Written by: Ate Char Tan, Vice President – Internal
Sometimes all we need is someone to have a generous heart to make a difference in the lives of others. It a full afternoon as we headed to Barangay Corazon De Jesus in San Juan City. The people in the Barangay welcomed us in their Barangay basketball court. This was in partnership with Right Start, a center that offers aftershool program for marginalized kids in the community. 145 children joined us this sunday afternoon for this big event. It was the birthday of Kuya Jameson, who also celebrated his birthday with us last year. Since it’s his 40th birthday, from the 100 kids we had year we invited 145 kids to join in the celebration. Kuya Jameson was with his wife Ate Janelle and two lovely daughters Ate Jade and Ate Janna. They were also joined by their friends and their families.
It was a challenge grouping 145 kids but they were very well behaved and followed our instructions well. The kids were grouped into 10 as we introduced the volunteers to the kids. As all of the names of the Say family started with J, we invited the kids who’s names also started with J. They danced to the Momolan song with the Say family.
The ates and kuyas then joined in the groups as they got to know the kids in their team. The first activity we did was Shape Me Up. Each team was given a string that was to be formed into a shape. All team members formed a circle each holding on to the string. We would then give a shape that the teams had to form the strings into while keeping their hold. The first team that formed the correct shape got a point. The shapes were heart, triangle, rainbow, teddy bear, and others. The challenge was to make the shape as accurately as possible. Some of the teams finished first but their shape wasn’t as well depicted. One of our core team members went up the second floor for a better vantage point of the teams.The ates and kuyas were very competitive as they wanted their teams to win.
The second activity was In or Out where each team was give a hula hoop. Before each around we would give a category, and those belonging to the category had to be either in or out of the hula hoops. For instance, those wearing red shirts had to be inside the hula hoops. All members of the team in red shirts had to be inside, while the rest had to be outside holding on to the hula hoops. As there were about 17 members per team they all laughed as they tried to fit themselves into the hula hoops. Some of the categories were those wearings watches, slippers, shorts. In one round the category was those wearing makeup had to be inside the hula hoop, in which the team of Ate Janelle won since she was the only one who had to go inside the hula hoop. In the end it was the team of Ate Janelle who won the game.
We then got to watch a juggler’s performance as he balanced a chair, knife, plate, and other things. He juggled with multiple balls at the same time and made funny faces which the children all laughed at. He balanced a chair on the top of his head and also balanced a plate on top of a knife using his tongue. It was a great performance as the kids watched in delight.
The second show we got to watch was the magic show of Kuya Rico of the Salamangkero Group. He did his popular tricks like doves flying out from everywhere and colorful umbrellas popping out. The kids tried reaching out of the doves as it flew above them. At one point all the kids got so excited as they all ran to Kuya Rico.
For the next activity we did simultaneous workshops for all the kids. There was Ate Blanca’s Art Workshop, Kuya Rico’s Magic Workshop, and my Baking Workshop. Ate Blanca’s art workshop was pot decoupage, the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto the pot. The kids were given flower pots, printed papers, soil and mongo sprouts. She taught the kids to first cut the papers into small squares. The kids then soaked brushes into the glue then brushed the sides of the pots. The paper cutouts were then put onto the pots that served as the design. The kids then put soil into the pot where they got very excited. Some of the kids were using their hands and getting the soil. They then planted the sprouts into the pots and were given the responsibility to water them and take care of the plant.
For Kuya Rico’s magic workshop, he taught the kids two magic tricks. The first trick was a playing card with invisible strings. Once you fold the card you can put a toothpick on top to make it look like the toothpick is floating. The audience won’t be able to see the strings that you put the toothpick on. The second trick he taught the kids were two strings that were attached to a box. As you move the box back on forth it would appear the strings were cut in half. When you move it back the strings would appear to be in one piece again. The kids had fun as they practiced their tricks and got more confidence performing the magic act.
For my baking workshop I taught the kids to make chocolate chip cookies. I prepared 5 baking stations with baking tools and ingredients. As they kids arrived to the stations they were very excited, grabbed the whisk at once and pretended to be mixing an imaginary dough. We went through the step by step process with Ate Jade assisting the groups. The kids had fun mixing the butter and flour. Others got overly excited as some of the flour went flying out of the mixing bowls. Another part they enjoyed was cracking the eggs. They did a very good job as they’ve done it before. When it came to putting in the chocolate chips they couldn’t help it but put so much chocolates. The dough was topped with M&Ms and the kids got crazy as they put so much on it. Spoonfuls of dough was placed on the baking sheet as we baked the cookies in batches. Some of the cookies came out really well as they were perfectly round. Others were uneven but it created a nice touch and the kids were able to identify which one is hers. As we were cooling the cookies they kept asking if they can eat it already. It tasted great as some of the volunteers couldn’t resist but have some.
After all the fun it was time for our Jollibee dinner. We got to enjoy chicken and spaghetti meal topped with orange juice and peach mango pie. The kids had fun eating with the volunteers. Everyone also got to have ice cream from Mr Sorbetero and the kids were so full by the time they finished eating. In addition to the day’s activities the Say family prepared so much gifts for the kids. Each of them got back packs, school suppliers set, and bacon packs, things they can use in school. We also gave prizes to the winners of the group games and those who joined the dance earlier on. The kids were excited as they wanted to open their gifts already. There were so much donations from the family and from their friends. There were sacks of rice, bike, scooter, toys and others for the children of the community. We thank Kuya Jameson, Ate Janelle, Ate Jade, and Ate Janna once again for celebrating another year with us. We look forward to seeing them again next year.
