The thought of going to the remotest barangays in the country to build classrooms and teach kids how to read can be very exciting – and it is, most especially for us. But as you walk down very rough roads, cross rivers, brave rough weather – not to mention the real possibility of stumbling on armed rebels along the way, our work suddenly becomes very difficult, exhausting and, at times, even frustrating.

That’s why we surround ourselves with people who, like us, are very passionate about making our schools better places to learn for children. And through time, this group has bonded into one big family looking out after each other and laughing over jokes as we go.

Our mother hen is Dr. Milwida M. Guevara. On week days (and even most weekends), she is Synergeia’s Chief Executive Officer. A former Undersecretary of the Department of Finance, “Ms. G” (as we fondly call her) guides the flock and makes sure everyone is well fed.

Other members of the Synergeia family are:

• Mr. Harvey Keh, our Treasurer;
• Ms. Minie D. Manalese, the Finance and Administrative Officer;
• Ms. Anjanette T. Juan, our Program Officer;
• Ms. Theresa Anne F. Manalastas, Development Officer;
• Ms. Maria Theresa B. Espeleta, the Research Officer;
• Ms. Annie de Leon, our Operations Officer;
• Ms. Maria Nelia G. Laureano, Associate Research Officer;
• Lennie Gopez, our Accountant;
• Menard Garon, Accounting Officer;
• Danilo Lleva, and Mr. Eduardo Cortez, Jr., our Staff Assistants.

We also have an extended family which serves as the support staff for Synergeia’s programs in Maguindanao, Lanao, Marawi and Sulu. They are:

• Former Mayor Diding Gamboa, who is the head of the Project Support Office;
• Edwin Nacionales, our Training Coordinator;
• Florendo Guevara, the Program Officer;
• Bruce Matabalao, Regional Coordinator,
• Elsimir Tawasil, our ALS Coodinator;
• Joyce Gracia, the M and E Specialist; and
• Ma. Salve Duplito, our Information Officer.

Also part of the Synergeia family is a very young Project Staff that include:

• Ma. Isabelle Ereneta;
• Keziah Abesamis;
• Carmel Habito; and
• Ivy Ong.

Check out these photos and videos of Synergeia at work to appreciate more what we’re doing. For more personal accounts of our adventures, visit our blog!

If you’re interested in giving the gift of your time to public schoolchildren across the country, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .