‘In tune for education’

Rissa Oballo

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According to UNESCO, we rank 5th among countries with the most out-of-school children in the world

MANILA, Philippines –  Limited access to education is a difficulty that numerous Filipino children and families face today.

Even though everyone is entitled to a good education, it is getting harder for kids in the country to remain in school. According to UNESCO, as of 2011, the Philippines ranks 5th among countries with the most out-of-school children in the world.

FIFTH.  Philippines is the fifth country with highest number of out-of-school-youths.  Graph taken from UNESCO Institute report 

Moreover, the Department of Education reported that the Philippine public school system was 70,000 classrooms short of its target for the 2011-2012 school year alone. Besides lack of facilities, the education sector also faces the possibility of 36% of students dropping out after elementary due to the high cost of education, lack of interest, and lack of schools that are near.

Talking from experience

In an effort to make education more accessible to young Filipinos, Red Ribbon, Apl.de.Ap Foundation, and Franklin Baker Company unveiled a new product on July 4, 2013 at the Teatrino Music Hall in Greenhills.

Allan Pineda, more popularly known as Apl.de.Ap of the Grammy-award winning music group, the Black Eyed Peas, finds all these education-related problems all too familiar. Adopted at the age of 14 and blessed with the opportunity to make something out of his life, Apl.de.Ap said he owes most of his success to education.

 “You can be anything with an education,” said Apl.de.Ap. Speaking from experience, he said education can lead to a better life.

 WE CAN BE.  Apl.de.Ap entertains the audience by singing his song "We can be Anything".  Photo by Rissa Oballo

Because he cares for the country and values education, he said he founded the Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) to help those in a situation similar to his when he was growing up.

The AdAF is a non-government charitable organization committed to improving the quality of lives of children in the Philippines through education, technology, and music.

The organization’s most recent campaign is a tie-up with Red Ribbon and Franklin Baker Company called “Macaroons for a Cause” which will fund the construction of schools around the country.

 Photo from Macaroons for a Cause press kit.

Each pack contains 10 pieces and is being sold at all Red Ribbon Bakeshops nationwide for P50. For every “Macaroons for a Cause” pack sold, 14% or P7 will go directly to the AdAF to help build a public school in the chosen pilot beneficiary, Zamboanga, which is in need of facilities.

“These kids in Mindanao, they’re caught up in a conflict. They need a break too. They need opportunities and education. That’s why we’re starting there so we can clear the conflict and also bring opportunity to the kids. I’m just really excited. This is an amazing idea,” Apl.de.Ap said. – Rappler.com

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