Tagbanua Learners’ 2016 Graduation in Culion
“One of the most beautiful things that happened this year was the unity among our communities.”
Tagbanua young and adult learners from the island communities of Culion, Palawan celebrated another year of learning and growth during their graduation ceremony held on March 16, 2016 at the Loyola College of Culion. The completers of Cartwheel Foundation, Inc.’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program and Adult Capability Building Program (ACAP) for School Year 2015-2016 were joined by their families and community members from Sitios Chindonan, Cagait, and Alulad, as well as their Cartwheel teachers.
Also present were the many groups working hand in hand to further the cause of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) education in Culion, namely: Cartwheel Foundation, Inc., represented by Executive Director Pia Ortiz-Luis, Programs Officer Celia Jurado and Research Associate Toni Bacsain; Cartwheel Foundation International, represented by Country Director Coleen Ramirez-Panahon; Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan; the Barangay Councils of Osmeña and Baldat; and the La Inmaculada Concepcion Parish team of catechists and ministry workers, headed by Parish Priest Fr. Arthur “Errol” Nebrao, S.J.
Early Childhood Learners from Alulad celebrate their achievement with their well-wishers from the Cartwheel Team, Simbahang Lingkod Bayan, the Barangay councils and La Inmaculada Concepcion Parish
A Thanksgiving Mass was first celebrated in the afternoon while the recognition of all graduates followed soon after. The awards were appreciated by the children most especially, as their individual strengths in attitude and skills were affirmed. There were 25 completers of the ECE Program and 43 other elementary learners who moved up to their next grade level. Sixteen (16) ACAP learners who completed their program cycle were also recognized.
Fr. Errol Nebrao, S.J., Parish Priest of Culion, presided over the Thanksgiving Mass with the Tagbanua learners and community members.
During the ceremony, the graders also shared a performance of sabayang pagbigkas or speech choir, while the youngest learners sang action songs in their mother tongue, Tinagbanua. The Cartwheel Team also introduced the research phase of Project LUSOG (Linking the Underserved with Opportunities for Growth and Health)–an initiative that aims to improve the access of 100 Tagbanua families in Culion to basic health care and nutrition.
Young Tagbanua learners performing an action song
The graduation ceremony also marked five years of meaningful partnership between the La Inmaculada Concepcion Parish and Cartwheel — in collaboration with other likeminded groups in the locality — in facilitating community building efforts for the Tagbanua of Culion. As Fr. Nebrao recounted, “Isa sa pinakamagandang nangyari po sa taong ito ay pagbubuklod po ng ating mga komunidad. Ito nga po ang ika-5 taong ng pagdiriwang natin ng pagtatapos na nadama ko ang ‘fruits of our labor’.” (“One of the most beautiful things that happened this year was the unity among our communities. This is our 5th year of celebrating the graduation [of our learners], in which I felt the fruits of our labor.”)
May the reaping of these ‘fruits’ continue on for each of the graduates and their families for years to come!