Solar power lit up the main campus of the Philippine Science High School in Diliman, Quezon City, a joint effort of PSHS Batch 1985 that’s celebrating its 25th year and the Wilfred and Bonnie Uytengsu Foundation.

“Our batch wanted to donate something that would have far more lasting impact than the usual monetary or material donations,” says batch president Farley Aguila. This led Aguila’s batch to Brightbox Inc., a media and technology solutions company founded by batch mates Jason Hernando and Ramil Sevilla.

“For us, it was more than just providing the school with long-term cost savings associated with solar-powered lighting. We wanted the students to experience this innovative technology firsthand,” Hernando and Sevilla explained.

“This also teaches them that we are responsible for our future and the time to take charge is now,” they added. They worked pro bono for the installation of solar panels and light-emitting diode (LED) lights that now illuminate the administration building and peripheral roadway of the campus.

PSHS Batch ‘85 and Brightbox found a generous project partner in Wilfred and Bonnie Uytengsu Foundation, which shouldered the P2.5 million cost of photovoltaic (solar) panels, LED lights, batteries, controllers, cables, roofing, and other accessories.

Wilfred Uytengsu, Sr., founder of Alaska Milk Corporation and co-founder of the WBU Foundation, agreed to support the project because of his longstanding commitment to the education of Filipino youth. He passed away in April this year.

The project was officially donated to PSHS in a turn-over ceremony August 5. Wilfred Steven, current president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation, represented his father whose legacy of being visionary with a caring heart lives on through the project.

The energy efficient lights are in use for a few months now. “We have realized savings on electricity that we expect to increase steadily with time,” PSHS Director Helen Caintic disclosed.
“It was a great help to us and the students during the recent nationwide power outage due to tropical storm Basyang. Imagine everyone’s surprise when for miles, we were the only lighted structure not using generators.”

All PSHS alumni are invited to view this lighting project on Sept. 4 during the alumni homecoming celebrations titled “Pisayvivor”. For details, please visit http://pshsnaa.roundtablelive.org/ or the official homecoming Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/2010-PSHS-Homecoming-Pisayvivor/135540709814182?ref=ts

{backbutton}