Takbo Para Kay Kristo 3 Fun Run Volunteer Experience

As a member and strong supporter of World Youth Alliance Asia-Pacific, I always look for opportunities to help them the most. I wasn't able to go to their Summer Camp because of financial and personal reasons but I was happy that I am able to contribute at times where they need helping hand. 

Me, Mandy, Dawn, & Don

 I was assigned to lead a team of member volunteers. At first, I felt crazy because I kept on inviting some of my friends to help me out but none of the are available. I was happy a day before the event that my best friend, Don, would be joining me. Then, Mandy (a former intern) and Dawn (a current intern) also presented themselves to help me out with this volunteer activity. Our assignment for this event is to be stage managers and runners for the production committee.

I'm not really performing but I just felt an itch to try and feel the drum set :P

We have been there since 11am in the morning because we need to practice the lineup of the events.  There are two major segments of the event- the fun run and the green concert. I was assigned as a stage manager for both segments. Dawn and Mandy left early than Don and I because of our assignment on the green concert segment. Surprisingly, I was given a chance to run a 5-kilometer race and I was able to finish it by 35 minutes. Throughout the day, I felt contented and happy.

Folding Bikes

This is my entry for the Green Shots Award 2010. I've always wanted to promote a environmental-friendly lifestyle

world youth alliance asia - pacific christmas outreach @ aklatang pambata ng paltok (narcisa abiad community library)

December 19, 2009. Afternoon.
Aklatang Pambata ng Paltok (Narcisa Abiad Community Library)
Mendoza Street, Baranggay Paltok, San Fransisco Del Monte, Quezon City

The Aklatang Pambata ng Paltok (also known as Narcisa Abiad Community Library) is a pilot implementation of a baranggay community-led library and literacy center spearheaded by Eduk, Inc (Edukasyon para sa Kinabukasan Incorporated). The library was a former residence of the Abiad (or Abad) family who migrated in the United States and entrusted to Eduk, Inc. for its transformation. Composed of faculty, staff, alumni volunteers from University of the Philippines - Diliman, their project is designed to essentially to inculcate the values of reading at an early age to children irrespective of social class and to contribute community building by developing their literacy together with their children, encouraging their love for reading, maximizing volunteerism and etc.

Every year, World Youth Alliance Asia - Pacific, conducts a Christmas outreach to different areas in Metro Manila. It was my first time to celebrate Christmas season with them so I was excited. I took the chance of introducing Murphy with them also because of their warmness to everybody.

We watched a Christmas play produced by German volunteers then started to conduct the party, games and gift giving afterward. We were able to interact with the different children of Paltok and have some "pixelated" moments with them. In overall, my week-before-Christmas was really worth it.

walls of hope @ philippine children's medical center

The Philippine Children's Medical Center is a government - owned hospital under the Department of Health. It has a 200 - bed capacity which can caters patients needing of pediatric care.

As the walls of Philippine Children's Medical Center deteriorate due to lost of time, a group of friends were brought together by their same attachment to the hospital and agreed to implement a project called "Walls of Hope". Inspired by the past of the murals found around the hospital, Ella and her friends took the initiative to restore the colorful murals that once cater to our generation when we were young.

When I shared this with my mom, she told me that I was once brought here because of childhood leukemia symptoms. I guess, I have grown an attachment here somehow.

I just stumbled the restoration project through a friend's invitation through a forwarded email. I invited Murphy with me so that we could spend our time together doing productive artwork. We were the fourth and fifth to arrive and decided to assist the organizers in preparing for the name tags. The main agenda on that day was to prime the walls with white paint so we haven't got a chance to sketch and to paint with other colors.

We walked around the walls and took pictures of old paintings by some national artists before the walls will be primed. We also goofed around the sketches as well. This activity was only the morning part of our whole day schedule.

29-August-2009: Reforestation Activity in Indang, Cavite

I have been from different tree planting sites for the One Million Trees and Beyond project. I would always say to myself each site I have been from is very unique. Unique not only in terms of the location and the tree saplings that will be planted but also challenge that will take happen when you get there.

What we will plant are “Kaong” saplings that are native to that location. For DLSU – Manila, we were tasked to plant 200 tree saplings within the day. The number of OMT representatives from our alma mater is 13 composed by 2 coordinators, 3 alumni volunteers, 4 LOVE volunteers, and 4 students. We have also some other lasallian schools that have come to participate as well namely DLS – Dasmarinas, DLS – Lipa and DLS- Zobel.

In the site, we brought two saplings each in both of our hands until we reach our first stop. It was very practical to bring a large plastic if you don’t want your hands to get earth early. For DLSU, each and everyone were required to plant 20 saplings on site but there were not enough dug holes. The first stop was a somewhat downhill so it’s quite difficult to balance yourself and to plant the sapling

We went to the second stop and it was another challenge because we are coming down from a elevated spot which is slippery in some parts. We’ve crossed a river and then hike. Still holding some left saplings from the first stop, we took a rest for a moment and stayed near on a hut. The other schools proceeded already and we’ve found out that there were no dug holes left.
What we did was to dig a number of holes for ourselves in another spot. It was my first time to dig a hole and would say that the effort is equivalent to planting 3 tree saplings put all together. But I enjoyed the experience and dig some more. In over all, I was able to plant 5 Kaong tree saplings.

After the reforestation activity, we went to Mahogany Market in Tagatay and shared Bulalo, Sinigang na Isda, Caldereta for lunch.

15-August-2009: My Third Blood Donation

I am a Blood Donor, I help Save LIVES. Now it's my Third Time :-P


Even though most of my friends complain that I'm very thin to donate, there's no one who could stop me to share my red blood to the people who desperately need it. Besides the perks of having free food there, donating blood in general is very beneficial in my part because it cleanses my body system.

I donated during lunch break time from the office, drop by at central plaze and poof! Here I am enjoying pumping my blood out until I reach 500ml. Imaging having a small C2 bottle size of blood. I've always take it as an example just to make people amazed but somehow they get more scared.

Murphy was there! I'm so happy.

28-Aug-2009: Tree Planting Orientation / Dinner with the Lasallian Alumni Volunteers

In preparations for the tree planting which will take place on the 29th of August, I have been asked to orient some Alumni volunteers for the tree planting. I've decided to meet them in Ayala in Makati for the said orientation. As expected, they already know what are the contents of the powerpoint presentation I've printed from COSCA.

Angel C. and Sandy brought me to Cafe Breton. Well, it's another first time for me since I really don't usually go to these places because I prefer eating on fast foods, on eatery's or with my packed lunch. It was Angel C.'s treat so why not? I chose cappucino only and helped them finished their food since it was a big serving for them.

Soty arrived with her office mate Migs and have a small chit chat with both of them. After they left, the three of us talked about our COSCA-LOVE memories, love life and Philippine society stuffs.


The conversation ended at 10pm and it was the time for us to have some rest and have preparation for the tree planting in Indang, Cavite. I arrived at almost 1am since there was a heavy traffic because it was the salary day of most people. I didn't sleep because I don't want to be left again. Never, hahaha

4-August-2009: Our Visit to Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Remains in Manila Cathedral

I've left the office earlier and decided to bring Murphy with me to visit the remains of our beloved first female president in the country. I've just felt the need to come there even though I don't have any direct contact with Cory since I was born some years after people power one. Murphy and I were both wearing yellow that day that we seem to look as big time supporters of the late Cory. We've attempted to come inside the cathedral but it was a wrong timing for us because the necrological service began already. So, we stayed near the premises of the cathedral just to observe what is happening.

We were surprised that we saw our co-volunteer from COSCA, Andrew. He was also a part of our school newspaper, The Lasallian, as a photographer. We've talked to him. Eventually, he took a photo for together. It was soon raining, so the three of us went back. Murphy and I saw Br. Bernie while on the way through the streets. Finally, we took a jeepney back to La Salle until we reached there at 6pm

(expresso) Youth Camp for Asia 's Future 2009 - Future of Asia , Passion of Youths (Seoul, Republic of Korea)

Youth Camp for Asia 's Future 2009 - Future of Asia , Passion of Youths
Seoul , Republic of Korea
July 30- August 13, 2009

Background:

In order to enhance mutual understanding among youths in Asia, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs of the Republic of Korea will be hosting the Youth Camp for Asia's Future 2009, as organized by the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea (NCYOK) with the theme, Future of Asia , Passion of Youths .

Venue and Date:

The event will take place in Seoul , Republic of Korea from July 30 to August 13, 2009.

Participants' Eligibility:

* Filipino citizen
* Between 18 and 30 years old
* Interested in international relations
* Those who study Korean language or doing Korean studies are preferred
* Must have at least an intermediate level of English proficiency (the official language is English)
* Of good moral character
* Physically and mentally fit to travel
* Must have a valid passport until at least six (6) months after the date of the departure for the program

Applicants without any passport details shall not be considered.

Expenses:

The organizer of the event will cover all costs for programs but participants must shoulder their own round-trip airfare.

Application and other Required Documents:

Please fill up the attached application form and send to the organizer thru email ( damwoo@koreayouth.net ). The national leader selected among the participants must also submit additional documents (plans for “Asia Food Festival” and “Traditional Performance). Please see the attached format of the said documents. For more queries, please get in touch with NCYOK or contact the following:

Mr. Hyun-Woo Noh
Tel: +82-2-2667-0564
Fax: +82-2-2667-0295
E-mail: damwoo@koreayouth.net
Address: c/o International Youth Center
801 Bangwha3-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul , Korea 157-856

(expresso) International Conference on Youth Policy and Research 2009 (Vienna, Austria)

International Conference on Youth Policy and Research 2009
Vienna , Republic of Austria
September 23-25, 2009

Background:

The Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth in cooperation with the United Nations is organizing the International Conference on Youth Policy and Research (ICYPR) 2009. This event will bring into focus the results of youth research all over the world and offers presentations, discussions and workshops on the topic, “From Theory to Practice: Evidence-Based Youth Policy and Youth Projects”.

The conference will be a good opportunity for youth policy makers, youth workers and young people to discuss, share experiences and learn how to build up or foster evidence-based youth policy and youth projects.

Venue and Date:

The event will take place in Vienna , Austria from September 23-25, 2009.

Participants' Eligibility:

* Filipino citizen
* Between 18 and 27 years old
* Interested in youth policy and youth work; youth worker; policy maker and youth researcher
* Must have high level of English proficiency (the official conference-language is English)
* Of good moral character
* Physically and mentally fit to travel
* Must have a valid passport until at least six (6) months after the date of the departure for the program

Applicants without any passport details shall not be considered.

Accommodation and Transportation:
The organizers of the event will fund accommodation, board, and local transports during the conference. Delegates will shoulder their own travel (including transport from and to the airport) and entry visa. Please note that delegates have to take care of their own travel arrangements, visa and insurance.

Application and Registration:

Please fill up the application forms and email to smorgasbord10@yahoo.com . Deadline for submission of application forms is August 15, 2009, 5 p.m.

Download Application and Registration Forms