JAVIER, LEYTE — From managing three grade levels simultaneously in a remote Leyte classroom to leading a third-grade class in the United States, Filipina educator Abigael Culaban Balaga continues to demonstrate how passion, resilience, and creative instruction can transform lives across continents.
Building A Full Program In Javier, Leyte
Before crossing oceans, Balaga spent 14 years serving in Philippine public schools within the Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte Division. Her teaching career began with a six-year tenure at Ulhay Elementary School in Barangay Ulhay, Javier, before transferring to Magsaysay Primary School.
At Magsaysay, Balaga initially served as the school's sole teacher, handling combined classes for Grades 1, 2, and 3. Recognizing the community's urgent educational needs, she collaborated with barangay officials led by Raul B. Abueva to establish Grades 4, 5, and 6. Their efforts successfully transformed the facility into Magsaysay Elementary School, offering a complete curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 6.
Balaga’s creative contributions extended beyond standard lesson plans:
Musical Enrichment: She established student musical ensembles using instruments like the violin, recorder, angklung, and melodeon. She also composed the music and co-wrote the lyrics for the official Javier Municipal Hymn, "Padayon Uswag Javier."
Innovative Literacy: Through DepEd Leyte’s LeaderSHAPE Academy, she developed Project BEGAY (Bridging strategies to Enhance literacy through Games and Action Songs to Yield academic excellence), an award-winning initiative that teaches reading through interactive play and movement.
Transitioning To Fairfax County Public Schools
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Eastern Visayas State University (2005) alongside her Bachelor of Elementary Education, Balaga relocated to the United States in 2024 to join Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia as a third-grade teacher.
The career transition allowed her to gain international professional experience, support her family—including her husband Dani Ian and children Prince and Lady Danielle—and share Filipino educational values abroad. Despite the initial challenges of adapting to a new culture and school system, Balaga attributes her smooth transition to collaborative colleagues and strong family support.
Looking toward the future, Balaga plans to return to the Philippines to share advanced teaching practices, expand her play-based literacy frameworks, and continue advocating for arts and music education in local schools across Eastern Visayas.
