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

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

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

At Duluan Integrated School

It was a pleasure to give school supplies once again to the students of Duluan Elementary School. They are always so warm and welcoming that the long trip to their school is well worth it. Many thanks to the Gary Steele Family Foundation for making this happen. (This school supplies distribution took place on March 13, 2024.)

We also gave new shoes to some of the children who didn't have shoes to wear to school. We are grateful to the Smiley and Kai Shoes Project for their generosity.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of UNIFFIED teachers of New York and Nieva Burdick we were able to give children's books to the school's library. 

Duluan has designated a small area in the Teachers Room to store their library materials. Hopefully they'll have the resources to build a library for their students in the near future.

These are the notes and cards the children gave me. It's heartwarming. Thank you so much.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

Update on the Book Donations by UNIFFIED, New York Chapter

Here’s an update on where the books sent by United Federation of FilAm Educators, New York Chapter and Nieva Q. Burdick were donated:

Tabuc Norte Elementary School, Panitan, February 5, 2024

Lawaan Integrated School and Basa Barangay, Roxas City, February 7, 2024

Capiz State Univ (CAPSU)

Capiz State University (CAPSU) Library, February 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of Christian George Acevedo.

St. Mary’s Academy, Roxas City, February 13, 2024

Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Roxas City, February 14, 2024

Anatolia Arcenas Memorial School, Roxas City, February 15, 2024

Panitan High School, Panitan, February 19, 2024 

Balay Mapanag, Cuartero, February 20, 2024

Duluan Elementary School, Maayon, March 13, 2024

Handing of books to Maayon Ladies' Library through Ma'am Noemi Unating. March 18, 2024

Thank you UNIFFIED, New York Chapter and Nieva Q. Burdick for your generous donation.

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Images by BalayniCharie

At Jebaca Elementary School

 

We nearly didn’t make it to Jebaca Elementary School. It is located in a remote area in Maayon, Capiz and we had a difficult time to get there. As we have a compact car, we couldn’t forge through running water that had accumulated from rains of the previous day. We had to turn back and wait for the school to send us an SUV to help us get to their school. We almost left and it would have been a huge disappointment for the kids who had been waiting for us all morning. Thank goodness we didn’t go home after the initial setback.

The school is up on the hill with a narrow road leading up to it. Some of the classrooms are situated on the lower slope.

Here are the kids who patiently waited for us.

We passed by this hanging bridge on our way to the school.

The countryside is lush and green.

Here was our Waterloo. The descent is quite steep and the water was streaming down the side like a waterfall. 

We were also able to give shoes to some families with infants from the Smiley and Kai Shoes Program.

So glad we made it to Jebaca. It was a pleasure to meet Jibbs Bigas, the principal, and his staff. Thank you so much to the STEELE Family Charitable Trust and especially to Gary Steele for this wonderful opportunity to help the children in Jebaca succeed in school with the school supplies we gave them.

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Images by TravelswithCharie 

Forging ahead in 2023

Schools visited in January 2023:

Doña Fructuosa Alba de Romero Elem. School

Sigma, Capiz

Principal: Sherill Buni

January 7, 2023

Sponsored by Odette A. Ricasa and 

Nieva Q. Burdick

With Odette A. Ricasa

Agustin Navarra Elem School

Ivisan, Capiz

Principal: Judith P. Tu

January 19, 2023

Sponsored by Odette A. Ricasa and

Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Project

Duluan Elem School

Maayon, Capiz

Principal: Abner Damsani

January 2023

Books donated by Jasmin Gaite and 

Diane Acas

Dayhagan Elem School

Pilar, Capiz

Principal: Phincy Obligar

January 30, 2023

Sponsored by Gary and Nancy Steele Charitable Trust 

Odette A. Ricasa

Smiley and Kai Shoes Project

Butacal Elementary School

Pontevedra, Capiz

January 28, 2023

Kinder, Grade 1 and Grade 6

Photos by Elvina Benliro, Kinder Instructor

Many thanks to all our sponsors who are our backbone. BalayniCharie couldn't do it without your generous support. God bless you all. 

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Images by TravelswithCharie unless otherwise indicated.