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Field reports · KIDS Program

Balik-Eskwela Kits Distribution

Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory

Children in white Kidfinity shirts and face masks hold blue envelopes, with new backpacks lined up at their feet, beside mothers in yellow shirts and Foundation staff.
The child beneficiaries with their Balik-Eskwela kits: a school bag, and an envelope of materials for their grade level. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026

Every child beneficiary received a school bag and grade-appropriate school materials for the new school year. Congressman David “Jay-Jay” C. Suarez attended.

Date
16 August 2026
Place
Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory
Time
9:30 AM to 12:00 noon
Program
KIDS Program
Also here
Ate Athalia’s message, in full, a short film of the day and 23 photographs

Event commencement

The Kidfinity and Beyond Foundation, Inc., spearheaded by its Founder, Ate Athalia Marie V. Suarez, held its Balik-Eskwela Kits Distribution at the Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory, on 16 August 2026. It was one of the events of the Knowledge and Inclusion for Development and Success (KIDS) Program, and its aim was to give the child beneficiaries educational support in the form of school supplies.

The event was graced by Congressman David “Jay-Jay” C. Suarez, together with Atty. Jazmin Deborah Yrreverre and Atty. Athena Christa De Mesa.

At 9:30 AM the mothers, who are Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), and their children gathered at the jail’s chapel, where Foundation staff checked attendance. The program began at 10:00 AM with a prayer led by Mr. Jeff P. Jumarang of the Foundation, followed by opening remarks from Senior Jail Officer I (SJO1) Cristina Labayo on behalf of Jail Senior Inspector (JINSP) Roselyn B. Rivera.

Athalia Suarez sits at a long table draped in blue with three Foundation representatives, beneath the Kidfinity and Beyond banner.
Ate Athalia and Foundation representatives at the program table. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026

Greetings and inspiring message

Ate Athalia then greeted everyone present, especially the mothers and the child beneficiaries. In a heartwarming message she told them that the Foundation will be there to give them support, guidance and ate-like love, so that they would be more empowered and transformed.

Ate Athalia’s message to the mothers and children, in full. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026

Games, kits distribution and eating together

The masters of ceremony, Mr. Daryl A. Balderas and Mr. Joselito (Joey) D. Villamor Jr., invited everyone to join the games. The mothers and children played Paper Dance, Trip to Jerusalem and Song Tanong with Ate Athalia, who gave packs of biscuits to the winners of every game.

Ate Athalia then led the distribution of the Balik-Eskwela Kits. Every child received a school bag and a plastic envelope of educational materials appropriate to their grade level.

The event closed at 12:00 noon with a community lunch shared by Foundation representatives, Makati City Jail personnel, and the mothers and their children.

Two girls hold new backpacks and blue envelopes beside their mother, Athalia Suarez, jail officers and Foundation staff.
A mother and her daughters with their Balik-Eskwela kits, alongside Foundation staff and officers of the Makati City Jail. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026

Ate Athalia’s message, in full

A very warm welcome to our children, parents, Makati City Jail Administration, our partners, and everyone joining us today. Welcome to our first Balik-Eskwela Kits Distribution.

Today is a very special day for us, because this is our first official event of the Kidfinity and Beyond Foundation. We created this program to show our love and support for our children as they prepare for another school year. We hope that the school supplies and the other things that we are giving today will be useful to you as you go back to school. They will help you with your studies, and be useful to you every day at school.

To all the children here today, I want you to remember that you’re not alone in your dreams. Many people believe in you, support you, and want to see you succeed. Keep learning, keep working hard, and most importantly, never give up on your dreams. Your dreams are important, and you deserve the chance to have a bright future.

We know that life is not always easy, and there will be challenges along the way. But I hope that today reminds you that there are people ready to help you, and who support you.

I also want to thank everyone who gave their time, their effort and their resources to make this program possible. Thank you very, very much. Your support means so much to your children and to their families.

And to our students: use your new school supplies well. Do your best at school, and always believe in yourself. Study hard, and don’t be afraid to dream big.

We hope that this new school year will bring you new knowledge, happy memories and new opportunities. Long live our young people! And always remember that Kidfinity and Beyond Foundation is here to support you, and believe in your dreams. Thank you very much, and welcome to our first ever Balik-Eskwela program.

Read it as she said it, in English and Filipino

A very warm welcome to our children, parents, Makati City Jail Administration, our partners, and everyone joining us today. Welcome to our first Balik-Eskwela Kits Distribution.

Today is a very special day for us, because this is our first official event of the Kidfinity and Beyond Foundation. We created this program to show our love and support for our children as they prepare for another school year. We hope that the school supplies and the other things that we are giving today will be useful to you as you go back to school. Makakatulong ito sa iyong pag-aaral, at maging useful sa iyong araw-araw sa school.

To all the children here today, I want you to remember that you’re not alone in your dreams. Maraming tao ang naniniwala sa inyo, sumusuporta sa inyo, at gustong makita kayong magtagumpay. Keep learning, keep working hard, and most importantly, huwag kayong susuko sa mga pangarap ninyo. Your dreams are important, and you deserve the chance to have a bright future.

We know that life is not always easy, and there will be challenges along the way. But I hope that today reminds you that may mga taong handang tumulong at sumusuporta sa inyo.

I also want to thank everyone who gave their time, their effort and their resources to make this program possible. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Your support means so much to your children and to their families.

And to our students: use your new school supplies well. Do your best at school, and always believe in yourself. Mag-aral kayong mabuti, at huwag matakot mangarap nang malaki.

We hope that this new school year will bring you new knowledge, happy memories and new opportunities. Mabuhay ang ating kabataan! And always remember that Kidfinity and Beyond Foundation is here to support you, and believe in your dreams. Maraming salamat po, and welcome to our first ever Balik-Eskwela program.

Spoken at the Balik-Eskwela Kits Distribution, Makati City Jail, 16 August 2026, and transcribed from the recording of the day. She spoke mostly in English, and moved into Filipino for some lines. Those lines are translated here.

Order of the day

  1. 9:30 AM

    Mothers and children gather at the jail’s chapel. Foundation staff check attendance.

  2. 10:00 AM

    Opening prayer, led by Mr. Jeff P. Jumarang. Opening remarks from SJO1 Cristina Labayo, on behalf of JINSP Roselyn B. Rivera.

  3. Then

    Ate Athalia greets the mothers and children.

  4. Then

    Games: Paper Dance, Trip to Jerusalem and Song Tanong, with packs of biscuits for the winners.

  5. Then

    Ate Athalia leads the distribution of the Balik-Eskwela kits.

  6. 12:00 noon

    A community lunch for the families, the Foundation and the jail’s personnel.

Who took part

  • Ate Athalia Marie V. SuarezFounder. Led the event and the distribution.
  • Congressman David “Jay-Jay” C. SuarezGuest
  • Atty. Jazmin Deborah YrreverreGuest
  • Atty. Athena Christa De MesaGuest
  • SJO1 Cristina LabayoMakati City Jail. Opening remarks, on behalf of JINSP Roselyn B. Rivera.
  • Mr. Jeff P. JumarangFoundation representative. Opening prayer.
  • Mr. Daryl A. BalderasMaster of ceremony
  • Mr. Joselito (Joey) D. Villamor Jr.Master of ceremony

Mothers and children are not named in the Foundation’s reports.

What was given

  • A school bag for every child beneficiary
  • A plastic envelope of educational materials for each child’s grade level
  • A white Kidfinity and Beyond shirt for each child
  • Packs of biscuits for the winners of each game
  • Lunch for everyone present

The programs behind it

The film

The games, the Founder’s message and the distribution of kits, in under two minutes.

More from the day

20 photographs. Select one to see it full size.

Athalia Suarez stands behind two girls in Kidfinity shirts and face masks, beside their mother in a yellow BJMP shirt.
Ate Athalia with a mother and her daughters. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez speaks into a microphone at a lectern bearing the Makati City Jail seal, beside the Philippine flag.
Ate Athalia tells the mothers and children that the Foundation will be there for them. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez smiles as she speaks into a microphone at a lectern, in front of stacked wooden pallets.
Ate Athalia greets the mothers and children. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez hands a white Kidfinity and Beyond shirt to a boy in a navy jersey.
Ate Athalia hands a Foundation shirt to one of the boys. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez holds a folded white Kidfinity and Beyond shirt while two Foundation staff members in navy polo shirts look on.
Ate Athalia and Foundation staff check the shirts before handing them out. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez laughs with a man holding papers, as officers in blue uniforms and two seated women look on.
Ate Athalia with Foundation staff and officers of the jail before the program. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Foundation staff in navy polo shirts, jail officers in blue uniforms and guests stand together for a group photograph.
Foundation representatives and guests with officers of the Makati City Jail. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Two Foundation staff members in navy polo shirts arrange backpacks, blue envelopes and folded shirts along a table.
Foundation staff lay out the kits before the children arrive. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Foundation staff and a jail officer in uniform set out chairs and kit bags in the hall before the program.
Foundation staff and a jail officer set up the hall. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A hall with rows of blue chairs facing a table of school bags beneath the Foundation banner.
The hall, with the kits laid out on the front table. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A white Kidfinity and Beyond shirt held up by its shoulders.
The Foundation shirt given to each child. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A boxed lunch of rice and gravy held on a child’s lap.
The community lunch that closed the day, shared by the families, the Foundation and the jail’s personnel. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A Foundation staff member points along a table of school bags as a colleague looks on.
Foundation staff sort the kits before the families arrive. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez walks along a wet path with a man in a grey shirt, behind a jail officer in uniform.
Ate Athalia arrives at the jail on the morning of the distribution. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A woman in a black shirt and face mask signs a sheet on a green folder.
Attendance is checked as the families arrive. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Children in white Kidfinity shirts walk in a line past Foundation staff, as a mother in a yellow PDL shirt looks on.
Children and Foundation staff during one of the games. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez reaches into a plastic bag beside a Foundation staff member, among mothers and children seated at a table, below a screen reading “Song”.
Ate Athalia and Foundation staff among the families during Song Tanong. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Athalia Suarez, holding a pack of biscuits, points across the room.
Ate Athalia with a prize for the next winner. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
Mothers, children, Athalia Suarez and Foundation staff seated along a long table, eating from boxed lunches.
The community lunch that closed the day. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026
A mother in a yellow BJMP shirt eats a boxed lunch with young children beside her.
A mother shares lunch with the children. Makati City Jail, Female Dormitory · 16 August 2026