Written by: Kuya Glenn Costales, President
For the 2nd year in a row, good friends Ate Trish and Ate Micah were our gracious partners for another tour of one of the most popular attractions in the Philippines – Enchanted Kingdom.
A group of 30 kids from Project Pearls Bulacan were our companions this time around. Project Pearls is a group providing educational, nutritional and values-formation support to communities that are generally considered as poorest of the poor. It was indeed a welcome activity as most of the kids are 1st-time visitors to the amusement park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
It certainly didn’t seem too long ago when we were last here with our sponsors and their very enthusiastic volunteers. Today was no different as Ate Trish and Ate Micah again had their spirited friends in tow as kuyas and ates to the kids. The 1st group of volunteers met up at Metro Walk in Pasig to rendezvous with the kids. Traveling by bus, we made sure the 1.5 to 2-hour commute wouldn’t just aimlessly pass by. We assigned temporary groups while inside the bus and did a brief getting-to-know activity as an ice breaker. The volunteers and kids shared their favorite food and games, with the kids particularly talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up.
With about 30 minutes to our destination, we played the Highest Bid game. To start the game, we gave a category such as green vegetables, round fruits or Disney characters. The groups then had to give out a bid of how many items matching the category they can enumerate. Each group had 2 chances to bid and the highest one got the chance to answer. If they successfully reach the number they bid, then they were awarded a point. This game surely and aptly provided brief entertainment to our eager day-trippers.
Right on cue, we reached the parking area of Enchanted Kingdom just as we finished our bidding contest. There we met up with Ate Trish, Ate Micah and the rest of their equally excited friends.
Before heading inside, the volunteers and kids were organized into 3 teams. These would be their permanent touring groups for the rest of the day. But before partaking in the attractions, everyone gathered in the Amazon Grill restaurant to get fueled up for the active day ahead.
The groups finally dispersed for some quality sight-seeing and thrill-seeking inside the 25-hectare venue. Some of the more popular rides included the Space Shuttle, Agila, Wheel of Fate, Flying Fiesta and Anchor’s Away.
5 hours later, we gathered at the fountain just by the park’s entrance for a final group photo. Before snapping the picture though, we surprised Ate Trish and Ate Micah with a Happy Birthday and a candle blowing too to complete the birthday experience. Our kind ates in turn gave as a parting gift to the kids school supplies, loot bags, umbrellas and some more snacks for their trip back to Bulacan. As the sun set, a warm and tight embrace between the volunteers and kids concluded our festive gathering.
We are truly grateful to Ate Trish, Ate Micah and all their friends for sharing their time, talents and treasures. The kids may have gone back to their homes but we are certain that they are still brimming with ecstatic appreciation from their ‘enchanting’ experience.
