Lamlifew Integrated School Shared Educational Resources to Nian Integrated School in Malungon, Sarangani Province

Galing Foundation, Inc. school beneficiary, Lamlifew Integrated School, shared some of the recent books shipment to another far flung school, the Nian Integrated School in Barangay Tamban still within the Municipality of Malungon in Sarangani Province. The books turn over was facilitated by the Sulong Tribu and Sulong Karungan Program team under the office of Sarangani Gov Steve Chiongbian Solon as part of the provincial government outreach.  The recipients are predominantly Blaan and Tagakaulo Indigenous Peoples group.

"Turnover of donated books from Galing Foundation Incorporated base in Atlanta, USA facilitated by the Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Tribu program of the Provincial Governor’s Office of Sarangani Province in partnership with staff from DepEd Sarangani Division. Most of the books distributed were English, Mathematics, Science, Dictionaries, History, Encyclopedias and Story Telling." - Iner Toguin, Sulong Tribu Program

Bong salamat Toto Cabanda Terando, Iner Toguin, Ms. Ping Gomez, Ibrahim Nilong and to all team members. 

Thanks to all friends and GFI partners in Atlanta for your book donations.

Photo credits: Iner Toguin 

Amado M. Quirit National High School Shared Educational Resources to Another High School

22 GFI boxes were picked up by Sulong Karunungan Team

Thank you to the Sulong Karunungan Program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in facilitating the pick up, sorting and turn over of books to Kinam National High School in Barangay Kinam, Malapatan. The principal, Maan Jennifer Dela Sierra, is the former school principal of Amado M. Quirit Sr. National High School.

Other school recipients for the 22 boxes are:
 1. Lamlifew Elementary School - Datal Tampal, Malungon
2. Amado M. Quirit Sr. National High School - Kihan, Malapatan
3. Naidas Opong Elementary School - Kihan, Malapatan
4. Kiahe Integrated School - Malapatan
5. Nian Inyegrated School - Tamban, Malungon


Photo credits: Kim Tiblani

Dr. Joel Aquino's Blaan Cultural Experience

Lamlifew Elementary School is declared by the Department of Education-Sarangani Schools Division as a model Indigenous Peoples School primarily due to the predominant existence and vibrant cultural life of the Blaan Indigenous Peoples group living in the community. The school also includes the Lamlifew Day Care School and this opening school year, they will open a high school level as part of the K-12 Program.The land area of the school was also donated by a big Blaan clan of the village. The community is also the site for the First Village Museum of the Philippines initiated by the Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association (LTWA) in which the parents especailly the mothers of the students are active members.

During the visit of Fil-Am teacher Dr. Joel Aquino and his family, they were welcomed with warm Blaan hospitality. Kids and Lamlifew students shared a Blaan dance and a tour at the Village Museum. Dr. Aquino and guests also spent lunch there and visited the Blaan Weaving Center.

LTW President Helen Lumbos, Mrs. Evans and daughter, and Dr. Aquino

Blaan musicians working on the musicial instrument called Del

Boat lute (Faglung) master player, Bae Herminia Lacna

Dr. Aquino having fun immitating Blaan dance movements

Blaan Lamlifew students depicting upland rice culture in their Blaan dance

Blaan dance by some Lamlifew student

Dr. Aquino and the Blaan kids doing the Maral (Blaan dance)

Lamlife Elementary School Principal Ireneo Caya with students and family of Dr. Aquino

The Cafeteria of the Lamlifew Village Museum where guests can spend lunch and experience traditional Blaan cuisine

The Blaan Weaving Center of Sarangani Province, a tradition that is being preserved through skills transfer to the younger Blaan weavers

Thank you to the Sulong Tribu and Sulong Karunungan Program Team of Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for facilitating this community visit. Thank you as well for the warm welcome and hospitatlity of the Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association.

Photo credits: Dan Evans, Sarangani Provincial Education Consultant

Dr. Joel Aquino's Visit to Lamlifew Elementary School

Dr. Joel Aquino is one of the 10 Fil-Am Teachers honored by Galing Foundation, Inc. and Philippines Honorary Consul General Ray Donator last Janurary 30, 2015. He  visited Sarangani Province for two reasons: 1) Science Workshop among Science teachers on June 6, 2) visit to Lamlifew Elementary School, a GFI recipient school. This is a pilot missions project that a GFI partner from Atlanta initiated.

Dr. Aquino's wife and son was with him during this Sarangani visit. On behalf of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, he was also joinedgoing to Lamlifew Elementary School by Dan Evans who is the provincial education consultant of the Governor.

Village Chieftain Calingo Maluma, also land donor of the school, welcome Dr. Aquino

Ceremonial turn over of books send by GFI first quarter this year to the teaching force of Lamlifew Elementary School. The XBox Kinect was also turned over which was used for the Science Workshop on June 6th.

Dan Evans with Lamlifew School Princial Ireneo Caya presented a certifcate to Dr. Aquino

Sulong Tribu Program Manager Celito Terando also recieved the Certiicate of Recognition from GFI

Lamlifew School Principal Ireneo Caya shared about the school

One of the teachers of Lamlifew Elementary School

John Oliver Tablazon, a staff of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon that represented the Sulong Karunungan Program. He and other team members are the ones claiming the GFI boxes upon arrival in the GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator's house in General Santos City.

 Galing Foundation, Inc. is thankful to the Provincial Government of Sarangani thru Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Sarangani Education Consultant Dan Evans, Sulong Tribu and Sulong Karunungan Program staff for doing all the coordinations and provision of transportation going to the Lamlifew Elementary School.

Photo credits: Dan Evans

Fil-Am Teacher Dr. Joel Aquino's Science Workshop in Sarangani Province

Dr. Joel Aquino was one of the 10 honored teacher’s during the 1st Fil-Am Teachers of Georgia  recognition/appreciation ceremonies held last June 30, 2015. Being touched after the GFI Mindanao Outreach presentation, Dr. Aquino proposed for a visit in one of the GFI assisted schools in Sarangani and conduct science workshop to benefit High School Teachers. This is a pilot missions trip by a GFI partner from Atlanta. A mini-travel grant was given by GFI in support to Dr. Aquino's visit during the welcome dinner with former Philippines President Fidel V. Ramos at the residence of Honorary Consul General Ray Donato.

Travel Grant Check Turn over on May 23, 2015 with GFI Board and HCG Donato

On June 6, Dr. Aquino conducted the half-day training focused on science activities benefitting Science High School teachers of Sarangani Province. The principals of the two GFI recipient schools, Lamlifew Elementary School and Amado M. Quirit Sr. National High School, also attended the workshop. It was held at the Kasfala Hall, Capitol Compound, Alabel, Sarangani. Below was the flow of the Science workshop that teachers can easily replicate in their classrooms:

Welcome Remarks
Introduction to US and Georgia Science Standards
Q&A (Question and Answer) and Discussion with Teachers/students
Science Activities:
- Scientific Method (Building Cube Models and Toilet Paper Roll Models)
- Uncertainties (Penny Density Lab)
- Radioactivity Lab
- Properties of Water Lab
- 3D Box Drilling
- Static Electricity
- Projectile Motion
- Virtual (Internet) Labs
Closing and More Discussion

Dr. Aquino giving workshop overview.

Dan Evans, the education consultant of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon was in attendance on behalf of the Governor.

The success of the Science Workshop was made possible through the partnership of the following:
1) Sarangani Province Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon thru his Sulong Karunungan Program & Sulong Tribu Program
2) DepEd Sarangani Schools Division
3) Dr. Joel S. Aquino
4) Galing Foundation, Inc. Board
5) Galing Foundation, Inc. Mindanao Outreach Volunteers

Provincial Government of Sarangani also hosted dinner in honor of Dr. Aquino. Photo credit: Monique Kawari

GFI is thankful as well for our partners/supporters here in Atlanta especially Cross of Life Church for being our benefactor. 

Photo credits: Ariel Lalisan and Dan Evans

17 boxes of books donated by Queen of Angels Catholic School

17 Galing Foundation, In. boxes were packed on May 27, 2015 by volunteers Toni Daya Luetgers, Arjho Carino Turner. M and Hannah Turner also donated some of their toys for the Blaan kids in Sarangani Province. The new and gently used books and other educational resource materials were donated by Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell, Georgia. This batch will benefit the following:
1. Lamlifew Elementary School - Datal Tampal, Malungon
2. Amado M. Quirit Sr. National High School - Kihan, Malapatan
3. Naidas Opong Elementary School - Kihan, Malapatan
4. Kiahe Integrated School - Malapatan

Thanks as well to Cross of Life Church for shipping cost donation.

Youth Leadership and Best in English Awardees of Lamlifew Elementary School

 "Thank you very much Galing Foundation, Inc. for facilitating this award and I'm very much happy for the success! To God be the glory & honor!" - Sir Ireneo Caya, Lamlifew Elementary School Principal

On behalf of the GFI Mindanao Outreach, the Sulong Karunungan Program Manager Ping Gomez did the awarding for the Youth Leadership and Best in English Awardees during the 18th Closing Exercises of Lamlifew Elementary School. The Youth Leadership Awardee received a trophy and the Best in English Awardees per grade level received  a medal. It is a simple way of honoring these students with the hope that they will be encouraged to pursue their dreams.

Sulong Karunungan Program Manager Ping Gomez, Youth Leadership Awardee Mary Ann M. Balunto, Grade VI Best in English awardee Jessa May B. Yanan and School Principal Ireneo Caya

Best in English awardees (Grade I - V) with Lamlifew Elementary School teaching force and Sulong Karunungan Program Manager Ping Gomez

Grade V - Leicel Ann M. Dayadas

Grade IV - Renna Grace S. Ayao

Grade III - Blessed Faith M. Tococon

Grade II - Pretchie Gay A. Ditan

Grade I - Floyd P. Lopez

Congratulations to all awardees! It is with much joy to inspire these students and make their family members proud. Thank you as well to the Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Tribu Programs of Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for the partnership with GFI Mindanao Outreach  in honoring these achievers.

"It is not what is poured into the student that counts but what is planted" - Linda Conway

Photo credits: Ping Gomez and Sir Ireneo Caya