BAYANIHAN Spirit with UES Brigada Eskwela 2019

A SUCCESS STORY
“More and more people from different sectors of the society extend help to
our school this year and we are so thankful for that,” Pagayon affirmed.

The conduct of a week-long Brigada Eskwela at Ulaliman Elementary School

was successful especially in making sure that the classrooms will be ready to
accommodate the influx of pupils for the Opening of School Year 2019-
2020.
Pupils, Teachers, Parents, Barangay Officials, and other concerned citizens were
all gathered in Ulaliman Elementary School to mark the start of Brigada Eskwela
– an event which also signifies the beginning of School Year 2019-2020. A parade
led by the Teachers and some PTA members and through the aid of Barangay
Officials and other volunteers served as a preliminary activity dated May 19, 2019
at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

Brigada Eskwela, also known as the “Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan (Working

Together for Schools)", added a new meaning to the Filipino concept of unity.
It brings to us a picture of people from different sectors of society repainting
walls and blackboards, cleaning windows and doors, or repairing fences (do
minor/major repairs) and provide supplies for kids before the school year
starts.

As its name suggests, Brigada Eskwela assembles an army of volunteers to

repair and prepare classrooms in time for the opening of classes. This year, it
ran from May 20 to 25 under the theme "Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad
na Paaralan.

The said success of its implementation lies in the collaborative effort of School
Heads, Teachers, Private Partners, Local Government Units, and some
community members like 4P’s including parents and pupils.“Everyone works
from 8 am to 5 pm with very little supervision from the Teachers and General
PTA Officers. We all follow the schedule prescribed since day one provided
by UES Brigada Eskwela Coordinator Mr. Olegario S. Lupac. Throughout the
years, the spirit of volunteerism in Brigada Eskwela has touched our parents
heart even with their busy schedule and even when only the “Ilaw ng
Tahanan” were able to answer our call for help since most of “Padre de
Pamilya” are working to earn for a living. One Milllion worth of support-in-
countless volunteer men and women-hours. Truly UES is blessed with this
kind of people “Pagayon added.

Seeing people work together paint a picture of shared goals and responsibilities
between the school and the community it serves. People from surrounding
barangays who spare their time to volunteer or donate money and resources get
the rare opportunity of collaborating with teachers and the Barangay Council
headed by Hon. Felipe B. Cuaresma and members of of the LGUs BHW and CVO’s
as well.
Brigada Eskwela also forces us to evaluate our willingness as members of the community to serve
when we are called for.

A picture of Hon. Monico Lupac of Ulaliman El Salvador City (Committee Chairperson on

Education) led the construction of Science Park/Reading Nook during the Brigada Eskwela Day
1 –May 20, 2019

Hand in hand with Sir Roger E. Pagayon, School Head and Mr. Olegario Lupac Brigada Eskwela Coordinator
With the opportunity it provides us – to be a part of the solution to the challenges of the
education system in the country – we realize how we see ourselves and our duty to the
community and the country in general. (EL Salvador City Philippine National Police)

DAY 2 of BRIGADA ESKWELA 2019

Day 2 of Brigada Eskwela 2019,May 21, 2019 with UES Teachers and El Salvador City Philippine National Police
“It allows us to understand that, if we are willing, we can become a part of the change
we want to see”. Mrs. Emmalun M. Ugsod (Parent)

Incoming Grade VI Pupils arranging and painting the chairs for Class Opening 2019-2020.

Day 3 of Brigada Eskwela with Pupils and Parents working together.

This year’s Brigada was made more interesting as volunteers took advantage of the opportunity to give
special services to Pupils and Parents of Ulaliman Elementary School.

build mini-nurseries, rehabilitate vegetable garden plots, and cover school textbooks. These
activities were welcome additions to the regular task of armchair, desk, classroom, and mural
painting at Aboitiz Foundation’s assisted schools.

Free Nail cut and Haircut with ALS (Alternative Learning System) El Salvador
City (DAY 4)

Teeth Removal sponsored by Dr. Tapitan

Day 4 with ALS Volunteers at UES
Free Haircut with UES Parents and Pupils sponsored
by Ms. Anna Mae Atillo
Day 5 May 24, 2019 with supportive 4P’s Members
Getting ready for the Class Opening 2019-2020
And making the school safe for everyone.
Day 6 May 25, 2019
Closing Program
 This project has been organized and implemented, one, for the purpose of
advancing professional, administrative, and leadership skills of teachers and
administrators of public schools where they are given both the chance and the
opportunity to deal and communicate with people of various walks of life – formally
educated or otherwise. Second, it has also helped strengthen the relationship of
school to the community where it is housed – the families, baranggay, PTA, and
other institution.

Truly Ulaliman Elementary School is blessed to have supportive and dedicated

volunteers to be able to achieved everybody’s goal which includes:

1. Making the school ready for the teachers and students;

2. Engaging participation of community stakeholders in education; and
3. Reviving the Bayanihan spirit among Filipino youth.

All is well as we finally come to accomplished tasks on for a week that includes
cleaning of surroundings – cutting of grasses over the school land, fixing the
classroom and its facilities, and trimming of trees. Concerned individuals donated
goods and food for the volunteers. The Parents also donated bags of cement and half-
truck of sand.

Skilled volunteer workers were already present. Carpenters started repairing and
fixing broken windows, dilapidated ceilings, destroyed door knobs and locks, and
desks and arm chairs. They also helped in rearranging the plant boxes.

Walls, blackboards, and ceilings were painted by the volunteer painters and artists,
using also donated paints and paint brushes. Classroom floorings were also repaired
in order to cater a better learning venue for the students and a harmonious teaching
realm for teachers.

FINISHING TOUCHES! All repairs and changes being made in the past days were
checked and rechecked. Finishing touches for paintings, repairs, and rearrangement
were made by the volunteers to make a school ready for the opening of classes.
Teachers also prepared their papers and posted lists of students in respective
classrooms. All set for the class opening this coming June 3, 2019.