KCFI Renews Commitment to Excellence and Impact at 2026 General Assembly

January 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Thank you for grounding us today in the 20 NCCA values. It’s a timely reminder that values are not only what we hope children will learn—they are also what we must live as an organization. These values shape how we work with each other, how we steward resources, and how we serve children and communities. With that foundation, let me now share our New Year’s message and a look back at what we achieved together—and how we will continue to deepen impact and raise the standard of excellence in 2026.

And I want to emphasize this at the outset: when we talk about learning, we are not only talking about reading and math. We are also shaping how children relate to themselves and others—how they manage emotions, handle frustration, cooperate, persevere, and make good choices. That is values formation and socio-emotional learning. It is not an “extra.” It is foundational. And it is something we must also model inside KCFI—in how we communicate, how we resolve challenges, how we honor commitments and deadlines, and how we treat each other. 

Good morning, everyone, and happy New Year.

I want to begin with a sincere thank you. To our KCFI staff, our ManCom,—maraming, maraming salamat. Thank you for your dedication, your professionalism, and your heart. Hindi magiging posible ang lahat ng ito nang wala kayo.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to First Philippine Holdings Corporation and ABS-CBN for their continued support and belief in our mission. Their steady partnership helps us protect and strengthen the spark in every Filipino child—and we do not take that trust for granted.

As we look back on last year, I’d like to share an overview of what we achieved together. And as we go through numbers and outputs, let us remember this: behind every data point is a child, a teacher, a parent, a caregiver, and a community whose life is being shaped—quietly but meaningfully—by the work we do.

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OUR 2026 FOCUS

As we begin 2026, I want to anchor us on this commitment: deepening impact and raising the standard of excellence—every day, in every deliverable, in every interaction.

Not just “doing more,” but doing what matters most—better, faster, and with greater care—so our work truly translates into learning and life outcomes for children.

And when I say “impact,” I mean learning that children can carry into real life—academics, yes, but also character and socio-emotional skills. And when I say “excellence,” I mean quality not only in content, but in how we design learning experiences that build empathy, self-control, resilience, and respect—because these are the foundations that make learning stick.

WHAT WE DELIVERED

I’m proud to share that we produced 119 video lessons last year for Early Childhood Development, Basic Education, and our Child Development Workers.

These included: 

• 10 episodes of Musikantahan 

• 17 episodes of Kinder Yes 

• 50 episodes of Ready, Set, Read for Grades 2 and 3 

• 3 episodes of Siklo ng Enerhiya 

• 9 episodes of Gen H 

• 7 episodes of WOW 

• 10 episodes of AgriKids 

• 2 episodes of Estudyantipid 

• 1 episode on Robotics and Capacitors 

• 10 episodes for our CDW Upskilling Program 

And to make sure these curriculum-aligned materials reached learners—not just in theory, but in real classrooms and centers—we expanded access through our platforms. We deployed 98 KCTV units and 170 KCPML units, bringing quality learning resources to more Child Development Centers and public schools nationwide.

REMEMBER THE STORIES BEHIND THE NUMBERS

Let me pause and share one story that, for me, captures what “impact” really looks like. 

Some of you will remember Gurong May K—and Teacher Zarlina. She’s one of those teachers who simply refuses to let a child be left behind. She shows up prepared, she improvises when resources are limited, and she uses every tool available to make learning feel possible and joyful for her learners. 

When we talk about video lessons, training, and devices, I always think of teachers like her—because they are the ones who turn our materials into real learning. Our work matters because it lands in the hands of teachers like Teacher Zarlina, and it reaches children who need that extra spark, that extra patience, that extra chance.

So yes, we will celebrate outputs—but we will always keep our eyes on the human reason behind them. 

POLICY THAT STRENGTHENS THE SYSTEM

Beyond content and access, we also saw a major milestone in policy: the signing of Republic Act 12199, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act, on May 8, 2025. 

This law strengthens the ECCD system for children in the early years, supports the professionalization of child development workers, and helps clarify how national and local systems can deliver quality ECCD services—especially in supporting Child Development Centers on the ground. 

And I’m honored to share that KCFI was deeply involved in the drafting and review of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this landmark law. 

But we all know: policy only becomes real when it empowers the people doing the work every day. 

INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND

Last year, we commenced Kayang-Kaya Para sa Bata: Certificate Program for the Upskilling of Child Development Workers (CDWs) in Baras, Rizal. Over six months starting in July, 49 CDWs went through guided learning sessions and mentoring to build practical competencies in early childhood care and development—and to prepare them for TESDA NC III assessment. 

This program included the provision of the Knowledge Channel Portable Media Library (KCPML) for ECD, containing 300+ videos for young children, CDWs/teachers, parents, and caregivers—plus the additional 10 video episodes aligned to the program modules. 

We also successfully rolled out one KCare Training Program in Taytay, Rizal, reaching 82 participants:

• 47 CDWs 

• 12 Assistant Teachers 

• 3 SPED Teachers 

• 6 Barangay Health Workers 

• 6 Barangay Nutrition Scholars 

• 6 Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children 

For basic education, we delivered two LEEP-Reading Training Programs in Las Piñas and Misamis Oriental, training 160 participants across 20 schools. 

Online, we conducted six conferences on early childhood development, reading, and mathematics. Across these online conferences, we reached more than 54,000 participants, with more than 42,000 awarded with CPD points. 

PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE SCALE POSSIBLE

None of this happens alone. 

We kept ourselves grounded in the realities of those we serve by continuously collaborating with the Asia Philanthropy Circle, EDCOM2, DepEd, ECCD Council, DILG, TESDA, and many others. 

We also worked with 27 funding partners—a growing family, united by one purpose. We signed MOAs with DepEd, including with Solar TV, on content and carrying agreements for DepEd TV. And we signed a MOA with TESDA, further strengthening our commitment to ECD as we align and update our training and develop learning materials for the TESDA Online Program. 

Finally, together we received 29 recognitions and awards last year. These are not just “trophies.” They are reminders—encouragement—that what we do matters, and that it is reaching the children and communities we serve. 

A CANDID NOTE AS WE BEGIN THE YEAR

Now, as proud as we should be of these accomplishments, I also want to say this with humility and clarity: there is still much we need to improve—especially in our operations.

And yes, it is more than okay to say that. In fact, it is necessary—because excellence is part of our responsibility to children, to communities, and to every partner who trusts us. 

So this year, alongside our mission work, we will also commit to becoming stronger internally: clearer systems, better coordination, faster turnaround, more disciplined follow-through, tighter quality control, and better support for one another across teams. Not to add pressure—but to remove friction, protect our time, and make it easier for everyone to do great work.

And in doing that, let’s remember: how we work is part of what we teach. If we want children to learn respect, empathy, responsibility, and teamwork, then our workplace culture must reflect those same values—especially when we are tired, busy, or under pressure. 

We owe it to our mission—and to each other—to keep raising the bar. 

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Our accomplishments remind us of something essential: when we come together with clarity of purpose, compassion for those we serve, and joy in what we do, we create an impact far beyond what any of us could do individually. 

So as we begin 2026, here is my simple call to action for all of us: “Impact is our why. Excellence is our how—every day, for every child.” 

Let us continue to be sparks of hope for every Filipino child. Let us keep lifting each other up, reminding one another why this work matters. And let us choose kindness, curiosity, and courage—in the office, in our homes, and in the communities we serve. 

Maraming maraming salamat!