YOUNG HEROES WORKING HOLIDAY!!!

Source: Visayan Daily Star August 31 Issue, Star Life Section

by: Pauline Angela Mabasa, Coleen Ematong, Cassie Sison & Lara Joy Soriano
08/27/2013

As Filipinos celebrated National Heroes Day on Aug. 25, about 1,000 volunteers in Negros Occidental did their little acts of heroism by heading to four different sites to engage in Bayanihan activities.
The activity was called “Special Working Holiday: Young Heroes Day” and was spearheaded by members of Youth For Christ Gawad Kalinga- Negros Occidental.
“If we love God, we should love our country because our country is God’s gift to us. What we are all doing today is a concrete way of loving our country,” said Bob Magalona, GK provincial head.
The activities were conducted simultaneously in four districts --- Metro Bacolod, South, North 1, and North 2.
“I never expected that we will reach such great number of volunteers,” said Ian Troy Lamig, YFC-GK provincial youth head, adding, it’s overwhelming that more than the numbers, what matters most is the spirit of heroism that we have extended not just to the members of our community but to the other volunteers who willingly helped us.

METRO BACOLOD DISTRICT
More than 200 volunteers coming from the members of the Community of Families for Christ serving in Gawad or CFC-GK, school organizations, and GK beneficiaries flocked in Andres Bonifacio Elementary School-1. “God has called us today to become a hero. More importantly, He wanted us to become a hero in our everyday lives,” said Joe Louie Ledesma, CFC-GK provincial head, in his inspirational message.
About 70 children and senior citizens from the Missionaries of Charity in Brgy. Banago were apparently pleased as volunteers performed retro song and dance presentations for the elderly and fun games for the kids. With teary eyes and despite the difficulty in speaking due to their age, most of the elderly persons exerted effort just to say their messages of gratitude to the volunteers. “Nalipay gid kami sa panahon kag pagpalangga nga ginpa-ambit niyo sa amun subong,” (We are very happy for your time and love that you’ve shared with us today,) ” said wheelchair-bound Lola Olivia Delfin.
Despite the intermittent showers, volunteers managed to plant a total of 400 mahogany seedlings in the grounds of GK Cabug and near the river of Stone Haven Subdivision in Brgy. Granada.
A number of volunteers painted certain portions of ABES-1, including the stage and walls, while others did landscaping and clean-up. Lolita Baylosis, officer-in-charge principal of ABES 1, she thanked all the volunteers for refurbishing their school and emphasized that “this serves as an inspiration” for all of them.

I’m happy seeing the teachers and students who appreciate our effort in beautifying their school,” said Anne Dorothy Buyco, YFC-GK member, adding, “ I’ve realized from this whole activity that in order for Philippines to progress, we need to love our country and our fellow countrymen as well”. 

SOUTH DISTRICT
Participants of the “Special Working Holiday: Young Heroes Day” organized by the Youth For Christ-Gawad Kalinga (yfC-GK) South District exuded a sunny disposition despite the rain as they worked on little tasks for the community in Dancalan, Ilog.
The activity which was held at Filomena G. Gequillana Elementary School was attended by a total of 200 young people composed of YFC-GK members from Isabela, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Ilog; and volunteers from the Youth Alliance Movement in Ilog, Immaculate Conception Academy, and Dancalan Private Academy, Inc.
The clean-up drive, gardening, school and church refurbishing, and the Paraisong Pambata which gathered 200 chilidren coming from the poorest areas in Dancalan were the activities highlighted the South activity.
The group was divided into smaller numbers and were then seen scattered to various areas in and outside the premises of the elementary school. Despite the on-and-off downpour, the participants continued their tasks.
One of the volunteers, Alyzza Mariz Magallanes, a Riverside College freshman said in Hiligaynon: “I used to not care about anything and I’d often choose to just stay home or go into malls but being in YFC and joining this kind of activities [Young Heroes’ Day] changes my attitude and views in life”, she added.
“It our mission to bring Christ in every community, this is just the start of our work, there are many other areas that we should go to,” said Couples for Christ-GK Special Events Head Ariel Patria.
Patria also said that they wanted to share their ‘work’ through the young people for they are the ‘empowered’ ones, adding that what they do is simply their ‘faith put into action’.
“Bringing the spirit to places where Christ is not known, I think that’s basically the gist of this activity,” Ariel Joy ‘Yuki’ Patria Jr., YFC-GK South district youth head, said in an interview. He added that even in their shirts, one would see the words ‘Faith in Motion’ which, according to Yuki is what they actually do.
South District Couple Coordinator Ely Ybut said that the Young Heroes Day activity touches the heart of the people in the barangay and hopefully will spread to other towns and cities and eventually the entire nation. “Don’t get tired and continue the Faith in Motion”, Ybut reminded the volunteers. 

NORTH 1 DISTRICT
More than 200 volunteers gathered at St. Joseph Academy, Saravia to celebrate the DISTRICT ASSEMBLY entitled “UNLIMITED” with a theme: Do not say: I am still young, for now you will go whatever be the mission I am entrusting you and you will speak whatever I command you to say.”
They conducted four Bayanihan activities such as Paraisong Pambata, Clean-up Drive, Tree Parenting, and School Build.
In Paraisong Pambata, volunteers from Victorias and Saravia fed and played with about 150 children at the SJA’s covered court despite the heavy rain. They also gave pencils and notebooks to these kids.

YFC-GK members from Manapla and IsKhool members of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Talisay joined forces at the Clean- Up Drive in E.B.Magalona Public Market. With broomsticks and dustpans in their hands, the volunteers ignored the rain and still continued to clean the various areas in the market such as the meat, fish, vegetable, and fruit Sections as well the sari- sari stores and food Ccourt.

A total of 250 mahogany seedlings were planted in GK Gahit and Gahit Elementary School in E.B. Magalona. Farmers were touched by the deeds of the volunteers and thanked them for their service.

As the Yfc- Gk members from Silay took the challenge to conduct School Build, they also painted the walls of Gahit Elementary School with great enthusiasm despite the bad weather.

Most volunteers said they were so happy to share their time to a very special working holiday and they “will never forget such wonderful experiences helping others”. Ana Mae Gonzales, North 1 district youth head, said she’s “overwhelmed to see all the volunteers who supported the event”. Despite the difficulties that they have encountered, she added, it’s nice to see people happy through the simple things they’ve done with genuine love. 

NORTH 2 DISTRICT

Excitement and thrill were felt by about 300 volunteers coming from Sagay, San Carlos, Cadiz and Canlaon as they gathered in GK San Agustin Village, San Carlos City for the Special Working Holiday.
Here in our community, we have committed for “Walang iwanan” (not to left our brethren behind), said CFC-GK Provincial Council Member, Enrique Lacson in his inspirational message, adding, I only ask one thing “sana walang magpapaiwan” (let’s altogether keep up with everybody while working).
Church refurbishing, tree planting, clean-up drive and paraisong pambata were conducted within the GK site.
The volunteers teamed-up in preserving the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel. Dusts were wiped cleanly off the gate and fences. Afterwards, the grills and walls were splashed with fresh colors.
While some were refurbishing the chapel, other volunteers were showing-off their green thumbs, loading the ground with life that will hopefully reign for generations. They believe that “every single seedling planted can make a huge difference.” Hence, planting more than 100 seedlings had widely contributed for a greener environment in GK San Agustin.

Adding to the joy while serving, groups of volunteers conducted Paraisong Pambata for more than 50 kids.
A boodle fight also highlighted the event which heightened camaraderie within the volunteers coming from different areas.
North 2 District Youth Head, Macy Perez thanked all the volunteers who participated in the event. Your help gives us inspiration to do more for the needy, she added. ####