The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
SM Scholar alumna Dr. Daisy Rosano fulfills her childhood dream of becoming a teacher through the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program.
Life’s challenges often serve as the greatest teachers, shaping character in ways that comfort never could.
For many Filipino students, financial hurdles make higher education seem out of reach. But with the right support, these challenges become stepping stones to success. Dr. Daisy Rosario, an SM Scholar alumna, is proof of this transformation. Graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Elementary Education, she turned opportunity into lifelong service.
Beginning of the journey of giving
For Dr. Daisy Rosano, becoming an SM scholar was the opportunity that paved the way for a journey of academic excellence and service.
Coming from a family with aging parents and a sibling in school, having her education covered was a weight off of their shoulders.
“I was qualified for another scholarship, but it only covered tuition. At that time, there were two of us in school, and our parents were nearing retirement, so financial assistance was of great help,” she recalled.
Building confidence and character
While the scholarship gave her the means to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a teacher, the scholarship provided additional support that helped build her confidence and character. She valued the retreats, gatherings, friendships formed with scholars from other universities, and the opportunity to travel and broaden her perspective.
“I was fortunate to receive holistic training as an SM scholar,” she said. “I highly appreciated the yearly retreats and get-togethers. It was fun that I had friends from other universities. I also had the privilege of traveling to Manila and attending a retreat in Tagaytay with other scholars.”
One of the defining experiences for her was the summer job opportunity at then SM Iloilo (now SM City Iloilo).
“The experience gave me a firsthand understanding of employment and the responsibility it entails,” she shared. “Earning my own money and using it for my needs was both empowering and eye-opening.” This opportunity not only taught her financial independence but also reinforced the value of hard work and perseverance.
The discipline she developed as an SM Scholar pushed her to achieve even more. “Every year, I was an awardee for academic excellence, even though I believed I was just an ordinary student,” she shared. Her dedication earned her another scholarship from the Commission on Higher Education, which unlocked more possibilities.
A scholar for life
The values Dr. Daisy gained as an SM scholar extended far beyond graduation. “It’s a transformation from being shy to having an enhanced self-efficacy,” she recalled.
Driven by her passion for learning, she earned her master’s degree, eventually earning a doctorate as well as a second master’s degree in design education with distinction from Goldsmiths University of London.
SM Scholar alumna Daisy Rosano earned her second master’s degree in education from a university in London, graduating with distinction.
Her early work experiences—particularly her summer job training when she was 17—gave her the confidence and resilience to take on leadership roles. She is currently West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) Director for Distance Education.