A classroom can change a child’s future. The winning creators of “A Classroom for Every Dream” used TikTok to show how those changes happen, sharing stories from communities reached by FFCCCII’s school-building program.
Jhon Henry Arquileta of Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, and Ramil Carmona Salon Jr. of Davao City led the winners, each receiving ₱120,000 for their entries in the competition’s two categories.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), led by President Victor Lim, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara recognized the winners on October 24, 2026, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The competition focused on Operation Barrio Schools, the federation’s education initiative that has provided school buildings to underserved communities since 1961. Participants turned personal experiences and community stories into videos showing what access to better learning facilities can mean for students, teachers, and families.
“Through the creativity and storytelling of our participants, we have found new ways to bring the mission of Operation: Barrio Schools to a wider audience,” Lim said.
“Their videos remind us that every classroom represents more than a place to study: it is a doorway to opportunity, a refuge for curiosity, and a launching pad for dreams that might otherwise remain beyond reach.”
‘A Classroom for Every Dream’: Complete List of Winners
The competition featured two categories: “My BarrioSchool Journey,” which highlighted personal experiences, and “The BarrioSchools Story,” which explored the broader impact of the school-building program through creative storytelling.
Category A: My BarrioSchool Journey
Arquileta earned first place and ₱120,000, followed by Marielle Q. Badana of Tarlac, who received ₱80,000. Angelo I. Nirza of Palo, Leyte, and John Lloyd S. Paned of Banna, Ilocos Norte, shared third-place honors, receiving ₱50,000 each.
Major Awards
- 1st Place — ₱120,000: Jhon Henry Arquileta — Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
- 2nd Place — ₱80,000: Marielle Q. Badana — Tarlac
- 3rd Place — ₱50,000: Angelo I. Nirza — Palo, Leyte
- 3rd Place — ₱50,000: John Lloyd S. Paned — Banna, Ilocos Norte
Special Citation Awardees
Six special citations carried cash prizes of ₱30,000 each:
- President’s Choice Award: April Mae P. Tañares — Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
- Youth Leadership Award: Jenny Celestial — Mandaue City
- Media Excellence Award: John Vincent M. Leoncio — Pulilan, Bulacan
- Education Impact Award: Achaia Shane L. Tan — Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
- Community Inspiration Award: Mark Cafe — Tacloban
- Community Inspiration Award: Michella H. Cendaña — Quezon
Notable Entries
- Christine Ann T. Borcelo — Northern Samar
- Imerico B. Villanueva — Dasmariñas, Cavite
- Nikka Joy Delos Reyes — Dasmariñas, Cavite
- Roberto G. Tiangco — Bulacan
- Kim Dedicatoria — San Francisco, Southern Leyte
Category B: The BarrioSchools Story
Ramil Carmona Salon Jr. received the Professional Grand Award and ₱120,000. The category also recognized excellence in storytelling and production, with a separate President’s Choice Award.
Major Awards
- Professional Grand Award — ₱120,000: Ramil Carmona Salon Jr. — Davao City
- Excellence in Storytelling — ₱80,000: Jindrich Queen Naomi N. Bernabe — Rizal
- Excellence in Production — ₱50,000: Mark Cedrick S. Capareda — Tagum City, Davao del Norte
- President’s Choice Award — ₱30,000: Sarah Mae Cabalhug — Cebu City
@cdoyakkxmarko Based on FFCCCII’s long-running Operation: Barrio Schools, this story highlights how the program has helped build thousands of classrooms in underserved communities since 1961.😱 Mabuhay! 🇵🇭🤗 Ni Hao! 🇨🇳🤗 I am Mark Cedrick S. Capareda, a Visual Artist & Content Creator, proudly presenting my humble entry for “The FFCCCII Barrio Schools Story” category. 🙏😇💙🤍✨ Through this entry, I honor FFCCCII’s @ffcccii.official🫡enduring commitment to education and its positive impact on countless Filipino communities across generations. 📚🏫❤️ #FFCCCII #DugongTsino #PusongPinoy #TheFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolsStory #MyFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolJourney ♬ original sound – PROMOnARTIST2.0
Notable Entries Awardees
- Jhan-Jhan Q. Agustin — Camiling, Tarlac
- Toni Girence B. Panes — Quezon City
- Jhun-Jhun Q. Agustin — Camiling, Tarlac
- Prince Loyd Besorio — Zamboanga del Sur
- Louise Ashley A. Cal — Talisay City, Cebu
- Amelia Villanueva — Dasmariñas, Cavite
- Shelley Mae Villarin — Ormoc City, Leyte
- Jayh-Em Ferrer — Isabela
- Angel Jhos Mallari Supan — Magalang, Pampanga
- Richard D. Samulde — Surallah, South Cotabato
- Mylene Tiondo — Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
The School-Building Mission Behind the Videos
Operation Barrio Schools began in 1961 to help address the need for public school facilities in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
According to Lim, the program has turned over more than 6,500 school buildings, equivalent to over 13,000 classrooms, nationwide. Each building provides two classrooms, helping schools offer a more conducive environment for learning.
The initiative supports government efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure, particularly in communities where facilities are urgently needed.
“We firmly believe that investing in education is investing in the future of our nation. By equipping our young people with knowledge, skills, and opportunities, we help prepare them to become globally competitive professionals, responsible citizens, and principled leaders,” Lim said.
“Education is also one of our most powerful instruments in combating poverty, widening economic opportunity, and breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations,” he added.
@ramssalon More than a building, it is a place where dreams take root. Under every roof built by @ffcccii.official are stories, hopes, and dreams, because no dream is ever too small. What began as a mission to build schools became a mission to transform lives. 🏫✨ Maraming Salamat, FFCCCII 💙 #FFCCCIIBarrioSchools #TheFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolsStory ♬ original sound – neoncarat 💎💚
Sustaining 65 Years of School Donations
Lim credited Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs, individuals, families, and businesses for sustaining the program. During FFCCCII’s biennial conventions, delegates pledge donations and support for school construction.
He also thanked the competition’s participants for contributing their time, talent, and imagination, and acknowledged Angara, the organizing team, and the federation’s Youth, Welfare, and Media Committees.
The TikTok competition adds another way for the public to learn about the program through the experiences of the people it has reached. FFCCCII encouraged participants to keep creating and invited the public to share the advocacy using #FFCCCII and #FFCCCIIBarrioSchools.
@gelsnirza THE JOURNEY BEGINS IN A CLASSROOM. #FFCCCIIBarrioSchools #MyFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolJourney @ffcccii.official ♬ original sound – AngeloNirza
“A classroom may begin with bricks and mortar, but its greatest achievement is measured in the dreams it sets free. Together, let us continue building schools, nurturing young minds, and creating a future in which no child’s aspirations are limited by the absence of a classroom,” Lim said.
