PIONEERS '91 HOLDS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OUTREACH TO AETA CHILDREN IN SITIO BUROG, BAMBAN

The HFA Pioneers '91 (Highschool Batch 1991), recently concluded its annual Christmas give-gifting last December 12, 2015. This year's recipients are the children of the indigent Aeta families of Sitio Burog, Bamban, Tarlac, in cooperation with Burog Elementary School teachers. The Pioneers made it a point this time to search for a community of Aetas who are never a popular choice for such donations, due to their general inaccessibility.

A simple program was held where Aeta children performed both traditional and modern dance. Fun parlor games were also conducted by volunteer BSED students of City College of Angeles who were also there to support the project. Kawagad Remy Tolentino expressed concern over the dying Aeta heritage and culture due to the heavy influence of technology, mainstream media and pop culture, among others. Sometimes being an isolated tribe has its own advantages in the preservation of their heritage, which they want to pass on for many generations to come, she added.

The Pioneers distributed 200 customized ecobags containing school supplies, a pair of slippers, medicines and multivitamins and a bag of rice each. Two balikbayan boxes of used children's clothing donated by Pioneers abroad were also packed for separate distribution. Snacks and refreshments were also served to conclude the outreach program. As for the Pioneers who participated, the activity was highlighted by a boodle fight which is always a memorable bonding experience. Past recipients of Pioneer '91's outreach programs and medical missions include Munting Tahanan ning Nazareth, Duyan ni Maria Children's Home and Northville 15 in Barangay Cutud.

Expect more activities from The Pioneers as they prepare to host the annual HFA Grand Alumni Homecoming in December 2016. "Pioneers" was a term coined as they were the first batch of co-ed highschool students who first occupied the HFA New Site in Cutcut in June 1987.