Jan Michael Barila, an Obo Manobo, had been a MAFI scholar from high school up to college. In 2013, he availed of MAFI’s scholarship and took up agricultural engineering at the University of Southern Mindanao.
As a scholar and MAFI’s first Lumad agriculture engineer graduate, Jan has supported the foundation’s implementation of its various environmental initiatives and cultural heritage program in upland villages in Mt. Apo.
“MAFI’s scholarship program gave me hope. I never thought I would be able to continue my studies after high school. Through its scholarship program, I was given the chance to continue my schooling until college,” he said.
“Because of MAFI, I have become optimistic and learned how to socialize and communicate with different types of people. I got support and good pieces of advice from its staff whom I consider part of my own family. They gave me moral and emotional support so I could finish my studies. After graduation, MAFI recommended me for employment,” said the agriculture engineer graduate, who is now working at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Kidapawan City.
Given that MAFI has helped him improve his life through education, he owes a debt of gratitude to it and considers it important to return the favor in the near future.
“The important lesson I have learned in MAFI is the idea of loving and serving my community. Before, my perspective in life was just to finish my studies and have a good job. However, through my awareness of and involvement in MAFI’s work, that self-seeking outlook changed in the end. The foundation has motivated me to love and serve my community and to heighten my enthusiasm to work for the protection of Mt. Apo Natural Park. It has exposed me to community work and realities, thus greatly influencing the way I look at things,” he reflected.
Engr. Jan Michael Angelo M. Barila, AE
Scholar 2013-2017
