Chua King Ha Educational Centers in Ilocos Sur Schools Inaugurated

Sta. Lucia North Central School

Ilocos Sur province, June 27, 2014. Three educational centers were opened and named after Chua King Ha, mother of Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. (TYKFI) Chairman and President, Dr. Lucio Tan. During Chua King Ha’s lifetime, she was an advocate of the advancement of education, health, and women development. The eldest of her children, Dr. Lucio Tan, continued his mother’s legacy of elevating excellence in education. TYKFI, in partnership with private and public sectors dedicated the three educational centers in memory of this great and inspiring woman.

Babayoan Elementary School

Bantay East Central School

The chairman promotes the advancement of primary education as the “gateway to a better future” so that the foundation continues to put value in school infrastructures. A quote from Lon Watters says, “A school is a building that has four walls with tomorrow inside,” TYKFI recognizes the importance of a complete and secure classroom to support learning and teaching.

In a single day, a series of commencements happened in the following schools: Babayoan Elementary School (Brgy. Babayoan, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur), Sta. Lucia North Central School (Brgy. Barangobong, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur), and Bantay East Central School (Brgy. V, Bantay, Ilocos Sur). The schools were chosen for reasons such as having dilapidated or shortage of classrooms, and even due to burnt/destroyed classrooms by fire. “Many of the students suffer because of what happened 2 years ago, the building was burned and that’s very tragic to all teachers and students but now they can see how God is good, thank you to Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc.” Ms. Perlita Brillantes, District Supervisor, Sta. Lucia North said.

“Firstly, this is a good project that not every organization can give, there are more barrios here in Ilocos who need or in need of school buildings and DepEd cannot provide that all instantly. This is a big help to the school, teachers and students they will be inspired in their everyday life because they have a very beautiful with complete-facility classroom. Hope more blessings to come to Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc.,” Dr. Teresita M. Velasco, DepEd Regional Director-Region I, stated.

In preparation for the busy inauguration day last June 27, the TYKFI staff travelled the day before, met and coordinated with school heads and principals.

Babayoan Elementary School

Babayoan Elementary School has a total population of 198 students. The pupils come from the barangay of Lalong, Pidpid, although most of them are from Babayoan where the school is located. The school has a total land area of 1.2 hectares. The main source of living in the community is farming where they engaged in rice production during rainy season, and tobacco production during dry season.

The school requested for a school building from TYKFI because of classroom shortage especially for the kinder class which is mandatory in the K-12 program. Most of the classrooms in their school are dilapidated and in need of replacement.

Babayoan Elementary School was the first to conduct the inauguration ceremony. TYKFI handed over a school building composed of three classrooms, with a complete set of chairs and tables. The intended use of these classrooms are for the school’s kindergarten with 24 pupils, Grade 1 with 29 pupils, and Grade 2 with 18 pupils. 

Honored guests and speakers were Rev. Father Respicio Saranay, Regional Director Dr. Teresita M. Velasco, Municipal Mayor Hon. Teresita C. Valle, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, SBM Malou Ragucos, SBM Nelia Gabuat, SBM Oscar Romano, District Supervisor Dr. Buenafe Medrano, teachers and administrators from other schools, barangay officials headed by Barangay Captain Virgilio Lupdag of Barangay Babayoan, Barangay Captain Walter Juldo of Barangay Pidpid, and Barangay Captain Edwin Rebolllido of Barangay Lalong.

The school head, Ms. Violeta Javonillo, gave her warm welcome remarks, “I also [like] thank to Sir Philip who initiated in the planning on how to request for this classroom building. He showed great love of children by exerting efforts, encouraged me to make resolution requesting for classroom building to be forwarded to Dr. Lucio Tan, President of TYKFI. With God’s help, we were able to have this school building as a Gift of Love from the TYKFI. This is a Legacy, we will forever cherish throughout our lives. It’s not only classroom building but we asked for 60 chairs, 30 tables for kinder and Grade I pupils , and 3 teachers tables and chairs but it is a request of Madam Beth to have a counterpart of parents which is the lettering of the chairs and tables. Parents of kinder, Grade I and Grade II happily gave in their resources for the letterings as a sign of love and concern to their children and to our very generous and ever supportive foundation.” 

The unveiling of the commemorative marker was led by the school head Ms. Violeta Javonillo, Mayor Teresita Valle, Mr. Jorge M. Reinante, CESO V (School Division Superintendent) and Dr. Teresita Velasco (DepEd Regional Director). 

Sta. Lucia North Central School

Sta. Lucia North Central School was founded in the year 1932. Today, it is headed by a school principal, together with a team of 27 teachers and 1 personnel. It currently has a student population of 774. The community people around the school are engaged in farming, fishing, and small to medium skilled businesses.

The school requested for a 3-classroom building from the TYKFI in response to the shortage of classrooms, as 3 classrooms in the Bagong Lipunan Building were razed by fire last April 2013.

Sta. Lucia North Central school was next in the series of inaugurations. TYKFI in partnership with the Department of Education (Region I), handed over a building with three classrooms, intended to be used for the school’s Grade 1-B with 38 pupils, Grade 2-A with 44 pupils and Grade 2-B with 40 pupils. 

Honored guests and speakers included DepEd Regional Director Dr. Teresita M. Velasco, School Division Superintendent Mr. Jorge M. Reinante, Municipal Mayor Estrella F. Hernaez, Vice Mayor Hon. Ferdinand Hernaez, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, District Supervisor Dr. Perlita S. Brillantes, barangay officials, and PTA members.

The welcome remarks was delivered by Dr. Gemmalyn Jacosalem, Principal III, “It’s exactly 14 months ago since that tragic incident. That was April 18, 2012. A fire razed the three room Bagong Lipunan building erected in that part, it was awful and heart-breaking, what will happen with our 120 pupils come opening of classes? Where will they stay? How about their books, chairs and other things that they need? It was just a month before the opening of classes. But God is so good that he provided temporary shelter and everything they need for the said opening of classes. And it’s even better that he sent a philanthropist in the person of Dr. Lucio C. Tan through the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc., We call it a manna from heaven, it’s a miraculous way of the Lord to let her children see His goodness behind trials and discouragement.”

The unveiling of the commemorative marker was headed by Principal Gemmalyn Jacosalem, Mayor Estrella F. Hernaez, Mr. Jorge M. Reinante, CESO V (School Division Superintendent) and Dr. Teresita Velasco (DepEd Regional Director).

Bantay East Central School

Bantay East Central School was one of the pioneer schools of Brgy. Bantay that was established during the American period. It is located at the southern side of St. Augustine church in Barangay V, situated along the McArthur highway near the Municipal Hall. It has a population of 496 pupils and currently managed by 20 regular permanent employees, headed by a principal. The school has an area of 4,187.50 square meters, where 9 buildings are erected including the recently opened Chua King Ha Educational Center. 

Most of the parents of the students are ordinary employees, carpenters, drivers, laborers, and farmers. The school has more or less 100 pupils who are recipients of the 4P’s or the Pantawid Pampamilya Program of the government.

The reason why the school requested the 2-classroom building was because the previous school building was old and about to collapse. It needed immediate replacement to ensure the safety and lives of the pupils and teachers. Bantay East Central School cannot afford for the construction of the building fully, they needed assistance from private sectors like TYKFI.

Bantay East Central School was last, but certainly not the least, in the induction ceremonies. TYKFI, in partnership with the Local Government of Bantay and Department of Education (Region I) handed over the Chua King Ha education center with 2 classrooms, for the intended use by the school’s Grade 3-A with 40 pupils and 3-B with 37 pupils.

Honored speakers and guests included Assistant Regional Director Madam Betina Daytec, School Division Superintendent Mr. Jorge M. Reinante, Brgy. Captain Manuel Acena, and PTA President Manong Henry Parada.

The welcome remarks was delivered by Mr. Delfin Llagas (Principal III), “The core business of schools is to provide pupils with a rich learning environment that is conducive, open, respectful, caring and safe. This ideal learning environment optimizes well-being. It reflects a positive outlook that makes the school an exciting, stimulating and welcoming place. Well, BECS is indeed very lucky of acquiring this new beautiful school building through the kind and benevolent heart of Dr. Lucio C. Tan through Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. in partnership of the local government under the able leadership of our very promising Mayor Samuel G.F. Parilla II. With all of these assistance we received from the local government and non-government organizations we express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your unending support to our school.”

The unveiling of the commemorative marker was headed by Principal Delfin Llagas, Ms. Bettina Daytec (Assistant Regional Director), and Mr. Jorge M. Reinante, CESO V (School Division Superintendent).

TYFKI delivered quality classrooms as testified by the teachers, “The classrooms are conducive for learning and well ventilated,” stated by Elvira Ormilla, Teacher II, Babayoan Elementary School. “The classroom is very comfortable, very conducive for learning, fully lightened and the comfort room is well provided no need to carry water,” said Violeta Laoagan, Teacher I, Babayoan Elementary School

TYKFI wants to ensure that all of its projects are sustainable. When asked on how they would preserve the new buildings, one teachers replied, “Kung may nakita kami na nasira dapat ayusin agad para hindi na lumaki, at sisiguraduhin namin na pagtutulung-tulungan namin lahat para mapanatili ang kaayusan at ganda ng classroom.” Imelda Soriano, Teacher III, Sta. Lucia North Central School. Meanwhile Mayor Teresita Valle said that they will involve the whole community in the sustainability of the project.

“We are very lucky because we are the chosen one, we are the beneficiaries of the beautiful classrooms with complete facility, we are very thankful and blessed because not all school are lucky to have this,” said Ms. Bettina Daytec, Assistant Regional Director, DepEd Region 1, “Every donation comes with responsibility/ responsibilities, we will maximize everything and we will assure that we will help each other in nurturing children here in Bantay East Central School and I believe that in the future the students will get the best education here,” she added.