Written by: Ate Char Tan, Vice President-External
Today was the birthday celebration of Ate Cookie. She works in Singapore as a nurse while her husband Captain Cyrus is part of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). Ate Cookie flies back to the Philippines every month and she’s currently here in country to celebrate her birthday. She’ll be heading back to Singapore on May 1st. This year to make her birthday more meaningful she chose to celebrate with the children of Gentle Hands and was joined by her family and friends. Located in Project 4, Cubao, Quezon city, Gentle Hands aims to provide a safe and loving home to the children who underwent trauma. They provide a place where the children can heal though the love of Jesus and the people around them. It is a child and youth welfare agency advocating the rights of at-risk children and youth.
We were joined by thirty well-behaved children from Gentle Hands. As the sat in their groups we introduced them to the volunteers for the day. The volunteers showed off some of their dance moves as they shared something about themselves. The volunteers then joined the children in their groups. They got to know the kids as they shared what they want to do this summer. Most of them said they want to go swimming. The give teams were Team Victory of Ate Yana and Kuya MJ, Team Happy of Kuya Viko, Team Victorious of Kuya Kim and Ate Marge, Team Summer of Ate Cookie, and Team Power Puff Girls of Kuya Norman.
The first activity we did was Pass the Ball. Each team was given one ball. As we played the music team members had to pass the ball to the next person in the group. They had to keep passing until the music stopped. When the music stopped the person holding the ball had to stand up and the first person that stood up got a point. After the trial round everyone got so excited as they hurriedly pass the ball. The kids stood up very fast. Team Summer of Ate Cookie was very competitive as the kids stood up really quick. All teams got a point but in the last two rounds Team Summer won the last two points making them the winner of the game. It was one of the kids, John Vincent, from Team Summer who stood up first in the last round.
The next activity we had was the Magic Show by Kuya Koby form The Salamangkero Group. As a crowd favorite Kuya Kobe did another great show. Doves flew above the kids and they all excitedly tried grabbing the birds. He did his popular board trick where he drew a face on a while board. The eyes and mouth of the drawing magically moved as the children all shouted in delight. He made lots of colorful scarves pop out of nowhere. The staff of Gentle Hands Kuya Neil and Ate Sara also watched in delight as they took lots of photos and videos.
After the show we had the Baking Workshop. I taught the kids how to make parfait, a kind of dessert made from layers of cream and fruits served in a glass. Before I began to give the instructions the kids were already very eager to start as they kept holding the ingredients. Each group got fruits, Graham crackers, cream, cocoa powder, chocolates, and cookies. The kids got one cup each were they were to create the layers. They were able to get creative as they can layer the ingredients however they wanted it. Some preferred more fruits while the other preferred more cream. The volunteers helped the kids create nice layers in their cups. Some of the kids put so much in their cups that it was already up to the brim. To top off the layered desert the kids had the option of putting either giant cookies or chocolates. Some of the kids put so much chocolates while the others opted to use the giant cookies. Some topped it off with a thick layer of cocoa powder. The kids had so much fun creating their dessert. They couldn’t help it but finish the entire cup.
After the baking workshop we got to watch a Mime Show. He started off making a funny sound. He talked in a high pitched small voice and the kids kept laughing. He did some funny dances and asked some of the kids to join him in front. The kids were very good dancers as they all eagerly went to the front. They were also familiar with a lot of popular songs and everyone danced with him.
After a fun-filled afternoon the kids got to enjoy their early dinner from Ate Cookie. They all got Amber’s food pack which had everyone’s favorite. They had pancit malabon, barbecue, spring rolls, and of course pichi-pichi for desert. They also drank so much cold juice which was very refreshing. Ate Cookie gave prizes to the her team, who was the winner of the group game. She also gave so much toys to Gentle Hands to be shared by all the children. She gave loot bags to all the kids, which was also going to be shared with everyone. We sang a Happy Birthday song for Ate Cookie while Captain Cyrus brought her the cake. We had our group photo as we thank Ate Cookie, Captain Cyrus and the rest of their family for sharing their blessings with the children of Gentle Hands.
