This pandemic time has fostered fear among Filipinos, revealed the injustices in the country, and disrupted the lives of many. The emerging challenges in these trying times, likewise call for the need to be human, even in the midst of a crippling pandemic. Much emphasis must be placed not only on human rights but also on our competence and commitment to human duty: one driven by compassion and empathy towards those who need it most—values that are notably embedded in the Thomasian identity.
HALILIHAN: Wika ng Bayanihan, as a fundraising event and donation drive, is produced by the UST English Language Studies Society as a Community Development project for the Academic Year 2020-2021. 'Halilihan' is a Filipino word that means "to bring about change," which describes the meaningful change the project aimed to provide to the lives of the indigenous learners and teachers of our partner community: Sta. Juliana National High School (SJNHS) in Capas, Tarlac.
Indigenous children around the world have historically been denied the right to embrace their own heritage and identity when pursuing inclusive education. As student leaders prompted by these significant Thomasian values, we aspired to spark change and to make a significant mark on the lives of our beneficiaries—our often overlooked and marginalized indigenous brothers and sisters. Through HALILIHAN, our purpose to raise funds from the initiative with the help of distinguished partner local brands, Tala by Kyla and Hiatus Manila have produced a great amount of proceeds that were used to provide suitable teaching and learning materials essential for the institutional learning of the community in Capas, Tarlac.
‘Halilihan Collection’ in collaboration with Hiatus Manila (@hiatus.mnl)
Photos by: Hiatus Manila
One of the brand partners, Hiatus Manila, is known for producing stylish, voguish and inspiring sweaters with trendy pieces of embroidery designs that hold the biggest impression when wearing. Believing that fashion is a self expression through art, it gives aesthetic vibes that can hop to millennial’s culture. ‘The Hiatus x Halilihan Collection’ for a cause helps raise public awareness towards the Indigenous learners' educational challenges in Capas, Tarlac. The proceeds of this collection were used to provide adequate supplies of learning and teaching materials for the community.
'Halilihan Collection’ in collaboration with Tala by Kyla (@officialtalabykyla)
Photos by: Tala by Kyla
From the most substantial brand partner who has the largest contribution to the fundraiser, Tala By Kyla, produces custom jewelry with lasting beauty, fashionable design pieces and exceptional craftsmanship that will be treasured for a lifetime. The purchased products from the ‘Halilihan Collection’ with Tala by Kyla were customized from the culture and symbols of the indigenous community as the project’s beneficiary.
In the hopes of raising awareness on the struggles of indigenous learners in the country, HALILIHAN: Wika ng Bayanihan also sought to promote inclusive education for everyone especially with the struggles individuals go through from remote learning in the new normal. As an organization that values the beauty of our diverse culture while preserving indigenous languages, and seeks to empower the marginalized through inclusive education, HALILIHAN strived to emphasize the grassroots perspective of indigenous learners with the pursuit of educating people and elevating their everyday educational realities and challenges.
Photos by: HALILIHAN: Wika ng Bayanihan
Last March 2, 2021, The HALILIHAN: Wika ng Bayanihan team has packed 531 sets of school supplies for the indigenous learners and to the teachers of Sta. Juliana National High School in Capas, Tarlac. With all of the donations, The project was able to provide ample educational materials for all 531 students and teachers of the community.
On March 13th, 2021, the first batch of donations arrived in Sta. Juliana National High School, Capas Tarlac.
Photos by: Liezl Sanchez (School Principal)
Photos by: Janet Cura (Supreme Student Government Adviser)
The valiant and passionate teachers of Sta. Juliana National High School showcased their full excitement as they received their tote bags with teaching materials provided by HALILIHAN.
A total of 511 indigenous learners and 20 teachers of Sta. Juliana National High School was able to receive various learning and teaching supplies from the fundraiser. Initially launched in the last month of 2020, on December 14, the journey of HALILIHAN was not all smooth sailing, for its planning and implementation took almost 6 arduous months as the project ended on March 13, 2021 after transporting the last set of donations to the community. UST-ELSSOC’s Community Development team continuously worked on this project as it was important for the organization to disseminate the educational reality of the Indigenous learners in these times to raise awareness and to reach a great number of people to contribute towards this initiative.
Through the HALILIHAN team and the help of our partner brands and those who generously supported our cause, the drive amassed a total of:
Php 298,368.60 of funds
Despite the initial doubts, the team’s hard work together with the overwhelming support that the project received directed for our purpose, has allowed us to successfully provide enough school supplies and duplicating machines for the community of SJNHS.
Indeed, through the Filipino’s shared language of compassion and the spirit of Bayanihan, great change can be fulfilled regardless of the endless limiting barriers that may come our way. Today, and every day, we continue to strive for better realities for learners everywhere. Dahil ang para sa Sta. Juliana, ay para rin sa bayan.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halilihan.fundraiserph
Instagram: @halilihan.fundraiserph
Twitter: @halilihan_ph
PROJECT DETAILS
Beneficiary: Sta. Juliana National High School — Capas, Tarlac
Date: December 14, 2020 - March 13, 2021
HALILIHAN PROJECT TEAM
Project Heads:
Adrianne Milla
Marygrace Cariaso
Creatives:
Daniel Juanga
Public Relations/Communications:
Brittany Kirsch
Rozene Adremesin
Marketing:
Keanah Ycasas
Blessy Gelomio
Niña Nangel
Project Officers:
Bianca Budomo
John Paul Javier
