Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Libjo Fb Page
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What's up, fellow hivers? It has been a while since I was able to share a new happening in my life because I have been occupied with different tasks, especially now that the opening of classes for the school year 2024-2025 has started. Anyway, please allow me to share with you a day in my life worth remembering and treasured.
On the last Saturday of July, a much-awaited event for all the youth in our community was implemented by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to culminate the Brigada Pagbasa Program (a program that seeks to enhance the reading skills of kids), led by the committee on education with the partnership of World Vision, and nutrition month, led by the committee on health.
Days before the event, I have already been looking forward and containing my excitement, knowing that it is going to be such a fun time for all the youth in the community due to the different engaging activities prepared by the SK official. Knowing about those beforehand and being able to be part of the working committee behind them stirs joy in me because it is a great way to test and enhance the different skills and talents of the kids and youth.
Anyway, let's get onto the day!
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Libjo FB page
Entering the covered court, three different colors of shirts worn by three different teams welcomed our sight. There was the red team (Cluster 1: Aristotle's Might), the team in pink (Cluster 2: Socrates' Code), and the youth in green (Cluster 3: Plato's Forge), with each giving off a different aura, showing everyone that they all have something to show and offer. Excitement grew and grew for each team, and we could hear and feel it!
But you know what makes it extra special and more exciting for me? It's because I have been blessed with the opportunity to be the emcee of the said program (which I am really grateful to God for), and since it was my first time hosting in front of a crowd who is most likely to bump into me anytime in the community, I could literally feel my chest pounding. Nevertheless, I only prayed until I was signaled to start the opening program after the guests had arrived.
Such a thrilling experience to have :))
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Libjo Fb Page
Standing in front of different eyes was literally hard, especially when it came to hyping up the audience so that the space would be filled with much energy, and since the event started around 10 a.m., the whole covered court was not occupied by a large crowd yet. However, thankfully, the opening of the event went smoothly until we almost reached its end.
The talented, smart kids and teens enjoying their hot, savory lugaw.
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan ng Brgy. Libjo Fb Page
It was already slowly dripping as we went on with the morning program; however, at the very last part, which was the announcement of venues for the different contests, it poured hardly enough that our voices were not audible through the mic anymore. On the other side, that did not even hinder the amazing day because the show must go on, rain or shine. What's more amazing is that the barangay health workers prepared a delicious lugaw for us, which was just right on time to match the weather. Just like that, the morning activities started: spelling bee competition, story-telling and story-writing competition, math blitz on a budget, poster-making contest, slogan creation contest, and the nutritious cooking showdown. I was personally amazed by the kids who represented each of the three clusters because of their dedication to show off what they've got and to grab the opportunity to either win or learn.
The contests finished at noon—just enough time for lunch. Since we were celebrating nutrition month, we only brought "rice" with us because, thanks to the support of our barangay health workers and councilors, there was an "utan bisaya" (boiled vegetables) prepared for the youth. At lunch, we all enjoyed the nutritious drinks and delicious food provided for us.
After ensuring that everyone was satisfied with their food, the afternoon program started around 1 p.m. We could not deny that this part of the event was what most of the audience was looking forward to the most because the space that was once partly empty has begun to fill with a larger number of people. One thing was for sure: it was due to the activities lined up for the afternoon.
The team in pink with their inviting loudness!
Cluster 1 showing their mighty talent!
Plato's Forge, a cluster to remember!
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Libjo FB page
Firstly, the nutri-jingle and cosplay competition. These two competitions highlighted the teamwork of each cluster. Even before the participants started to perform, the support given by each was already visible. In the Nutri-Jingle Competition, each team showed clean choreography, and despite the rain dripping loudly in the background, that did not silence them. The cosplayers, on the other hand, have confidently owned the stage and spoke in front of the wide crowd, wearing their handmade vegetable costumes. They all have shown performances that are remarkable in their own special way. It was a great way to share and appreciate their talents, as well as to promote the importance of eating vegetables to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Live, laugh, love champorado!
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Libjo Fb page
Before the awarding ceremony, we were once able to taste another snack prepared by the barangay health workers and councilors. Hot, creamy champorado for the cold weather. After a short while, the deserving participants who topped the ranks (well, everyone did) were awarded for their outstanding dedication to the different activities.
Excitement and cuteness of kids overload!
Photos above are mine :))
Secondly, the giving of school supplies. Blessed with the authority to manage the youth, the elected SK officials have truly shown their dedication and passion for serving the youth in our community. Part of the most exciting activity in the afternoon was the giving of school supplies to the Grade 1 students residing in the community. It was a wonderful approach to helping and motivating young minds by giving support for their studies. My little sister, having been blessed to be one of the kids to receive the school supplies, was beyond grateful, and pure joy could be seen through her eyes.
Gratefulness at its finest 💙
With love, the awardees.
Finally, reunited elementary buddies.
Photos above are from the Sangguniang Kabataan ng Brgy. Libjo Fb page
Lastly, the pahalipay program! This is the part I have been most excited about. Haha! "Pahalipay" in English is congratulations. It aims to recognize academic excellence awardees of the school year 2023-2024 who reside in the community and were registered voters of SK in the last election. This includes a medal, a certificate, and cash assistance given to each of the qualified students. Personally, as one of them, I could not be more grateful for the blessing since it is a great support for the requirements I will be needing in my studies. Additionally, it serves as an act of appreciation for the effort and hard work each of the students has put in.
In the near end of the program, the three different clusters joined forces to surprise the SK officials with different fruits as our way of saying "thank you" for their service. That was definitely the least we could do to show them our gratitude for the event full of fun and learnings that they have prepared for the rest of the youth in the community. A special shout-out to @iamcheerfel, the SK Chairwoman and the backbone of the event, for her exceptional leadership that we all admire. The program ended with the closing prayer to glorify God for everything because it was all of him who guided us through.
The leadership that never disappoints.
With love,
— youth of Brgy. Libjo
Photo Credits: Sangguniang Kabataan ng Brgy. Libjo Fb Page
To wrap it up, the experience was totally life-changing! I have always felt grateful to God for the people he surrounded me with, the doors of opportunity he opened for me, the experience, and the lessons. It was great to be actively present and engaged at that moment. Standing in front was a momentous and worthwhile time—something to have too much gratitude for. In addition, the event was a great way to enhance youth involvement in the community, and having been part of it has helped me create a bigger picture of the importance of providing interactive and effective programs for the youth.
That would be all for now, keep safe :))