Going to the remotest barangays for storytelling trainings for parents can be very exciting. But as we walk down very rough roads, cross rivers, brave rough weather – or even stumble on armed rebels along the way, our work suddenly becomes very exhausting and, at times, even scary.

So we surround ourselves with people who, like us, are very passionate about making schools better places to learn. 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; 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 Regional Coodinator for Sulu;
• Joyce Gracia, the Monitoring and Evaluation 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.