The Mabini 2010 Backpack Project - By Grace Cadlaon-Rañola

The DREAMWEAVERS! What a beautiful name conferred upon us after the backpack distribution - which we humbly accept; for who wouldn’t? After inspiring stories told, one barangay after another, with the Grade One pupils (higher graders included) responding, “Gusto ko maging doctor, nars, titser, piloto, sundalo, mayor, …” everyone present will agree we delivered hope and inspiration to these children. Each story was concluded with the children chanting with the Team the backpack slogan “Dream… Believe… Achieve…” When they were called one by one to receive their backpacks stuffed with school supplies, slippers, raincoats and umbrellas - most of them were beaming with smiles, some in tears, others shyly coming forward to receive theirs, while teary-eyed happy parents looked on, generously thanking us afterwards. That is the beautiful scenario during the backpack distribution.

June 21-23, 2010 - Our Backpack Team led by Grace Cadlaon-Rañola embarked on a 3-day distribution with the opening and main program held at the Mabini Central School (MCS) on Day 1, followed by distribution to the barangays afterwards. Present were District Supervisor Dr. Cielito Fe Angeles, MCS Principal Dr. Joey Caserial, Grade One teachers, PTA President Delilah Aquino, parents and of course the Grade One pupils. Our Honorable Mayor Carlitos Reyes graced the affair together with several Sangguniang Bayan members, Kagawad Nixon Crisolo, Kagawad Jerick Estrada, and Kagawad Alma Luzaran. In their messages, Dr. Angeles, Dr. Caserial and Mayor Reyes lauded and thanked our team for such a worthwhile project and the donors for their generous help.

Our Leader Grace introduced her team: Charina Cadlaon-Butler (a successful nurse and backpack project coordinator for United States), Evelyn Lopez-Glenn (backpack project coordinator for Canada), the Philippine working team composed of Major Michael Aquino (PMA Class ’99, who is now in Fort Bragg, North Carolina for schooling), Sharon Lee Guntang (a successful CPA now with the Commission on Audit), Kagawad Analiza Navarro-Manlapaz (a dedicated public servant of Nibaliw), Aldrin Rivera (a very active Mabinian and member of the RHS teaching force), and Col. Bartolome Bustamante (PMA class ‘89). Grace thanked everyone involved in the project particularly the donors and encouraged the children to dream and value education to achieve greater things in life.

In the barangay schools, the distributing team (Backpack Team with Mayor Reyes and his staff, and some volunteers) were joined by the Head teachers, Barangay Captains, teachers, and parents. Prior to distribution, the Backpack team would tell stories to the children, encouraging and inspiring them with the backpack slogan “Dream…Believe…Achieve…” It was a 3-day activity filled with fun, love, tears and sweat – tiring, but fulfilling.

We would like to acknowledge the following for the success of this project: our very supportive Mayor Carlitos Reyes and his LGU support crew, Jerry “pub” Rendon and Rawen Balmaña of www.mabini-pangasinan.gov.ph for the backpack pledge page, coverage and photography, Marybeth Cadlaon-Marabe, our local coordinator in Mabini, DepEd and barangay schools, Delilah Aquino for the distribution van, student and parent volunteers during the repacking and distribution, the Philippine Backpack working team who willingly sacrificed their time, personal, social and work commitments and Col. Bartolome Bustamante for mobilizing his men scouting for the best supplier/manufacturer in the Metro Manila and for providing all the logistics, manpower, transportation and everything needed so that all the items are available and transported on time to Mabini.

Our deepest thanks to all our DONORS for without whom this project wouldn’t be possible, with special mention to our major donors: Spouses Butch and Doll Carag (Jakarta / Parañaque and non-Mabinian friends of Frederick Cadlaon), Spouses Joselito “Joey” (U.S. Air Force, Ret.) and Ashley Velasco (from Cabinuangan / Colorado, U.S.A.), Gloria Ancheta-Okada (from Calzada / Manila / Japan) and Col. Bartolome Bustamante (PMA class ’89 from Poblacion). For being one with us... children’s faces brightened with their new inspirational backpacks, slippers, raincoats and umbrellas - gifts of hope and love, sending message that many people care for them. From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to all of you, “May you all be blessed with God’s infinite grace.”

Finally, our praises and gratitude to God Almighty for making all these happen and for the opportunity of bringing people together to helping our Mabini.

For The DREAMWEAVERS (the Backpack Team), seeing grateful happy faces of parents and most of all children understanding the importance of dreaming, believing and achieving, are more than enough to compensate every sweat and sacrifice made. The joy and fulfillment during that 3-day love-filled activity is beyond description and will stay in our hearts forever.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE, GOD BLESS OUR MABINI!

Distribution has been completed to 18 elementary schools:

Day 1 (21 June) - Central (Poblacion), Calzada, Cabinuangan, Sto. Niño (Pobalcion), and Tagudin.

Day 2 (22 June) - Caabiangan, Luna, Magalong, Caranglaan, Cabanaetan, Surod (Barlo), and Barlo.

Day 3 (23 June) - Patar, Bacnit, San Pedro, Sta. Rita (Nibaliw), Villacorta, and De Guzman.

Arrangements will be made for delivery to Dalupang Elem. School (Villacorta).

View school photos.