At Pinoy Legacy, our mission is focused on long-term change — helping Filipinos build a better future for themselves and their families. That mission came to life in 2025 during our trip to Cebu, when we met DJ and Charity — two siblings whose story deeply impacted us and helped shape our scholarship program.
The Search for Someone to Sponsor
During our trip, we visited Supermercado, a local food market-style event near Suba where people gather every evening to eat, relax, and hang out. We went with a purpose: to find someone we could support long-term through education — someone whose life circumstances and determination aligned with the heart of our mission.
We spoke to as many people as we could. But most either didn’t want to talk or weren’t in a situation where long-term support made sense. A few we talked to seemed like potential candidates, but despite offering to reconnect, they never followed up.
That changed when we were introduced to Charity.
An Unexpected Connection
We learned about Charity through Erwin, a friend of Amor’s who’s active in youth programs in his barangay. Though he had been sick and unsure if he could help, he later called us and said, “I think I found someone.”
The name rang a bell. As it turns out, Amor already knew Charity through mutual friends and family — she was the cousin of Amor’s friend Hazel, and also connected to Amor’s brother, Archie. We reached out to Charity, and she agreed to talk.
Charity was about to begin senior high school at a local public school. While she didn’t need help with tuition, she did need assistance with school essentials — things like a backpack, notebooks, pens, and school clothes. She lives with her family of seven in a single-room home near a polluted canal, where they all sleep on the floor.
At first, we weren’t sure if it made sense to step in — until she introduced us to her older brother, DJ.
Meeting DJ
DJ had just completed his freshman year of college and was on summer break. His goal is to work in the food service industry abroad — particularly on cruise ships — a career path that offers strong income and the ability to provide for his family.
What stood out most wasn’t his career choice, but his motivation. DJ talked not about himself, but about his parents and siblings. He told us he wanted to finish school so he could lift his entire family out of poverty — not someday, but as soon as he was able. He’s a respectful, intelligent young man with a clear drive to create change in his life and his family’s.
That’s when we knew: this is someone we want to support.
Taking Action
A few days after the initial conversation, Amor and I — along with her friend Ayla — met DJ and Charity at Plaza Independencia for a formal interview. After getting to know them more, we decided to move forward.
Here’s what we provided:
- A smartphone for each of them, complete with screen protector, case, and one year of data
- Clothing for school, including shoes, pants, belts, socks, and more
- School supplies such as notebooks, pens, and backpacks
- And most importantly, a commitment to cover DJ’s tuition, contingent on him maintaining a good GPA (~3.0 by U.S. standards)
After the interview, we all went out for McDonald’s, then headed to the mall to get them each a Samsung A16 smartphone. Their family had been sharing just two low-quality phones, so this made a huge difference for communication, education, and safety — especially with them commuting to school via public transportation.
From there, we headed downtown to gather the rest of their school supplies and clothes. We were literally checking out as the store shut off its lights. Afterward, we shared a meal together at a local Mang Inasal restaurant and wrapped up the day.
A Glimpse Into Their Lives
The next day, we visited DJ and Charity’s home to see where they lived and meet their family. We recorded a follow-up video showing their living conditions, their parents, and a full breakdown of what we had provided and how much it all cost.
It was humbling.
Their home was small, overcrowded, and worn-down — but their family was warm, welcoming, and deeply grateful. DJ’s father teared up as we explained our support for his son’s education and what we hoped it would mean for their future.
It’s moments like that that remind us why we started Pinoy Legacy in the first place.
A New Legacy
From that point forward, DJ became our first official scholarship recipient under Pinoy Legacy. He’s responsible for checking in regularly and maintaining good academic performance, and we’re committed to paying for his tuition through graduation — so long as he upholds those standards.
We’re not offering mentorship or career training ourselves — that’s not our role. But we do help people find direction, offer financial support, and guide them toward the tools they need to succeed. We don’t choose people who are waiting for a handout. We choose people who are already working toward something — and just need someone to believe in them.
DJ’s story is exactly that.
Looking Ahead
Education is one of the most powerful ways to change a family’s future — whether it’s through college, trade school, or vocational training. It’s not about degrees. It’s about direction, discipline, and dreams.
That’s why our scholarship program is at the core of Pinoy Legacy’s mission moving forward.
We’re currently developing a scholarship application form that will be available on our website, where students in the Philippines can apply for future support. It’s our way of finding the next DJ — the next student ready to take charge of their future with a little help from someone who believes in them.
Because sometimes, all it takes to change a legacy… is a little opportunity.