Mindanao Outreach Report: Kipalkuda receives library fund from provincial government of Sarangani

Mindanao Outreach Report
by Arjho C. Turner




The provincial government of Sarangani turned over a check amounting to PhP 180,000.00 on April 28, 2009 for the construction of Kipalkuda Elementary School library. Present during the turn-over were Board Member Limuel Gacula Sr. representing Gov. Migs Dominguez, Mayor Elsie Perrett, Vice Mayor Tito Balazon Sr., Barangay Captain Digs Movilla and a teacher from the school.



According to Dan Evans, the provincial government officials were amazed of the available books, school supplies and other educational resource materials at the school during their visit in March 6, 2009. The books are mainly from generous donors based in Atlanta, Georgia through Galing Foundation, Inc. shipped to the school thru the partnership with the Datu Wali Mission (www.datuwalimission.org). With the increased number of books and other educational resource materials, the school does not have their own space for a library. This pro-active response from the provincial and local government for the need to have a school library in the school is indeed a very good indicator of support to eradicate illiteracy. This school library is the first one for this predominantly Tboli tribal community.



Educational development thru increased reading and English literacy staring from early childhood is also the top priority of the leadership of the provincial government of Sarangani (http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/quest/). GFI’s intervention for the Kipalkuda Elementary School since 2007 has played vital role in supporting the local and provincial governments achieve a quality education in this predominantly Tboli tribal community.


GFI is grateful to the following supporters/partners for this school library initiative:

1.Datu Wali Mission c/o Dan and Aurea Evans
2.Mrs. Aura D. Mirayo – Kipalkuda Elementary School Principal
3.Provincial Government of Sarangani thru Governor Migs Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve C. Solon
4.Maitum Municipal Government thru Mayor Elsie R. Perrett
5.Atlanta, Georgia GFI donors for books, school supplies and other educational resource materials
6.Sarangani Provincial Information Office for the photos and news updates
7.Barangay New La Union local officials and the community
8.The Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Atlanta & the Community

End of Report

May 7 (4-5pm) Asian Pacific Heritage Month at Alpharetta Public Library

The Alpharetta Branch Public Library in partnership with Galing Foundation, Inc. and AccessPhilippineAtlanta.com invites you to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Thursday, May 7 (4-5pm)
Ages 5 & up

The Blaan Tribe is one of the 110 indigenous groups of the Philippines. The Blaan indigenous peoples are located in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, Davao Del Sur and General Santos City, strategically located in the southernmost part of the islands of Mindanao.

Join us for an interactive session about the Blaan culture. View an exhibit of Blaan costumes and accessories, weaving, cultural photos. Listen to Blaan original song compositions by the Tubad Performing Arts Group of Sarangani Province. And enjoy a Blaan tribal dance presentation.

Free and Open to the public.

Alpharetta Branch Library
238 Canton Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009
770 7410-2425
www.afpls.org

Philippines at the 73rd Annual Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park in Atlanta

Saturday, April 18, 2009

The Philippines represented by its local talents was one of the highlights on international stage at the 73rd annual Dogwood Festival (www.dogwood.org) last weekend held at Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta.

Dances and songs performed were "Blaan Tribe Dance" by Arjho C. Turner, "Bayan Ko" & "Hesus" by Faith Bernabe, "Pandanggo Sa Ilaw" by Angelie Ella, "Isang Lahi" & "Nandito Ako" by Soli Nicholson with Chris on guitar, "Leron Leron Sinta" & "Bahay Kubo" by Galing Pinoy Kids (The Young Philippine American Ambassadors of Atlanta) & Faith Bernabe as music director (singers: Janice Alcalde, Tara Anastasoff, Margaret Babia, Lauren Luetgers, Melissa Luetgers, Omar Ragheb, Shereen Ragheb, Brie Sison, Stephanie Sison & Caitlyn Yap), "Tinikling (Bamboo) Dance" by Mabuhay Dance Group composed of Cheryl Alberto-King, Jem Alberto, Roy Alberto & Aaron Alberto.

The Dogwood Festival organizers in partnership with Galing Foundation, Inc. wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all volunteers and supporters of the Festival.

Special thanks to: Ces & Tony Alberto, Talan King, Bernard Turner, Hesham & Grace Ragheb, Marietta Mauricio, Mrs. Bernabe, Mrs. Emy Jordan, Fe Abulencia, Brandon, Eden & Mark Anastasoff, Renel & Meliza Babia, Victor, Glenda, Len-Len & Gladys Dagatan, Scott Luetgers, Joy & Dennis Sison, Erwin & Myrtle Yap and Cross of Life Lutheran Church.




"Blaan Tribe Dance" by Arjho C. Turner




"Children enjoyed a Tinikling Dance experience with Mabuhay Dance Group"






"Tinikling Dance" by Mabuhay Dance Group

GFI, PHCG Donato, COL Social Ministry & supporters honors KES' Best in English

Photo 1: KES 2009 graduates with teachers, district supervisor and Dan Evans as graduation guest speaker.



Photo 2: KES Youth Leadership Awardee, Mary Ann T. Ungat

GFI, PHCG Donato, COL Social Ministry & supporters honors KES' Best in Englishby Arjho C. Turner






The Kipalkuda Elementary School (KES) held its commencement exercises on April 2, 2009 at New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province . In this momentous day of the school, a history has been made and a new experience for exemplary students. The Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) launched the Mindanao Youth Leadership Award (MYLA) and the Best in English award. The awarding was done during their commencement exercises in which the YLA awardee, Mary Ann T. Ungat, received a trophy engraved with the name of the school and of the recipient. Also, the YLA awardee received a framed certificate signed by the Philippines Honorary Consul General of Atlanta, Raul Donato, the GFI executive director, Toni Daya-Luetgers, and the project co-sponsor Cross of Life Church Social Concerns Ministry represented by Ms. Janine Dismer. The Best in English awardees representing each school level were also given GFI gold medals with their engraved names.The awarding was done by Dan Evans of Datu Wali Mission as GFI’s partner ministry in project implementation.



Dan Evans also served as the graduation guest speaker. He noted that the “graduation at Kipalkuda Elementary School went well. The Galing Foundation, Inc. awards were received with surprise and elation. "I had an opportunity during my speech to ensure that parents, students and teachers understood what the foundation is, and why they are such a help to the school. I told them it is a genuine blessing that the foundation has taken an interest in them and their school and it brought a loud applause from the community that had assembled for the event. This year, the school graduated a total of 25 students which was their largest graduation class ever. For GFI, PHCG Donato, COL Social Ministry & its supporters, thanks again for helping to make the school's graduation a success and memorable day." - Dan Evans