Loyola’s Rainy Afternoon With The San Isidro Kids

In the afternoon of the feastday of St. Ignatius de Loyola last July 31^st, our parents - the officers of the Ateneo de Naga University High School Parents and Teachers Association (Ateneo H.S. PTA) and the homeroom PTA Presidents (along with their kids) went to San Isidro Elementary School to hold an outreach to its Grade 1 pupils, the heavy downpour notwithstanding.

It all started at around 1:30, when the Grade 1 pupils, clustered in six smaller groups, all began the afternoon programs separately in their assigned rooms with prayers and the national anthem.

The first order of the day was the storytelling: “Noong unang panahon, mayroong hari na matagal nang nangingibig sa isang magandang prinsesa…” Our story, entitled “Ang Prinsipeng May Mahabang Ilong” showed the values of true friendship and accepting others for what they are. The original plan was for us kids to act it out (something most of us dreaded), but thankfully, the weather put a stop to that course of events.

 I learned the other groups have different stories but all of these have lessons to learn on values of relationships. To drive the lessons home, we had a quiz (it would be like our parents, to give the pupils a quiz), in which I assisted. Coloring books and crayons were given to the winning team and, not to disappoint the rest who enthusiastically waved their flaglets to give their answers as well, tokens were also distributed to them.

With the distribution of McDonald’s happy chicken meal and toys, the festive atmosphere continued. And to top it all off, even slippers (the kids were given a variety of sizes and colors to choose from) were given out!

That concluded the class part, but the outreach did not end there. Everyone gathered at the school’s covered court for the closing ceremony, with Tito Marjo S. Bordado and Ma’am Vilma M. Cañete as the emcees. Tito Ringo I. Badilla, the PTA President, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the activity, especially the elementary school, through their head Mr. Noel A. Balares. On the other hand, Sir Greg Re Abonal, the H.S. Principal, cheerfully interacted with the pupils with his speech on studying well. And after that, Ronald McDonald came and mingled with the children who all shrieked with delight! He entertained them with a dance number, and gave each one a set of school supplies after. The program had to end at around 4:30 p.m., with the children still anxiously waiting for more!

Through this activity, I felt that our innate goodness is not merely seen through the giving of money but of spending some valuable time with the less fortunate. By going an extra mile - giving up on a Saturday afternoon in our comfortable homes, contributing a much-saved portion of our allowance, and serving our brothers and sisters, is one of the important lessons we see from the life of St. Ignatius.

Some people think that having an outreach program is such a drag. It entails extra time and resources. Truth be told, I was once one of these people. But after seeing the children have fun while participating in the activities, I realized it was all worth it.

As I look back, I feel that I enjoyed my involvement in the community outreach and nothing could replace that unique and memorable experience with the Grade 1 pupils in Bgy. San Isidro together with my family. Going back there in the future is definitely not a bad idea!

Click here to view the photos from the activity.