Lakbay Aral 2008

March 2008

Mr. Edwin Fontanilla, Manager of World Partners Bank with ILP Students upon entering the “Museo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas”

Splash Foundation, Inc. held LAKBAY-ARAL 2008, where 86 ILP (Interactive Literacy Program) students visited Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Library and Luneta Park last February 20, 2008 headed by Ms.Aui T. Manalang, SFI Program Manager and Ms. Mae V. Morandarte, ILP Teacher with the participation of our friends from World Partners Bank, Mr.Edwin Fontanilla, Mr. Tony Mui and Ms. Lucy Pilongco and 15 volunteers from ILP Parents.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gallery

At Museo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas children heard the story of money from the earliest trading times in the Philippines, when primitive money was used and barter was practiced, to the creation of modern coins and banknotes. The galleries show the currencies used during the different periods of the country’s history- from the pre-Hispanic Era, Spanish Era, Revolutionary Period, the American Regime, the Japanese Occupation and the Philippine Republic Period.

ILP Kids and some parents with SFI’s Ms. Aui, Teacher Mae, Ms. Joanna and BSP Managers Ms. Reggie, Sir Eric and WPB’s Sir Edwin, Sir Tony, Miss Lucy.

The children also were given a chance to watch a video presentation on the Process of Printing Banknotes and Minting of Coins taken from BSP Quezon City and as a reminder, Mr Amando M. Tetangco, JR, Tagapangasiwa ng Bangko Sentral said “Ingatan natin ang ating salapi, Yaman ito ng ating lahi”. By the statement given, the ILP students were told on the importance of money and how valuable it is to everyone. Even the simplest and smallest coin has of great value like the ten- centavo coin which children today took for granted. It should be used for completing a peso or hundred pesos if ever we took them unnoticed, our money reserves will be lacking. Money in forms of bills, notes and coins should be very well spent. Children should be taught also how to be thrifty and how to handle money properly even at their early age. By so doing, children when properly trained can prosper when they grow old.

One of the significant items that caught the interest of the LAKBAY-ARAL children is the biggest legal tender note. That is the 100,000-peso centennial note measuring 8 ½ x 14. This was accredited by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s biggest legal tender note.

Not only were the pupils given the opportunity to hear and see the important Philippine currencies but also they were given a chance to participate in computer money games which of course added thrill and fun to everyone.

The ILP students also visited the National Library, the repository of the printed and recorded cultural heritage of the country. To add to the intellectual growth, the children proceeded to the Children’s Library and Library of the Blind.

At the Children’s Library, Ate Malai read the story of “Alamat ng Ampalaya” while the children listened attentively. Not only did the children listen to a re-tell story but they also did enjoyable activities such as solving puzzles, coloring and played educational computer games. They also went to the Filipiniana Division where the replica of the two famous novels of our National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were displayed.

Their visit to the Library of the Blind was truly inspiring. They have observed the demonstration of a blind woman on how she can read fast using the Braille Method. Suddenly the children felt how blessed they are and whispered a prayer, thanking God for their eyes.

Last leg of the visit was the famous Rizal Park, formerly known as the Luneta Park, which is in the midst of Manila, located next to Intramuros. It has beautiful gardens, historical markers, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, playgrounds and dozens of fountains. Children loved to play and strolled as they grouped themselves. They were so happy that they found out that, it is in this park that our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was shot to death by firing squad on December 30, 1896. It was so historical for us; they said that we should always remember him as a man of courage, for he died for the sake of our country.

Each group had their presentation on their learning for the LaKBaY-aRaL 2008 at Rizal Park; Group 1 headed by Teacher Mae won the competition where they put all their learnings and composed them into a song.

The ILP Students and even ILP Parents went home with lots of learning and fun to share. Truly the experiences of these young kids are irreplaceable and worth reminiscing.

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