| 3rd Children’s Day Celebration
in Barangay Ilian
Kidapawan City - The third Children’s Day Celebration in Ilian (once a war torn area) was held on November 29, 2005 with the theme Batang Matalino, Lakas ng Bayan, Yaman ng Magulang.
Mr. Habby Madayag, Sitio Budsi youth sector president presided the activity while MinLand helped him in facilitating the parlor games and the awarding of prizes for contest winners. Barangay Kagawad Jimmy Masukat welcomed everybody saying how the community values the Children’s Day Celebration as young people and children are treasures and are keys to development. Barangay Captain Cutin Idtug also emphasized that the children are the hope of the country. He was thankful to both MinLand and the Matalam LGU for the support given to them.
Today’s celebration was attended by the Municipal Councilor Jessica Pareñas who represented the Matalam Municipal Mayor and Vice Mayor. Hon. Pareñas, in her inspirational talk, commented that Barangay Ilian has reached moral and social recovery seeing that the people are more assertive and are able to go out from their houses to mingle with others now. More importantly, the Matalam LGU saw that the community has become sensitive to their responsibilities in their community. She wished that the Children’s Day activity would continue on to the next generation and that parents would always show to their children how proud they were of their talents and abilities. Lastly, she thanked MinLand for making a difference in the lives of the people in Ilian especially the children.
Lectures were given. MinLand staff Yvonne Saliling energetically lectured the community with Gender and Development issues and information. The community, being so excited of the parlor games and the cultural presentations, patiently listened to Municipal Nurse Ermita dela Peña who shared health related knowledge and information. Ms. Elizabeth Uyanguren also gave inputs on Children’s Rights.
In the afternoon, each of the five sitios displayed their talents in cultural dances, songs and playing of musical instruments, which were applauded, by children and adults alike.
The parlor games made adults, young people and the children express their innate social nature to enjoy to the maximum, be happy and do their best to compete with others. As MinLand staff bid them goodbye, their faces still reflected that of sheer delight and happiness; faces and expressions seemed to communicate “we hope this merry-making would never end.”(MinLand/jmo)
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