T’was the week before Christmas When on the Enderun campus tiny feet criss-crossed the grass
by Sonny Alfonso
Outreach to the kids of barangay Pinagsama, Taguig
Yes, Christmas came early for the children of Barangay Pinagsama, our neighbours in the city of Taguig. Boarding the big tourist bus at their barangay, the 25 kids and 9 parents were giddily astounded. Not only were they going to be feasted with games and fun and eats, but they were taking a giant tourist bus to Enderun Colleges!
“It was heart-wrenching to see them so giddy and excited as they boarded the bus, they really felt they were invited to visit the college! This itself was a big treat, wide grassy lawns, lots of play space, real sports courts and great eats,” noted Sara Elaine Navarro, Head of Social Orientation and Community Development at Enderun.
Dancing, gaya-gaya.
SHS and college students led the kids in several sports and games, and various competitions. Ironically what they liked best was imitating the dancing tricks of the more dynamic Enderun dancers!
Ms Bel with Nina Jane Sehwani, Grade 12 class President distribute regalos!
This outreach idea sprung spontaneously among the 11th and 12th SHS students, supported by Ms. Bella Bardollas (teaching Understanding Culture, Society and Politics) Ms. Marissa Felix (Grade 12-B Philosophy) and Ernest Villacorta (Grade 12-A Phiosophy). Two dozen or so college students also joined the event, and brought several table sized pizzas!
Wow! A whole shoebox! The shoebox is almost bigger than little Cariz!
They used the now traditional ENTREP idea (a student organization), the ‘shoebox regalo’ and prepared scores of shoe boxes with pencils, notepads, paper, ball pens, T-shirt, toiletries, candies and other goodies, each box unique and a big surprise. Some generous donors also gave big packs of shampoo, soap, candies, cookies and biscuits—all the things you look for at Christmas time.
A shoebox for me?
Jollibee lunch with SHS students and Kuya Joaqs Mariano, tall point guard of the Titans Varsity Basketball.
The main events were staged in the tennis court and the garden courtyard. The students paid for Jollibee lunch packs and soft drinks. Some of the kids felt intimidated by their taller kuyas from the basketball team.
Ms Marissa prepping the kids for a great day!
Planned for 50 kids and their parents, there were a lot of leftover goodies. These were distributed by lottery for their many siblings who did not come.
An event organised solely by the SHS students, this significant gala for our less fortunate neighbours, showcases Enderun’s vision of outreach and service to the larger community around the campus. A lesson to learn for life. It was so simple, yet one could read joy and happiness on all the kids’ faces!
