Written by: Carl Tan, Events Coordinator
It was another typical day for the members of Elsie Gaches Village. A sunny Saturday afternoon baked the south village in heat. The birght sun would not be the only visitor of the day, as Ate Amy, a familiar face, once again entered the premises of Elsie Gaches. She brought with her this time Mrs. Vanessa Estrada and her family, who sponsored the day’s event. As the members of Elsie Gaches gathered, Ate Vanessa and her family were greeted by smiles and laughter.
After a brief orientation from Ate Amy, the program began with the introduction of sponsors, and the groupings. After everyone settled with their respective groups, Ate Amy broke the ice by having the groups come up with their own group name and cheer. The groups creatively tackled this request, with some groups dancing, posing and even singing as their own form of “cheer.” With each group having their own name and cheer, the first game could begin. Ate Amy started off with Shape It Up, using garters to have the team form various shapes such as stars, hearts, and even Christmas trees. Everyone eagerly tried their best to make quick but beautiful shapes in order to get the prize.
After the conclusion of the games, the scheduled art activity began. Excited for the coming Christmas season, Ate Amy prepared a creative arts and crafts workshop where she had everyone make Christmas wreaths out of paper and paper plates. Everyone, both sponsors and participants, eagerly followed Ate Amy’s instructions and marveled at how their papers and plates slowly transformed into beautiful Christmas wreaths.
After having gone through games and an art workshop, everyone was quite hungry. Food was appropriately served to the beneficiaries in the form of homecooked pasta. Everyone bonded over the delicious meals and stuffed themselves full, some even wanted seconds!
But alas, all good things must come to an end. As the program came to a close, everyone prepared to say their goodbyes, but not of course without expressing thanks to the sponsors who made the event possible, and as it would turn out, it was a birthday for one of them, Ate Vanessa’s husband, Kuya Mark! Not only did everyone come together and sing him a happy birthday, but he was also given an adorable cupcake to serve as his “birthday cake.” After a couple of pictures, everyone prepared to head home, but everyone received something that day. Ate Vanessa’s family, the joy and fulfillment of serving people in need, the members of Elsie Gaches, an afternoon of fun and joy now immortalized in the wreaths that will be hanging from their cottages. It truly was a beautiful end to a beautiful day.
