Backpack of Blessings

This year's Almsgiving Project, Backpack of Blessings, is both personal and rooted in faith. Our pastor, Fr. Arthur Bautista, is a graduate of St. Martin de Porres Catholic School of Guiguinto, Inc., a parochial school administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph. One of his teachers, Sr. Ruth Manalaysay, OP, taught him Christian Living Education.

Because of this long-standing relationship and shared commitment to Catholic education, the Sisters reached out to Fr. Arthur for help in advancing their mission school—an invitation Fr. Arthur was honored to answer. This Lent, we hope to help the Dominican Sisters with the next step in their journey.

St. Dominic de Guzman School serves children from poor families who commute daily from surrounding mountain communities. Many families are unable to contribute financially to school construction, making outside support essential.

Currently, the school has:

• 4 classrooms
• 1 faculty room

To receive government recognition for elementary education, the school must add:

• Science Laboratory
• Library
• Home Economics Room
• Guidance & Counseling Room
• Additional classrooms (for a total of seven)

The school currently serves 80 students, from preschool through Grade 6:

• PreKindergarten – 4 students
• Kindergarten – 16 students
• Grade 1 – 13 students
• Grade 2 – 9 students
• Grade 3 – 12 students
• Grade 4 – 12 students
• Grade 5 – 6 students
• Grade 6 – 8 students

Government recognition is the gateway to accreditation, which allows the school to apply for government aid and scholarship programs—lifelines for families living in poverty.

A science lab, library, and dedicated learning spaces will:

• Provide hands-on, experiential learning
• Improve access to books and educational resources
• Strengthen long-term sustainability of the school’s mission
• Open doors to brighter futures for these children