiring example is Riza Asombrado, NCR Area Operations Manager of Generika Drugstore, who started her career as a pharmacist nearly two decades ago. Over the years, she realized her work’s broader impact on the community.
“I thought my role as a pharmacist was limited to reading prescriptions, dispensing medicines, and managing inventory. However, joining Generika made me realize the broader impact that I could have in this profession,” Asombrado said.
Supporting and Uplifting Communities
Gino Guinto, Chief Operations Officer of Generika Drugstore, described the scholarship program as a vital part of Generika’s mission to uplift communities.
“We at Generika Drugstore are truly excited about this program—this is the very first scholarship initiative we’ve launched, and it’s something close to our hearts,” Guinto said.
As part of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), Generika Drugstore remains committed to providing Filipinos with access to affordable, quality healthcare while empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Details provided in a recent press release.
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