The Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) completed a 19-hour journey on Sunday, May 4, 2025, providing essential services to the remote community of Sitio Balatogan in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, navigating rugged terrain along the way.
Through their Masaya ang Magbasa literacy campaign, HBONI distributed 136 books, provided school supplies to 80 children, and hosted interactive reading sessions and storytelling activities.
“This Masaya ang Magbasa we made is a campaign that promotes the love for reading. When we conducted the reading activity, we also engaged the parents and guardians of the children, reminding them of the shared responsibility in the learning development of their kids,” said Kenneth Bacala, HBONI’s founder and CEO.
Many of the children in the community already knew how to read, but lacked access to books and other educational resources. The books donated by HBONI will supplement their schoolwork and encourage further learning.
“We observed during our storytelling activity that some children in Balatogan can actually read. However, because of the absence of electricity and lack of facilities in the community, they fail to access other opportunities to learn various ways of learning,” he said.
HBONI also partnered with the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) and the Office of the Vice Mayor of Himamaylan City to carry out Operation Tuli, a free circumcision program.
Thirty-two (32) boys received the procedure, improving their health and hygiene while easing the financial burden on families in remote areas. In addition, 10 individuals were also given free haircuts.
The ascend
HBONI volunteers told Brigada News FM Kabankalan that they began their journey early in the morning, leaving Kabankalan City at 4:00 AM and traveling through rugged terrain before reaching Sitio Palawis in Barangay Carol-an.
From there, volunteers began a challenging five-hour trek to Balatogan, crossing a hip-deep river and climbing steep mountain paths, they said.
Kathleen Optana, HBONI’s Youth Executive Director, said, “The path was difficult, with steep climbs and rushing rivers, but seeing the joy on the faces of the children and their families made every step worth it. We were not just bringing services; we were bringing hope and a sense of possibility.”
The descend
After completing the outreach activities, the volunteers said that they began their return journey.
They took a suggested shortcut to Barangay Bago in Tayasan, Negros Oriental, but the trail proved even more challenging than expected, volunteers said.
Despite sore feet and fading daylight, the the volunteers said that they persevered and reached their pickup point by 8:00 PM, finally returning to Kabankalan City at around 11:00 PM—completing a grueling 19-hour journey, they added.
HBONI plans to establish pocket libraries in the community and continue supporting local education with the help of its partners, including 99.7 Brigada News FM Kabankalan.
“This mission is about more than just providing services; it’s about creating lasting opportunities for the people of Balatogan. We are committed to helping the community grow and thrive in the years to come,” Bacala said.
HBONI also partnered with the CPSU Education Society (CPSU EdSoc), JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP), Pambansang Samahan ng mga Kabataang Inhenyero Mekanikal (PSKIM), and the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas – University Student Government (TUPV-USG).*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.