Brief History (1989-1994). The project was originally intended to support the schooling and education of orphans in the Philippines, dear to the hearts of Filipinos in the U.S. and to the organizers of the Mrs. Philippines of North Texas. During the process, PCCI encountered some legal restrictions which prevented the fulfillment of the projects original objectives. As a consequence, PCCI redirected its attention to extending its charity efforts to legally qualify recipients or beneficiaries in the U.S. Thus, this paved the way to the birth of the Academic Achievement Awards Program.

May 13, 1995. On this date, the first Academic Achievement Awards was held. Nineteen (19) qualified Filipino high school graduates in the DFW Metroplex were recognized and awarded scholarship grants at the Dallas Marriott Hotel. These students, along with the candidates for the Mrs. Philippines of North Texas Award Program sponsored by PCCI International Charity Festival, were presented to the public.

May 25, 1996. Candidates for the Mrs. Philippines of North Texas endorsed their support of this program when they pledged twenty percent of the net proceeds of their fund-raising campaign towards the scholarship fund. Thus, at the second Annual Academic Achievement Awards, thirty-six (36) students received their rewards and recognition.

June 6, 1997. Funds for Academic Achievement in 1997 were very limited. But PCCI managed to maximize fund raising efforts through Asian Charity Ball 1997, which was hosted by the Filipino Community and actively participate into by PCCI members through the Silent Auction. The Greater Asian-American Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Charity Ball Inc. pledged to make PCCI Scholarship and Education Program as one of the recipients of their beneficiary funds. Forty-five (45) students applied for grants and all received their awards.

May 29, 1998. Sixty-one (61) students applied and received awards in 1998. Funding used for distribution of awards was obtained from the net share of the money in the 1997 PCCI International Charity Festival and the Mrs. Philippines fund raising drive.

May 28, 1999. This year, thirty-nine (39) students were selected from the graduating class of 1999, consisting of those students who have filed their intentions to the institution of their choice. As in the past, checks were mailed to the college or university in which they have chosen to enroll. Distribution of this years award was made possible through the generosity of donors and sponsors whom we have given special acknowledgement in our souvenir program.

June 29, 2000. This year, twenty-nine (29) students were selected from the graduating class of 2000, consisting of those students who have filed their intentions to enroll in college at the institution of their choice beginning the fall semester. As in the past, checks were made to the college or university in which they have chosen to enroll.

June 2001. Thirty-two (32) students were awarded.

2002. Nine (9) students were awarded.

2003. Eleven (11) were chosen. Only nine picked up their awards.

2004. Fifteen (15) students were awarded.

2005. Seven (7) students were awarded.

2006. Eight (8) students were awarded.

2007. Seven (7) students received their awards.

2008. Six (6) students received their awards.

The Academic Achievement Awards is officially coursed through all the high schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. The committee keeps a database of existing high schools and respective scholarship counselors. Information packets of the PCCI scholarship program are sent to several high schools in the Dallas metro area. The following are the requirements to qualify for the Academic Achievement Award.

1. Documentation Requirement: Submission of completed Academic Award information sheet, a certification sheet signed by the student attesting his or her Filipino descent, and the official transcript of records from the high school showing a minimum of 3.50 and signifying that the student is qualified for graduation. Time submission is evaluated based on postmarked date.

2. Acceptance Requirement: The student must be present at the date of the scholarship award event, this year being May 31, 2009 at the PCCI Bldg at 1718 Bayside St. Dallas, TX 75212. It is a community award presentation.

Each student meeting all the above qualification shall receive the following:

1. Complimentary admission to the PCCI Academic Achievement Awards.

2. An Academic Achievement certificate/plaque.

3. Check given to the awardees, the amount determined by the organization quota for the current year.