Saknungan: Tungo sa Karunungan
The University of the Philippines Kamangyan, Inc. conducted an activity which aims to provide additional learning materials to less fortunate elementary children. The event is entitled Saknungan: Tungo sa Karunungan which was spearheaded by Desteen Marie Magbanua, 4th year BS Industrial Engineering student. Saknungan means bayanihan or extending help to other people.
This event is included in the month-long celebration of the organization’s 17th anniversary. In this activity, UPK gave free books and school supplies to Bangkal Elementary School in Bulalacao, wherein the majority of the population belong to the ethnic group of Mangyans.
With the aid of Bulalacao Vice-Mayor Teresita Bantugan, UP Kamangyan distributed almost 150 elementary books last December 18, 2012. School supplies such as chalk, eraser, pencils, and papers were also provided by the organization. To welcome the guests, the school prepared a program where the students from Grades I-VI performed acts of dancing and singing.
Some of the books were second-hand books donated by the members of the organization. The distribution of the books also served as a Christmas present from the organization. The school’s population numbers to 350 students and 10 teachers. The Bangkal Elementary School is 1 hour away from the town proper of Bulalacao, with half of the travel time consisted of rough roads.
Bulalacao is the southernmost town of the province of Oriental Mindoro. Much of the town’s land area is covered by forests and mountainous terrain, which cater not only to the rich natural resources but also to the ethnic group of the Mangyans.
UP Kamangyan 