For most of her life, Nicole “Nikki” Pialago did not have a permanent home. “NPA kami dati. No Permanent Address, for almost 25 years,” Nikki shares. “Walang ipon, baon sa utang, at araw-araw ay umaasa lang kung paano makakatawid.”

Her father, Simeon Pialago Jr., worked as a security guard at Security Bank Commonwealth Hub for nearly three decades. Her mother, a hardworking accounting associate, did her best to help the family. But no matter how hard they worked, the income was never enough. And as the eldest of three siblings, Nikki knew from a young age: if she did not get a scholarship, she would not make it to college.

“Thankful po ako sa mga magulang ko lalo na kay Papa, na kahit na-stroke, tiniis ang maghapong pagtatrabaho para lang mapagtapos ako sa pamamagitan ng scholarship ng Security Bank Foundation.”

She was in Grade 10 when a lifeline came: the scholarship from Security Bank Foundation for the children of agency personnel like her father. Through her hard work and perseverance, she secured her scholarship up to her graduation with a degree of BS Accountancy at Quezon City University,  from Quezon City University.

But being a scholar came with pressure. She knew she had to stay on top of her grades. “Alagang-alaga ko po ‘yung credentials ko. Ayokong mawala ‘yung scholarship. Bilang panganay, alam kong hindi lang sarili ko ‘yung nakataya, pati kinabukasan ng pamilya ko,” she added.

Nikki was known as “Mani Girl” in high school, called so by students and teachers because she sold peanuts, candies, corn, and kwek-kwek to help with school expenses. After class, she also helped her mom prepare food to sell, such as shanghai, dynamite, fish balls, and more.

“Naalala ko pa ‘yung pagod sa pagbubuhat ng halos 30-40 kilos na pinamalengke, ‘yung init sa katawan pag-uwi, at pangangalay sa paghahanda ng paninda. Ginagawa namin ‘to araw-araw, para lang may panggastos at pambayad ng kuryente, tubig, at upa sa bahay.”

In college, she worked part-time in an accounting firm. It was hard, but she kept going and graduated in 2023. “Dahil sa Security Bank Foundation, nakapagtapos ako ng college nang hindi gumagastos kahit piso,” she shared.

In 2025, Nikki joined Security Bank Corporation’s Head Office as a Junior Accounting Analyst. What once seemed impossible was now real.

“Ngayon, maganda na ang trabaho ko. Nagtatrabaho ako sa bangkong tumulong sa akin simula pa high school. Parang panaginip. Dahil sa Security Bank, nagkaroon ako ng seguridad sa edukasyon, at ngayon, sa hanapbuhay ko. Ngayon nakapag pundar na po ng matitirhan at hindi na po nagbabayad ng buwanang upa,” she expressed.

Nikki leaves fellow scholars and young dreamers with an inspiring message: “Kung may itinanim, may aanihin. Huwag matakot sumubok at harapin ang pagbabago. Kahit mahirap, huwag susuko. Magtiwala ka sa sarili mo, para sa mga pangarap mo, at para sa pamilya mong umaasa sa’yo.”

From a scholar with no permanent address to a proud professional inside one of the country’s top banks, Nikki’s story is a living reminder that no dream is ever too far, and no hardship too great, when you work hard and someone believes in you.

Nikki’s journey is one of many made possible by Security Bank Foundation’s scholarship programs. Learn more at www.securitybank.com/foundation/sbfi-scholars-for-better-communities