The power of education. Grade 8 Aeta student Arianne Perio works hard for her education, with a dream to lift her family out of poverty. “Proud ako sa anak ko. Laging nasa honor,” her mom said. (I’m proud of her. She’s always in the honor roll).

The Biaan Aeta Integrated School in Mariveles, Bataan turns a new chapter in its inspiring history with the arrival of sustainable power and internet access, courtesy of AuroraPH, an initiative that helps bridge the educational and digital divide in the Philippines.

Through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and Wi-Fi, a school that began outdoors under trees with makeshift learning aids is further equipped to address the evolving needs of its students, which includes those from the indigenous Aeta Magbukún tribes and the non-indigenous Tagalog.

“Noong na-interview po namin yung mga katutubo, ang isa sa hiniling nila ay magkaroon ng paaralan dito. Halos 99% ng mga katutubo dito noon ay hindi nakakabasa [at] hindi nakakasulat. Kaya noong 2005, nag-start po kami na mag-conduct ng literacy program,” recalled Mariquita A. Banal, Head Teacher and former Principal of Biaan Aeta. (When we interviewed the indigenous people, one of their wishes was to have a school here. Almost 99% of the natives before didn’t know how to read and write. That’s why in 2005, we started a literacy program).

“Sa tulong ng DepEd (Department of Education) at Mariveles district, naitayo ang Biaan Aeta Integrated School,” she explained. (With the help of DepEd and the Mariveles district, we established the Biaan Aeta Integrated School).

In its early years, the school dealt with power issues, including gaining access and, eventually, having to pay for the cost. An intermittent internet connection and limited learning tools and instructional materials further compounded its struggles.

“Napakahirap po para sa amin kasi wala po talagang signal. Naaawa ako kasi syempre nahirapan sila, lalo na sa research,” observed Laarnie P. Oliveros, a senior high school teacher at Biaan Aeta. (It’s really difficult for us because there is absolutely no signal. I felt bad for them because they were struggling, especially with their research).

The power of empathy. What began as a literacy program to teach the indigenous Aeta Magbukún tribes to read and write is now the Biaan Aeta Integrated School, which Teacher Mariquita A. Banal helped establish with her husband. With today’s growing digital divide, AuroraPH supports Ms. Banal’s lifelong mission in education.

Still, the school persisted, thanks to the determination of its students and teachers.

“Kitang-kita ko naman po talaga na nahihirapan po sila Mama. Street sweeper po siya sa barangay. Gusto ko po silang maiahon sa hirap,” said Arianne Khaye G. Perio, a Grade 8 Aeta student who wants to be a nurse when she grows up. (I can really see that Mom and the rest of the family are struggling. She’s a street sweeper in the town. I want to lift them out of poverty).

“Pagdating po sa pag-aaral, masasabi ko pong 100% po akong masipag mag-aral”. (When it comes to studying, I can say that I am 100% hardworking).

“Isa po sa mga reason ko kung bakit pursigido po akong magturo rito dahil po sa mga bata. Nakikita ko sa kanila yung dedication nila na talagang yung pag-aaral nila gusto nilang makapagtapos,” teacher Oliveros added. (One of the reasons I am so determined to teach here is because of the children. I see their dedication—they truly want to finish their studies).

Last July 2025, AuroraPH arrived at Biaan Aeta and renewed the hopes of students and teachers alike. It was done in partnership with Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) through GNPower Mariveles Energy Center and GNPower Dinginin, together with non-profit GivePower, private companies Starlink and Huawei, and DepEd and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

AuroraPH is a flagship education and connectivity initiative by Aboitiz Foundation that aims to support 300 off-grid, last-mile schools across the Philippines with solar power, internet systems, digital learning tools, and capacity building.

Biaan Aeta is the first on-grid school to benefit from the effort, enhancing its existing infrastructure to reduce electricity costs and vastly improve online connectivity via Starlink, which uses Low Earth Orbit satellites for internet, thereby bypassing the need for traditional cables or cell towers.

“Napakaswerte natin dito. Napaka-privileged natin dahil may mga katulad ng Aboitiz na handang tumulong sa mga kabataan na nandito,” teacher Oliveros said. (We are very lucky here. We are very privileged because there are companies like Aboitiz who are ready to help the children that are here).

“Mayroon na silang access sa Wi-Fi. Mas madali para sa mga bata na mag-research, lalo na po iyong mga senior high school students namin. May mga research silang ginagawa na kung saan hindi na sila kailangan bumaba pa sa bayan para lang mag-search,” she further explained. (They now have access to Wi-Fi. It’s easier for the kids to do research, especially for our senior high school students. They can do their research without having to go down to the town just to get information).

The power of dedication. When the Biaan Aeta Integrated School began a senior high school program in 2017, Laarnie P. Oliveros was the only full-time teacher. Despite a tiring daily one-hour commute and options to teach closer to home, her invaluable dedication kept her rooted in Biaan Aeta.

Since AuroraPH and the installation of solar PVs to power 12 classrooms, there was also a 60% reduction in the school’s electricity bill. With its first savings, Biaan Aeta invested in CCTV cameras.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa Aboitiz Foundation and AboitizPower. Yung tulong nila talagang tuloy-tuloy,” teacher Banal said. (We are deeply grateful to the Aboitiz Foundation and AboitizPower. Their support has been continuous).

“Natupad nila yung isa sa mga pangarap namin na yung mga bata rito sa paaralan ay maging globally competitive. Na kahit kami ay nasa bundok, hindi kami nahuhuli. Kaya palang mangyari yun sa Biaan Aeta,” she added. (They fulfilled one of our dreams: for the children here at the school to become globally competitive. Even though we are located in the mountains, we are not being left behind. It turns out that this is actually possible for Biaan Aeta).

AuroraPH has helped over 80 schools across the country, benefitting 9,000+ students. It is aligned with both national developmental goals and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 calling for “Quality Education”, or “[ensuring] inclusive and equitable quality education and [promoting] lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

“Ang pinagpapasalamat ko po sa AboitizPower ay binago nila iyong buhay namin bilang estudyante tsaka po mas pinadali po nila iyong pag-aaral namin,” young Arianne said. (What I’m grateful to AboitizPower for is that they transformed our lives as students and made studying much easier).