Mga Biyaya
News Bulletin #5
The MULAT Program: A contribution to early childhood education, development of cultural and moral understanding through storytelling
By: Mary Anne A. Ferrer
As November was officially announced as The Philippines National Children’s Month, last November 24, the Community Development Unit under the Office of Student Affairs and International Mobility, with the assistance of the Hiraya Alumni Program, officially launched the MULAT or MUla sa akLAT program, a storytelling activity that intends to invite kids
from different partner communities of Guang Ming College to make use of their idle time or time after schools and contribute to the kid’s early childhood education and development of cultural and moral understanding.
Thus, this program offers an opportunity for the children to use imagination and creativity as well as listening skills, increase verbal proficiency, enhance intercultural understanding and communication and promote the culture of reading and learning.
With the goal to promote the use of the native language, the storytelling program utilizes children’s Tagalog books written by Filipino Authors, mostly focused on instilling lessons of good manners and respect.
The MULAT program will continuously operate every Friday, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 NN at Guang Ming College Tagaytay, catering Children from the Day Care Centers of the College’s partner Communities.
Bundles of Joy
By: Gladith Kate Navarro
It’s that time of the year again – a special time for giving, sharing and getting together.
Bundles of Joy, an event led by the Mabuhay Temple and the Buddha’s Light International Association Philippines was held at Guang Ming College Tagaytay last December 20, 2022, with the assistance of the GMC-Tagaytay staff and the Hiraya Alumni Members. The occasion was graced by the presence of Venerable Jue Ci, Venerable Chueh Lin and Venerable Zhi Qin, and BLIA President Mr. Erwin Choa.
Every December, various chapters of BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association) come together and donate goods to the Mabuhay Temple. These donations are then sorted, packed and sent out to different communities as holiday gifts. For this year, the Community Development Unit (under the Office of Student Affairs and International Mobility) headed by Ms. Mary Anne Ferrer, chose community partners who are residing near our school in Tagaytay. Each community group is composed of 50 selected persons and will all receive a “bundle of joy” as presents.
The program started out with the chanting of the song Om Mani Padme Hum, a chant for blessings. Afterwards, the coordinator for Community Development (Ms. Mary Anne Ferrer) gave her welcome remarks and was followed by short messages of gratitude from the representatives of each partner community, particularly, Barangay Patutong Malaki North, Galicia I, Galicia II, and Galicia III.
Seeing the members of the community smile as they receive their own bundle of joy is one of the most heartwarming experiences we have ever had. Everyone was in a merry mood, not even the rainy weather could dampen their spirits. Truly, the essence of this special December activity is that of giving and sharing, and it is our honor and privilege to have witnessed this annual FGS tradition.