Braving the Roads, Bridging the Gaps: A Day with the Learners of Kinam NHS

 

Last July 17, 2025, I had the opportunity of wearing not just one, but two of my many hats — a beautiful intersection of my passions and advocacies. As Executive Director of the South Cotabato Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and as Vice President for Internal Affairs of the Sox Bloggers Society, I was deeply honored to take part in an outreach mission that brought smiles, slippers, and school supplies to the learners of Kinam National High School in Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

This journey was special for many reasons. For one, it was a full-circle collaboration as our blogging oranization known as Sox Bloggers Society partnered with Gaisano Mall of GenSan, a proud member of the chamber I represent, through their corporate social responsibility programs Tools for Schools and Happy Feet. Together, we set out to bring essential school supplies and brand-new slippers to one of the more geographically challenged yet deeply deserving communities in Sarangani.

Getting to Kinam was no easy feat. We quite literally crossed rivers and navigated elevated roads aboard a Sadam, a modified vehicle uniquely suited for mountain terrains, thanks to the ever-supportive LGU of Malapatan, led by Hon. Jun Sumbo, Sir Jomari Estrera and Sir Mark Christopher Quiño, who ensured our safe transport to and from the mountains. But as we approached the school, with the majestic view unfolding before us and the eager faces of students waiting, every bump on the road faded into insignificance.

 

 

Each learner received a bag of school supplies — notebooks, pens, pencils, and more. Selected students were also given new slippers, a small but meaningful gesture to ease their daily walk to education.

 

As part of the program, I was given the chance to speak to the students about online safety and responsible social media use. With so much of our lives now intertwined with the digital world, the Soxbees believe that teaching digital responsibility is just as important as providing tangible school supplies. Our children must not only be equipped to read and write, but also to navigate the online space with discernment, empathy, and caution.

 

It was a brief talk, but I hope the message stays with them.

We also gathered that this was the first time (as far as their memory could serve ) that the school has received a visit like this. Nakaka-touch naman. It made the journey feel even more significant. My heart swells with gratitude that we were able to reach them, and I sincerely hope there will be more opportunities ahead for us to return and bring even more blessings to the learners here. Thank you so much for allowing us to be your interim CSR arm, Gmall and Sir KG!

It’s days like these that remind me why I do what I do. In every outreach activity, we don’t just give . We receive so much more in return. And as I reflect on this meaningful day, I’m reminded that true service is not about recognition or reward, but about touching lives in quiet, lasting ways.

Here’s to more purposeful journeys.
Here’s to partnerships that uplift.
And here’s to the young dreamers of Kinam ! May your steps be lighter, your minds sharper, and your futures brighter. And to our partners, wag na wag sana tayong mapagod to share because every act of kindness deserves to be remembered, every story of hope deserves to be heard .

Keep showing up, one community at a time.

Keep telling,

 Xoxo, 

Mommy Chix 💋