Projects > Social Development > A Promise Of Opportunity: The Calvin Ayre Hall Opens At Sisters Of Mary School

A promise of opportunity: The Calvin Ayre Hall opens at Sisters of Mary School

November 2025 | Philippines
Calvin Ayre

At the Sisters of Mary School in Silang, Cavite, students and sisters gathered for a simple yet meaningful ceremony, the opening of the Calvin Ayre Hall, located inside the newly built Digital Transformation Center. The atmosphere was warm and filled with gratitude, as this new facility marks another step forward in giving students access to quality digital education.

This latest project, supported by the Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) and its founder, Calvin Ayre, marks another milestone in the foundation’s growing footprint in the Philippines. Having followed CAF’s initiatives this year, I’ve seen how the foundation consistently centers on expanding access to quality education for children from underprivileged communities.

The Sisters of Mary School is home to thousands of young scholars, many from the country’s poorest regions. Here, they not only receive free education and lodging but are also given the chance to break the cycle of poverty through skills development and values formation. With the addition of the Calvin Ayre Hall, the school now opens new doors – digital ones – to prepare its students for the jobs of the future.

“I love the Philippines… it feels good to support education here. And since I come from the digital space myself, being part of building a digital education center that serves children from the poorest communities.. that’s very rewarding,” said Calvin Ayre, in his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Inside the new center, students will be able to explore new learning software and take classes on computer programming, cybersecurity, and even artificial intelligence, for the first time. For the school’s administrators, this moment represents more than the completion of a hallway; it’s the fulfillment of a shared mission.

“This moment goes beyond the ceremonial event. It celebrates the kindness and generosity that make such a project possible… Every part of it is built not just with bricks and cement, but also with the faith and love of people who believe in the dreams of our children,” said Sister Maureen during her remarks.

In a quick interview after the ceremony, one student shared her excitement about the new opportunities ahead. “Looking forward, this will be useful for me to shape my dreams to become a computer programmer,” she said with enthusiasm.

As someone who has covered CAF’s programs across the Philippines, I’ve seen how each initiative builds upon the last, from scholarships to school facilities, and now, digital transformation. This continuity reflects the foundation’s long-term commitment to education, not as a one-off donation, but as a sustained investment in the next generation.

“Technology moves fast. The point of this new space is to make sure students here aren’t left behind, but part of the change. This project inspires, elevates, and empowers… giving students confidence, knowledge, and belief in their future,” Ayre explained.

Also present at the event was Charlie Rufino, Chairman of the Fr. Al’s Children Foundation Inc. (FACFI), the organization that has long supported the Sisters of Mary School. He also shared how the new center will prepare students for the fast-changing digital world: “We’re upskilling the kids, getting them used to AI early on so that it’s a friend. Our kids will be the true digital natives,” he said.

For the Sisters of Mary community, the moment carried emotional weight. “Every student who passes through will carry the reminder that there are people who believe in their potential and are willing to invest in their future,” said Mother Elena, addressing the guests and donors.

Being there among the students, I could sense a shared appreciation; this was more than an event. It was a reminder of what education can make possible, and how far compassion can go in shaping young lives.

As Ayre summed up in his closing message, “One day, we’ll look back and say, this is where it all started. This is where many of your futures took off.”