A long-time friend has expressed gratitude to former Senator and independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino for his sacrifice that helped put him through school.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Eldridge “Blue” Aldridge shared how Aquino gave up his own scholarship at Ateneo de Manila University so that Aldridge could study there instead.

“In 1995, my father suffered a stroke that left him incapacitated. It was February, and I had just been accepted to both Ateneo and UP. Given our financial situation, Ateneo felt out of reach. I had mentally prepared to go to UP,” Aldridge said.

He was surprised when Aquino’s mother called his own mother, asking him to write a letter to Ateneo’s Office of Admission and Aid explaining their family’s situation. Soon after, Aldridge was informed that he had been granted an academic scholarship.

“It was only later that I learned the truth: the scholarship had originally been awarded to Bam. But he chose to give it up… for me. He said, I needed it more,” he revealed.

“Thank you, Bam. I hope this story shows people the kind of person you truly are: selfless, compassionate, and someone who never stops looking out for others,” he ended.

Aldridge said he’s been friends with Aquino since he was seven years old, as their parents were friends from the 1980s protest movement.