Children's Opinion

Often, we hear children’s talk while playing sometimes imitating a character they have seen on television or just play make believe stories. Isn’t it fun when we just listen to them and be reminded of what and who we are before?

The children dressed in green shirts and faded yellow short pants were in the four corners of the children’s library. They were very noisy raising voices to each other. Out of curiosity, I went near them without noticing me. They sat on the rubber mat while connecting the puzzle pieces together. One child pointed at himself and said, “Ako, paglaki ko hahanapin ko tatay ko. Itatanong ko kung bakit niya ako iniwan dito.” The other one replied “Yung nanay ko nakakulong kaya ako iniwan dito. “ And more conversation followed like:

“Ako, magpupulis ako para hulihin yung pumatay sa tatay ko.

"Pulis nagkulong sa nanay ko."

"…tatay ko… naglagay ng tali sa leeg niya."
I held back my tongue not to meddle on their conversation. I just listened to them and observed how they responded to their own sharing. Obviously, innocence still dominated them basing on their reactions but as an adult listening to their conversation, it really made me wonder. Those statements are just among the enigmas which I and the others must understand.

Batang Lansangan

A documentary stage play/concert about the lives of the street children was held at La Salle St. Benilde in Taft Avenue, Manila last October 11, 2008.

We may have seen local films or plays about the lives of the people living on street especially street children portrayed by local actors and actresses like FPJ, Julie Vega, Nora Aunor etc but we seldom see street children portraying their own lives in a musical play live on stage such as this.

Street children are seen everywhere in Metro Manila. We see them on street begging money, selling different things, playing or doing services like shinning your shoes in exchange for a peso. They are mabaho, walang modo and etc etc etc…. But didn’t you know that they are also used and abused? They are being deprived of their rights. Bakit? Because they are just children?! (diba yun naman laging dinadahilan?)

Hellooooooooo!!!They are still humans who need love and respect from fellow humans regardless of status or profile in life. They turn to be what and who they are because that is what they see, what they learn and what they receive from the society.

They have talents but most of them use it the other way because they can not get it the right way. It is so sad that many rich people hate and scorn them to death. Masama ugali nila, no?

...batang-lansangan docu-concert..

..opening..

..(ang bata ay nasa lansangan dahil walang palaruan)..

..ang bata'y nasa lansangan dahil sa kapabayaan ng magulang at lipunan"..

..may iba't-ibang uri ng pagpapabaya..

..the cast..

Buwan ng Wika Post Celebration-MLC

The celebration of the Buwan ng Wika or Linggo ng Wika finally celebrated on September 6, 2008 on the floors of MLC. The theme of the celebration for this year is “Wika Mo, Wikang Filipino, Wika ng Mundo, Mahalaga!” This is to show appreciation of the importance of one’s own culture, other’s cultures and the different languages/dialects in the country. The program begun at around 8:30 and was commenced by a pair of young children dressed in Barong Tagalog (for the boy) and Filipiniana (for the girl) who were the hosts/commentators of the said event. The singing of the National Anthem marked the formal starting point of the programme. The anthem was conducted by a girl who is in Grade 3. This was followed by a prayer led by a Preschool child. The audience who were also the students of the centre accompanied by the staff and some guests were inspired by the remarks delivered by the Foundation Education Manager.

A presentation was flashed before their eyes about the history of the celebration showing them a visual inspiration. The people around applauded to the Preschool patriots who recited a poem followed by their interpretative dance of the song entitled “Hawak Kamay”. The other children took part in the poster making contest which was divided to two categories. Three groups composed of 3 children were under the elementary category while two groups composed of 2 children were in the high school category. The poster making contest lasted for an hour. Winners of the contest received their prizes which were announced by the three young and talented judges. Trivia questions challenged the children to think and answer. Children who answered correctly received prizes. The Centre Coordinator summarized and closed the event thus made the program ended before everyone enjoyed the prepared food.

It is the first celebration of MLC after series of planning during the recent meetings. The celebration was originally scheduled the last Saturday of August but it was moved because of the conflict of the training/seminar given to the staffs/volunteers of the programs handling zero to six years old.

..the hosts of the celebration..
.. preschooled preschool.. ..judging the smiley judges..

..listening attentively....preschool's presentation of "hawak kamay".. ..poster making contest winner for the high school category.. ..winner for the elementary category.. ..poster making contest product..
..singing for the national anthem.. ..the prayer leader..
..preschool patriots in their poem presentation..

..the FEM's opening remarks..

Intramuros...Again!!!

Fifteen children from the different homes were able to visit Intramuros, Manila last Saturday afternoon August 23, 2008. They were accompanied by their 5 big bros/sisters- three staffs and two volunteers. There were actually 26-30 children excluding the children from MPCC home who were on the list for the monthly outing but the number was reduced since most of them attended some more important activities. The children especially those who are in the YAP had choir practice which will soon be presented on the forthcoming event of the foundation to be held in one of the prestigious hotels next month, while the others went to their schools for their dance practice or activity practices whichever they joined in that was presented in celebration for the school activities like the Buwan ng Wika.

This was MLC’s second time (as per record in my 2 years in the foundation) visit to Intramuros but almost all of the remaining children were their first time to be included in the centre’s outing especially in the said place.

The group met in MLC and watched the Shrek movie while waiting for the very busy van of the foundation. It was 2 o’clock already when Tatay decided to drive the other van which was for the president’s use only since the reserved van had a hectic schedule during that day. The group loaded themselves inside the vehicle and headed for their destination. The children happily jumped off and crossed the street going to the museum. Some sat down on the pavement of the street and calmed themselves from the dizziness they felt after experiencing U turns that the van did before it finally found its way to the Bahay ng Tsinoy, the first destination. They were very eager to enter and to see the things found inside the museum.

Bahay ng Tsinoy Museum is a museum of the Chinese in Philippines life. The word “Tsinoy” blends the Chinese-Filipino blood, the so called Filipino-Chinese. It shows here the pictures of the early contacts of Philippines and China through barter trades. The Parian is depicted inside the museum. This was a quarter where the Chinese lived and worked as merchants during the Spanish colonialization. Colonial culture brought by the west particularly the Spaniards shows the culture through the different pictures of the churches built by the Spaniards, pictures of GOMBURZA etc. What took my attention was the pictures and information about the successful tsinoys in the country. The owners/builders of the SM, PAL and the like are among the huge industries/companies which started many decades ago.

"I am a Filipino"

A hologram was showed to the children. This traces the transformation of the early barefooted,

ignorant , disadvantaged farmer to become the modern Tsinoys!!!

the gang inside Bahay ng Tsinoy Museum

The group then decided to go to the second destination which was in Fort Santiago. The excitement of the children echoed in the corners of the park as they run freely like flock of migrating birds. It was already 6 in the evening when the team boarded the van going home.

..the children and one of the big bro happily followed the footsteps of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at Fort Santiago, Intramuros..

Gotad ad Ifugao

Gotad ad Ifugao 2008

Gotad ad Ifugao is the annual celebration of the Ifugao Foundation Day celebrated during the month of June.

bultung/wrestling competition

Mar Roxas as the Ifugao adopted son