Klaudia Despi, Sagay National High School Three Acts of Goodness Ambassador
August 15, 2023

On August 10, 2023, the Culmination of 10-Month series of the Whole Brain Self Mastery and Mindfulness Training for Educators designed for SDO Sagay City has concluded.

The Three Acts of Goodness (TAG): Do good deeds, Speak good words, and Think good thoughts. These three simple acts of kindness present an enlightening mindset to apply to our everyday lives. We tend to forget how beautiful our compassion and love for each other is, how amazing our emotions respond to different gestures. That is what this program was about uplifting experience, the take-away are smiles and enlightenment of new knowledge with a clearer understanding of the world.

The signing of the deed of donation and memorandum of agreement between SDO sagay city and Humanistic Buddhism Center (HBC), Philippines under the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Foundation showed the commitment and devotion for educational development.

Signing MOU. photo／The Life News Agency

Dr. Ma. Theresa Q. Bingcang, SGOD Chief, gave a message of thanksgiving and appreciation to the sponsoring agency, the HBC, Philippines and FGS Foundation.

Superintendent Dr. Marsette Sabbaluca raised an Educator’s Challenge. photo／The Life News Agency

SDS Dr. Marsette Sabbaluca inspired by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s (VMHY) educational devotion and raised an Educator’s Challenge on “Be the One to start” TAG. She remarked that the importance of harmony in all spaces and becoming a mentor to the students. To further expressed the appreciation, she handed certificates to the representatives of FGS Foundation and HBC Philippines, as well as the resource speaker, Dr. Cecilia Manikan.

Dr Manikan elaborates TAG for well being. photo／The Life News Agency

Resource speaker. photo／The Life News Agency

Ms. Almie S. Gargar, Teacher from Shermanhill Integrated School accepted the challenge wholeheartedly, standing brave and firm as she does so, captivating the crowd with her strong aura, promising to do her utmost and apply her learnings in every way she can.

Ms. Almie S. Gargar, Teacher from Shermanhill Integrated School accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. photo／The Life News Agency

Ven. Miao Jing then gave an inspiring speech to recognize that success of Sagay educators in spreading TAG because they have gone beyond self and boundaries, believe in kindness, and uphold righteous principles. She touched the hearts of many when she mentioned the teaching of VMHY in "learning to fix a situation with compassion.", showing just how important it is to be kind, even in the face of problem and trouble.

Taking the opportunity, then came the presentation of the Palarong Pambansa Aerobic Gymnastic- Trio Silver Medalist Considering all three of them were 5th graders, they have won Silver Medalist in this year's palarong pambansa, making the city proud, proving they are the pride and joy of Sagay City. The second performing number is the sharing of talent and skills with the instrument by Sagay National High School TAG integrated performing arts guild (TAGIPAG)'s ukulele ensemble and flute performances by Andrei Aguirre, earning applause from the crowd.

Organizers of the Whole Brain Self Mastery and Mindfulness Training for Educators. photo／The Life News Agency

PROF. CECILE B MANIKAN’s impressions

1.What is your favorite part over the last 10 months with Sagay teachers?

I am impressed by the openness and enthusiasm of Sagay teachers in embracing new learning.  The spontaneous outpouring of their appreciation of the course in “Whole Brain Self-Mastery and Mindfulness Practice” is a strong indicator of a progressive mindset towards individual and collective growth.  

This positive, upbeat attitude towards meaningful progress attracts parents, barangay officials , and other community members who in turn, become willing partners and supportive collaborators of various TAG projects which aim to improve both individual and communal living. With the leadership of teachers, the whole community and its environment become a fertile learning space for children. Truly, it takes a village to raise a child.  And SDO Sagay through its various projects and training under TAG ‘shows us the way…

2.What is the Humanistic Buddhism Center Philippines?

I am proud to be a founding member of the Humanistic Buddhism Center, Philippines (HBC, Phils.).

Designed as a global forum in the cultivation of humanistic responses to the challenges of today’s complex and challenging world, the Center has positioned itself as catalyst for social transformation towards becoming truly human and humane in the face of crises, adversity, and uncertainty. Through Education, Sports, Culture and Theater Arts, the Center is a dynamic hub of projects, training programs, performances, and scholarly works that are propelled and inspired by the highest aspiration to serve and do good in the promotion of life and its flourishing and in the cultivation of goodness and kindness toward harmonious, ethical, and peaceful co-existence of humankind.

While conducting training in Whole-Brain Self-Mastery and Mindfulness, I not only share my knowledge of Humanistic Buddhism as ancient wisdom that is needed by the world today, but I equally benefit from the continuous immersion in local colors that deepen my own understanding of native life and culture…transforming while being transformed…

Thanks to FGS and VMHY, I have found the highest meaning of my life as a teacher, scholar, writer, and advocate of goodness and kindness in this world!  Everytime a teacher or student tells me, he has learned a lot and is interested to study further Humanistic Buddhism, my heart beats as I know I have touched and reached the student’s own…  and for this, I am grateful…

TAG student ambassadors do gymastics. photo／The Life News Agency

TAG student ambassadors' performance. photo／The Life News Agency