Bawat Batang Filipino Nakababasa: AGFI and LBC Foundation Bring Early Literacy to Miarayon, Bukidnon

A student of the Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School flies a colorful kite. In the foreground are the white school buildings surrounded by mountains. 

Photo from @miacommunityschool on Instagram

Our Step by Step Approach is headed to Mindanao!

On November 14, 2023 representatives from the Adarna Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI) and the LBC Hari ng Padala Foundation, Inc. (LBCF) met with the heads of Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School (STMCS) for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)–marking AGFI’s first partnership with a school for Indigenous People (IP). With the help of the LBC Foundation Inc., AGFI will implement its Step by Step: Handang Magbasa program over a span of six months, starting this November 2023 until April 2024. The program will provide learning materials to over 100 students from Nursery up to Grade 6.

With a stretch of sea, mountains, and approximately 1,400 kilometers between the partners, the signing ceremony took place virtually over Zoom. Present for this event were Emelina Almario, President of AGFI; Maria Concepcion Estrella, Executive Director of AGFI;  Malissa Agnes Strauch; Communications Coordinator of AGFI; Melissa-Ann Macarubbo, Program Specialist of LBCF; Helien Sartorio, Project Coordinator of LBCF; Fr.. Norberto Ma. L. Bautista, S.J., Chairman of the STMCS; Julven Dinal-ag, School Administrator- Internal Affairs (STMCS);  and Grace Danio, School Administrator- External Affairs (STMCS). This momentous occasion was an opportunity for the partners to recall how this collaboration began and to reaffirm their commitment to their shared goal. 

“Naniniwala kami [sa LBC Express at LBC Hari ng Padala Foundation] na ang bawat bata ay may karapatang magkaroon ng maayos at kalidad na edukasyon kahit ano pa ang kaniyang estado sa buhay.” Ms. Macarubbo said in her opening message. As a long time partner of AGFI, LBCF upholds its commitment to education by supporting literacy and leadership programs, funding learning materials and equipment, and offering its safe and reliable delivery services no matter how near or far.

In fact, to the delight of everyone involved, Ms. Macarubbo’s effort in locating and reaching out to the Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School made it possible for AGFI’s Step by Step: Handang Magbasa program to reach Bukidnon.

Surrounded by rolling hills and a blanket of clouds, the indigenous people of Miarayon describe their community as a land “malapit sa langit” or in English, “near the heavens”. This scenic landscape, however, makes it challenging for schools due to the lack of electricity, learning materials, and reliable internet connection. 

Photo from Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School Facebook Page

“Noong inaasikaso namin ang papeles ng school, hinahanapan kami ng address. Tinanong ako ‘Saan Fr. ang address niyo sa Bukidnon?’ [Ang sagot ko naman] ‘Mayroon lang kaming Sitio–Sitio Abel–pero ang mga bahay doon wala pong numero, wala pong street names.” Fr. Bautista joked, attesting to LBC Foundation’s dedication to their mission. 

As the Chairman of the program’s beneficiary school, Fr. Bautista was the second to give words of appreciation, noting his observations after spending many years in the community. “...Malaking tulong talaga na mayroong structured learning program sa reading and comprehension. Naniniwala ako—kaya patuloy akong tumutulong sa Miarayon since 1995– sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon… [Sa pamamagitan nito] hindi lamang tinitrain ang utak kundi pati faith, pati yung puso, pati yung character ng tao.”

“Ang edukasyon ay nagbabago ng buhay ng mga may buhay— ng indibidwal, ng pamilya, ng komunidad. Doon–at least sa Miarayon– nagiging leader sila.” he added. “At nakikita ko talaga over the years. Kasi ang mga nabinyagan ko noon ay may pamilya na ngayon, may mga asawa na ngayon.” 

As President of AGFI, Ms. Almario shared Fr. Bautista’s sentiments on education and celebrated the significance of this milestone in achieving the Foundation's vision. “Napaka-espesyal ng araw na ito para sa AGFI. On the macro level, yung  aming pagsali dito sa MOA ay pagpapatibay sa aming commitment sa SDGs  [Sustainable Development Goals] on education and partnerships… On the micro level, ikinatutuwa namin maging partner ulit ang LBC Hari ng Padala Foundation.” Ms. Almario said. 

“Hindi nagbabago ang ating paniniwala sa dalang pag-asa ng pagbasa. Salamat sa pagdala sa AGFI sa Bukidnon at sa kauna-unahang IP community namin. Ang aming expectation –katulad ni Fr. Kit– ay mas marami kaming matutuhan sa kanila kaysa matutuhan nila sa amin.”, she added. 

The teachers of Sta. Teresita of Miarayon Community School also extended their warm acceptance, expressing that they are looking forward to welcoming the program implementers’ visit to what their culture describes as “a place close to heaven” and “where every blessing is a gift from God.”

Closing the program, AGFI’s Executive Director, Ms. Estrella also shared words of gratitude in her final remarks, as well as some program updates and reminders. 

Attendees of the virtual MOA signing smile for a group photo as AGFI commemorates its first partnership with an IP community. From upper left to right: Malissa Strauch (AGFI); Con Estrella (AGFI); Lyn Almario (AGFI); Mel Macarubbo (LBCF); Julven Dinal-ag and Grace Danio (STMCS); Fr. Kit Bautista (STMCS); and Yen Sartorio (LBCF). 

Photo from AGFI via Zoom