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Brigada Blogs: 'Bangkarunungan' brings education to the islands


In 2009, Efren Penaflorida was awarded as CNN Hero of the Year for bringing education to Filipino street kids using a mobile pushcart or “kariton” classroom.  It was Peñaflorida’s pushcart classroom that inspired Adrian Cobardo, a public school  teacher from Olongapo, to create his own project called “Bangkarunungan” in November last year. In the province of Zambales, there are many children from far-flung island communities whose families can barely afford to send them to school.  Through the project “Bangkarunun gan,” Teacher Adrian and other teacher volunteers travel by boat to these poor coastal communities to teach basic reading and writing.  Students include not only local children, but even their parents. Aside from making education accessible to disadvantaged communities, “Bangkarunungan” also gives Teacher Adrian’s volunteers a chance to contribute to society and inspire their students. Some of Teacher Adrian’s volunteers include a former computer game addict and a differently-abled person. GMA reporter Claire Delfin recently did a story about 'Bangkarunungan' for the GMA News TV news feature program "Brigada."  GMA News Online recently sat down with Claire to talk about her report, the plight of teachers like Adrian, the future of “Bangkarunungan,” and how ordinary citizens can do their part for Philippine educatgion. GMA News Online (GNO): Bakit importanteng ibalita ang mga proyektong pang-edukasyon na sinimulan ng mga pribadong indibidwal, gaya ng proyektong “Bangkarunungan?" Claire Delfin (CD): “Mahilig talaga ako sa education stories kasi kailangan talaga itong pagtuunan ng pansin. Malaki kasi ang magagawa ng mamamahayag na kagaya ko sa pag-lobby ng support sa education programs. Marami na akong nagawan ng report na medyo hawig sa 'Bangkarunungan,' whose goal is to raise interest in access to education. Mahilig kasi tayo na tingnan ang pagkukulang ng gobyerno but there are actually efforts by the government and by the private sector to fill the gaps in education. As much as we like to blame, everyone must share the responsibility of educating Filipinos.” GNO: Anong pinagkaiba ng “Bangkarunungan” sa mga proyektong pang-edukasyon na naibalita mo na noon? CD: “Kakaiba ang ‘Bangkarunungan’ kasi interesting na may nakaisip nito. Kasi ang tagal nang problema ang paghahatid ng edukasyon sa mga islands because the Philippines is an archipelago. Ngayon lang may nakaisip nito.” GNO: A project like ‘Bangkarunungan’ takes a lot of time and commitment. How can those who can’t commit as much time to teaching and volunteering still help improve the state of education in the country? CD: “There are so many public schools around us. We can try to check them out. Even donating boxes of chalk can make a huge difference because these public school teachers have to shell out their own money to be able to buy chalk. You could sponsor a child to school. Idaan mo sa principal’s office. Pwede kayong magtulong-tulong ng friends mo sa pag-sponsor. You could also donate money for food. There are so many malnourished students in public schools. A lot of things can be done to support the cause of education. These are simple ways that make a difference.” GNO: Why do you take interest in stories about education? CD: “Education is something close to my heart because my mother is a teacher. I know the life of a teacher. Mahirap talaga maging teacher. Pati pagpapakain ng mga estudyante, trabaho nila. Kapag may projects sa school, teachers ang nag-aambag-ambag. They have no time for their own children because when they get home, they’d be so busy making lesson plans. It’s so difficult and they receive very little pay. Teacher Adrian is admirable because despite hardships, he still goes out of his way. All teachers are heroes. Mataas ang pagtingin ko sa mga guro. Dapat talagang magbigay-pugay sa kanila.” GNO: What did you want people to learn from your report on ‘Bangkarunungan?’ CD: “I want to inspire others through my reports. Sa gitna ng kahirapan, we can believe in the country and our fellowmen like Teacher Adrian. I also want to encourage others to help not only ‘Bangkarunungan’ but also other programs. And I hope that those who are educated will realize that they are very lucky. And they should think about what they can do for those who are not as lucky. Being educated is an opportunity to help other Filipinos who are not as blessed as you are. You must give back.”—Angel Bombarda/PF, GMA News