August 11, 2010

Local organization aims to rebuild school in Philippines

By Julie Filby

For years students learned their ABCs, participated in daily flag ceremonies, and played hopscotch at the Infanta Central School in the province of Quezon, Philippines. All that remains of the school today are mossy concrete steps, a few pillars and remnants of walls.

In 1972 a typhoon devastated the area and destroyed the school. Local children are being educated in crowded rundown quarters intended to be temporary.

“These small rooms have too many children, no air conditioning, high humidity—that makes for a substandard learning environment,” said Mila Glodava, president of Metro Infanta Foundation, a nonprofit organization that unites Filipino expatriates to fund causes back home.

Glodava, a former student at the school, has lived in the United States since 1972 and serves as director of communications and stewardship at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial. She began entertaining the idea of rebuilding the school after a visit to her hometown in 1995 following a long absence.

“I wondered why no one had rebuilt the structure,” she said. “Not surprisingly, ‘no money’ was the answer I received.”

When visiting in 2000 the project again tugged at her heart.

“I had this nagging feeling of wanting to resurrect this once-bursting-with-life building,” she said. “I made my wishes known and began holding meetings with school and government officials.”

Formal talks began between the local government and Metro Infanta Foundation in 2003. In 2004, school officials presented a blueprint for a new U-shaped building with 10 classrooms. However, in November 2004, another destructive typhoon hit Quezon, halting the project while the community focused on rebuilding the infrastructure.

The building campaign, a joint venture between the Metro Infanta Foundation and the people of Infanta, is now back in full swing working to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31.

“With financial support, we will transform not only the building, but society as well,” Glodava said. “We hope to train and empower the younger generation to take their place in society—in a much brighter society than they have right now.”

The new school, which will accommodate more than 600 students, is expected to be finished in 2011, in time for the 100th anniversary of the original building.

Combined efforts, including the local Friends of Infanta, have collected more than $90,000 through donations, parties, dinners, and a “Pennies from Heaven” campaign at schools. Students at Denver’s St. Rose of Lima School collected more than $100 in pennies for the school.

Joanne Horne, parishioner at St. Thomas More, chairs the Friends of Infanta.

“It touched my heart and I want to do what I can to help the people in the Philippines, especially the children,” said Horne, who also volunteers with Seeds of Hope Trust serving Catholic school students in inner-city Denver. “The (Filipino) children are as precious as our children right here in Denver. They are all God’s children.”

Friends of Infanta are hosting “A Filipino Night to Remember” Sept. 10 featuring chef and entertainer Father Leo Patalinghug (click here for event details and story about Father Leo).

Metro Infanta Foundation
For more information or to donate, contact Mila Glodava
Phone: 303-940-1309
Email: editor@infanta.org
Web: www.infanta.org