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Filipino Youth Serve Others in Manila
Written by Robert Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Marikina City, Philippines - Parents of teenagers may be surprised to learn that nearly 2,000 students, including 15 international representatives, cleaned, painted, fed children and the elderly, played games, and offered medical assistance all morning on Dec. 6, 2008, at the Manila Boystown, Marikina City.
And they had fun too. (And learned a lot.)
Students from 15 colleges and universities of the Philippines, along with youth from the Sangguniang Kabataan and Asian Mobile Medical Service, and international delegates from Asian Leadership Training and World Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles, spent a day of selfless service.
This was part of preparation for the Global Peace Festival. GPF seeks to build a culture of service to counter the tsunami of selfish individualism that seems to be the norm among youth today. The main event will be December 13 at the Quirino Grandstand.
Manila Boystown is a government institution founded 61 years ago to take care of the homeless, abandoned, victims of rape and poor children in the Metro Manila area. It provides for both the physical and moral needs of the children and the elderly.
One of the orphans, named Boy, 11, who lives there said, “Ayoko sa bahay namin kasi binubugbog ako ng tatay ko (I don’t want to stay at home because my father beats me),” and when asked why he chose to be there instead at home he continued, “Kasi mabait po sila dito at nararamdaman ko na mahal nila ako (Because they are so kind here and I am loved here).”
Dr. Florinda Labuguen, Technological University of the Philippines, NSTP Director, together with National Service Training Program coordinators, mobilized the 2,000 volunteers to reach out to the 490 residents and support the ten social workers at Boystown. One of the social workers, Lerma Madeja, appreciated the extra help. “I am grateful that the medical needs of the elderly, especially the bed-ridden ones, are met today because this institution lacks the funds to do this all the time.”
Later the elderly were guided one-by-one by the students to the chapel and there together with the children conducted a gift-giving party. They were entertained with songs that created the feeling of being a family—even if just for a day.
“I am happy here, yet I am much happier today because many people helped us,” explained, Maria del Rosario, 66, from the Home of the Aged, one of the four units in Boystown.
Michelle Bautista, a student from Innovative College Global City, upon self-reflection saw tremendous value in this program. “Even for just a day, college students who experience the pleasures of everyday life should reach out to impart happiness to these kids and people who are so unfortunate. Hopefully, they’ll learn the value of humility.”
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