As the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) celebrates its 34th anniversary, the Foundation marked another meaningful milestone in its commitment to education through the GBF Classroom Donation Groundbreaking Ceremony in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The event signaled the beginning of the construction of new learning spaces that will benefit students and school communities in the municipality, reinforcing GBF’s long-standing mission to help build brighter futures through education.
A Milestone for GBF’s 34th Anniversary
During the ceremony, GBF Chairman Mr. Lance Gokongwei formally turned over the classroom donation blueprint to Department of Education Human Resource and Organizational Development Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo “AP” Bartolome.
The symbolic turnover represented the start of the construction of the donated classrooms and the shared commitment of GBF, DepEd, and its partners to provide learners with safe and conducive spaces for learning.
Joining the ceremonial groundbreaking were others guests of honor: Ms. Grace Colet, GBF Executive Director; Dr. Fatima Boado, Schools Division Superintendent of Pangasinan I; Dr. Estela Cariño, Regional Director; Vice Mayor Kevin Macanlalay; and Mr. Honor Mendoza, President of SPES Construction.
Also present were the Principals of the three beneficiary schools in Calasiao: Ms. Josie Belmonte, of Nalsian Bacayao Elementary School; Mr. Michael Alegria of Bued Elementary School and Ms. Shirley Cabatbat of San Miguel Elementary School
Their presence highlighted the collaborative effort behind the classroom donation initiative, bringing together education leaders, local government representatives, project partners, and school communities.
New Classrooms for Three Calasiao Schools
The donation will provide a total of 6 new classrooms for students for the three beneficiary public elementary schools in Calasiao namely Nalsian-Bacayao Elementary School, Bued Elementary School and San Miguel Elementary School.
Through the initiative, GBF seeks to help address the need for appropriate learning environments where teachers can teach effectively and students can focus, participate, and grow.
For school communities, a classroom is more than a physical structure. It is a space where learners build knowledge, discover their abilities, form relationships, and develop aspirations for their future.
Students Share Their Appreciation
Adding a heartfelt moment to the ceremony, student representatives from the three beneficiary schools presented thank-you cards to Mr. Lance Gokongwei.
Through their messages, the students expressed their appreciation for the classrooms that will soon support their learning and aspirations.
The gesture placed the learners themselves at the center of the celebration and reflected the purpose behind the project: creating spaces where young people can continue to learn, grow, and dream.
Building Better Learning Environments Through Partnership
The Calasiao groundbreaking forms part of GBF’s continuing efforts to strengthen education through collaboration with schools, government institutions, communities, and partners.
By investing in classroom infrastructure, the initiative complements GBF’s broader education work supporting learners and educators through programs in scholarships, teacher development, STEM education, and other learning initiatives.
The project also demonstrates how partnerships can help respond to the practical needs of public schools while creating long-term opportunities for students. GBF is closely collaborating with Robinsons Land Corporation and its partners in design and management of the classroom construction.
Each new classroom represents a shared investment in education—not only in buildings and facilities, but in the learners and educators who will use them every day.
34 Years of Building Brighter Futures Through Education
For 34 years, GBF has worked to help build brighter futures through education.
As the Foundation marks this anniversary, the Calasiao classroom donation serves as a concrete expression of that continuing commitment.
With every classroom built, more spaces are created for learners to discover, grow, and dream. More opportunities are opened for teachers to nurture young minds. And more communities gain places where education can continue to shape possibilities for the next generation.
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