The PLDT Lens Camera Club, in partnership with PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and Juan Portrait, reached out to schoolchildren of Cabog Integrated School in Dingalan, Aurora recently to teach them basic photography and distribute school supplies.

PLDT Lens also celebrated Indigenous People’s Month with the activity since majority of the students in Cabog Integrated School are members of the Dumagat Tribe, an ethnic group living along the Pacific coast of the province of Aurora.

“We are happy to share our time, knowledge, and resources with the students whose enthusiasm really inspired us,” said PLDT Lens President Jan Lester E. Bisco. “This activity was one of the most exciting for our group, the children’s eager participation and willingness to learn was invigorating!”

Aside from photography, art workshops such as Collage Making and Water Color Painting were also conducted for the students, as well as a storytelling session for the younger kids.

Sacks of Joy, containing school supplies among other goodies, courtesy of PSF, were distributed to 261 students at the event.

The outreach program formed part of PLDT Lens’ activities as they celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. Photos taken by the student-participants during the workshop will be part of the club’s annual exhibit on February 2020. The photos will be up for sale and all proceeds will be given to the Cabog students.

Juan Portrait is a non-government organization whose initiative is to teach photography and art to the indigenous people, especially children. One of its projects is “Community Frames” which involves  one photographer mentoring a student on basic photography, an endeavor that helps to discover and nurture children’s artistic talents and creativity and opens up new opportunities for them.