MARIVELES, Bataan – A husband and his wife, both teachers at an Aeta school in a depressed mountain village in Mariveles on Tuesday called on more Good Samaritans like government officers here to help children belonging to the cultural minority.
Danilo and Mariquita Banal asked for a continuous feeding program, school supplies and needs for the children’s personal hygiene like toothbrushes, toothpastes and soaps. They said that they conduct a daily feeding program with funding sourced from different organizations which they wish to go on.
"Isa sa mga matinding dahilan kung bakit lumiliban sa klase ang mga batang katutubo ay ang kakulangan sa pagkain at napipilitan silang sumunod sa kanilang mga magulang sa paghahanap-buhay sa bundok," the couple said, adding "kapag busog, madaling matuto kesa nagugutom."
The natives etch their living from hunting, planting root crops and harvesting honey, income from which are most often not enough.
Mariquita handles Grades 1-3 and the pre-school while Danilo takes charge of children in Grades 4-6. There are 45 pupils presently enrolled at the Biaan Aeta School in Upper Biaan.
The couple thanked the 35-member Council of Personnel Officers composed of Human Resources and Management officers of all local government units, government hospitals, water districts and government schools in 11 towns and one city in Bataan.
"Sana po dumami pa ang katulad ninyo," the teachers told the guests.
The personnel officers led by their president Mary Adolfo, Mariveles HRMO, gave their early Christmas gifts to the Aeta pupils in the form of clothes, towels, umbrellas, school supplies and some other items.
They were considered as "ninang" and "ninong" with children kissing their hands as they handed the gifts. The activity was part of the outreach program of the personnel officers under the guidance of provincial director Emily Reyes of the Civil Service Commission.
The children presented a cultural song and dance numbers to the enjoyment of the guests. An Aeta mother rendered a love song.
There are more than 30 families of Aetas in Upper Biaan belonging to the Magbucon Tribe. The teachers said the natives are still proud of their cultural heritage which they show through dances and songs.
