Tuesday, June 12, 2012

14 GFI boxes on its way to Mindanao



 7 of the 14 boxes shown in this photo

14 GFI boxes full of educational resource materials were donated by the Queen of Angels Catholic  School in Roswell, Georgia last May 30, 2012. This shipment will benefit the current schools/institutions assisted for the GFI Mindanao Outreach:
1. Landan National High School
2. Maligo Elementary School
3. Maligo Day Care School
4. Maligo Public Library

Thank you GFI volunteers Toni, Lauren, Meliss and baby M.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Landan National High School Library

Students doing research

Dewey Decimal System implemented in library use

Barangay Captain inspecting the computer set from GFI donors in Atlanta

School Principal, School Librarian and GFI School Coordinator

With the Best in English Awardees and the Youth Leadership Awardees for 2011 and 2012

Thank YOU for all the GFI donors/supporters and volunteers in Atlanta for making this library a dream come tru for the Landan National High School.

LNHS Principal Testimony "Who Can Give Us This Much?"

Maam Ninfa B. Macabenta, Landan National High School Principal



Testimony on Science Made Easy at LNHS


Thank you Landan National High School Teachers, GFI donors/supporters/voluntees in Atlanta!

"Our School Library" feature write up of Jevern Ellaga

Jevern Ellaga, 2012 LNHS YLA


Jevern Ellaga, 2012 GFI Youth Leadership Awardee of Landan National High School. Congratulations!

2012 LNHS Best in English Awardees



Congratulations to the 2012 GFI Best in English awardees of Landan National High School.

Jheana Mae Canarejo, MES 2012 YLA Awardee


Congratulations to Jheana Mae L. Canarejo as the 2012 GFI Youth Leadership Awardee for Maligo Elementary School!

2012 MES Best in English awardees

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Maligo Elementary Best in English awardees per grade level.

Friday, April 13, 2012

GFI's Impact to a volunteer






Jocelyn Robles, GFI Mindanao Coordinator, was given the opportunity to be the guest speaker for the 2012 graduation ceremony of the International Care Ministry (ICM) of the Philippines held last March 20, 2012 at General Santos City. The graduates are of ages 5-6 coming from different towns of General Santos City, South Cotabato and Sarangani Province. The graduation theme was: "Molding the Young Minds, Developing the Culture, Changing the Future". Ms. Robles was chosen to be the guest speaker due to her volunteer work with the Galing Foundation, Inc. that shares the same advocacy of fighting illiteracy as early as pre-schoolers especially among the indigent communities. Her complete message is shared below:
“Molding the Young Ones, Developing the
Culture, Changing the Future”
By Jocelyn Carino Robles

Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan! Good morning especially sa mga graduates of ICM. Una sa lahat, gusto ko malaman kung sino sa ating mga parents, visitors, relatives na andito ngayon ang nakaranas o dumaan ng kinder/preparatory school noong tayo ay kagaya sa edad ng mga magigiting nating graduates. Paki-taas ng kamay please at gusto ko na lahat ng graduates natin...tingnan niyo kung sino ang nakataas ng kamay. I asked you to do this because noong ako ay sa edad ninyo, walang preparatory school sa lugar namin kaya di ko naranasan yung kasiyahan, yung laro with classmates, yung hatid at sundo ng parents or ng Yaya/Tita/Tito, yung lahat na natutunan niyo na preparasyon para Grade I.
Ang swerte ninyo na bagong henerasyon at ang dami na opportunities para sa early childhood education. Kaya mga graduates, can you give a big applaud/clap for your parents dahil sa sacrifices nila for you to be in your prep school? Gusto ko yung malakas na clap, clap, clap with a big smile! Oh di ba, you just made your parents smile and as a parent myself of three kids and the two kids still in prep school…alam ko yung feeling ng happiness at fulfillment in every success and learning ng aking mga anak. That is why am so happy just to be here with you all.

Today is a special remembrance of your first step into another level of educational development. Ready na ba kayo for Grade I? Yung mga natutunan ninyo na lessons from your teachers and the discipline and a Godly character of being a child of God dito sa school ninyo will make a big difference in your success once you are in Grade I hanggang you graduate from elementary and move on to High School and even College. Alam niyo na ba kung ano ang gusto niyong “maging” pagkatapos niyo ng school? Sino dito ang gustong maging lawyer, teacher, doctor, engineer, businessman, kapitan ng Barangay, mayor ng Gensan, congressman o kahit na Pangulo ng Pilipinas? Lahat ng yan nagsimula sa munting pangarap ng kabataan na kagaya ng edad niyo. Mararating niyo ang lahat ng gusto niyong maabot sa buhay dahil sa matibay na foundation/pundasyon sa inyong edukasyon na hindi lang nakukuha sa paaralan pero nag-umpisa sa inyong tahanan. The upbringing of each of this graduate today matters a lot in the way they interact with their teachers, classmates, and friends…a very salient character of respect, Godly discipline, Christian love molded in their childhood.


I would like to congratulate the parents for these graduating students too. You did the best you can for your child’s prep school and tomorrow you will face another stage of planning and praying for the elementary school you wanted your child to further his/her educational development. Your role is very vital in the lives of these children because education starts from home. Kids are the way they are in public largely because of what they see, learn and do at ome and their community in general.
For us parents, I would like to share scriptural basis on the guidance for our young ones in Proverbs 3:1-6 (NIV)
“My son, do not forget my law,
Butlet your heart keep my commands;
Forlength of days and long life
And peace will add to you.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge HIM,
And HE shall direct your path.”

I hope that we can bridge the gap of the cultural differences of our generation and this highly innovative and technical generation that our kids live in. We need to help them prepare for the opportunities that are ahead of them. Let them explore their skills, their capacity to do extra-ordinary thru their creativity and just be the moral support they can always rely on. Let us make this world, our community, a much better place to live for our future generations thru the
investment for each parent/family of these graduating students.

Graduates, you made your parents so proud of you today. Thank you for having me and congratulations once again! God bless you all!
***********************************************
Photos courtesy of the International Care Ministry Philippines.

GFI shipped 3 boxes of educational materials





Galing Foundation, Inc. shipped 3 Balikbayan boxes (# 179, 180, 181) on March 17, 2012 full of educational resource materials to benefit the Maligo Public Library in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines. To offset the heavy weight of the books, some childrens clothes were included in each box to benefit Maligo Day Care School.
Thanks to Umac Cargo Express, Grace Richards, Joy Alberto-King, Mabuhay Store and Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Atlanta.
Featured in the photo is M, the youngest GFI volunteer. Photos courtesy of Ms. Ces Alberto.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

GFI Box 174 arrived in Gensan


The first 2012 GFI Balikbayan shipped in January arrived in Gensan last week of March. Thanks so much to Cross of Life Lutheran Church and Roswell Library. The books and othe eductaional resource materials will be turned over by June in time for the school opening.
Thanks so much to Jocelyn Robles, GFI Mindanao Coordinator, fo rthe documentation.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

2012 YLA and Best In English award design


The customized design of the 2012 Youth Leadership Award (YLA) trophy and Best in English medals for GFI school beneficiaries:
1. Landan National High School
2. Maligo Day Care School
3. Maligo Elementary School

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

YLA and Best in English Awardees for MES

The 2010-2011 Youth Leadership Awardee and Best in English Awardee were given recognition during their closing ceremonies last March 2011.

Youth Leadership Awardee (YLA) - Jheana Mae Canarejo

Best in English Awardees:

Grade I - Mayzie Claire M. Luyao
Grade II - April Rose S. Manulay
Grade III - Kathleen Jane M. Latimban
Grade IV - Janica Ante
Grade V - Mark Martinez
Grade VI - David Lloyd S. Garmino

Message from Maligo Elementary School Teacher in Charge


Galing Foundation, Inc'.s mission which is "Providing children resources to assits in promoting the importance of functional English literacy" has proven to be beneficial to the recipient schools especially to Maligo Elementary School.
The teachers, pupils, and parents as well are very much grateful to your kind generosity. The reading materials you have donated are indeed of great help in increasing the reading readiness and interest of our school children.
To maximize the use of these, we have developed a Reading Corner, wherein every grade level is given a regular schedule in using it.
With this, we thank you very much and may your generosity will continue till the end of time.
Lorelyn S. Fabulare
Teacher-in-Charge

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Landan National High School History

Landan National High School-UKNHS Annex is located at Barangay Landan, Polomolok,
South Cotabato. Barangay Landan is considered as one of the big barangays of Polomolok, South Cotabato. It has a land area of more or less ten thousand (10,000) hectares. It is 14.5 kilometers away from the Poblacion. It is a 40-minute drive from the heart of the municipality. It is bounded on the north by Malungon, Sarangani Province, on the south by the hilly portion of Mt. Matutum, on the west by Barangay Maligo and General Santos City on the east.


Barangay Landan is accessible to all kinds of transportation. There are two (2) elementary schools and two 92) primary schools in the Barangay. The graduates of the two elementary schools used to proceed their secondary education to the different private and public high schools in the town proper. The need to have a public high school was felt by concerned residents and barangay officials, after observing that some of the elementary graduates could not pursue their secondary education because of financial reasons and due to the distance of the barangay from secondary schools in the locality especially that almost 60% of its residents are Indigenous People, the Blaan tribe.


It was for the above reasons that in 2003, the Barangay officials headed by Hon. Barangay Captain Guilly D. Lakim visited the Office of the Principal of Upper Klinan National High School, in the person of Mr. Pedro T. Dajay, and discussed the possibility of opening a high school a Barangay Landan to be an Annex School of Upper Klinan National High School. They were advised then to prepare the necessary documents for endorsement to the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of South Cotabato. There was a positive response to the said endorsement. Three months later, Mr. Cesar B. Ollosa, the then Schools Division Superintendent together with other personnel, made an ocular inspection of the proposed school site and conducted interview to some residents and prospective students. After a
thorough evaluation, the Schools Division Superintendent handed it approval.


Thus on June 2004, Landan National High School was born as an additional campus of Upper
Klinan National High School under the management and supervision of the principal of the main campus. The operation started with only three (3) year levels: First, Second and Third Year Level. There were two 92) sections for the 1st Year, one (1) section of the 2nd year and one (1) for the 3rd Year. The total enrolment was two hundred fifty (250). Classes were held at the Barangay Hall compound using the bleachers and temporary classrooms to accommodate the students.


The Parents-Teachers and Community Association (PTCA) was the one responsible of paying the salaries of the six (6) teachers and one (1) support staff who were hired. The following school year 2005-2006, there was a big increase of enrolment, thus for the exigency of service three(3) nationally paid teachers from the main school were detailed to the newly opened school for
more learning conveniences of the students. Four (4) more teachers were hired and were paid by the Local School Board of the Municipality of Polomolok. Books and other learning equipment and even school supplies were provided by the mother school.


Three years after its existence, the school was declared by Miss Ma. Nenita T. Golez, Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of South Cotabato as an Annex school of Upper Klinan National High School wherein Mr. Wilfredo A. Barlaudo was installed as the Head of School with thirteen (13) strong teachers and one (1) support staff under his management and supervision. While classes were still held at the temporary classrooms, the local government of Polomolok, under the administration of Hon. Isidro D. Lumayag constructed a 2-classroom building at the school site. When the building was finished, the 3rd and 4th year classes were moved to the said building while the 1st and the 2nd year classes remained until another building was constructed by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato under the administration of Hon. Daisy Avance Fuentes, which gave the reason for the total transfer of all classes in the site with some classes held in makeshift classrooms.


A year later, Mr. Barlaudo transferred to the mother school as principal taking the position of Mr.Pedro T. Dajay who was promoted as Education Supervisor in the Division of South Cotabato. Mr. Stephen Salazar then took the headship for Landan National High School. However, two (2) years later, he was transferred to another high school in the Upper Valley.


Due to the vacancy of the position, the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Mr. Allan G. Farnazo detailed Mr. Roel F. Penaflorida, the head of Pablo Valencia National High School to Landan National High School. However, weeks later he went back to his previous station because the Barangay Council of Koronadal Proper where the school is located passed a resolution to the Division Office for his retention. For this reason and for the exigency of service, Mrs. Ninfa B. Macabenta, Master Teacher I of Polomolok National High School was directed to head the school effective August 6, 2007.


Today, Landan National High School is a fast growing school. It caters the learning needs of
more than five hundred clienteles where sixty percent (60%) are the Blaan indigenous people group. The school has eighteen strong and able teachers where six (6) are paid by the Municipal School Board, and twelve (12) nationally paid wherein two (2) of them are borrowed from Palkan National High School and one (1) from Upper Klinan National High School, the mother school. The school has no administrative aid or support staff.


With the present set up, some teachers are designated as administrative support like Disbursing Officer, Prefect of Discipline, Guidance Counselor, School Librarian and Property Custodian. This school year 2010-2011, we have already nine (9) classes one of which is housed in a temporary classroom however the administration is trying its best that very soon all classes will be accommodated in concrete classrooms. At present, people behind Landan National High School are really enjoying the fruits of their labor. The school is coping up the advance technology; in fact, it has already internet connectivity with 25 units of computer. It can be seen that Landan National High School will rise to its limelight in the near future through the collaborative efforts of the school administration and stakeholders.

Landan National High School Profile

School ID: 316712

Location: Barangay Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines

Type of School: Complete High School

Curriculum: 1st Year – Secondary Education Curriculum
2nd – 4th Year – Restructured Basic Education Curriculum

Total enrolment as of SY 2010-2011: 500

# of Indigenous People (I.P.) students: 60% of the student population

Teaching Personnel:

1 Teacher-in-Charge
2 Nationally Paid (borrowed from Palkan National High School)
1 Nationally Paid (borrowed from Upper Klinan National High School)
9 Nationally Paid (per PSIPOP), 6 MSB paid Teachers
1 non-teaching personnel (Municipal School Board Paid).

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Message from GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator





Word cannot express the Joy and Happiness of the Teacher In Charge, Teachers, Students, Parents Teachers Association Officials (PTCA) and Barangay Officials of Landan National High School (LNHS) during the December 20, 2011 ceremonial turn-over of books, reference materials, TV with DVD player sets, Computer with Printer and other materials coming from the Galing Foundation Incorporated.
With all passion, Nimfa B. Macabenta, Teacher-In-Charge, LNHS challenge the students to make use of their time reading the materials in the library to advance their knowledge in Science, Math, English, Chemistry, Geography, World Views and other field of interest available. He also encouraged the PTCA and Barangay Officials to also avail of the opportunity to learn and they may schedule to visit the school library. The faces that reflect the genuine gratitude to the people behind the GFI is worthy to note. As stressed by Maam Nimfa, that no words can exactly portray the happiness, joy and gratitude to LNHS to GFI.
Barangay Captain Gulli Lakim once said that GFI provide not only knowledge to the student but GFI help produce better leaders from LNHS capacitated by the materials that the Galing Foundation, Inc. bestowed to the school. He admitted that the Department of Education and the Barangay cannot provide the materials for the students and he commend GFI for the good heart and choose LNHS as one of its recipients.
Science teacher, Armie Diones, in her thanks giving message said that she had been to different private schools but she cannot find one book like the ones LNHS received from GFI. She emotionally expressed her gratitude to GFI and with a prayer that GFI Board and all the partners behind GFI will be blessed by GOD so they can help more schools like LNHS. As a Science teacher, the materials GFI sent was relevant and effective in her teaching to her students.
The English teacher, Ms. Marivic Alejada, in her speech emphasized the joy of sharing. It is a lifetime blessing that they are able to receive the materials from GFI.
Student Body Organization Leader, Jevern L. Ellaga, emphasized that the learning he and his fellow students acquired because of the books and materials that they have in their library will bring them better future. He also noted that they are blessed to have GFI in their school because though they studied in a remote barangay but they have an international standard of books, laboratory equipment and reference materials that equipped them to a higher level of learning.
Thanks a lot for GFI for letting me experience this once in a life time opportunity to be of service to the students, to the school, to the teachers and to the public as a whole. Though, being a coordinator is a task that needs commitment and passion as it is an added work load on top of my busy schedule but I love to share my time to segregate books, arrange the schedule of transport and turn over as well as monitor the library development progress for the school. This is something that makes me a better person. When I heard the words coming from the Principal, PTCA President, Teachers, Students and Barangay Officials, I felt the value of what I have done as a volunteer coordinator along with other local GFI volunteers. I don’t need to be recognized but since they spoke up their heart, I saw their joy and gratitude to the efforts of Galing Foundation, Inc. Thank you so much to all the partners and supporters of GFI! -Jocelyn Latimban Carino-Robles GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator

Message from Teacher-in-Charge



Maam Ninfa B. Macabenta emphasized how LNHS is blessed because of the educational materials sent thru the efforts of GFI. She demonstrated the quality of books that GFI donated to the school. She challenged the students to spend time in the library. She also thanked the donors/partners of GFI in the USA.

Message from Youth Leader


Jevern Ellaga, LNHS student body organization leader gave his English speech. He cannot fathom his joy to have all the materials that help them a lot is pursuing for a better education and preparing them for the bigger challenge after high school. He noted that it is indeed Gods purpose that GFI was able to reach LNHS to capacitate them.

Message from First Year Student


"I can say that this is the best Christmas gift our school recieved this Christmas. Thank you GFI!" -Jesierel Namion, LNHS First Year student.

Message from English Teacher


Marivic Alejada, English Teacher, with tears she share her written speech because she don’t want to miss a single word to express her gratitude to GFI.

Message from Science Teacher

Armie Diones, Landan National High School Science teacher, she expressed her thanks giving to GFI specially in Science books and materials since it is very useful and relevant to her as a teacher. She noted that she had been teaching to different public and private schools but she cannot find same materials they have in LNHS now and this is because of GFI. She also prayed and thanked God for the GFI specially the Board of Directors, volunteers and Donors for their valuable support to the School.