Hearts of Gold for Wills of Iron: Nonallada, MLYAC, & Friends Bring Skwelanihan IV To Indigent Pupils in Brgy. Malingin by James U. Sy Jr.

Leading the distribution of complete sets of school supplies to more than 400 pupils of the Jalsis Elementary School (JES) during the Skwelanihan IV on June 3, 2017 at Brgy. Malingin, Bago were (from left) Victor Michael Javellana, JES Principal Pinky Tanajura, 2017 Lin-ay sang Negros Angelica Portugaleza, Rhoderick Samonte, Councilor Cleo Gaudite, Dr. Rowena Banes, Brgy. Capt. Janet Yasay, and Lester “Abyan Icy” Nonallada (MLYAC photo).

Malingin Leaders Youth Association for a Change (MLYAC) under its Founder/President and Skwelanihan Project Manager Lester “Abyan Icy” Nonallada with the more than 400 pupils of the Jalsis Elementary School (JES) with their new school supplies during the Skwelanihan IV on June 3, 2017 (MLYAC photo).

The more than 400 pupil-beneficiaries of the Jalsis Elementary School (JES) during the Skwelanihan IV on June 3, 2017 (MLYAC photo).

Project Manager Lester “Abyan Icy” Nonallada with 2017 Lin-ay sang Negros Angelica Portugaleza and 2017 Miss Gay Philippines Universe Tamirra Ivone Willis during the Skwelanihan IV on June 3, 2017 (MLYAC photo).

The school supplies for distribution during the Skwelanihan IV on June 3, 2017 (MLYAC photo). More than 400 pupils of the Jalsis Elementary School (JES) received complete sets of school supplies, including among others notebooks, pad paper, pens, pencils, erasers, and crayons (as well as uniforms, shoes, and school bags for pre-qualified pupils), during the Skwelanihan IV “Bayanihan Para sa mga Bata nga Naga Eskwela,” organized by the Malingin Leaders Youth Association for a Change (MLYAC) under its Founder/President and Project Manager Lester “Abyan Icy” Nonallada with the support of socially minded organizations and philanthropic individuals on June 3, 2017 at Brgy. Malingin, Bago City. The name Skwelanihan, a contraction of the Filipino words eskwelahan “school” and bayanihan “spirit of communal unity and cooperation,” symbolizes the desire and effort to support pupils who have the dedication to pursue their education and their dreams in life. It is an annual civic project inaugurated in 2014 and conducted during the opening of classes to give school supplies to less fortunate pupils in Brgy. Malingin. MLYAC goes around the 21 puroks of the barangay and qualify recipients. Skwelanihan had come a long way, with only 150 beneficiaries in 2014. MLYAC is also the proponent of the “Slippers for Hope” and “Disyembregalo” programs. Sponsors of the project were College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of the University of St. La Salle (USLS), Kasadya Bacolod Development Foundation Inc., Tony Agustin of Tobys Sports Bacolod, and the generous friends and supporters of Nonallada. Gracing the event were Mr. Victor Michael Javellana, as representative of Board Member Victor Javellana, Hon. Councilor Cleo Gaudite, Hon. Brgy. Captain Janet Yasay and other barangay and council officials, JES Principal Ma. Dinah Pinky D. Tanajura, 2017 Lin-ay sang Negros Angelica Portugaleza (who is also a native of Brgy. Malingin), and 2017 Miss Gay Philippines Universe Tamira Ivonne Willis Yasay, in behalf of the village council, expressed their gratitude to the event organizer, “Daku gid ang amon pasalamatan kay Icy Nonallada nga nagabulig sa mga pigado kag nagadala sang madamo nga outeach programs diri sa barangay (We are so grateful to Icy Nonallada who tirelessly helps the indigent residents of the village with many of his outeach programs).” Tanajura had the same to say, “In behalf of the school we would like to thank Lester "Icy" Nonallada and USLS family. This is 1/3 of our population ang natagaan subong so daku gid nga bulig sa mga kabataan (1/3 of our school’s population were beneficiaries this year, which is a very big help).” Skwelanihan will be extended up to June 18 so some other barangays in Bago City can also be reached. Icy Nonallada’s advocacy is an extension of the labor of love of his grandfather Luding Nonallada, who served as barangay chairman for over a decade in Brgy. Malingin. Nonallada has experienced poverty himself and wanted to give back to his community through this project (With inputs from Ritcheal Z. Lambating of the CBA Council, USLS).*