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DepEd, Students From Siquijor Take Part in 1st Leadership Program at KAC
By Jean Descutido | September 27, 2018
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Siquijor is known as the “Isla del Fuego (Island of Fire)” because of sparking lights from great swarms of fireflies in the island.
On July 30 to August 1, 2018, another fire was lit. This time, it was one that ignited 43 hearts of the Province’s supreme student government (SSG) student leaders and coordinators when they joined the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-KAC) Leadership Program at KAC Adventure Education Center in Cansomoroy, Balamban.
The three-day leadership program was conducted to help the students and coordinators identify and understand SSG roles and responsibilities, create an avenue for SSG leaders to work together as a team, and provide an avenue to plan for their school initiatives and personal improvement plan as an SSG officer
“KAC showed me the true meaning of leadership. I learned to collaborate, communicate, and share with my fellow young leaders the responsibilities and obligations of being a student servant and not just take all the burdens for myself,” SSG Federation President Harlyn Lagrimas said.
“After all, this is not just about me, it’s about us, the youth, making a difference together,” Lagrimas added.
Youth Focal Coordinator Calunod Novelyn of the Department of Education Division of Siquijor thanked KAC for facilitating the program for them.
“KAC plays a big role in molding the young leaders of today. They paved the way for the youth to out and explore new knowledge and skills outside the four walls of the school, gain confidence in leading and making change and we were also able to collaborate with fellow SSG coordinators as well as SSG leaders from the different schools in the Division of Siquijor,” she said.
The Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-KAC) is the first and only fully dedicated Adventure Education Center in the Philippines. RAFI-KAC equips organizations and individuals with the character, competence, and citizenship to be leaders of change through powerful learning experiences.
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IAMRAFI: The Future Is So Bright
The Story of Maria Gracia ‘Grace’ Ferreros,
RAFI-DACF Partner, Play-based Education Advocate
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | September 25, 2018
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The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) gives honor to all the hardworking and selfless teachers who contribute to nation-building one child at a time.
And as we continue to celebrate this year’s National Teachers’ Month, here is another story of a dedicated teacher, Maria Gracia ‘Grace’ Ferreros, who is an advocate of play-based learning for children, and a longtime partner of the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-DACF).
Early Exposure to Play-based Education Learning
As a child, Maria Gracia Ferreros or Grace grew up loving the outdoors as she was allowed by her parents to freely run around their backyard, climb trees and swim in the river, even alongside a carabao.
She belonged to a big family. They are 11 siblings in all, and her father was a bank officer.
“Growing up, I just wanted to play, and I was lucky enough that my parents allowed me to experience my childhood as any child should, experiencing everything firsthand,” Grace said.
The Beginning of Her Advocacy for a Play-based Education Learning
She finished Business Management at the University of the Philippines and then managed their family business. But, she felt deep in her heart that she was called to get into creative play-based education. Because of this, she took up Masters in Education, and her thesis dissertation was Teaching through Play: Basis for a Training Portfolio for Early Childhood Educators. Her research was published in 2005.
At 36 years old, she got pregnant with her son Jose Antonio, and focused on taking care of him for years. And learning from her father, she allowed her son to play outside, and even had his own tree house. When he was almost four years old, Grace brought him to a playschool so he can learn to socialize with other children.
“I wanted my son to experience what I have experienced when I was growing up. I knew that play-based education will help him because it helped me to be free to do what I want and express myself, too,” she said.
Introducing the Steiner Waldorf Education
In 1996, Grace, who is in the training industry, learned about Steiner Waldorf education when she attended an education seminar that focused on children, which takes into account of the holistic needs of the child — academic, physical, emotional and spiritual. It is also based on an understanding of the relevance of the different phases of child development.
The fundamental question is, “what is the best way to raise a child?”
“I became interested with Steiner Waldorf education because it is holistic; it helps the child become more aware of his surroundings, they run everywhere, socialize with other children, and learn everything firsthand,” she said.
Helping Those Who Are In Need
There was also a time when Grace collaborated with the Cebu City government to help the children roaming around the streets. Using a bus, they would encourage these children to join them, teaching them at the city plaza. They were able to reach at least 80 to 100 children every time they roamed around the city.
Grace also admits that she faced difficulty in convincing people to adopt the Steiner Waldorf education. She attempted twice to put up schools focused on the said approach but failed because of the lack of support from the community and the education sector.
“I tried to put up two daycare centers or kindergarten, one in 1998, and one in 2011, but both failed because people were not yet open to non-academic learning in preschool,” she said.
The Department of Education Took Action
Grace happily shared that finally the Department of Education realized the value of play, enacting several laws mandating the use of play in preparation for elementary education.
One of these laws is Republic Act No. 10410 (An Act Recognizing the Age from Zero (0) To Eight (8) Years as the First Crucial Stage of Educational Development and Strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development System, Appropriating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes), which basically ‘provides for the basic holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and to promote their optimum growth and development.’
This law also gives value to home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups, family child care programs, parent education and home visiting programs.
International organizations such as UNESCO, and even UNICEF-Philippines has also recognized the value of play-based education and started their own initiatives, which now reaches even the far-flung areas of Maguindanao.
“I am very happy that the government has finally seen the value of play-based education for young children, because this will basically be very beneficial for their growth and development to be better prepared for formal learning in the elementary education,” Grace said.
The Importance of Play-based and Early Learning in Children
Grace explained the value of children learning at a very young age. She also shared that it is more than just bringing a child to the daycare centers but more of giving the child an armor to be ready for bigger challenges in the future.
In play-based education, children learn to experience everything on their own, nourishing their physical body with all the experience they could have outdoors using all the senses that they have, and helps their cognitive development.
In addition, Grace also shared that the crucial stage of development for children is from ages 0 to 7 years because at this stage, they develop their physical body, their creativity, natural curiosity to explore, social skills, by providing them positive experiences.
“This approach will help build a solid foundation for children because they are moving, learning and connecting, socializing with each other, and with nature,” Grace said.
The Twelve Senses
Grace also said that according to the philosophy behind Steiner education, there are twelve senses, not the usual five that most people know about.
“There are different senses that are developed through the different stages of life,” she said.
She explained the following:
From ages 0 to 7, during the pre-school years mostly develop are the sense of touch, self-movement, sense of balance, and sense of life.
From ages 7 to 14, one develops the social and emotional senses, which are the sense of taste, smell, sight, and the sense of warmth, and;
From ages 14 to 21, one develops the sense of hearing, thought, speech and sense of ego (or sense of self, and sense of the other),
“Sense of life is basically knowing that one has life, and has feelings; you are aware that you are hungry, thirsty, or hurt, tired or sleepy. That is the sense of life or sense of well-being,”
“We should always remember that senses are the gateway to the world and allow us to have a healthy interaction with people at a highly-developed level,” Grace added.
Grace and Her Partnership with RAFI
Grace shared that she was able to help in the assessment in different RAFI programs such as the evaluation of the first Seal of Excellence in Education Development awards in 2016, and in the Culture & Heritage Unit of RAFI in 2017.
She was also part of capacity building programs and grants in RAFI-DACF since 2012.
“I’ve been partners with RAFI ever since I started Kidslife Foundation in 2001 and it always has been a good experience,”
“If ever I’ll be employed, I will be with RAFI,” Grace said.
Challenges Children Are Facing Today
For Grace, the biggest challenge of humanity, especially for children, is technology.
“Innovation is good but we should balance everything,”
“For example, Artificial Intelligence, is it dangerous? They have taken out the human element. Most people have no human inter-connection anymore,” she said.
“That is why we need to balance everything, because to balance the advancement of technology is to balance advancement of human beings,” she added.
On The Greatest Lesson She Learned In Life
“Life should be simple,” Grace said.
In order to achieve happiness, Grace shared that we must consider this, “it is simpler for us to be better and happier,”
“Always maintain a child-like attitude; open to whatever will come: no biases, always curious, learning and grounded,”
“We should always be aware that we do not have just a ‘physical body’ but we should also ‘nourish our soul,’”
“We should always connect to our source (God), we did not come here on Earth by magic,” she added.
On How She Wants To Be Remembered
Grace shared that she wants people to be remember her as someone who tirelessly helps children.
“People need to discover their mission & live for that mission, and joyfully live it even entails sacrifice,”
“That is what I want to share to people — that through education, we should allow our children to discover the world freely; there is no need for standardized curriculum, and teachers should not put children in a ‘box,’” she added.
Starting Her Own Nature Camp
Grace has also started a nature adventure camp specifically for children and their parents, located at Jardin de Busay, in Busay, Cebu City.
“Nature is important. We have to bring nature closer to the children, that is why we created this nature camp because we want to promote play-based education to children and allow them to experience nature firsthand,”
“Most of us are volunteers here, and with this nature camp, the teachers and I work together in a cooperative way bringing out the entrepreneur in all of us creatively,” she added.
People That Matters to Grace
“First of all to God, I want to give my gratitude to. He is always there for me and because of Him, I will never give up on my mission,” she said.
“To my parents, thank you for letting me experience playing freely,”
“To RAFI, thank you for the trust in my mission and my capacities,”
“To my son Jose Antonio, you are the reason why I learned play-based education, taking care of you, my son, is the best education for me,”
“And of course, to my husband, Joel, who has allowed and supported me to do what I wanted. Thank you and I love you.” #IAMRAFI
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code disabled=”off”][/et_pb_code][et_pb_code disabled=”off”][/et_pb_code][et_pb_code disabled=”off”] [/et_pb_code][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”29545,29544,29543,29542,29541,29539,29538,29537,29536,29535,29534,29533,29532,29531,29530,29529,29528,29527,29526,29525,29524,29523″ fullwidth=”on” posts_number=”43″ orientation=”landscape” show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”7000″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” disabled=”off”][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
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The Humanitarian Disaster Preparedness and Response (HDPR) program and the Surge Team of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) went to the City of Naga two days after the September 20 massive landslide to evaluate the situation on the ground — in the evacuation camps and assess possible aid that could be provided to the survivors and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
A call for donations, both cash and in-kind, was communicated through social media, in order to add to the assistance that RAFI purchased for the families. Volunteers came on September 27 to help in the sorting and re-packing of relief goods – from sleeping mats to blankets and dignity kits for all the IDPs.
Maria Theresa, a volunteer said, “This is the least I can do as citizen of Cebu; to extend our service and help, and I think it’s a good decision to join and volunteer for RAFI.”
Another volunteer, Cedric, from the University of San Carlos, said, “I am here to help, in my own little way, those who were part of the tragedy in Naga, it feels good to help!”
To date, 1,626 families and 6,854 individuals are spread across eleven (11) evacuation centers; 2,125 of these are children.
RAFI will continue to monitor the situation and update this page as we get more details. #RAFICaresForNaga
You may deposit cash or check donations to the following Unionbank of the Philippines (UBP) bank accounts: (Note: Please indicate for Naga Landslide Response)
- Peso Account
Account Name: Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
Bank Account No: 0027-8000-3279
Branch: Cebu North Road – Mandaue
Account Type: Checking
- Dollar Account
Account Name: Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
Bank Account No: 1327-8000-0852
Branch: Cebu North Road – Mandaue
Account Type: Savings
- For Wire/Telegraphic Transfer
Please include Swift Code: UBPPHMM from above info.
- For Online Transaction
PayPal Account: rafi_treasury@rafi.org.ph
The survivors also need blankets, clothing, potable water, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits/dignity kits. If you wish to donate any of these, you may send them to:
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)
Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center,
Eduardo Aboitiz St. (formerly Lopez Jaena St.),
Cebu City 6000 Philippines
Direct line: (032) 343 1768/411 1768
Please look for Christopher Estallo or Theresa Katrina ‘Kaytee’ Etabag or e-mail communicate@rafi.org.ph for more details. In-kind donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RAFI will be receiving in-kind and cash donations until October 5, 2018, Friday, 5 p.m.
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is a non-stock, non-profit organization with the strategic goal of creating happy and livable communities with high levels of well being through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development.
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With your donations, we aim to assist more than 1,400 families or 6,200 individuals affected by the landslide in the City of Naga, Cebu on September 20, 2018. Of these, 2,125 are children.
With your donations, we hope to provide more and better aid, and reach more internally displaced individuals (IDPs) in the evacuation camps and the most vulnerable sectors affected by the landslide #RAFICaresForNaga.
You may deposit cash or check donations to the following Unionbank of the Philippines (UBP) bank accounts:
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The survivors also need blankets, clothing, potable water, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits/dignity kits. If you wish to donate any of these, you may send them to:
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)
Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center,
Eduardo Aboitiz St. (formerly Lopez Jaena St.),
Cebu City 6000 Philippines
Direct line: (032) 343 1768/411 1768
Please look for Christopher Estallo or Theresa Katrina ‘Kaytee’ Etabag or e-mail communicate@rafi.org.ph for more details. In-kind donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RAFI will be receiving in-kind and cash donations until October 5, 2018, Friday, 5 p.m.
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The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is a non-stock, non-profit organization with the strategic goal of creating happy and livable communities with high levels of well being through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development.
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IAMRAFI: Wind Beneath
My Wings
The Story of Jovemar ‘Jovy’ Catubig Baroman,
Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. Preschool Teacher
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | September 18, 2018
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As we celebrate the 2018 National Teachers’ Month, RAFI gives honor to all the hardworking and selfless teachers that contribute to nation-building, one child at a time.
Jovemar, or Teacher Jovy to her students, is a preschool teacher at the Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. since 2003. In her own little way, she is doing her share in nation-building.
Her Humble Beginning
Jovy, a native of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, began teaching at the Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. on July 14th of 2003.
She shared that during her childhood she faced challenges while getting her education — first, her parents couldn’t afford sending all of her siblings to school, and second, she had to traverse mountainous and rebel-infested areas in walking to school.
“I promised myself to just keep holding on to my dream. Paningkamot lang gyud, (just strive hard) until I finish my studies,” she added.
She also shared that since she was a child, she already wanted to become a teacher, which led her to take up Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and supported herself through college as a working student.
“I really wanted to help the children, especially the poor ones,” Jovy said.
The Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. in Cebu is one of the partner organizations/beneficiaries of the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI-DACF).
A Family-Centered Woman
Today, Jovy is happily married to Osias Baroman, and blessed with two children, Jan Rose and Jetro Baroman, 21 and 16 years of age, respectively.
Jan Rose is currently taking up a degree in Hospitality Management, while Jetro is still in high school.
Jovy had her first teaching experience at the Inayagan Elementary School in the City of Naga, Cebu. Because of financial difficulty, given that she already had children to raise, she took on multiple jobs other than teaching which included being a house cleaner and an admin/secretary of a law firm.
“Working multiple jobs was difficult but I had to double my efforts for my family. Going home and seeing my family waiting for me already removed the stress and exhaustion I experienced the whole day,” she shared.
The Beginning of Her 15 Years in Service
In 2003, Jovy joined the Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. preschool, where aside from teaching underprivileged children, they also help in the filing of the children’s birth certificates. They focus on the hygiene of the preschool children by ensuring they are well groomed, including giving of haircuts, cutting long nails and even bathing them at times — a job she considers fulfilling.
“At Little Bamboo Foundation, Inc. we make sure that these children are well groomed, and ready to face the world, that they are ready in life,”
“We give these children what we can; a glass of milk will help them achieve the health that they deserve,”
“We also teach the parents to have a healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to cook healthy food for their children such as vegetable dishes and fruits, instead of junk foods,” she added.
Jovy as a Preschool Teacher
With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Jovy knows how to handle bugoy-bugoy (naughty) and hyperactive pupils.
“I am very strict,” she said.
“I make sure that the pupils will respect me as a teacher — you have to be firm and strong in handling students, because if the students will sense that you are weak, they will never listen,”
“But if you discipline them in the best and healthy way possible, they will respect you and even treat you as their second mother — someone they could entrust their lives with,” Jovy shared.
On Play-Based Learning
Jovy shared the importance of play-based learning, which means encouraging and allowing the schoolchildren to play within the school playground and experience everything on their own — happiness, socializing and even pain.
“Learning through play is really important; these children can learn on their own; experiencing everything on their own during play and fun — they learn how to socialize, build camaraderie, self-confidence, and many more,”
“It is also good for them to experience pain. For example, a simple fall during play is good, but not those severe of course, minor scratches and tripping are fine, it will help them experience everything firsthand, that is part of play-based learning,” she said.
Aside from play-based learning, Jovy also helps pupils read and write, and holds tutorial classes for pupils who need a little more of attention.
Jovy and Her Biggest Life Motivation
Jovy travels almost 21 kilometers everyday from Cebu City to Naga City just to attend to the needs of the Little Bamboo preschool pupils, and said that her family and the children she serves are her biggest motivation.
“I travel back and forth everyday, and yes it is difficult, but I can’t leave these children because they need my help, these are the children that need my help,”
“As long as I know that these children still need me, I will continue to help them, that’s all that matters to me,”
“I am also blessed that my family understands my work, they are very supportive,” she said.
What Is the Real Meaning of Being a Teacher?
For Jovy, a teacher is someone who is selfless, someone who gives his or her time for the learners unconditionally.
“Being a teacher for many years, I could say that a teacher is someone who gives his time and his whole being, even beyond what is asked of them,”
“A teacher does this for all the learners, even it means sacrificing time for the family,” she said.
People That Matters to Jovy
“I love working here at the Little Bamboo preschool,” Jovy said.
She also mentioned her gratitude for the support of her family, “thank you and I love you, Osias, and my two children, Jan Rose and Jetro,”
“I never thought that I would be able to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher and help these children to fulfill their dreams,”
“I will never forget one conversation I had with our president, Anne de Vesian von Bredow, when she said that I should continue what I am doing, because teaching is a noble job, especially teaching those underprivileged and those who needs it the most,”
“Daghang salamat RAFI for giving me this opportunity to share my story, daghang salamat!” #IAMRAFI
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Mega Cebu, in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), kicked off another monthlong celebration for the Mega Cebu month. Now on its sixth year, the Mega Cebu month was launched last Sept. 3, 2018 at the Robinsons Galleria Atrium.
The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) Research, Program and Organizational Development (RPOD) Executive Committee Chairman Gordon Alan Joseph graced the event. In his welcome remarks, he once again emphasized that Mega Cebu is for every Cebuano and encouraged participants to continue supporting and help spread awareness about Mega Cebu.
Other Mega Cebu leaders who were present include MCDCB RPOD Sub-Committee on Integrated Development and Spatial Planning Vice Chair Arch. Joy Onozawa, Sub-Committee on Institutional Development Chair Perry Fajardo, FABCom on HR, Asset and Partnership Vice Chair Dr. Leonor Caneja, and Subcommittee on Traffic and Transport Engr. Lynn Madrona.
Also held during the event was the Mega Cebu Singing Idol. Representatives from the Mega Cebu local government units (LGUs) competed by showcasing their voice in singing the Mega Cebu songs. In the end, three finalists were identified and will compete again during the Mega Cebu Awards Night on Oct. 4, 2018. The three finalists are Jade Cadampog from Compostela, Rio Ella Canales from Consolacion, and Mariel Minglanilla from San Fernando.
Caroline Ballesteros, Mega Cebu Communications and Stakeholder Relationship Manager and head organizer of the launching event, announced the different activities which will be held throughout the month and encouraged participants to take part in these. These activities include the annual Mega Cebu Youth Convention on September 22 and the Purok Summit will be on October 3.
The Governance and Linkages Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-G&L) seeks to foster responsive institutions and an engaged citizenry through awards and recognition, good governance and leadership development programs, and active linkages and platforms of engagement and collaboration.