Eighteen-year-old Cherry Evangelista, the eldest of four siblings, has always aspired to a career that would help her further explore her passions, and to provide for her family. The Access, Curriculum and Employability (ACE) Scholarship Program of Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) was instrumental in helping her do so.

Cherry is one of the pioneer batch of ACE scholars who graduated from Anihan Technical School and JGF’s inaugural Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) program in 2019. 

She had always wanted to attend Anihan in Calamba, Laguna, believing that the vocational school would not only help her get a good job, but act as a guide in what she could achieve in life. She was also interested in further exploring her interest in cooking and restaurant service.

The first time she applied, she ran out of slots. “Nag-aral ako sa ibang school. Pagka-graduate ko hindi ko inaakala na magkakaroon pa pala ako ng chance na matupad at maipagpatuloy ang pangarap ko sa Anihan” (“I studied in a different school. After graduating I didn’t think I’d have the chance to have my dream of studying in Anihan”), she revealed in an inspirational speech to the QSRO graduating batch of 2021.

After finishing secondary education, she learned that JGF was opening slots for scholarships in Anihan, and promptly took the free examinations to which they were invited. 

Weeks went by without a word from Anihan, so Cherry thought that she did not make the cut. Just when she thought hope was lost, she received a message from Anihan that she was among the top 10 exam-takers who qualified for the scholarship.

Under the one-year program, Cherry and her fellow scholars underwent six months of in-school training for bread and pastry production, cookery, and food and beverage services. The remaining six months was spent learning and practicing skills through on-the-job training.

In Cherry’s case, she was assigned to Greenwich SM Calamba. Throughout her time as an ACE scholar, she learned responsibility, independence, teamwork, people skills, and God-fearing values. She confessed that being away from her family in order to be closer to her studies and work also helped her better open up to her family members, so that the experience actually ended up making them closer.

Cherry was eventually regularized as an employee in Greenwich. However, during the pandemic, among the hardest-hit sectors was food service and she was unable to work for a while. Despite this, Cherry persisted. It was important to keep in mind your purpose and chosen path, which was part of what she learned as an ACE scholar. 

“[Natutunan ko ang] laging lumaban sa kahit anong mangyari: about sa school, about sa family, [at] sa work (I learned to always fight no matter what happens: in school, with family, and at work),” she said.

Cherry is currently a Shift Assistant in Greenwich. In addition to learning how to do administrative work, she is also learning how to talk to customers and practice leadership skills.

While working, she also got into a Hospitality and Management course at St. Vincent College of Cabuyao. 

“Pangarap ko maging pastry chef or hotel manager (It is my dream to be a pastry chef or hotel manager),” she shared, adding that her supervisors were considerate of her schedule and helped her balance her studies and job. She is now in her second year of college.

Cherry has found herself a step closer to her dreams of making a living out of her passions. At the same time, she is able to help support the education of her younger siblings.

“Pinangarap natin ang makapagtapos, kaya wag nating sayangin ang opportunity na binigay sa atin ng Anihan at ng Jollibee Group Foundation (We dreamed of graduating, so we should not waste the opportunity given to us by Anihan and the Jollibee Group Foundation),” she said in her speech to the new Anihan graduates. “Let us be proud of who we have become, and at the same time let us be humble and grateful to all who have helped us.”