THREE ATENEANS were awarded as this year’s recipients of the Jordan Brand Wings Scholarship Program for the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). In a press release today, the Jordan Brand announced that a full four-year scholarship was granted to Maica Angela Garcia (1 AB Dip IR), Sofia Theresa Pequieras (1 BS AMDSc – M DSc), and Dan Anthony Cabangunay (1 BS AMDSc – M DSc).
Dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the underprivileged youth, the scholarship program has allowed its select Atenean scholars to pursue the course of their choice at the University for three years now.
Nike Philippines’ Country Marketing Manager Jino L. Ferrer noted that the Wings scholarship program ultimately aims for youth empowerment in an effort to aid them in discovering their own greatness. “The [Jordan Brand scholarship] is all about creating a level playing field that promotes diversity, inclusion and equality. We believe the ball should bounce the same for everyone,” he stressed.
Promising young eagles
Garcia expressed her jubilation when she learned about the scholarship. “I was really really shocked because I had no clue at all! [O]f course, [I am] really honored and grateful to receive such generosity and support,” she explained.
Coming from the Ateneo de Davao University, Garcia entered AdMU with her sights set on becoming a lawyer. She shared that she was a junior national swimmer, previously placing fifth in the Palarong Pambansa. For health reasons, however, she kept her participation in other competitions on hold.
Despite this setback, Garcia strongly believes that “failure does not define you, how you rise from it does.” As she embarks on her Ateneo journey, she looks forward to what lies ahead both in the pool and in the classroom—confident that she will overcome whatever comes her way.
On the other hand, Pequieras’ excellent performance back in high school helped her bag the scholarship award. Amid a challenging childhood and teenhood in Cuenca, Batangas, she mentioned how reading and researching allows her to learn life lessons and soothe her innate curiosity, respectively. As a sports enthusiast who plays tennis, Pequieras decided to take a data science course in Ateneo to help her pursue her dream of becoming a data scientist in an F1 team.
Meanwhile, Cabangunay shared how he and his family in Los Baños, Laguna struggled the most during the pandemic. He mentioned that his “lack of means” to help his parents during this challenge is what pushed him to do his best in studying.
For Cabangunay, his way of giving back to the opportunities he received is through volunteering in organizations that allow him to teach students like himself. “My plan is to continue giving back to others through teaching, volunteering and donating,” he explains.
Building the future
Welcoming the newest Wings scholars to the program, former Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena—the first Filipino athlete to join the brand—emphasized the significance of the scholarship program in helping bring these students closer to their dreams and motivate the next generation of “game-changers.”
Ferrer expressed that this year’s batch of scholars will reflect the Jordan Brand’s mission and purpose grounded on paying it forward to the community. “The Batch of 2028 will continue to pursue the spirit of excellence inspired by the [scholarship program],” he said.
Jordan Brand’s long-term commitment to the Philippines has continued to make a lasting impact, as the country became the first Southeast Asian nation to join the global Wings initiative.
To further support these scholars, the Jordan Brand partnered with children’s rights organization, Bahay Tuluyan, where they will be provided with personalized coaching, career guidance, and mentorship throughout their four-year tenure at the University.
