Manila, Philippines – The Multinational Foundation, Inc. (MFI), in collaboration with The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation, proudly announced the recipients of the 2024 Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award (FLORA). This prestigious award honors remarkable Filipino women educators who have implemented innovative and practical educational programs designed to nurture critical citizenship among youth in rural communities.

This year’s honorees are Dr. Mary Hazel B. Ballena from Bucay, Abra; Ervie Ann Consigna Conte from Barangay Anjawan, Surigao del Norte; Marife Matic Mustacisa-Lacaba from Catbalogan, Samar; and Ma. Ruby Cordero Primero from Mina, Iloilo. These inspiring educators have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering positive change in their respective rural communities.

Dr. Mary Hazel B. Ballena serves as Principal II for Pagala West Elementary, Pagala East Elementary, and Bangcagan Primary Schools in the Bucay District of the Schools Division of Abra. She is recognized for her community-focused educational approach that promotes inclusive and transformative learning.

Through her initiative, Project SOBREH (Sending Our Best Regards, Embraces, and Heartfelt Connections), Dr. Ballena has encouraged teachers and students to write letters of hope to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Bucay District Jail. This effort has humanized rehabilitation, demonstrating the power of empathy and education to effect change.

The Acting District Jail Warden of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – CAR has praised Dr. Ballena’s compassion and leadership, noting their significant impact on learners and the community. Her commitment to inclusive education and social justice exemplifies servant leadership and positions her as an ideal leader for transformative projects such as INDAYON.

Project INDAYON: Advancing Literacy, Empowering Communities

Project INDAYON is a literacy intervention aimed at closing the reading gap among early-grade learners at Bangcagan Primary School (BPS) in the Bucay District, Abra, during school years 2022–2024. It addresses the urgent need for accessible and developmentally appropriate literacy activities, particularly for students affected by limited resources, inadequate reading support, and a lack of proper learning spaces.

According to Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (PHILIRI) and the Functional Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT) data, 43% of BPS students read below grade level, impacting academic success and civic awareness.

Project INDAYON enhances reading skills, fosters a love of learning, and builds community partnerships to promote Critical Citizenship—empowering learners to access information, engage with social issues, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Project Goals:

• Raise reading proficiency levels of early-grade learners.
• Provide inclusive and engaging literacy activities.
• Build a sustainable community network that supports learning.
• Promote values of citizenship, empathy, and informed participation.

Dr. Mary Hazel B. Ballena exemplifies transformative and inclusive leadership, creating a ripple of change through innovative educational and community-building initiatives. Her dedication to uplifting learners and fostering empathy aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Mindanao Forward Initiative (MFI) and TOWNS, both of which prioritize equity, community development, and empowering leaders to create sustainable impact in their communities.

Ervie Ann Consigna Conte

Ervie Ann Consigna Conte is a dedicated multi-grade teacher and community development leader on Anajawan, a remote off-grid island in the Siargao Division of the Philippines. Since 2020, she has spearheaded initiatives addressing critical issues such as limited electricity, malnutrition, and access to quality education. Through projects like the Community Learning Hub, solar electrification, and the award-winning Paglajag environmental program, she has empowered over 600 individuals by partnering with various organizations. As a SELG Adviser, she fosters youth civic engagement and leadership while promoting sustainability and lifelong learning.

Paglajag Environmental Education and Youth Empowerment Initiative

The Paglajag project is a youth-led initiative focused on environmental and cultural issues in Isla Anajawan, which is now expanding to neighboring islands. It tackles plastic pollution, coastal erosion, and environmental degradation through clean-ups, recycling activities, and education, empowering youth aged 3 to 29. The program fosters eco-conscious leadership while preserving cultural identity by integrating creativity sessions and values formation rooted in DepEd Core Values.

Starting with SELG Officers and youth leaders, participation quickly grew from quarterly to weekly activities over three years, including environmental mapping, storytelling, leadership training, art workshops, and community prayer meetings. The Recycling Studios convert collected plastics into reusable materials, strengthening sustainability.

Paglajag’s impact has spread to Suyangan, La Januza, and Mamon islands, where communities have adopted the model. It gained national recognition at the 7th National Climate Change Conference and led to new opportunities, including the UNESCO-supported Islands of Imagination celebration. More than an environmental effort, Paglajag is a model for community resilience and sustainable island development.

Ervie Ann Consigna Conte’s inspiring leadership has catalyzed transformative change on remote island communities by empowering youth and fostering sustainability. Her ability to unite environmental stewardship, education, and civic engagement through the Paglajag initiative reflects a holistic approach to grassroots leadership that aligns with the Mindanao Forward Initiative (MFI) and TOWNS, both of which champion inclusive and innovative development. Her unwavering commitment to addressing local challenges and promoting lifelong learning exemplifies the kind of impact-driven leadership that both initiatives seek to elevate across the Philippines.

Ma. Ruby Cordero Primero is an education leader committed to enhancing school-based programs and community reading initiatives. As a pivotal figure in securing approvals from local government units (LGUs) and school administrators, she effectively collaborates with subject coordinators and teachers to foster impactful educational innovations. Her dedication to a data-driven methodology, supported by pre- and post-assessment evaluations, ensures continuous improvement. With a keen eye for detail, she maintains well-organized records and structured work plans, significantly elevating literacy and learning across schools and reading centers.

Project CREED (Community Reading Engagement for Enhanced Development)

Project CREED is a collaborative initiative launched during the 2021–2022 school year within the Schools District of Mina. It aims to tackle the ongoing issue of struggling readers, particularly among students in Grades 4 to 6.

Acknowledging that reading is a fundamental skill crucial for academic success and future opportunities, the project focuses on community-based interventions to enhance literacy outcomes.

A key component of the project is the establishment of reading centers in each barangay, which serve as accessible resources for reading and numeracy materials. These centers are designed to assist struggling readers and provide enrichment for learners who seek to further develop their skills and realize their full potential. The initiative encourages strong partnerships among teachers, parents, SK leaders, Barangay officials, and volunteers, fostering a shared responsibility model for educational support.

In accordance with Republic Act 9155 and the principles of school-based management, Project CREED advocates for decentralized, community-driven solutions to educational challenges. By empowering local stakeholders and promoting active participation in literacy development, the project aims to build a sustainable foundation for improved reading proficiency and heightened community engagement in education.

Ma. Ruby Cordero Primero’s work is a testament to the power of data-driven leadership and the importance of mobilizing community assets to drive educational transformation. By weaving together data-informed strategies with collaborative community action, she exemplifies the spirit of inclusive development that the Mindanao Forward Initiative (MFI) and TOWNS embrace. Her focus on empowering stakeholders—educators, parents, and local leaders—highlights the critical role of grassroots engagement in bridging educational divides and building resilient communities.

Marife Matic Mustacisa-Lacaba is a dedicated environmental educator and respected community leader. She has successfully led the sustainable development of Cyathea contaminans (Philippine tree ferns) in Paranas, Samar. Marife has empowered the youth in Daram through innovative approaches, including the Blue Ocean Strategy and “solution trees.” Her Futures Thinking lectures have inspired audiences both nationally and internationally, with notable engagement at Malaysia’s eBizStart. As a published author and researcher, her academic contributions are recognized and utilized in universities and libraries throughout the Philippines, with several of her studies indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. In her role as center director, she drives initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and strategic community development.

Under her leadership, the Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL) has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting youth in rural farming and fishing communities. This program provides access to scientific knowledge, planning tools, and entrepreneurial skills, addressing gaps in education and job preparedness.

The initiative has five main goals:

1. Increase youth engagement in science-based agriculture and sustainability.
2. Enhance problem-solving skills through tools like the Blue Ocean Framework.
3. Integrate Futures Thinking into educational programs.
4. Broaden access to research and resources.
5. Train youth in precision farming, specifically focusing on Cyathea contaminans (Philippine tree ferns).

This initiative promotes innovative environmental stewardship and empowers youth to make informed decisions. The project prepares young people to tackle economic challenges through training sessions, strategic meetings, and knowledge-sharing activities both nationally and internationally. It also includes learning modules on Research Writing and Environmental Science for schools and community organizations that support marginalized youth, ensuring a lasting impact.

Marife Matic Mustacisa-Lacaba’s commitment to leveraging scientific knowledge and community empowerment exemplifies the vision of inclusive and sustainable development championed by both the Mindanao Forward Initiative (MFI) and TOWNS. Her innovative programs and youth-centered training modules reflect a forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship and capacity building. By fostering environmental leadership, precision farming, and research literacy, Marife demonstrates how grassroots education and strategic community action can create lasting impact and resilient communities aligned with MFI’s and TOWNS’s transformative leadership principles.

FLORA is dedicated in memory of Erlinda K. Ilusorio, mother of Ramon K. Ilusorio, the Founder of MIB Capital Corporation and a passionate advocate for rural education and countryside development. The award reflects MFI’s enduring dedication to improving rural education in the Philippines by spotlighting exemplary women whose initiatives profoundly impact youth and community development.

“The FLORA Award is a testament to the critical role women play in shaping resilient communities through education,” stated John Paul M. Cabalza of Multinational Foundation, Inc. “These women embody the spirit of innovation and dedication necessary for real transformative change.”

Symbolized by a logo featuring a Filipina silhouette adorned with a “sampaguita”—the national flower—the FLORA Award underscores the Filipina’s deep-rooted dedication to her heritage and her influential role in driving meaningful progress. The royal blue in the logo echoes the identity of MIB Capital Corporation and its philanthropic arm, MFI, reinforcing their commitment to social responsibility.

MFI and TOWNS Foundation are proud to highlight the extraordinary achievements of these educators, recognizing their vital contributions toward nurturing an informed, empowered, and critically engaged Filipino youth.

MULTINATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

The Multinational Foundation acknowledges that a significant contributor to poverty in the Philippines is the lack of access to education and training. The potential of our growing population to become productive members of society is frequently constrained by limited educational opportunities and a deficiency of relevant skills for employment.

Firmly convinced that education is a vital solution to pervasive poverty, MFI has committed its efforts and resources to delivering educational and training programs for disadvantaged community members in partnership with carefully selected project collaborators.

MFI is currently involved in five major programs. Home Education for Accessible Learning (HEAL) In 2015, MFI launched the Home Education for Accessible Learning (HEAL) Program, aimed at providing quality education up to the senior high school level for underprivileged out-of-school youth and adult learners. This initiative is undertaken in partnership with the Seibo College Foundation. MFI operates on the principle that achieving a senior high school education and diploma significantly broadens the opportunities for formerly out-of-school youth to pursue relevant technical training, such as through TESDA, or to continue their education at the collegiate level, ideally through scholarships or as working students. Education for the Differently Abled Many differently-abled individuals—such as those who are blind, deaf, mute, or have mobility challenges—along with Indigenous peoples, face barriers to productivity due to inadequate access to education or training that accommodates their unique needs. MFI is dedicated to supporting the education and training of these groups, empowering them to become fully integrated and productive members of society. Scholarships in Education and Sciences The Philippines has consistently ranked lower than many other participating countries in international assessments for Mathematics and Science. Additionally, we have struggled to produce a sufficient number of high-quality graduates in non-liberal arts fields, particularly at a time when much of a nation’s development is dependent on technology. To address this issue, MFI offers scholarships to selected college students, with a focus on science, technology, technical training, education, engineering, and mathematics (STTEEM). Support for Priestly Vocation MFI believes that members of spiritually nourished communities stand a chance of having a better quality of life than otherwise. Priests play an essential role in nourishing communities spiritually. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of priests because many who have the vocation and calling cannot afford the cost of education in seminaries. MFI provides financial support to selected religious and diocesan seminarians.

Recognition of Women in Rural Education The Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award (FLORA) honors exceptional women dedicated to improving education in rural areas. Many schools in these regions often lag behind their urban counterparts in terms of educational quality, whether they are government-run or privately operated. Additionally, women in numerous areas face disadvantages due to bias and stereotyping. By celebrating the achievements of women who significantly contribute to rural education, MFI aims to uplift two critical sectors: rural education and women’s empowerment. The Filipina Achievers in Rural Education Award is an MFI project in partnership with TOWNS Foundation, Inc.

For more information about the FLORA Award, contact:

John Paul M. Cabalza
Multinational Foundation, Inc.
mfi@multinationalfoundation.org.ph
Tel: 8817-1511, local 175