Written by: Kuya Glenn Costales, President
The Christmas cheers continued for our Team this time west of the metro at the intimate venue of Talking Hands. Ate Rita Abano was at the forefront in organizing this event with us to gather 25 eager young ones from this Quezon City-based NGO. Talking Hands provides creative learning and spiritual nourishment primarily to the hearing-impaired in their surrounding community along Batasan Road.
This Sunday morning saw an equally enthusiastic lot of family and friends led of course by Ate Rita and her family. This was apparently the birthday celebration of their dear Angela Abano.
Although Talking Hands caters to the hearing-impaired, we were joined by mostly fully-abled kids. After some fun and formal introductions, we settled our volunteers and kids into 5 groups. It was then on to our 1st game called Pass the Ball.
In this game, each group was given 2 balls which they had to pass to each other as a song played. A gesture/ symbol was given out while this happened. When the music stopped, the persons with the balls raced to stand up to perform the gesture. Our symbols comprised of a Bible, a cross, a smile and a heart – aptly representing the season being celebrated.
The next game was an old favorite – Paint a Picture. This month fittingly provided inspiration for the kids to paint pictures of like noche Buena dinner, Christmas caroling, shopping and others more.
An athletic and amazing act soon followed with the Satovan Actobats taking front and center to the delight of the kids.
Kuya Allan next dazzled the crowd with his Bubble Show. More than being up close, the kids even got to be inside the giant bubbles which was quite the treat.
The volunteers and kids then shared a meal which was followed by everyone joining their voices in chorus to sing Ate Angela a happy birthday. This was of course given back by Ate Angela (and the volunteers) with the school supplies they prepared for the kids.
It is truly a gift to be surrounded by inspiring and loving family and friends. We hope Ate Rita, Ate Angela and their family and friends had fun throughout the morning they spent with the kids. We know the kids adored them and it was a joy to serve with all of them.
