The Bridge: Oy National HS

by Ron Cariño

We were invited to Oy National HS in Loboc, Bohol by Mr. Sam Uy, which is where he graduated high school. Mr. Uy has been a huge sponsor of the school, donating hundreds of musical instruments and new chairs/desks for the students.

Upon our arrival, it was raining very heavily. The school was located in a remote place up the hill so it was challenging to climb up with the rain coming down. We get to a room where almost all of the 100+ students and teachers were eagerly waiting for us. We were introduced by the Principal and was awarded a plaque for our donation. We later performed, and the students performed a musical number that was amazing. You can see how these students love music. We realized that although this school was remote and these students had little resources, that music is universal and fulfilling to the soul.

The Bridge: Our Visit to Putong National HS

by Ron Cariño

We visited Putong National HS in Tagbilaran, Bohol. It was the largest school that we visited in the Philippines during this trip with over 3,000 students. This school has a very strong arts program and the students shared their talents with us by performing various Filipino cultural performances. After they performed for us, we performed for them. It was a great way to exchange gifts. 

We implemented a photography/writing program here that was sponsored by Make a Better Place in NY. The program provides cameras to students who takes photos of their community, writes/discusses the challenges that they see in their neighborhood, and how they can make a change. This program plants a seed in the minds of students that they can change where they live. It also allows us to see through their eyes what type of help their community needs. It’s such a powerful and creative program. The students had a lot of fun with this program, and what they shared with us was amazing (stay tuned for their photos and writings). At the end, Make a Better Place was able to donate 9 cameras to the Media Class (which only had one camera for all of the students). 

Due to the large number of students, we donated the most to this school: 9 computers & monitors, 18 boxes of books, and 1 box of school materials, medicine, hygiene supplies, basketballs, shoes and toys.

The Bridge: Our Visit to Dampas ES

by Ron Cariño

Dampas ES was our first school in Bohol. We were invited by Books for the Barrios and Kuya Ephraim joined us on this visit. Our personal jeepney (yes, jeepney) pulled into the school and we were greeted by the children. We performed for the children on an outdoor stage. Aaron opened up by beatboxing/singing the Filipino Anthem, which most Fil-Am’s don’t know - including myself. Towards the end of the song, the kids were singing the Anthem as loud as they could. You can feel the energy. It was such a great way to start the program. After our performance, we taught dance workshops in the classrooms. It was very humid in Bohol - very - and so the mentors were soaking wet from head-to-toe. But no one complained - connecting with the students was so rewarding.

On top of teaching workshops, we were able to donate 6 computers, 8 computer monitors, 5 boxes of textbooks, 1 box of toys, and 1 box of supplies. Seeing the school, we know that these supplies will be able to help to further the education of these youth.