Written by Board Member, Kuya Matthew Chua
It was a fine Sunday afternoon when the team went to āPlay, Learn, and Serveā in Quezon City to celebrate Eonnaās second birthday through fun and games with forty four (44) community kids.
The program started by orienting kids and dividing them into five (5) groups. When volunteers arrived at the venue, they were asked to introduce themselves by giving their names and celebrity lookalikes. Kids were so entertained with volunteersā answers, which made the room filled with cheers and laughter. Volunteers were then assigned to their respective groups and were asked to interact with kids. Each member of the group was asked to share the following information: name, favorite food, and name of their best friend.
Since kids and volunteers were already comfortable with each other, Kuya Harvard introduced the first game. The game is called āStars and Smilesā. It was actually the first time to introduce such game in our event. Each group were given ten (10) pieces of bond papers and pen markers. The objective of the game was to produce as many stars or smiley faces as possible for a given time. Star is equivalent to one (1) point while smiley face is equivalent to two (2) points. The game is all about creating a good strategy to win each round. Rounds one (1) to three (3) went well and everyone were so eager to win. Kuya Harvard took chance on elevating the game to the next level by introducing another symbol. In round four (4), which is the final round, groups were given the liberty to choose three different symbols – star for one (1) point, smiley face for two (2) points, and stickman for three (3) points. Group three (3) was declared the winner.
The second game was āBring Me Artā, which is another U! Happy Eventsā original game. Groups were given scissors and papers to work with. The objective of this is to produce cut-outs of a particular shape being asked for each round. Members must work together in making sure that everyone on the team complied. Shapes were circle, ear, cup of coffee, cat, and t-shirt. Group five (5) was declared the winner.
Both winners were given story books. Itās time to lower the energy a bit and to prepare for merienda. Core team and volunteers helped out in distributing the food and Marjorie volunteered to lead the prayer. Ate Donna and her family then distributed loot bags and school supplies to kids. To complete the celebration, kids and volunteers sang a birthday song to Eonna and waited for the candle to be blown. Kids then went to their respective places (blockings) and offered a song called āI am a Promiseā. It was a very energetic and moving song number. To finally conclude the event, everyone took their poses for a group picture.
āPlay, Learn, and Serveā is a values development program for kids. It was a brainchild of Vince Matthew Navales when he was three (3) years old. In order to fill the need for a center, Child and Family Life Enrichment Center Inc. (led by their president, Aireen Navales) converted a showroom into what we now know as āPlay, Learn, and Serveā.
