To give happiness into the hearts of Agta people, Mabuno Elementary School in cooperation with the San Isidro Labrador Church celebrated the “Aldaw Dagiti Agta” on December 05, 2015 at Mabuno Elementary School Multi-purpose Gymnasium.

This one-of-a-kind occasion was spearheaded by Mr. Reynaldo C. Alejo, Head Teacher III of Mabuno Elementary School and at the same time the District Coordinator for Indigenous People (IP) of Gattaran East together with Father Mark Ventura, Parish Priest of San Isidro Labrador Church.

Agtas coming from the forested hills of Barangay Mabuno comprising of 42 families were stayed together to savor the day given to them.

The first part of the activity was a short symposium which was hosted by Mrs. Jennifer G. Damaso, MES IP’s Coordinator. During the symposium, Mr. Alejo said that Agtas are encouraged to help in the alleviation of poverty by developing their talents and skills and by learning that they are equally useful citizens of the country.

Happiness as seen in the eyes of every Agta participant was shown during the parlor games and instant “The Voice” search. Their gladness was doubled specially during the gift-giving part of the program. All the 42 families were given gift packs which were provided and personally delivered by Fr. Mark Ventura and some volunteers of San Isidro Labrador Church.

Fr. Ventura exclaimed, “No matter how little the contents of their gift packs are, what matters most is the art of giving from the heart, the joy is pictured in every Agta recipient that makes our heart grow big and fond”.

Truly, this one-day celebration gave all the Agtas an awesome and worth cherishing experience.

“Beautiful are the hands that work…and change is inevitable because even Nostalgia isn’t what is used to be.” This thought of wisdom is the pillar where great things started at this seat of learning.

Mabuno Elementary School is always known for its proactive school-community partnership. Its culture, the rich resources and the genuine character of the people has long been the very popular mark of a potential and promising learning environment. Its ingenuity is a hope of an avenue of more beautiful things to follow. With the able leaders and cooperative constituents bonded by the imbibed culture of cooperation and concern for the benefit of all, change for the better is never thought to be a burden but a divine blessing; where work is never tiring but a glorious devotion; and change is the fruit of sweet success.

These and more longing, propelled up with the institutionalization of the Brigada Eskwela, a very noble program of the Department of Education, which in the first instance, is to prepare the schools for the opening of classes. But to the hearts of every Mabunoeño, the Brigada Eskwela is a very precious opportunity of showing their love and affection to their children, that is, giving them a comfortable place to learn and never to experience the less memorable experiences they had.

Hence, the quick transformation of the “old” replaced by the “new” has shown valuable gains as a result of dignified labor and synergy of oneness. And at the end, a bright tomorrow is awaiting the young minds to come and be served.