A bright future for our nation begins with APPWe can all agree that 2020 was a year of trials, but it was also a year of opportunities. 

All of us in the Lopez Group experienced pain and grief because of the effects of the pandemic on our lives and that of our loved ones, and we experienced so much pain because of the nonrenewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise and the cease-and-desist orders issued to ABS-CBN TVplus and SKYdirect.

I say 2020 was also a year of opportunities as we realized many things about ourselves, from being able to stay at home 24/7 for months on end, work from home, learn how to cook and grow our own vegetables, teach our children their lessons, and many other tasks we previously relegated to others. We realized that we have it in ourselves to help not just ourselves, but that we can help others even in our darkest hours.

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural and man-made disasters. This vulnerability is an effect, but also one of the causes of our poor learning as shown in various international tests. We hope to address this vulnerability by encouraging children to have a more scientific mind, think critically, creatively, and help solve their local problems.

Cluster for education

Twelve Lopez companies and foundations have come together to form the Education Cluster of the Lopez Learning Synergy Summit. These are FIRST School, OML Center, First Gen Corporation, PAAFI or Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation Inc., Energy Development Corporation, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Programa Genio and Bantay Bata, Mount Apo Foundation Inc., First Philippine Industrial Park, Ang Misyon Inc. and Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc.

To encourage and build scientific minds who will help their communities be less vulnerable, we will do the following: produce 80 video lessons for Grades 3 and 7 based on a reimagined science curriculum guide. We will work closely with the teachers, principals, DepEd division offices, private organizations, and other subject matter experts. There are three organizations of Filipino and foreign scientists from all over the world that would like to help us.

We want to improve their learning environment by providing 114 tablets for students and seven laptops for teachers preloaded with digital learning materials.

Science learning kits will be assembled and provided to each of the 85 Grade 7 students and their teacher. The learning kit includes materials that match the activities at the end of each quarter.

Looking for partners

Reliable internet access is an integral part of today’s education. But this remains a main concern in our pilot area.

So, we are looking for possible partners and collaborators that can help us work towards better internet connectivity in Malabrigo, Batangas.

We will train and closely mentor the teachers and principals in the Malabrigo schools. We aim to equip them on science content knowledge, teaching approaches and communication skills. Teachers, as facilitators of learning, are key in making science learning more meaningful and engaging.

I would like to call for your support in fulfilling this pilot project and in making a difference in the education of our Filipino students in Malabrigo and beyond. Let’s prove again that during these times of uncertainty, meaningful partnerships can help us thrive and conquer.

Tara na. Sali na sa Agham Para Sa Pagbabago. Suportahan natin ang bagong henerasyon ng mga Pilipinong siyentistang handa sa hamon ng 21st century.