Testimonies

Through her leadership, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to public service, education, taxation, and the accounting profession, Estelita Caleon-Aguirre has inspired countless individuals — especially the scholars and professionals whose lives she has helped shape through mentorship and opportunity. These testimonials reflect the admiration, gratitude, and respect of colleagues, scholars, students, and institutions who continue to honor her enduring legacy and meaningful influence.

May 12, 2026

Dear Ma’am Lita,

I am writing this story to express my gratitude for the adopt-a-scholar program.

I represent a group of children who aspired and had faith 20 to 30 years ago. I would like to share my origins, which I take pride in, as they have driven me to reach this point.

I am the youngest of six siblings and grew up in a family with limited financial means. My parents did not have stable employment; my INA was a housewife, and my AMA worked as a short-term ambulance driver. During that time, each day felt fortunate as we made it through the 24 hours.

I remember being late to school during my elementary years. This was because my INA often had to go to our neighbor to borrow money for my lunch. Many days, I left home without having breakfast or even a sip of coffee. Elementary school was quite challenging for me, and I was unsure at that time if I would even make it to high school.

In 1996, my grandfather, AMANG CARDING, took on many challenges. He sought individuals who could help fund my education, and eventually, we encountered TITA GUTIERREZ, who introduced me to you. You welcomed me to your program, marking a significant moment in my life. I proudly became your scholar from grade 6 through college, where I completed a degree in Psychology and pursued masteral units in Applied Business Economics.

I am here as a Human Resource professional with strong experience and interest in thought leadership. My career spans two decades across the corporate, consultancy, and advisory sectors, developed through various Philippine conglomerates and organizations in the Asia Pacific and globally.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was appointed as Director and one of the Managing Partners of The Executive Profile, a headhunting and HR consulting company. Our expertise includes executive search and the management of senior to C-level talent.

In my current position, I collaborate with senior business leaders, CEOs, Presidents, and decision-makers to ensure that their company's talent strategy aligns with their business objectives.

In 2023, I was recognized by Asia Business Outlook as one of the Top 10 Most Promising HR Consultants in the Philippines. I am associated with this scholarship program, and I aim to represent our community, donors, and benefactors positively. To contribute back, I, along with my peers who I encouraged to assist, am currently sponsoring 4 college, 3 high school, and 2 elementary scholars.

This shows how you contributed important values to my life, along with the financial support you offered.

Boots Eugenio Director at The Executive Profile

I can still remember my teen years of 1996, vivid and detailed as if it was still a fresh experience. Clueless as I may seem, with a mixture of excitement, uncertainty and hope, I graced through the garden of Butterfly Haven towards your office. But all my mixed emotions disappeared when I saw you smile back at me, knowing that seeking your help had been the right thing. Together with my fellow scholars, I can gratefully say that we have found our second home, with HAAFI as our family and you as our mother. Together we were able to enrich ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually through our Sunday meetings held every second Sunday of the month.

I can still recall our foundation hymn entitled " A Little Love". Each one of us sang it with a happy and grateful hearts. Our program in the HAAFI foundation were able us to know each other more through group sharing. Allowing myself and other fellow scholars to share our thoughts, happiness, problems and memories brought us closer to each other and feel that we are really a family. After which, we altogether enjoy hearty meals coming from sponsors.

And like a family, we also find time to take a break from our busy day-to-day schedules. To relieve ourselves of some stress at the same time forms stronger bonds. I remember us going to Sto. Domingo Church followed by a retreat with my fellow scholars. It was a memorable and happy experience.

But all good things also come to an end. After seven years of being under your guidance, care, support and love, I finally graduated last 2003 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in General Science at the Bulacan State University. Presently, I am working at City of Malolos Integrated School - Sto. Rosario as a secondary teacher. All of these have been made possible with your endless support and love for us. I shall be always grateful for the motherly love that you and Ma'am Hermie Espinosa have showered us, for the encouragement to never give up on our dreams despite the challenges we were born into, for the enlightenment to put our faith in God, for the gratitude towards the blessings we have received and the enthusiasm to pass these on to others who were in the same situation we once were.

Thank you HAAFI Family.

Thank you Ma'am Hermie Espinosa.

Thank you Ma'am Estellita Aguirre.

Mirasol B. Sandoval

May 14, 2026

To Ma’am Lita, the Aguirre Family, and Our Sponsors,

I came from a humble family. My father was a tricycle driver, and my mother was a seamstress. I am the second of four children, and early on, I understood the sacrifices my parents had to make just to send us to school.

Elementary school was manageable, but the financial struggles became more evident when my older brother and I both entered high school. My mother enrolled us at St. Dominic Academy because she believed it was the best school in town and wanted us to have a better future. However, when my youngest sibling was born during my second year, our situation became even more difficult. There were many times when we had to submit promissory notes just so I could take my exams.

It was during this challenging time that my mother learned about the Hon. “Ato” Aguirre Foundation, a scholarship foundation established by Mrs. Estelita Aguirre in loving memory of her husband, former Vice Mayor Ato Aguirre. I applied and was blessed to be accepted as one of its scholars. The foundation was never just an ordinary scholarship program where students simply received financial assistance. It became a second family — a community of young Pulileños with big dreams, guided by a bright and inspiring light.

We participated in monthly activities that helped shape our personalities and values. We met guests who shared their journeys and success stories, inspiring us to dream bigger. We joined outreach programs that taught us that even when we ourselves were receiving help, we still had the ability to share our blessings with others. We experienced star gazing through a guest’s telescope, educational trips to the former Nayong Pilipino, retreats, and many meaningful activities that enriched our lives.

More than the experiences themselves, the foundation taught us important life lessons — how to plan, budget, work together, care for one another, appreciate what we had, and continuously strive to become better academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It prepared us not only for college, but also for the realities and struggles of life beyond it. It challenged us to become better people and better versions of ourselves, inspired by the kindness, generosity, and leadership of Ma’am Lita.

To Ma’am Lita, the entire Aguirre family, and all our sponsors, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for opening your doors and extending your hands to me and my fellow scholars. I will forever be grateful for all the support, guidance, opportunities, and memories you have given us.

Today, I am a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Polytechnic University of the Philippines and currently working as an Operations Manager at Afni Philippines.

But more than my achievements and career, I am proud to say that I was, and always will be, part of the HAAFI family.

Minerva Ilag Gotay Client Services Manager at Afni Philippines

Dear Ma’am Estelita C. Aguirre and the Honorato “Ato” Aguirre Foundation Inc.,

Warm greetings!

I would like to express my deepest appreciation and heartfelt testimony for being one of the beneficiaries and members of the Honorato “Ato” Aguirre Foundation Inc. since 1997, during my high school days, until I successfully finished my degree, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in General Science. Today, I am truly honored and grateful to serve in the Department of Education as a Teacher VI.

The foundation became more than just a source of financial assistance to me. It became my second family, a home that nurtured my dreams, values, and character. Through the unwavering support, kindness, and guidance of Ma’am Estelita C. Aguirre, I learned important life lessons that shaped me into the person and educator that I am today. She inspired us to persevere despite challenges, to value education, to become responsible individuals, and to always help others in return. As a young student who once dreamed of finishing school and having a stable profession, I never imagined how far I would come. Because of the foundation’s generosity and sincere concern for our future, many opportunities were opened for me. The encouragement and guidance I received gave me strength to continue striving for excellence and to remain faithful to my goals.

Now that I have been serving as a public-school teacher for many years and have reached the position of Teacher VI, I proudly carry with me the values and lessons I learned from HAAFI. I consider my achievements not only as my personal success but also as a reflection of the foundation’s mission of transforming lives through education, compassion, and service. Thank you, Ma’am Estelita C. Aguirre, for your dedication, patience, and genuine love for every scholar and member of the foundation. Your guidance has touched countless lives, including mine. I will forever be grateful for all the support, wisdom, and opportunities you have given me.

May God continue to bless the Honorato “Ato” Aguirre Foundation Inc. and everyone behind its noble mission. May the foundation continue to inspire and help more young individuals achieve their dreams and become better persons in society.

Rogelio T. Santiago Teacher VI at Department of Education

It all started in 1997 when I was still on my 4th grade at Pulilan Central School. I was then one of the very few students who was given an opportunity to be part of a foundation that provides scholarship to students who are financially challenged, but are academically driven. The foundation was called, Honorato “Ato” Aguirre Foundation, Inc. (HAAFI), which was named after the late Vice-Mayor of Pulilan and the founder himself, Ato Aguirre. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.

We had our very first gathering to meet everyone in the Foundation and be acquainted with one another. I was reluctant back then because I am not used to facing several people. There I met Estelita Aguirre, the Chairman of the Foundation. I honestly did not know her personally and did not apprehend who she really was back then. We usually call her “Ma’am Lita” not only out of courtesy, but because she has that aura of an educator, really. She dresses and looks nicely, she talks smartly with so much confidence to a point that you’ll just freeze in your seat, staring at her and feeling inspired, while she’s delivering her message. We regularly gather at the Butterfly Haven at least once every month not only to see each other and check on every one, but also to have fun activities and learning. There would be food for everyone, games, quiz bees, spelling contests, poem-reading, story-telling, writing, singing, dancing, sharing and a lot more. I would always go home immediately after the program, not realizing how privileged I was back then. Thank you for dedicating your time to teach us to become confident, thankful, appreciative, generous and modest.

Back in school, there had been several changes in my personality as I went along. I became more active on academic, cultural and outdoor activities. My self-confidence and self-esteem had improved a lot such that I would actively participate in different school activities, would run for student council, and would organize initiatives and the likes. I joined in several competitions such as: declamation, oration, poem-reading, news writing, singing and dancing. I finished my primary, secondary and tertiary level with some special awards and recognition. Out of school, I participated in a local Choral group who regularly sings the mass, gets invited to perform in crowd and would frequently joins in some minor and major choral competitions within the Diocese. I had an opportunity to lead this group and eventually became its choral director. Ma’am Lita Aguirre and the foundation had greatly influenced and contributed to these accomplishments. If not through her and the foundation, I would have not gone that far knowing myself before. Thank you Ma’am for inspiring me to believe and follow my dreams.

I got hired 6 months after finishing college. I dived into the fast booming BPO industry 10 years ago. I started my career as a Technical Support Representative in one of the biggest Telco in the US. I became a Senior Support Specialist a few months after and eventually got promoted to a Supervisor role. The keys to this success are good education, meaningful work, ways to help, happiness, love, confidence, humility and kindness. Values that Ma’am Lita had instilled in me and to everyone back in the foundation. Just this year, another achievement in my career happened. I am now promoted as Operations Manager in my present employer, pioneering and servicing the largest wireless mobile company in the US, remotely operating here in the country. New challenges, a bigger responsibility and accountability are ahead of me now, but I am not petrified because the values imparted to me are intangible and would be my greatest instrument to face the music. Thank you Ma’am for implanting these seeds of success to me and to everyone in the foundation.

Thank you for everything that you did for us, Ma’am Lita. You have been an instrument of God to touch people’s lives to make a change and become the best of who they are. Thank you for impelling us to become successful on what we do. Thank you for being our mother in the foundation, a teacher, a mentor, a friend, a professional adviser, a woman of simplicity, a figure of success and a true inspiration to everybody. May the Almighty God continue to bless you in your life as you continue to inspire other people, touch their lives and provide for those who most need help.

Again, thank you so much for everything, Ma’am Lita!

Efren Samson Operations Manager at Expert Global Solutions Philippines (EGS)