Celevel & Lou: Helping Rebuild Bohol's Schools

"We" meant Celevel Ranoco- Butler, her son Breit, her mom the former Evelia Mozo Fostanes and another companion whose name escapes me at the moment

But the gloom that came with the overcast weather was quickly dispelled by the sunny disposition of the mother – daughter tandem of Celevel & Evelia.

I quickly warmed up to the effervescent Evelia who regaled us with her life as a young island girl! 

Our Mission:  

Mom & Daughter Tandem (File Photo)

  a three- room school building rises  

To check on the situation and status of the school rebuilding efforts in Panggangan Island after a devastating 7.2 earthquake knocked down and forced the temporary transfer of the grade school and the secondary school buildings in the island

We were met by the hardworking teachers of the island along with Fr. Lito Masula who briefed us on the prototype of the classrooms that would be built in lieu of the tent and bamboo structures that serve as temporary classrooms for the kids 

Serious- looking Breit with Grandma Evelia with school teachers 

The highlight of the visit?

Celevel Butler handing out to Fr. Lito Masula and the public school teachers the amount raised through the efforts of Singapore- based advertising executives Celevel Ranoco- Butler and Lou De La Pena who initiated some fundraisers in Singapore to help rebuild some of Bohol’s damaged schools

  Your Blogger, Celevel & Fr, Lito 

Celevel hands to Fr. Lito the check for the school rebuilding

Before we went back to Tagbilaran City, Fr. Lito and the school teachers invited us to partake of an island feast of crabs, fish and kinilaw

Wow, the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful day! Cheers!

P.S. Did I mention to you that Celevel is also a Miss Bohol Sandugo titleholder? She won her crown back in the 90’s  

Celevel & Lou: Helping rebuild Bohol's schools

If you share in Lou & Celevel & my vision for a brighter future for Bohol’s next generation through quality education learned in conducive surroundings, please visit our Facebook Page:    

 Bohol Friends Forever- Rebuilding Schools

Singapore- Based Filipinas Help Rebuild Bohol Schools

  High school girls help repair their school 
Photo: Dennis Saco 

Among the most adversely affected by the 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol last October 15, 2013 were its school buildings and classrooms.

As a former teacher and as volunteer from the private sector, one of my immediate concerns was the extent of damage inflicted on the educational institutions across the affected areas in Bohol.

I even posted our photo documentation and factual assessment of the damages in my FB account

CELEVEL & LOU HELP OUT

It was with sheer joy and absolute delight that two Singapore- based Filipinas, Celevel Ranoco-Butler (Island girl from Bohol) and Lou de la Pena (City girl from Manila) share my passion for education. 

Celevel & Lou 

Both accomplished ladies set up a Facebook page dedicated to raise funds for rebuilding damaged school buildings and classrooms that were devastated by the earthquake

                                                                

One of the fundraisers being cooked up is an art auction slated on November 30 at Park House Orchard Boulevard (details will be sent to those attending upon RSVP)

Here's the link: Art Auction & Sale

Bravo to you ladies!

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

The island that is known for its rustic charm is blessed with white sandy beaches, beautiful scenery and heritage buildings from a bygone Spanish era that bespeak of its graceful and historic past.

Unique flora and fauna abound and so with peace- loving people who are known to be warm, friendly & hospitable.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK BOHOL 

October 15, 2013

No one would have guessed what Mother Nature has in stored for Boholanos until a strong earthquake shook the island and left much devastation on 15th October.

The entire province touted to be the next Bali or Phuket of Asia fell on its knees.

No electricity for more than a month, hundreds of school, churches and buildings were destroyed or have to be abandoned, thousands of people were left homeless, millions of lost livelihood and industry.

WE NEED FRIENDS WHO CARE

Children in the worst affected areas have to stop schooling for 2 weeks as entire areas and facilities needed to be abandoned due to multiple sinkholes and other risk-related issues.

They slowly trickled back to make-shift huts and tents to continue their education.

But since Bohol is tropical - rain, storm, typhoon and many other weather challenges have dampened the enthusiasm to go back to school. We know there are people who care for children and their future.

We hope we find more and more friends who will support the drive to raise funds to help the local community with the Department of Education and two local organizations (BRIDGES and Bangon Bohol) rebuild the schools they have lost.

YOUR IMPACT

Children who will become adults and parents in the future will have the education they need to have the opportunity to have better lives.

Your help isn't going to stop at giving, it will trickle into a better life for the child, the community, for Bohol and the world.

One life saved and improved can multiply in many ways.

Thank you for your sincere and unwavering support. We will never be able to repay you directly.   

And yet, we trust that you will be blessed far more than you give

If you want to help rebuild the schools, restore lives and ensure a brighter future for these kids, here's the link: 

Bohol Friends Forever: Rebuilding Schools

Photo Credits: Dennis Saco & Blu Chalce