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IAMRAFI: A Vision of the One I See
The Story of Eduardo Coma Flores, Jr., RAFI-EDU Intern, Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) Alumnus
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | June 11, 2018
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Eduardo Coma Flores, or Eduardo to his friends, was part of the first batch of senior high school graduates. He was also their batch class valedictorian.
In 2017, he had his internship with RAFI under the work-immersion program, and now, he is completing his summer job with RAFI-EDU where he assisted in the Seal of Excellence in Education Development (SEED) 2017 activities — from the on-site validation, pre-awarding preparations to the SEED awarding day itself.
He is also a Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) alumnus, under the camp name ‘Eros,’ which basically means ‘passionate love.’ He chose this because it reflects his belief that we should do everything with love.
More to Being ‘The Quiet, Nice Guy’
For Eduardo, there is more to him than just being the quiet, nice guy. He just finished his senior high school and is about to enter the tertiary level this August 2018 where he plans to pursue education, to fulfill his dreams of becoming a teacher one day.
Like any passionate teacher, he wants to help children especially in their formative stage. This is why he is so grateful for having been part of the Education Development Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-EDU) even for just a few months as an intern. The experience has allowed him to see the bigger picture of the Philippine education system, and enabled him to understand better what improvements can be done in order to increase the quality of education in the country.
“Being part of the RAFI-EDU, especially in the RAFI-SEED is a huge privilege for me. It has fueled my desire to become a licensed teacher.”
For Eduardo who just turned 19 last March 17, being with RAFI is a ‘dream come true.’
“The reputation of RAFI is really great even before I joined RAFI as an intern. I already heard lots of good things about RAFI and being here right now, being able to help in simple and small ways, is already a dream come true.”
Taking On the Role of a Leader
Aside from being an academic achiever, Eduardo is also a student leader. He was the Supreme Student Government President (SSG) at the Alaska Night National High School from 2014 to 2015.
With this role, we made a huge impact in their school by creating platforms for student engagements like events organizing, and by being the voice of the students at the SSG.
An Invitation From the Kool Adventure Camp
Four years ago, Eduardo and the rest of their Supreme Student Government (SSG) were given the chance to join the Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) for a 3 days-2 nights leadership training camp training.
“One day, the SSG adviser gave us a notice that we were invited by RAFI to join the Kool Adventure Camp, and that instead of paying the whole amount of around Php 3,500.00 per person we were only asked to pay around Php 600.00 each.”
Though the amount they were asked to pay was smaller than the actual training cost, it was still difficult for Eduardo and his five other SSG officers to raise Php 3,600.00. Instead of dwelling on the problem, he and his team decided to raise funds by selling candles as all soul’s day was around the corner that time. They also sold bottled mineral water on the streets.
And after almost two days of hard work, they were able to gather a combined earning of Php 4,000.00, which covered the Php 3,600.00 that they needed and had enough money left for snacks and medicines to bring to the camp.
The Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) and ‘Eros’
Their KAC leadership training was held from November 30 to December 2, 2014, with facilitator Jehzial ‘Rainbow’ P. Mainit. Eduardo describes her as energetic, very nice and accommodating and someone who effectively encourages them to push their team to the limit.
“I learned a lot from KAC. The camp helped me enhance my social skills, most especially that I’m an introvert. The leadership training has improved the way I communicate with people, and how I should be a better leader in school and in community I live in.”
When asked on the meaning of his camp name, Eduardo said,
“Eros, in Greek Mythology is the god of love. Basically it means, ‘passionate love,’ I chose this because this somehow reflects who I am as a person. I am passionate with the things I do and I believe that we should do everything with love.”
On Conquering Your ‘Dragons’
For Eduardo who took up General Academic Strand (GAS) in Senior high school, conquering your ‘dragons’ is one of the most important concept he has learned from KAC.
“We do not allow fear to conquer us because that will be the hindrance for us to achieve our goals in life.”
Their SSG was also able to socialize with other teams and teachers from different schools during the leadership training.
On Being the ‘Fat School Kid’
After their KAC training, Eduardo noticed an improvement in his social skills and self-confidence.
Back in school, he was an advocate of anti-bullying campaigns, having been a victim of it himself.
“I admit I was bullied before. Believe it or not, I used to be fat and that’s what the bullies used against me. They would call me names, and at times they would punch me in my stomach as I passed by them.”
“I also believe that, though both are damaging, verbal bullying is more hurtful and traumatizing because physical pain eventually heals, but the verbal bullying will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
After the camp experience, Eduardo used his learnings and his position as SSG president to do the right thing to stop bullying. However, he accepts the fact that bullying cannot be stopped overnight.
“It’s enough for me to know that I am taking small steps to accomplish something I believe in than doing nothing at all.”
Fighting His Personal Battle: His Weight
Knowing the cause of all the bullying, Eduardo did something to help himself become a fitter, healthier person.
He cutoff all the soft drinks and junk foods from his diet. He also adjusted his food intake, from one cup of rice every meal to half a cup, and after three months he saw the effect. After his diet, he gained the self-confidence he wanted to achieve.
From Being Pressured to Being Fulfilled
Eduardo, as he always mentioned in the interview, feels privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of RAFI. He confided that he was pressured when RAFI-EDU, through their Senior Program Officer Maria Rizza Labao, accepted the letter sent by his school.
“I was really pressured — from being a night high school student to RAFI. You don’t know how big a leap that for me!”
“I am very blessed to be able to contribute to the RAFI-SEED program, from the transferring of files, to the on-site, field school validations in Balamban, Carcar, and Napo Elementary School, to the clerical works until the SEED awarding itself. It was an exhilarating ride for me. I am very grateful for this experience! Thank you, RAFI-EDU.”
Lessons He Learned From SEED
For Eduardo, being able to experience SEED first-hand was priceless, even though the process was very detailed and tedious, in the end it was worth all the effort!
For the schools that joined and experienced the whole process, they could say that it was very difficult, all worth it in the end.
“They have to understand that all the best practices of the schools are great in their own way. Just the fact that they have submitted means that the schools are confident that they are making a difference in the lives of students.”
Eduardo believes that for the schools that joined SEED, it was not entirely the grant prize that they were after but the opportunity to showcase their best practices and being recognized for all their effort — that was already a huge accomplishment.
When asked which best practice he liked the most from the recent SEED, he said that it was the 2SOD or the ‘Two Subjects, One Day’ program, and that he would replicate this in the future once he becomes a licensed teacher.
Why Join SEED?
Eduardo said that SEED is one of the best programs of RAFI under RAFI-EDU, and it is not just about the school but the best practice which will eventually guide the teacher to do their jobs the non-traditional way.
Eduardo believes that ‘SEED would change the traditional way of teaching through their best practices.’
“The school’s motivation is not just the awards but showing their best practices that could be used or replicated by other schools. That is why we must encourage more schools in Cebu or even in Central Visayas to join RAFI-SEED, or the initiatives of RAFI-EDU because it’s all worth it.”
Where Do You See Yourself in 7 Years?
Eduardo simply answered, ‘I see myself as a licensed teacher, doing what I love most, teaching in an institution.’
Message From RAFI-EDU
When asked on Eduardo’s contribution, Senior Program Officer Ma. Rizza Labao said that Eduardo is a ‘valued intern of RAFI. He started as one of the first batch of interns under the Senior high program,’
Labao also added that, ‘Eduardo is someone with great potential. He is a leader of his own with great initiative and dedication to learn,’
She also hope that Eduardo will ‘continue to persevere and find his purpose in the field of social development.’
Greatest Learning From RAFI
For Eduardo, the true essence of work is ‘not just about doing things to earn money and to satisfy your needs and wants but doing it with passion, dedication, purpose, and with ‘Eros’ (love).
“I’ve learned that people here in RAFI work not only because of the profession but because they have a mission, and that is to touch people’s lives, and help shape their future.”
“We should also give the millennials a chance to prosper and become productive societal members or leaders because they are the future — we are the future.”
People That Matter For Eduardo
“I am so grateful to RAFI especially to RAFI-EDU for this once in a lifetime experience. I am fortunate, honored, privileged and grateful to have this opportunity and I will treasure this for the rest of my life.” Eduardo said.
“To God, thank you for leading me to RAFI. I can feel He is preparing me for something bigger, I think this is God’s way of telling me that I should prepare for the future because He is already showing me a peek of the current situation of the education system in the Philippines through RAFI-EDU and SEED.” Eduardo added.
“Thank you very much RAFI-EDU. I am grateful for everything.” #IAMRAFI
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“I admit I was bullied before. Believe it or not, I used to be fat and that’s what the bullies used against me. They would call me names, and at times they would punch me in my stomach as I passed by them.”
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