AmCham Foundation Alumni

ACFPI Scholar 1996 - 2003

AmCham runs in my veins, and I am so proud to share my story as the AmCham Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary.

My journey with AmCham started almost three decades ago when I received a scholarship that changed my life. The AmCham Foundation supported me through high school and college and offered trainings and inspiring engagements that shaped my ambition. I will always cherish the kindness of amazing people like Mr Demetrio Salipsip, Louie Pizzaro, Angela Latonio, Hilda Cleofe, Tita Linda Javier, and the whole Amcham Foundation team. From inspiring life-planning seminars led by Mr Salipsip, to fun summer outings and Christmas parties (including a stash of 3M Post-It notes that lasted me for ages!), AmCham gave me so much more than just financial support - it gave me hope and the confidence to pursue bold aspirations.

Early in my career, I was lucky enough to work as part of the AmCham Philippines team, learning from the best mentors – John D Forbes, Rob Sears, Bob Blume, Atty Vic Noel, Peter Wallace, Don Felbaum, Ernie Cecilia, Jaime Faustino, and Atty Jules Riego. This experience sparked my love for public policy and motivated me to further my studies abroad and deepen my expertise.

I will always be grateful to my mentors who supported me every step of the way, and even helped me land roles in public policy and corporate affairs with US multinationals after returning to Manila, first with Chevron Geothermal, and then Amazon Web Services. From 2011 to 2023, I was an active AmCham Philippines member, representing these companies and working closely with the wonderful AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe to advocate for enabling policies that strengthen Philippine competitiveness and ease of doing business. I am also thankful to Ebb who entrusted me with the responsibility to co-chair the Creative Industries Committee with Mr Forbes and the Energy Committee with Mr Frank Thiel.

Fast forward to 2025, I am back with AmCham, but this time with AmCham Australia, and doing what I love most: working in public policy.

It has been an extraordinary journey with AmCham, and I am excited for what lies ahead. Everything I have achieved traces back to one life-changing opportunity: being an AmCham Foundation scholar.

AmCham Foundation Alumni

ACFPI Scholar 1989 - 1995

"I felt blessed and grateful that during the darkest time of my life, AmCham Foundation was there to revive me and to be what I am today," says Allan T. Dreiling, a UHT Supervisor from Alaska Milk Corporation. AmCham Foundation supported the educational needs of Allan T. Dreiling after the endorsement from Pearl S. Buck Foundation.

In 1995, Allan graduates from Mapua Institute of Technology with a Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Aside from the financial assistance for his studies, the Foundation helped him build his self-confidence through several pieces of training and psycho-social activities.

To him, "Education forms half the part of a person's success, the other lies within the person himself. It is like a key to a door full of hopes and dreams. Once you finished education, you are already holding a key but finding the right door all depends on you."

For the success he is enjoying today, Allan Dreiling would like to thank the American Chamber Foundation and all its donors for touching lives and making a difference.

Lastly, Allan wants to congratulate all the scholars of AmCham Foundation because they are fortunate to be given the chance to fulfill their dreams and he hopes that each scholar will make most of the support by striving hard to finish their studies.

AmCham Foundation Alumni

ACFPI Scholar 1997 - 2005

When the opportunity of a scholarship from the Amcham Foundation came my way, I considered myself very fortunate because I saw a door open to follow my dreams. It offered me to show what I have to succeed. It challenged me because I was also aware of the expectations of people around me.

You helped me primarily on my needs to finish school -- the common problem of every youth today because of poverty. But it was not only inside the classroom that I broadened my horizon. You prepared activities and seminars that addressed my well-being. These experiences built up my confidence to endeavor more and learn more.

I enjoyed my time as your scholar. I also want to say a prayer to thank our major benefactor, Mr. Leonard Benjamin, for opening a window of change for me. Thanks to all the staff who work to pursue the goal of Amcham. Thanks to the donors and supporters who readily lend their hands to share a part of themselves for the scholars.

I am proud to be an alumnus of your distinguished organization! I hope your generous service will continue for all people who need your support.

Thank you very much American Chamber Foundation Philippines, and beloved Mr. Leonard Benjamin.

Sincerely, Metlyn B. Almonte

AmCham Foundation Alumni

ACFPI Scholar 1997 - 2005

In this world where competition has always been existent, there is no way to survive but to live the life of excellence that you are living. This, I have learned in my eight years of stay with AmCham Foundation.

Growing up in a slum area with windows showing nothing but the pitiful picture of poverty each day must have discouraged a child from dreaming big and walking by faith in reaching it. I believe otherwise. Even as a child, I always told my parents that poverty isn't as strong as human will. It should never enslave and mitigate the development of a person, a family, nor a country. After all, God has blessed the Philippines with foundations that create a different and more positive picture of poverty. That's what AmCham has proven to me. Just this April, I graduated from my tertiary education with the aid of AmCham's scholarship program. By then, I knew I am on the road towards my parents' and my own dream. Now, I am working as a Divisional Planner at Intel and am facing the challenge to prove that poverty, like any other thing here on earth, is temporal. At this point, I still can't say that I have achieved much but I am confident enough to say that AmCham was successful in raising up an independent person in me. For this, I cannot thank you less. I owe these achievements to you who formed and molded me into becoming a person who aims for excellence and dares to be competitive even if it means striving hard and facing tough challenges. I wish I could do something to pay you back but I know that what I am capable of doing would not be enough to show my gratitude to you and to the foundation that has reared me for eight blessed years. My family and I thank you for extending your blessings to us and to other children like me who need you. I hope you would never grow weary in doing good and that the AmCham Foundation be fruitful in its endeavors. Your labor is never in vain. May God bless you more. Sincerely, Ligaya L. Gastalla

AmCham Foundation Alumni

ACFPI Scholar 1997 - 2005

Last March 30, 2005, I finally received my diploma after four years of study at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) with the degree of Bachelor of Education, Major in English.

As most guest speakers often say in their speech during the ceremony, this is an end and a beginning. It is indeed the end of our formal training in the institution and the end of our dependence on the people supporting us in our studies, and the start of facing reality -- the real world of working for ourselves and for our family. We will soon reap the fruit of our sacrifices and hardships, and sooner we will earn for our family and for ourselves as we serve the community and apply what we have learned.

As I look back, I can still remember all the challenges I have gone through: How my family strove hard to make both ends meet and how I managed to accomplish the requirements from high school to college though we have no financial means. Many wonder how my mother, alone and old, supported my education despite the fact that since I was 12 years old, no one in the family earns to finance my studies.

I admit things were very difficult. There were times that I practically submitted to the idea of getting a job instead to help my family. But because you were always there to support and guide me in my study, financially and morally, I endured everything! For many years, eight to be exact, you were there serving as one of my inspirations. Because of you, I’m about to fulfill my mother’s ambition for me and I am about to realize my dream. My only regret though is that I wasn’t able to get the honors I’ve always wanted due to my shortcomings in my studies. It could have been my token of appreciation to all your good deeds but I hope my diploma is as good in exchange.

Thank you very much!

Words are not enough to express how grateful I am for the kindness and trust bestowed upon me. I could have been nobody now if it weren’t because of you. I am very thankful for the program and all the people behind this successful service towards people in need. I may not be able to return the favor to you but I’ll try my best to pay it forward. I will never forget this.

God bless you all and thank you!

Sincerely yours, Mario B. Balibago

P.S. My family also wishes to thank you, especially my mom, Maria.