I finished high school at Saint Peter’s College (SPC) of Ormoc (Leyte) in 2003. Those were challenging four years and I plan to write in detail about those times.
The photos below were taken during an outreach activity that the batch organized last April 30, 2011 at the Rotary Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Tambulilid, Ormoc City. I can’t remember how we reached that decision to include a storytelling session in the program. I have a feeling that I suggested it. Hehe. Jinno Arong coordinated with GK and classmates including Jamie Garrido (who is now based in the U.S.) donated funds for the prizes and food. Yoyi’s Cakes and Pastries (owned by the family of our classmate, Julie Anne “Yoyi” Celeste) gave out sweet treats for the children. SPC teacher Gregoria Palapar (who is the mother of our classmate, James Cesar Palapar) was the storyteller. She read two stories: “Chenelyn! Chenelyn!” and “Half and Half.”
Written by Rhandee Garlitos and illustrated by Liza Flores, Chenelyn! Chenelyn! tells the story of the hardworking househelp, who got sick one day. The family, whom she works for, appreciated Chenelyn’s role in the household. They took care of Chenelyn and performed chores which the househelp cannot fulfill because of her sickness.
The book Half and Half – written by Grace Chong and illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero – tells the story of Grade Two pupil Mateo, who submitted a drawing of his five favorite fruits, all in half, which disappointed Teacher Ligaya who expected more from Mateo. Mateo explained that the “half fruit” drawing was done so because the other half of the fruit is shared with his father, a hardworking farmer. The story ended with Mateo winning the grand prize in the Kalikasan Art Exhibit.
I said it before and I will say it again: Nothing like an outreach/charitable activity with storytelling session and games to make everyone happy.
It was a fun afternoon with the children. But my most favorite memory is spending time with my classmates from high school and doing what we used to do together as SPCians. It was like 16 all over again.
Photos by Gian Marko Enfectana.
The Inquirer Read-along session happened last April 30, 2011 at the GK Rotary Village in Tambulilid, Ormoc City. Here’s how the venue looked like:
And a tarp courtesy of another classmate, Den Ionie Embalzado:
Starting the program with a prayer led by one of the children:
Then this energizer:
Storytelling with Mrs. Palapar:
And the children listened:
And the children at heart too:
Question and Answer with these active children:
Let the games begin!
The MVPs:
More happy people in the world:
Plus the balloon gang:
And the group photo:
