KAMUNING Bakery Cafe (KBC) owner and noted media practitioner Wilson Lee Flores handed over the keys to a brand-new four-classroom public school building to Dinalaoan Elementary School in Barangay Dinalaoan, Calasiao City, Pangasinan, on May 3.
The donation underscores KBC's unwavering dedication to education and community enrichment, made possible through a fruitful partnership with the "Operation Barrio Schools" civic initiative spearheaded by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), now led by Cecilio Pedro as president and with the cooperation of businessman Willie Sy.
Barangay Dinalaoan is renowned for its production of the region's famed puto rice cakes.
The turnover, which coincided with the fiesta of Calasiao, was graced by Calasiao Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay, Pangasinan Provincial Board member Sheila Marie Ferrer-Baniqued, Dinalaoan barangay chairman Mylene Laforteza Ico, "Sunday Punch" publisher Ermin Garcia Jr., and FFCCCII board member and Pangasinan Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce past president George Chua Cham, alongside other prominent community leaders.
Also expressing support were Senators Imee Marcos and Bong Go, Rep. Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III, and Vice Gov. Mark Lambino.
Among FFCCCII officials present were East Pangasinan Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Rosendo So and FFCCCII regional council representatives Alfredo Lim and Joseph Redulla.
Flores expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to public education in Barangay Dinalaoan. He affirmed his belief in education as the key to progress, eradicating poverty, and promoting social justice.
Quoting an ancient Chinese proverb, he emphasized the enduring value of empowering individuals through knowledge.
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime," he quoted in Mandarin, then translated to English.
The donation also paid homage to the legacies of the late educator and poet Mary Young Siu Tin and the late sawmill entrepreneur Lee Tek Hong.