Bigay Puso Program of Faculty and Staff: Kapawa hu Paglaum College Scholarship and Formation Program

The Bigay Puso partner of Ateneo Grade School (AGS) Faculty and Staff for SY 2022-2023 are the Lumad scholars from the Kapawa hu Paglaum (Light of Hope) Scholarship and Formation Program in Malaybalay, Bukidnon which is under the Jesuit ministry of Fr. Leoni Mission Foundation, Inc. (FLMFI) - the IP Ministry of the Jesuits in Bukidnon headed by Fr. Ambrosio “Bros” F. Flores, SJ.

The Lumad scholars were introduced to the faculty and staff during the Bigay Puso Launch last July 29, 2022 via Google Meet.

On September 5, 2022, two of the Social Involvement Office (SIO) Team went to Malaybalay, Bukidnon and participated the cultural rites called “Pandawat.”

Through the ritual, the Kapawa and AGS community implored the guidance of the Magbabaja (Creator) for blessing and guidance for this partnership.

The AGS and FLMFI representatives received a “Galang,” a bracelet representing acceptance and protection throughout the partnership.

This was also witnessed by some AGS community members who joined the ritual through Google Meet.

On September 20, 2022, during the prayer session, a Cultural Orientation was given by Fr. Bros Flores, SJ to our faculty and staff. The assigned scholars had a “kamustahan” and “kwentuhan” session with the AGS community, our First Bigay Puso Interaction.

Nine Formation sessions were given to the Kapawa scholars on certain Saturdays of the month during the school year. These were facilitated by our AGS teacher and staff volunteers who shared their knowledge and skills from their different expertise from three categories namely: Communication Skills, Personality Development and Microsoft Office Skills Training.

The first Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program on October 8, 2022 was given by Mr. Marcelino A. Arabit, a Grade 6 Class Adviser and Filipino teacher entitled, "Sining sa Pagsulat at Talastasan sa Filipino."

The second Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was held last October 22, 2022 given by Mrs. Katrina B. Maymay, the English Subject Area Coordinator entitled, "Connecting Through Communication: Improving Speaking and Writing Skills."

The third Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program which was held on November 12, 2022 was given by Mrs. Eileen Marie V. Torres, a Grade 2 Class Teacher, entitled "Enhancing Skills on Technical, Descriptive and Creative Writing."

The fourth Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was held on November 26, 2022 given by Mrs. Jenny L. Ablang, the Grade Level Coordinator of Grade 2, and Mrs. Edha Carlota T. Laam, Digitalk Teacher of Grade 2 entitled "#MakeitSMART: Goal Setting Workshop."

The fifth Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was held on January 21, 2023 given by Ms. Maria Lourdes M. Quijano, Grade 1 Class Teacher, Ms. Khathrina A. Cerbulles, the Assistant to the Headmaster for Human Resources, Ms. Ma. Andrea S. Villanueva, Teacher Aide of Grades 1 and 2, and Mrs. Cynthia S. Peralta, Office Staff of the Child Development Center entitled “Knowing More About Me: A Seminar on Adolescent Socio-Emotional Development and Time Management.”

The sixth Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was last January 28, 2023 given by three of our Teacher-Volunteers: Ms. Steffani Kim R. Guillermo, Kinder Class Teacher, Mrs. Niña Monica V. Lopez, Grade 1  Class Teacher, and Ms. Sunshine Excel L. Cariño, Cura Teacher of Grades 2 and 5 entitled “5 Ps for the IPs.”

The seventh Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was held on February 18, 2023 given by our Kinder faculty volunteers Ms. Jayne Carrie M. Bacerra, Mr. Reimar B. Panti, who are both Class Teachers and Mr. Enoch L. Saldivar, Learning Technology Support Group (LTSG) Teacher entitled “Must-KnowS in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Basic Netiquette.”

The eighth Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was on March 11, 2023. Ms. Michelle Trifonia V. Soriano, Katigbak Educational Media Center (KEMC) Librarian and Media and Information Literacy Teacher for Grades 2, 3, and 6, gave the formation session entitled “Search, Evaluate, and Cite.”

The ninth and final Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program was held last March 25, 2023. Mrs. Grace U. Yn, Math Subject Area Coordinator and Mr. Javier Antonio F. Inumerable, Grade 6 Class Adviser and Math Teacher, gave the formation session entitled “In Data We Trust.”

The Closing Program of our formation sessions was done right after the 9th session. The teacher volunteers had the chance to share messages to the Lumad Scholars, and in return the Lumad scholars shared their most valuable experiences from their formation sessions. The Lumad scholars also showcased their singing and dancing skills during their recorded virtual presentation

Here are some of what the scholars shared regarding the Kapawa hu Paglaum Scholars Formation Program:

“Nakakatulung ito dahil marami yung mga wikang Filipino na hindi ko alam at isa na din yung paano gumawa ng sanaysay. Malaking tulong talaga ito dahil nabigyan ko ng halaga ang aking sariling wika lalo na sa wikang Filipino.”

“This session means that much to me because I discovered that I really have the capacity for writing that I need to improve.”

“It is very helpful for us to know how to conduct or write sentences or phrases.”

“It's too helpful because as student-scholars living in a dorm, we do have lots of goals that need to be done, and in this way, we were taught on how to set them properly, in an easy and organized way.”

“The session taught me to become more responsible and wise in using my time properly for me to become more productive and fruitful every day.”

“This is so helpful especially it is really important to take care of our mental health.”

“For me everything in our session today is helpful but I want to highlight basic netiquette. After all, it reflects the real personality and characteristics of the person on how they are going to approach, react and interpret the various situation around them. Everybody can be smarter but not everybody can have a good attitude.”

“Napaka helpful talaga lalo na ngayun na 3rd year college na ako ang dami dami na naming research paper at sa 4th year ay may thesis na talaga, so napaka helpful po salamat po talaga kasi ginawa kayu ni Lord na maging instrumento para matulungan kami.”

“Helpful that we're able to understand the applications use, and helpful for us that we're able to gain knowledge for easier use.”

These were the activities of the AGS Faculty and Staff to raise funds for the Lumad scholars:

1. SIO - Kapawa Coffee

2. Faculty and Staff -  Bigay Puso Bottle

3. Grade 2 - Busking

4. Grade 3 - Concert

5. Grade 5 – FB Live Session and Bigay Puso Bottle
6. Grade 6 – Bingo and Bigay Puso Bottle

7. Fiestacular

8. Theme Shirt

Last October 4, 2022, we launched Shirt for a Cause with the theme, “Walking Together in Christ”. The proceeds from this will go to the Social Action Programs of SIO. This aims to support the school’s initiative in helping our brothers and sisters from the marginalized sector. Our partner schools, communities, and Jesuit apostolates are just some of the beneficiaries for this project. Shirt prices was at P350.00 each for all sizes.

We, the AGS Faculty and Staff, gave our best in sacrificing and saving up money to share with the Lumad scholars from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. As one AGS community who form young Ateneans, the Bigay Puso Program helped us practice to be more generous.

This whole Bigay Puso experience also helped us realize Jesus’ invitation to choose to be good, generous and compassionate neighbors who walk with the least, lost, and last in our society during this life journey. We pray that these activities will continue to help us become better Ateneans, to be persons-for-and-with-others as St. Ignatius of Loyola taught us for God’s greater glory, AMDG!