Nina Angela Mikaela Cruz

Unang Hakbang sa Talangtang, a learning center built in Barangay Culandanum, Bataraza, Palawan, through the help of Motosports Live Viewing Community.

Article (news)

How a community of F1 fans helps build schools for indigenous children in Palawan

ABS-CBN News

<p>A community of motorsports fans has found a way to convert their passion for speed into a humanitarian cause—to provide early education for indigenous children in Southern Palawan, Philippines. </p><p>What started as a watch party among friends every Formula 1 race day later became a community—the Motosports Live Viewing Community (MLVC), which, through its partnership with Unang Hakbang sa Pangarap Preschool, Inc., has so far helped build two learning centers for indigenous children in Sitios Talangtang and Cabuhao in Barangay Culandanum and Tarusan in Bataraza, Palawan. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764851482742MLVC x UH sa Talangtang.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">IN PHOTO: Unang Hakbang sa Talangtang, a learning center built in Barangay Culandanum, Bataraza, Palawan, through the help of Motosports Live Viewing Community. <em>(📷: Unang Hakbang sa Pangarap Preschool, Inc.)</em></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Forming an F1-loving community</strong></div><p>Before Formula 1 amassed a huge fanbase in the country, perhaps before the Netflix show “Drive to Survive” gained popularity during the pandemic, it may as well be considered a niche interest. </p><p>“Back then, hindi pa gano&#x27;n kasikat yung sport dito sa Philippines. But there are quite a few people... tipong mga nerds talaga yung nanonood talaga, maalam sa F1. Mga medyo matatanda. As in yung mga Senna days, Schumacher days,” MLVC founder Phil Gonzales told ABS-CBN News. </p><div><em>(Back then, the sport wasn’t as famous here in the Philippines. But there are quite a few people who would watch it, especially the F1 nerds from the older generation, particularly during the Senna and Schumacher days.)  </em></div><p>He also recalled how during this time, before MLVC was formed, their small friend group would host watch parties, joined by few other participants in whichever restaurant was available to accommodate them. </p><p>“That time kami-kami lang magbabarkada, nanonood kami ng watch party. Siguro pinakamarami na yata yung 10,” he said.</p><div><em>(It used to be just us friends who would attend the watch parties. I think attendees would only go as many as 10.)</em></div><p>Eventually, they observed more people would go to their watch parties. From 10 people, he said attendance would sometimes reach 25. </p><p>“Kasama din namin yung mga regular na nagma-marshal kapag may Grand Prix sa ibang bansa, kaniya-kaniyang dala ng freebies: may dala silang F1 books, may dala silang diecast ng F1. Kaniya-kaniya kami ng dala ng ipapamigay namin dun sa mga bagong nanonood ng F1 just to get them involved sa community,” he said. </p><div><em>(Watching with us were those who regularly marshal during Grand Prix in other countries. We would each bring freebies such as F1 books and diecast models to give to newcomers to get them involved in the community.)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02aYi13wKjvWLbmQU9ZrY383s9aLZ77pYQ9KesTsbYjXcUJC5E34C39t9yW2yFFLJUl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="753" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>When the pandemic hit, establishments closed, gatherings were prohibited, and their watch parties were no exception. </p><p>However, not wanting to spoil the momentum of their growing community, Gonzales thought of bringing their watch parties online—this turned out to be a good call, as they saw attendees reach 300 to 600 via Zoom. </p><p>He also observed more younger people taking interest in F1. Conversations also shifted, as topics deviated from solely the technical side of the sport.</p><p>“Pag nagkukwentuhan about sa F1, talagang sobrang lalim, sobrang technical… Hindi kamukha ngayon, parang pag nagkwentuhan kayo sa F1, parang hindi mo kailangang sobrang maalam sa F1 just to be involved sa community, sa panonood ng F1. So mas naging free for all yung F1. Mas I think naging open yung F1 to all ages,” he said. </p><div><em>(Before, talking about F1 with your peers tended to be too technical. Unlike today, one doesn’t need to be too much in the know about F1 to be involved in the community and watch the sport. F1 became free for all. It became more open to all ages.)</em></div><p>Later on, when the community quarantine restrictions eased, Gonzales tried to revive their in-person watch parties. </p><p>As the Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton rivalry continued to attract viewers, to Gonzales’ surprise, they were able to quickly set up four watch parties and fill the venues in Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and Quezon City.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fvideos%2F596584069567477%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>“That was the time na parang I want to… make it official, yung watch party talaga. Doon medyo nabuo yung Motosports Live Viewing Community. Back then, ang pangalan pa F1 Live Viewing Philippines so F1PH pa yung name niya. So parang purely F1 lang,“ he said.</p><div><em>(That was the time when I thought of making it official. It was when the Motosports Live Viewing Community started. Back then, it was called the F1 Live Viewing Philippines or F1PH. It used to be purely about F1.)</em></div><p>Since a portion of F1 fans also follow other various motorsports such as MotoGP and Dakar Rally, Gonzales thought of making the group more inclusive, hence the name.</p><p>The community continuously grew and in 2024, Gonzales recalled, frequenters of their watch parties started to volunteer their skills in organizing, marketing, hosting, and other operational needs of the group.</p><p>They now regularly operate in about 10 areas, with more or less 20 active volunteers per week. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The heart of the community </strong></div><p>It was also in 2024 when MLVC began its partnership with Unang Hakbang sa Pangarap Preschool, Inc. to give the community a deeper purpose. </p><p>“Gusto kong i-level up yung watch party ng F1. Hindi siya para maging hobby lang na every Sunday nanonood tayo. So para magkaroon ng challenge for everyone, kasi it’s a community so ayokong mawala yung heart ng mga tao sa sports. At the same time, to help out the community. Yun talaga yung essence ng MLVC,” Gonzales said. </p><div><em>(I wanted to level up our watch parties. It needed to be something more than just a hobby we do every Sunday. So I set a challenge for everyone in the community, though I did not want to take away their hearts from the sport, but at the same time, to help out the community. That’s the essence of MLVC.)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUnang.Hakbang.Linangan%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0jZPW4N2NNayemQ5VwhCF5cvbgmqjegvcZugxUV3z7mdRbAnPCM5vkaycYdXLbKRAl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="850" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Sans any idea about the cost of building a classroom, MLVC committed to help build a learning center every race season. </p><p>With this goal, Gonzales put in more effort to coordinate with more establishments where they can hold watch parties to gather enough funds as soon as possible. </p><p>All proceeds of the MLVC watch parties go to Unang Hakbang, according to Gonzales. </p><p>“Every time you watch with MLVC, yung binabayad mo na entrance, it’s just P150. Eh yung merch lang ng F1, magkano na? Umaabot ng P3,000, P5,000, eh ano ba naman yung 150?” he said.</p><div><em>(Every time you watch with MLVC, you only pay P150 entrance fee. F1 merchandise costs as much as P3,000 or even P5,000, so what’s P150?)</em></div><p>“I think yung help na nabigay ng MLVC with Unang Hakbang also sparked yung na-inspire din yung mga tao sa motorsports to watch with us,” he added. </p><div><em>(I think the help MLVC gives to Unang Hakbang also inspired people to watch motorsports with us.)</em></div><p>MLVC has helped build two Unang Hakbang learning centers since the partnership began. </p><p>The first one, the Unang Hakbang sa Talangtang, was built in 2024 in Barangay Tarusan, Bataraza, Palawan. </p><p>Thirty learners go here where they are taught basic academic skills, according to volunteer teacher Noemi Gonzales.</p><p>They also use their native language as a medium of instruction. </p><p>The students are of preschool age or 3 to 4 years old, but some up to 7 years old are also accommodated. </p><p>The second learning center, the Unang Hakbang sa Cabuhao located in the same barangay, will begin operations in January 2026 and will cater to 60 students split between the morning and afternoon classes.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764851542041MLVC x UH sa Cabuhao.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">IN PHOTO: Unang Hakbang sa Cabuhao in Barangay Tarusan, Bataraza, Palawan, a learning center sponsored by the Motosports Live Viewing Community, which will begin operations in January 2026. <em>(📷: Unang Hakbang sa Pangarap Preschool, Inc.) </em></span></span></span></div><p>Noemi said one class in Cabuhao will offer a Bridge Program for learners age 7 to 12 who have yet to acquire basic academic skills. </p><p>The children’s parents and older siblings are also taught to read and write in the centers.</p><p>“Ang ginagawa ng Unang Hakbang, nagtuturo sila sa mga bata and at the same time, nagtuturo din sila ng basic para sa mga parents pati dun sa mga ate and kuya nila,” Gonzales said.</p><div><em>(Apart from teaching the kids, Unang Hakbang also teaches basic education to their parents, as well as their brothers and sisters.)</em></div><p>Moreover, he talked about how building the learning centers also fostered community building in the sitios. </p><p>“Yung maganda with building natin ng schools sa Unang Hakbang, kasi sobrang layo niya sa city, ang hirap magdala ng semento, ang hirap magdala ng yero, pati ng kahoy. So ang nangyari, nag-volunteer yung mga kuya, ate, pati yung mga parents, so sila mismo yung naggagawa nung school,” he said. </p><div><em>(Unang Hakbang is located far from the city. It’s hard to transport cement, iron roofing, and wood to the site. The students’ brothers, sisters, and parents volunteer to help. They themselves contribute to the construction of the learning centers.)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUnang.Hakbang.Linangan%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02wh2aZhF2ayKdKJc3X8rVgfZepYAuXktjeZxg2BorHyHVuBPD1J3NDxXCdiZQ2UwWl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>He also took pride in how children were inspired to descend from the mountains to go to elementary and high schools.</p><p>“Nahihiya yung mga bata pumasok sa elementary, sa school talaga kasi nagkakaroon ng discrimination kasi tribes sila. So yun yung reason why ine-encourage namin yung mga parents, ine-encourage din namin yung mga kids na ito yung intro sa education.  And then yung iba, nagiging okay yung results sa Unang Hakbang ang then naiinspire namin sila to go to elementary school,” Gonzales said.</p><div><em>(They are embarrassed to go to a proper elementary school because they get discriminated for being part of tribes. That’s why we encourage the parents and their children to take classes with us because they are an introduction to education. Some of them who exhibit good results from Unang Hakbang are inspired to attend an elementary school.) </em></div><p>“Bumababa na sila sa elementary school, bumababa na sila sa high school,” he added. </p><div><em>(They descend from the mountain to go to an elementary school and high school.)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The drive never ends</strong></div><p>While every race comes to an end, the advocacy of MLVC has no checkered flag. </p><p>I think hanggang kailangan na may mga kids na i-send sa school and then magpagawa ng school… Hindi ko makita kung kailan mag-e-end yung MLVC,” Gonzales said.</p><div><em>(I think as long as there are kids who need to get sent to schools, I don’t see MLVC ending.)</em></div><p>&quot;Maybe may ibang papalit na sa akin, siguro pag nag-asawa na ako o natuto na ako manligaw,” he said in jest, “Pero I  don’t think mag-e-end yung MLVC or yung cause na ginagawa namin,” he said. </p><div><em>(Maybe someday I would get replaced, perhaps when I get married or learn how to pursue someone. But I don’t think MLVC or the cause that we do would end.) </em></div><p>Unang Hakbang is in need of school supplies, storybooks/picture books in Filipino, educational toys, vitamins for children, and financial support for the feeding program. If you wish to donate, you may reach them through their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unang.Hakbang.Linangan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> or through 0947-799-6974. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUnang.Hakbang.Linangan%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02uvoohET5UJyV3R3F41L6JGU1A15YSbiaFxAKCYrvLpWgbGfMY3wbRwnxyZtoCvdrl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="786" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>A community of Formula 1 fans has found a way to convert their passion for speed into a humanitarian cause—to provide early education for indigenous children in Southern Palawan, Philippines. </p>

A community of Formula 1 fans has found a way to convert their passion for speed into a humanitarian cause—to provide early education for indigenous children in Southern Palawan, Philippines.