Hive Supports NGOs & Blockchain Communities’ Lumad School Outreach
Non-government organizations such as the Jaycees Club International Malagos Chocolates (JCI Malagos) and the Davao Mt. Apo Eagles Club, together with the blockchain communities in Mindanao, initiated united efforts for a Christmas Gift-Giving activities in a Lumad school in Sitio Luyan, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, Davao City.
The gift-giving activities dubbed “Pamaskong Handog at Pasasalamat 2023” and “Angel Wings Gift Giving Drive” were conducted on December 14, 2023. It was made possible under the initiative of the JCI Malagos Chocolates and Davao Mt. Apo Eagles Club and sponsored by the Mindanao Blockchain Association, crypto communities such as Hive, DBuzz, Retzark, IrisNet, Xpedia, and Quinex. Angels Wings, Ozmik, and NCCC Cares also sponsored it.
Luyan Elementary School, a lumad school in Barangay Tambobong, was the chosen beneficiary of the Christmas gift-giving activities. Through the leadership of Mt. Apo Eagle’s Club President Ken Berey, the visitors were escorted by a group of local authorities, particularly Police personnel from the Davao City Police Office.
The prominent entrepreneur and DBuzz consultant Ken Berey coordinated with the organizers, JCI Malagos Chocolates, under the leadership of Ma’am Jessica Madrazo.
Program of Activities
The gift-giving program commenced with a prayer from a local Pastor followed by an opening spiel from JCI member Judy Fernandez and an ice-breaker from Roxanne Magaso.
The event’s sponsors shared their respective messages to the communities in the area and the students, totaling around 150 pupils from kindergarten to grade six. Attending the highly anticipated events were the parents of the students and their relatives.
Mr. Donald Matute from Ozmik Solutions Inc. was the first to give his message as his fellow representative from the company gave some instructions to the children on how to use the hygiene kit they will be providing to the children of Luyan Elementary School.
The next to share his message was the outgoing President of Mt. Apo Eagle’s Club, Kuya Ronald Rubrick Bustillo, who shared an insightful message to the students of the Lumad school.
Chris Rice, the founder of DBuzz, who also represents Hive and Retzark, shared some inspirational messages for the students, teachers, and parents during the Christmas activities.
The founder and CEO of ConnectWeb3 Philippines, Ken Berey, also shared some valuable messages with the community, and then they proceeded to distribute gifts to the students of Luyan Elementary School.
Four bags of hygiene kits, school supplies, goodies, and other items needed by the students were given to the grateful children of the Lumad School.
Aside from the bags of assorted items the organizers and sponsors provided, food packs from Jollibee Foods were also distributed to around 150 students studying at the Lumad school.
Rice porridge and some goodies were also provided to all the parents and relatives of the beneficiaries who graced the event.
The gift-giving activities ended before noon, with the faces of the students and their parents showing gratefulness towards the people who helped them celebrate their early Christmas presents.
Interview with the Tribal Leader and the Principal
According to Mr. Alfredo Ombol, the head of the Obo Manobo Tribe in Sitio Luyan, the sitio under his jurisdiction as the Datu or the tribal leader is composed of three Puroks namely, Purok Luyan Upper comprising 70 households, Purok Lubmanan (Central Plains) with 38 households and Purok Lower Luyan with 60 households.
The tribal leader revealed during an exclusive interview with PhilNews.xyz that most of the residents under his jurisdiction were previously infested by local rebel groups. Still, because of the government’s efforts, they are at the folds of the law right now.
Mr. Ombol also shared his gratefulness to the national government for constructing a new school building for the students of Luyan Elementary School. Although the facility is not yet usable because of a lack of chairs and other things needed inside the school, they are thankful for various NGOs that helped their community.
Meanwhile, according to the school Principal, Mr. Ryan M. Arat, he was just newly transferred to Luyan because the previous school where he was assigned was upgraded into an Integrated School.
The principal of Luyan Elementary School noted that most teachers from other parts of Mindanao thought there was no longer a “multi-grade classroom” in Davao City. However, it still exists because Luyan had only three teachers.
Mr. Arat also revealed that most of the students at Luyan had their dialects, but thankfully, the teachers assigned to his school knew how to speak the Manobo dialect, so it was a big help for him and the school.
The students, parents, and the entire community in Luyan Elementary School were so grateful for the unexpected gifts, which they considered an early Christmas gift they received from the NGOs and the blockchain community in Davao City.
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