Alden Richards launches AR Foundation scholarship program after successfully supporting 2 students

Alden Richards revealed that he launched his AR Foundation after he supported two students until they finished college.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode, Alden paid for the tuition of several children who had no capacity to continue their education.

Aside from Elena whose mom had a heart disease and Marvelou who’s raised by a single parent, the award-winning actor also supported Nino, a child who was born without arms.

“Para po akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. Nu’ng panahon po na wala na talagang magawa. Kinausap ko si Elena. ‘Anak, baka naman pwedeng si Kuya muna ang pagtapusin natin?’ Sakit po kasi pinangarap ko po talaga na makapagtapos po lahat ng anak ko,” said Elena’s mother Mercedes.

[It felt like my world was collapsing. At that time I couldn’t do anything. I talked to Elena. “My daughter, can your older brother finish school first?” It hurt because I dreamt that all of my children would finish school.]

“Ako po ayaw ko pong tumigil. One day po nakita ko po si Kuya Alden. Sabi niya, ‘sagot ko 'yung tuition mo hanggang makatapos ka ng college.’ Malaking tulong po talaga. Ang pangarap ko po talaga maging doctor,” said Elena.

[I don’t want to stop. One day, I met Kuya Alden. He said, “I’ll pay for your tuition until you finish college.” It was such a big help. I dream of becoming a doctor someday.]

As years went by, Alden’s act of kindness allowed two students to finally graduate from college—one finishing engineering and another an information technology course.

“Priceless for me,” said Alden. “Mas magiging fulfilled ka sa trabaho mo. Isang tao pa lang ’yun and then, ganun na ’yung effect sa akin, so what more kung mas marami pa tayong matulungan?”

[It gives more fulfillment at work. This is just one person and yet this is the effect on me, so what more if we can help more people?]

Alden then decided to create his AR Foundation, a scholarship program that helps underprivileged children finish their education.

“When it comes to education, kino-consider ko siyang investment to change people’s lives. That’s the most precious gift you can give to someone na dadalhin nila in their lifetime,” he said.

[When it comes to education, I consider it an investment to change people’s lives. That’s the most precious gift you can give to someone who will carry it with them in their lifetime.]

To support his program, Alden will be having a documentary concert titled “Forward: Meet Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr.”

“One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to AR Foundation to sustain our current scholars and to even open up further assistance po sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong pagdating sa edukasyon (to others who need help with their education),” said Alden. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News