Brigada Eskwela 2022 with Lumina Homes

It's Brigada Eskwela season again! 

As the face-to-face classes start again, schools around the country prepare for the students where we can feel the 'Bayanihan' spirit between the school and the community.

We at Lumina Homes, visited different schools in Rizal, Sorsogon, Silay, and Ozamiz. Check out this video for a glimpse of Brigada Eskwela and know how you can also participate in this activity!

RIZAL

Morong National High School (Morong, Rizal)

Lumina Homes went to Morong National High School to conduct the Brigada Eskwela 2022 and ask some questions to Dr. Lyndel David about face-to-face classes during this pandemic.

How do you feel now that face-to-face classes will resume?

She said that at this time, many schools in the country are preparing to open face-to-face classes for this school year.

“Napakaganda na magkaroon ng dry run o pilot testing pagdating sa face to face upang maihanda pa nang mas maayos and paaralan sa darating na pasukan. Dahil naniniwala po ang inyong lingkod at ang mga kasamahan nating mga guro na maganda pa rin ang nagkakaroon ng actual preparation or actual na pagtuturo nang face to face dahil nakikita natin kung ano pa yung mga pwedeng idagdag, pagbaguhin. At sa tulong nito, mas nagiging maayos ang pagpasok ng mga mag-aaral sa darating na School Year 2022-2023.”

(It's great that we will be having a dry run or pilot testing in the country to prepare the school for this school year. I believe, along with my co-teachers, that it is still better for the students to experience an actual class through face-to-face classes because we can monitor what they need to improve in class. Also, through this, the students can attend School Year 2022-2023 orderly and systematic.)

Dr. David also expressed their gratefulness to the stakeholders and different communities who are there to help them to prepare for the upcoming face-to-face classes.

What's the best part of Brigada Eskwela for you?

Dr. David said that the most important thing about Brigada Eskwela is the stakeholders and the communities that are always there every year to respond to and deliver the needs of the school and the students.

“Ang pagtanggap nang inyong donasyon o tulong voluntarily ay ninanais ng paaralan dahil hindi naman lahat ng pangangailangan ay naibibigay ng paaralan. Kailangan talaga ang komunidad.”

(Your voluntary donations and support are greatly needed by our school since we don't have sufficient resources to supply them all. That's why your community is really a great help to us.) 

In addition, she also mentioned that it is crucial to recognize the efforts and support of the stakeholders as they genuinely contribute to the improvement of the school.

What's your message to students who will be coming back to school this month?

“Welcome to Morong National High School physically kasi madalas nakikitang lang natin sila sa mga online classes. Sa mga bata naman na kumukuha ng module, kapag kumukuha sila, iyon lang yung pagkakataon na nakakapunta sila sa school.”

(We would like to physically welcome each of the students to Morong National High School because ever since the pandemic started, we can only meet our students through online classes. Meanwhile, on the part of the students who chose the modular set-up, we can only see them when they get their modules in our school.)

Dr. David said that this time around, they can now be physically present in school to learn. She also added that although the period might not be that long compared to before, at least they will have a chance to meet their teachers and discuss the topics or listen to the lectures personally.

“Actually, magkakaroon sila nang maayos na palitan ng idea. Kaya sa mga bata, dapat ikatuwa ninyo yung katulad ng mga guro na natutuwa na makita kayo sa loob ng school. At huwag sayangin ang pagkakataon at oportunidad na ibibigay sa atin ng face to face classes na ito dahil dito, mas matututo kayo kasama ang inyong mga guro.”

(Actually, they can have a more systematic way of exchanging ideas. That's why for students, you should be glad that your teachers are happy to see you back again in school. Don't waste the opportunity that is given us by the face-to-face classes because, through this, you can learn better with the physical presence of your teacher.)

She also mentioned although they can already have a face-to-face class, they must still observe the proper safety protocols in school. 

“Hindi lang tamang kaalaman ang mahalaga. Kailangan din pangalagaan ang ating kalusugan.”

(We just not only need to learn proper knowledge but also take good care of our personal health.)

Pililla National High School (Pililla, Rizal)

In Pililla National High School, Mrs. Nova H. Ariston, a Grade 12 teacher in Practical Research II, was interviewed by Lumina Homes.

How do you feel now that face-to-face classes will resume?

"As a teacher under the Department of Education, I am now being challenged, kasi from the pandemic nagkaroon po ng new normal type of education setting which is distance learning. And now, naghe-hello na po sa ating lahat ang face to face.”

(As a teacher under the Department of Education, I am now being challenged since from the pandemic, we had a new normal type of education setting, which is distance learning. And now, we need to welcome the face-to-face classes school set-up.)

Mrs. Ariston explained that the teachers are facing a fresh challenge these days because of the new system that they will need to implement. She said that although teachers are used to the old face to face to face set-up, it's kind of different now because of the pandemic. 

“From the old traditional face to face, iba po yung magiging set up ngayon kasi magkakaroon na po tayo ng health protocols. Hindi po natin sigurado na kung iyong mga tatanggapin na mga estudyante ngayon ay sick with COVID-19 virus.”

(From the old traditional face-to-face, the set-up will be a bit different these days because of the health protocols. We are not sure if the students we are going to accept this school year are or were positive for the COVID-19 virus.)

She also shared that the challenge is not just for the teachers but also for the parents and students that will be coming to school.

What's the best part of Brigada Eskwela for you?

“Ang best part po ng Brigada Eskwela is nagkakaroon po ng partnership ang mga industry, LGU, at educational institutions. In this case po, nagkakaroon po ng strong friendship or naa-identify po ng lahat ng institusyon na ito ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga bata para po sa pag-unlad ng kanilang pag-aaral—even in times of COVID-19 pandemic.”

(The best part about Brigada Eskwela is that a partnership is being built between industries, LGUs, and educational institutions. In this case, a strong bond is created within the circle that helps us to identify all the needs of the school and provide the students with these essentials to have a better education—even in times of a COVID-19 pandemic.)

What's your message to students who will be coming back to school this month?

Dr. David said that as a mother, she only has one message to tell all the students that they will cater this year.

“Kailangan po natin ng matinding pag-iingat para sa inyong sarili sa paglabas pa lang ng inyong tahanan hanggang dito sa ating eskwelahan. Ganoon pa man, pagdating dito sa eskwelahan, maaasahan po ninyo na buong pag-iingat po naming kayong hahawakan.”

(We need to take serious precautions from the time that we go out of our home until we arrive at our school. However, we would like to inform the students that we will ensure their safety once they are inside our school premises.)

She also reminded us that aside from the teachers, they also need support from the parents to take good care of their kids and to take good care of themselves as well.

SORSOGON

Escuala Elementary School (Casiguran, Sorsogon)

For Escuala Elementary School, Mr. Luis H. Hamor, the EESP principal, and Ms. Arlene Ayende, the elementary teacher, shared their thoughts regarding the new face-to-face classes system in their school.

How do you feel now that face-to-face classes will resume?

“Okay lang naman magkaroon ng face to face since ang mga magulang, gusto din nilang magkaroon ng face to face. Mas maganda na nandito ang mga bata kasi gumagawa sila ng activites dito sa eskwelahan.” – Luis Hamor

(It's okay to have face-to-face classes since the parents also want it to happen. It's also better than the students are here in schools so that they can do the activities inside the school.)

“Syempre super happy kasi hinahanap ng mga estudyante ang school at teacher. Kaya kung magkaka-face to face talagang magiging masaya ang mga bata, hindi lang kaming mga guro.” – Arlene Ayende

(Of course, we are super happy since the students are longing to go to school and see their teachers. That's why if there is a face-to-face, the students will also be really glad, not just the teachers.)

What's the best part of Brigada Eskwela for you?

“The best part talaga ng Brigada ay yung halos lahat ng komunidad ay tumutulong sa paaralan. Iyung mga magulang, iyung mga stakeholders ay tumutulong sa amin kasama na ang kanilang mga donations at pintura upang mapaganda ang paaralan.” – Luis Hamor

(The best part of Brigada is when almost all the communities are sending their help and support to the school. The parents and stakeholders are helping us with their donations and for the beautification of the institution.)

“Yung makita na buong pusong tumutulong ang stakeholders sa pagpapaganda ng paaralan.” – Arlene Ayende

(When you see that the stakeholders are sincerely helping us for the beautification of our school.)

What's your message to students who will be coming back to school this month?

“Unang-una sinasabi ko na sa mga magulang, maintain the health protocols para sa mga bata. And welcome ulit sila dito sa eskwelahan.” – Luis Hamor

(My number one advice to the parents is for them to maintain the health protocols for the students and that we would like to welcome them back again to school.)

“Wine-welcome namin sila. Sana sa pagdating nila sa school ay ma-attain nila ang karunungan na hindi nila nakukuha sa bahay.” – Arlene Ayende

(We would like to welcome them, and we hope that being physically here in school can help them to achieve that learning that they can't get at home.)

SILAY

Gov. Emilio Gaston Memorial Elementary School (Silay City, Negros Occidental)

Teacher Grace de Mesa, a Grade 2 Teacher from GEGMES, shared her message about the upcoming face-to-face classes for the students.

How do you feel now that face-to-face classes will resume?

“Soon we’ll be having face to face classes, I feel mixed emotions. Happy kasi matuturuan ng tama yung mga bata especially yung tamang pronunciation ng mga letters and soundings. Matuturuan din talaga sila nung 3R’s: Writing, Reading, and Arithmetic.”

(Soon, we'll be having face-to-face classes; I feel mixed emotions. Happy because we can appropriately teach the students again the right pronunciation of letters and soundings. They can also better learn the 3R's: Writing, Reading, and Arithmetic in school.)

“Sad also kasi limited lang yung actions or activities na magagawa during your classes. Then, hindi mo ma-implement talaga kung ano yung gusto mo during classroom discussion kasi nga limited lang talaga.”

(I also feel sad because we can only have limited activities during our classes, and we can't implement what we really want to achieve and discuss in the classroom.)

What's the best part of Brigada Eskwela for you?

"The best part of Brigada Eskwela is helping each other, especially in implementing the programs, projects, and activities of the school. Also, our stakeholders are already there in helping us to implement these PPAs."

What's your message to students who will be coming back to school this month?

"Learning is fun, so don't be afraid to be in school this year because you will learn a lot and your teachers are ready to cater to you."

OZAMIZ

Lodiong Elementary School (Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental)

In Lodiong Elementary School, the staff of Lumina Ozamiz helped in the beautification and cleaning by volunteering themselves in sweeping the school grounds. They also arranged and took care of the various plants and trees that surround the school.

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We hope that Lumina Homes communities were able to help you out and respond to your needs this school year. Good luck to our teachers and students!