DepEd Hero Jeric Maribao transforms learners’ lives through his feeding program

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 25 February 2026 – What began as a simple act of kindness by Teacher Jeric Maribao has evolved into a life-changing advocacy. His school-based feeding initiative, established to help hungry learners in the aftermath of the pandemic, now touches the lives of hundreds of children.



Launched in 2022 with just 20 learners, the program now provides daily meals to Kindergarten through Grade 6 learners at Bag-ong Anonang Diut Elementary School in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.



Through social media, Teacher Jeric has turned his online influence into a platform for giving back. With the support of online followers, philanthropists, and brand partnerships, his advocacy has expanded beyond providing meals. Today, it also provides school supplies, uniforms, scholarships, and even livelihood support for the families of his students.

“I always pray to God for good health and long life because I want to sustain the biggest advocacy of my life, and that is my feeding program,” he said. “This advocacy, we are proud to tell you, is able to feed learners in Kindergarten to Grade 6 every day.”



Besides ensuring nutrition, Teacher Jeric’s initiative motivates children to attend school consistently. “My children are so motivated to go to school. Even if they get sick, they go to school kasi alam nila na ang eskwelahan ay mayroong medicines to offer,” he explained.



In addition to meals, learners receive school supplies and complete uniforms. Those who excel academically are also rewarded with live chickens, piglets, and groceries, which help their families build sustainable livelihoods.



The feeding program primarily serves as a tool for learning and concentration. Teacher Jeric believes that children cannot focus in class on an empty stomach.



“I usually wake up as early as 1:00 a.m. and prepare up to 5:00 a.m. just to serve them breakfast,” he said. “My feeding program is a form of motivation in order for them to learn. I believe that in every feeding, there is learning.”



His dedication has not gone unnoticed by the Department of Education (DepEd). Teacher Jeric was recently named a DepEd Hero, a program that honors teachers and education partners who demonstrate courage, dedication, and exemplary service.



“Through the DepEd Heroes program, we aim to formally recognize the courage, the dedication, and the exemplary service of teachers and education partners. Your inspiring stories are amplified, your achievements honored and known nationwide,” Secretary Sonny Angara said.



For Teacher Jeric, the true reward is seeing his students succeed. Attendance has improved, academic performance has increased, and children come to school motivated and ready to learn.

“My service to the Filipino children will always be the biggest fulfillment of my life,” he said.

Angara leads ICT turnover, school feeding in Valenzuela; highlights strong DepEd-LGU-private sector partnership

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VALENZUELA CITY, 25 February 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara personally distributed hot meals to learners of Malinta Elementary School on Wednesday as part of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and led the turnover of donated ICT equipment through DepEd’s partnership with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and its member companies.



The activity, joined by Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, highlighted strong collaboration in delivering both learner nutrition and digital access to public schools.



Shearwater Health Advisors Inc., Ascendion Digital Solutions Philippines Inc., and Ernst & Young Global Services (Philippines), Inc. donated 378 ICT devices to DepEd, contributing to the 2,119 ICT units mobilized to date by the IBPAP to advance digital transformation in public schools.



Angara emphasized that education reforms require collective action across sectors.

“Hindi ito simpleng donasyon o simpleng feeding activity. Ito ay patunay na kapag nagsama-sama ang pamahalaan, lokal na pamahalaan, at pribadong sektor, mas mabilis nating naibibigay ang teknolohiya at nutrisyon na kailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he said.



At Malinta Elementary School alone, 737 learners benefit from the SBFP, implemented through a combination modality in partnership with the Schools Division Office of Valenzuela and the Valenzuela City local government. Of the total beneficiaries, 473 receive hot meals prepared through a centralized kitchen facility operated by the city, while 264 learners are provided Nutritious Food Products (NFPs).



Division-wide, 14,269 learners are covered under the program, including those under the Universal Kindergarten Feeding Program and severely wasted and wasted learners from Grades 2 to 6.



The Secretary also visited the newly built computer laboratory at Malinta Elementary School and engaged with teachers and learners during the feeding activity.



He likewise visited the newly built annex facility of the Valenzuela Special Education Center, where he engaged with learners and teachers, reaffirming DepEd’s commitment to strengthening inclusive education and improving school infrastructure through strong local government support.



The visit forms part of DepEd’s broader push to strengthen digital infrastructure while addressing learner health and well-being as foundational pillars of a more inclusive and future-ready basic education system.

The Ghost of the Caraballo: The Race to Save the Star of the Bugkalot

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For centuries, the Bugkalot people of Nueva Ecija have known a secret hidden within the humid, emerald folds of the Caraballo Mountain Range. They call it “kelli”—a slender shrub with white, starburst flowers that served as a traditional remedy for their ailing dogs. But while this plant was a staple of indigenous wisdom, it remained a phantom to the rest of the world.

In December 2025, modern science finally caught up to native knowledge. A team of researchers officially described Clerodendrum kelli, a species so rare it was identified as Critically Endangered the moment it was given a name.

A Floral Masterpiece in the Mist

Growing barely a meter tall, C. kelli is a master of subtle beauty. It isn't found in sprawling fields; instead, it is a "subtle presence" in the landscape, tucked away in the Pantabangan-Carrangalan Watershed Forest Reserve.

The Leaves: Oval-shaped and vibrant green on top, they hide a dramatic secret—pale purple undersides that flash when caught in a mountain breeze.

The Flowers: Unlike its cousins that bloom in dense, crowded clusters, kelli produces white, tube-shaped flowers that emerge from striking reddish-pink bases in loose, elegant arrangements.

The Fruit: Immature fruits sit atop these colorful bases, resembling tiny gems set in organic jewelry.

A Species on the Brink

The tragedy of Clerodendrum kelli is that we have found it just as it is beginning to vanish. Despite being "protected" by law, the plant is being squeezed out of existence.

The Range: The species is currently known to exist in a total area of just 8 square kilometers.

The Strongholds: It survives in only two specific localities: Mt. Meddengen and Sitio Binbin.

The Threats: While the Bugkalot’s traditional use has never harmed the population, modern land conversion and natural landslides are devastating its habitat. As forest clearing continues, the steep ridges where this plant clings are literally sliding away.

Bridging Two Worlds

The discovery of C. kelli is more than a botanical entry; it is a testament to the power of Indigenous knowledge. The Bugkalot’s deep understanding of the plant’s habitat and medicinal properties provided the roadmap for researchers to finally bring this species into the light of formal biodiversity.

However, the clock is ticking. Researchers warn that without "stronger protection," this starburst of the Philippines could disappear forever.

Scientific Legacy: The formal study, led by Tobias et al., was published in the Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, marking a pivotal moment for Philippine botany.