At Barangay Culasi, Roxas City

 

It's been a rainy morning in Culasi, Roxas City. But 130 children from 5 sitios in Barangay Culasi were all smiles to receive school supplies from BalayniCharie Foundation. Many thanks to May Necesario and Konsehal Juanito Acer for organizing and coordinating this event which flowed seamlessly. Huge thank you also to Diane Acas for the unique backpacks and Selma Templanza for the ballpoint pens. 

BalayniCharie is now on its 20th year of service to the children in Capiz.

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Images by BalayniCharie

Feeding Program at Anatolia Arcenas School

 

Grateful to have been able to share blessings with the children at Anatolia Arcenas Memorial School in Roxas City. We were able to give school supplies and food packs to 43 children during their recess. We also fed them with Spanish bread for this morning's break. Thanks to Noel Tan and Ms. Jean Corros for coordinating this event.

The school selects the children deemed at risk for undernutrition to participate in the program. If you wish to take part in a feeding program, please contact a school near you. Most elementary schools in Capiz have one. 

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Home for the Aged

As we take care of our children, we must also take care of our elderly sisters especially those who are at the Senior Home. We visited seven residents at the Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged in Banica, Roxas City and brought, blankets, sheets, toiletries and some cookies. We spoke with the officers of the organization to find out what the Home needs. Aside from food, they need medical devices like walkers, beddings including underpads, adult pads etc. You may contact any of the officers, Lourdes Mabasa, Mrs. Selfa Umitin, or Mrs. Marianelda Alisasis at 09852921513 to find out how you can help. Thank you.

Feeding Program at Don Conrado Barrios ES

 

Don Conrado Barrios Memorial School

Wednesday is feeding day at Don Conrado Barrios Memorial School for 50 children deemed as at risk for undernutrition. Thanks to Mata Ji, Christian George Francisco Acevedo, Atty. Luvim Amores who brought food packs, fruits, toiletries while BalayniCharie Foundation gave school supplies. It's clear that when we work together we can do more good. If you're interested in helping with the school's feeding program, please contact Ms. Grace Baler who is in charge of the program. Conrado Barrios ES is at 2433 Arnaldo Blvd. Roxas City.

The children start the day with some fun exercises.

BalayniCharie Foundation is now on its 20th year of giving school supplies to the children in Capiz and coordinates the distribution of books to schools and libraries in in the province including the Little Library at Jacque’s Coffee in Roxas City.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

With The Ati and Panay Bukidnon communities

Ati and Panay Bukidnon communities

Thank you very much Christian George Francisco Acevedo and Mata Ji of Seva Group for joining forces with BalayniCharie Foundation to give school supplies and food packs to the Ati and Panay Bukidnon indigenous communities in Dumarao, Capiz. The food packs were donated by Gov. Fredenil Castro and Luvim Amores. Selma Villagracia Templanza generously provided the backpacks and school supplies. Capt. Cyrus Papna Hitalia, Barangay captain of Aglalana, coordinated this event which brought 120 kids together at the Barangay hall. I'd also like to thank our Anonymous donor. It was a special day of partnership and giving.

The table of food packs from the Seva Group.

Children waiting for their names to be called.  Photo courtesy of Cyrus P. Hitalia.

This is the Barangay hall where two indigenous communities came together to receive school supplies, food packs and clothing for the mothers who brought their kids. Photos courtesy of Cyrus P. Hitalia

These backpacks and school supplies were given by Selma Templanza. Notebooks were donated by BalayniCharie and an anonymous donor. Photo from Capisnon.com.

Our Lady of Snows

Dumarao is known for its pretty pink church. We had to stop and say a prayer before leaving the town. Don’t miss it when you come to Capiz.

BalayniCharie Foundation is now on its 20th year of giving school supplies to the children in Capiz.

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20th year at Two Schools in Pan-ay

Binantuan Elem School

This school in Pan-ay is managing to stay relevant despite the lack of classrooms yet the kids are sharp and friendly. One child came up to kiss me. I was moved by his gesture. Thanks to an Anonymous donor for helping us with this event. And to Diane Acas, the kids always love your backpacks. 

Binantuan Elem School

Binantuan Elem School

The way to Binantuan Elem School.

Bato Elementary School

Bato Elementary School in Pan-ay is our 12th school supplies recipient for 2025. With only three classrooms and the stage area for Kinder to 6th grade, the students have to share classrooms. But the principal's determination has converted the former primary school to an elementary school. Kudos to Marivic Barrera for her hard work through the years. Thanks to Selma Villagracia Templanza for the backpacks we gave away today. So glad to have visited Bato ES. BalayniCharie Foundation is now on its 20th year.

Bato Elementary School

Bato Elementary School

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Images by TravelswithCharie

 

Little Library New Venue

We recently celebrated the return of our Little Library to Jacque's Coffee and Chills on Baybay Beach, our original home. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Munich Conlu and our steward, Mercedes Ortiz Ignacio, we're back at Jacque's.

Come to Jacque's for the coffee and cakes, stay and pick up a book from the library for a rewarding read by the sea as waves gently caress the shore in front of you. 

Bohemian Mandala

Jacque's is one of the most Instagrammable coffee shops in Roxas City. Savor the mango crumble crunch cake while contemplating on the meaning of a mandala.  

Lin-ay by Christian George Acevedo

Check out the selection of books we have at the Little Library including books by local auhors as well as children's books. And please remember, when you take a book, do share a book. This is how we can sustain our Little Library so everyone can benefit from it. Thank you. 

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” Walter Cronkite

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Images by TravelswithCharie

 

20th year at Almon Primary School

Almon Primary School

Some of the children from Almon Primary School have to walk an hour to school everyday from their homes up in the mountains of Ivisan. I admire their determination to learn and get a good education. Thanks to our generous donors Odette Aquitania Ricasa and Connie Collo for sponsoring this event today. BalayniCharie Foundation is now on its 20th year of giving school supplies to the children in Capiz.

Every child should have the opportunity to go to school and learn.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Unexpected Recognition

I was pleasantly surprised on Thanksgiving Day when I was informed by Philippine Global Explorers (PGE) that I was nominated as one of the Most Impactful Globetrotters. PGE is a worldwide organization with some 1700 members. This is a huge recognition and I am truly honored. The basis for this nomination are my charitable works through my foundation, BalayniCharie School Supplies Program. The winner will be decided on December 6th at the organization’s annual party. As a nominee, I feel I’m already a winner!

I feel deeply honored to have been nominated by members of the Philippine Global Explorers as one of the Most Impactful Globetrotters and to be in the company of distinguished nominees. It is quite a huge responsibility to bear the title "Impactful Globetrotter" and something I cannot take lightly. Having the privilege to travel, I feel it is important to reach out to my community and share this good fortune. My work with providing school supplies to children in Capiz, Philippines these last 20 years has been made possible through the generosity of friends and family from around the world. I'm grateful to PGE for recognizing this effort and I hope this will give members and associates the motivation to do the same for people and cultures that have profoundly affected their travel experiences. 

If you would like to find out more about BalayniCharie Foundation, please check this link: www.balaynicharie.blogspot.com.

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Images from Philippine Global Explorers

20th Year at Quinat-uyan ES

 

Finally! We have a sunny day. The kids at Quinat-uyan Elem School in Maayon enjoyed the outdoors with us even more so when they received some school supplies. Thank you Diane Acas for the backpacks. BalayniCharie is now on its 20th year of giving school supplies to the children in Capiz.

Images from TravelswithCharie

20th year at Minoro Elem School

We've had several typhoons and flooding in Capiz these past few weeks. But we made it to Minoro Elem School in Mambusao. Since it was raining, we all squeezed into the principal's office. But it was all good. Our sponsor today is Odette Aquitania Ricasa, the first Filipina to visit all 193 UN countries in the world. She is also the author of seven books and has generously supported many charitable causes including BalayniCharie School Supplies Program. Diane Acas donated the backpacks. We are grateful to our sponsors who made this event possible and drew smiles from the children. BalayniCharie is now 20 years old! Thanks to Odette Ricasa for sponsoring this event. 

These cute backpacks were donated by Diane Acas.

Images by TravelswithCharie

 

Celebrating our 20th Year

 

Tinigban Integrated School, Panitan

How we started: 

In 2006, I began giving school supplies to 20 of the most disadvantaged children in Roxas City. When we left the classroom, several children asked me, "How about us? When will you give us?" The following year I gave school supplies to the entire first and second grades. On the third year, I was able to give to the entire school. And now, BalayniCharie is on its 20th year, thanks to the generous people who supported our work. We couldn't have done it without their help. 

We kicked off our 20th year at Tinigban Integrated School where we gave school supplies to 133 students. This event was sponsored by Connie Collo. Many thanks to Connie for her staunch support of BalayniCharie. The backpacks which we gave to some deserving children were donated by Diane Acas who has been one of our steadfast supporters over the years. 

Images by TravelswithCharie

Balay ni Charie is now on its 19th year

It seems only yesterday when we started giving school supplies to the children in Capiz. In the beginning, we gave school supplies to 20 children at Conrado Barrios Elementary School in Roxas City. The following year we gave the entire first grade class and then both the first and second grades the succeeding year until we finally had the funds to give the entire school. Big thanks to our donors who have made this journey possible. Now we’re on the eve of our 20th anniversary. How exciting is that! 

In early 2025, we visited six schools and here they are: 

Catmon Elementary School, Panitan, Capiz, February 12, 2025

Donor: Leda Albar

Cabungahan Elementary School, Maayon, Capiz, February 18, 2025

Donor: Connie Collo, Odette Aquitania Ricasa

Culasi Elementary School, Sapian, Capiz, February 26, 2025

Donor: Florence Barredo Panes

Balaring Elementary School, Ivisan, Capiz, March 11, 2025

Donor: Smiley and Kai Shies Program

Nipa Day Care, Roxas City, March 12, 2025

Donor: Nieva Q. Burdick

Tugas Elementary School, Mambusao, Capiz, March 18, 2025

Donor: Selma Templanza, Rose Driscoll (Rose Driscoll made a special quilt and donated it as a prize to raise funds for BalayniCharie).

Big thanks to Diane Acas for the special backpacks she donated which we gave to a few of the children whose names were drawn from a hat by their teachers. The winners were so pleased with the backpacks. We are grateful to all our donors who made the children very happy and well prepared to tackle their schoolwork.

If you would like to donate to our school supplies program or would like your school to receive school supplies, please contact balaynicharie@gmail.com. The elementary school must be located in Capiz, Philippines.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Re-launching of our Little Free Library

In May 2017, we launched the Little Free Library (LFL) at Jacques on Baybay Beach, the first LFL on the island of Panay. Locals enjoyed the books and magazines the LFL offered to both adults and children until the pandemic rolled in. People stayed at home and our library languished. Fast forward to 2025 when Mercedes Ortiz Ignacio decided to resurrect our free library and become its steward. The next step was to find a venue in a well trodden area. We were lucky to have found Mikhael Dayoub of Papa Mikhael's Restaurant who gladly volunteered to host the LFL. 

Michael Dayoub, our LFL hoat and Mercedes Ortiz Ignacio, our new steward.

On March 21, 2025, we re-launched our Little Free Library at Papa Michael's on Baybay Beach. It is one of 200,000 little free libraries in 128 countries. Our LFL is a charter member of this worldwide organization.

We're grateful to all the guests who joined us in celebrating this eventful re-launching of the LFL and who also gave books so we have a full house.

Our Little Free Library at the entrance to 

Papa Mikhael's

We hope you'll come to Papa Mikhael's on Baybay Beach to check out our library. The books are free to take. But if you give a book, you'll help sustain the library for years to come.

About the launching of LFL in 2017:

https://balaynicharie.blogspot.com/2017/05/little-free-library-launched-in-capiz.html?m=1

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