A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!

Highlights of the Activities October-December 2009

Organizational and Staff Activities:

Hellos and Good-byes!

Six months after Noemi L. Labaydan resigned, she returned to the SDC family and resumed work on 6 October 2009 as the Team Leader of the Values Formation Education Program (VFEP). Welcome back to the SDC family, Noemi, the “Queen” of the street children… Welcome also to Merly G. Ladrillo (Photo below), the newest addition to the SDC staff. She signed her contract as an administrative staff with the added

responsibility of helping out with the work under the Girl Child Development Program… Good-bye to Raphael “Paeng” M. Ferrer who resigned from the SDC on October 2009, and is moving on. An exit interview was conducted

by two members from the Board of Trustees, Mr. Francis M. Lambojon and Atty. Leo D. Battad last 12 October 2009 at the SDC office.

Run for a Cause Last October 2009, Atty. Leo D. Battad, an SDC board

member, was awarded by Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen the Gold Medal award for having won the five kilometer (5K) fun run (Faculty Category) at the U.P. College of Law sponsored First Dean’s Cup: The UP Law Invitational Triathlon and Fun Run last 30 September 2009, with the theme “mens sana in corpore sano”. The SDC members, carrying individual SDC banner, joined in the Fun Run event. Those who joined the event were: (Staff) Avenida (Niday) R. Mayor (Executive Director), Noemi Labaydan, Merly Ladrillo, and Paeng Ferrer; (Volunteers) Emily A. Atienza and Margie A. Dadovo; (Advocates) Yolanda Mendoza and Letty Recalde; and (Board) Attys. Ricardo (Ric) B Lapesura Jr. and Rosalio (Jun) A. Aragon Jr.. The event’s beneficiary was the U.P. College of Law, Office of Legal Aid, where Atty. Battad is the current Director.

SDC Family Christmas

Celebration The SDC members, staff and board members of held

their Christmas party last 12 December 2009 at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, Quezon City. The occasion was attended by 13 members and their families, friends and the volunteers, Emily and Margie. Each member brought something to eat and everyone had a great time. Although Christmas was celebrated in a simple way, the fun games, raffle and exchange of gifts brought a festive mood to the occasion. A special cash award was given to oldest participant, Nanay (Mother) Lucia Fernando, mother-in-law of Jun Aragon.

Peace and Love this Christmas season !!!

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Programs and Services

Seminar on Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act

Nerilyn (Nerry) Fadriquela, an SDC member, gave a

lecture on the law – Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262) – at the Pinamalayan gymnasium last 17 September 2009 in connection with the Annual Celebration of National Crime Prevention Month with the theme: “Labanan ang Krimen, Pamilya Patatagin." The lecture was attended by parolees, the heads of the Pardon and Parole Department, the Philippine National Police (PNP) representatives, and the Barangay Zone IV Captain and councilors of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

Photo below: Nerry is introducing the SDC’s organizational profile to the participants. The participants found the lecture very engaging.

Di-stressing Activity (Eat Bulaga Live Show)

Last 14 October 2009, the SDC staff had a meeting with the parent-beneficiaries of Brgy. Addition Hills who were scheduled to watch the Eat Bulaga live show at the GMA 7 Television Station. All of them came to the meeting despite the inclement weather. It was agreed upon at the meeting that some will participate in the show’s games and play portion.

Photo below: The participants intently listens as the SDC staff explains what to expect at the show and they promised to follow what had been agreed upon.

Actual Distressing Distressing Activity: (Eat Bulaga Live Show)

Forty-four (44) community parents, including two SDC staff, watched the Eat Bulaga show live at the GMA 7 television station the second time on 15 October 2009. The parents were all excited to watch the show live. They were happy to see all of the parent-beneficiaries were included in the plan. One of the parents, Lim-it, was chosen to play in the game, ”Ang Pinakamadaling Game Show ng Bayan”.

Lim-it won P10,000.00 and got half of the prize,

while the other half was shared equally among the other participants. Somehow, the activity helped the parents to relax and unwind, away from the day to day struggles that they fact at home and the community. All went home happier and richer in money and experience.

Board of Trustees and Staff Culminating Activity

Upper photo: Chona L. Loro (holding a no.10 sign) as one of the judges in the EB segment “Kahit Sino Pwede”. It was a new

challenging experience for her. The parents were given a cardboard with a “pwede” sign and they were so happy to participate in the judging of contestants. All of the parents went home happy and with a memorable experience to share. Lower photo: The happy faces of the parents and youth after the show. Merly (Extreme left holding a red jacket,) an SDC staff, was equally happy to join the group.

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Getting to Know the SDC Better; Pre-Celebration meeting for the Joint Birthday Party of Corie dela Cruz, Marianne Dolleton and Frances (Keisei) Marfil

Last 5 November 2009, a meeting was at Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, attended by the parent-beneficiaries and members of the Multi-Gender Youth (MGY) to discuss the tasks and activities for the joint birthday party of the SDC advocates Corie dela Cruz, Marianne Dolleton and Maria Frances (Keisei) Marfil on 7 November 2009. Before the meeting proper, the SDC staff gave a surprise quiz about SDC programs and services. The parents complained that they were not given an

advance notice to prepare. A number of the parents were not able to answer the questions correctly, some gave hearsay accounts, but after the quiz and some discussion, all came out more informed about the SDC programs and services.

The Birthday Girls: Happy Birthday and More Blessings to Come!

Three (3) child advocates jointly celebrated their

birthdays with the street and community children and their mothers. The 3 advocates are Marianne Dolleton (1 November); Corie Dela Cruz (5 November), a staff member of the University of the Philippines Office of Legal Aid (UP-OLA); and Keisei Marfil (11 November), a law student intern of UP-OLA. They joined forces and shared their most meaningful day with the children and mothers, the SDC beneficiaries. The big celebration was held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, Quezon City on 7 November 2009. The birthday girls joined in the various games that were participated in by the parents, street and community children.

The birthday girls brought lots of game prizes and give-way t-shirts for the youth with the latest design on them. They also brought toys, drinking glasses, basket and volley balls, volley ball, and school bags complete with school supplies. Lunch was served by them at one

o’clock in the afternoon with plenty of good food to spare! As a token of their appreciation, the children and their mothers dedicated a birthday song and gave each of the birthday celebrants a self-styled, home-made birthday cards. Everyone wore a happy smile on their face as they rode back home to their communities.

Assessment - Attendance and Participation in the

Birthday Celebration

Last 20 November 2009, a total of 31 active parent-beneficiaries attended an SDC assessment on the birthday celebration of Corie, Marianne and KC at Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. A number of the parents who came to the birthday celebration were apologetic for not following the agreed rules during the occasion. Noemi shared her observations and thoughts about discipline and cooperation. Seven (7) new parents, invited by four parent-beneficiaries, attended the meeting as observers and later expressed interest in joining the SDC organization of parent-beneficiaries. The SDC staff encouraged them to attend an SDC orientation scheduled on 3 December 2009 at Brgy. Addition Hills.

Left photo: The parents and youth are trying to understand the questions as best they can. Despite the surprised quiz a number of them were quick to answer and even got a good mark. The others were not as lucky. After the quiz, what a sigh of relief they all had. And a hearty laugh as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATE CORIE, ATE MARRIANE & Ate KC!!!

Left Photo: Nanay (Mother) Genarra Jamero (standing) reasons that as a full time fish ball vendor, it was difficult on her part to come on time as agreed upon by the group.

Right Photo: Merly (standing) stresses the importance of complying with agreements. She also emphasized the importance of active involvement as a factor in the success of any event.

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Culminating Activity – Time with the Beneficiaries

FCIP Culminating Activity

Despite the SDC’s minimal resources, a simple yet memorable Christmas Activity was held for the SDC beneficiaries. It was an answered prayer made possible by the generosity of advocates who have been touched by God’s hand.

Last December, the members of Women in Law

(WINLAW) and the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity, all students of UP College of Law, met with the SDC staff to express their interest in sponsoring a Christmas Activity for the girl children and members of the Multi-Gender Youth from Mandaluyong City. On 19 December 2009, this became a reality. The students came prepared and gamely played with the children at the Pavilion area of Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City. This reminded them of their childhood days and how happy it was to be a child again. The children had a great fun and some expressed their happiness for having joined the activity. Through their group sharing, the children were able to draw inspiration from their Ates (big sisters) and Kuyas (big brothers) on how to reach their goals and dreams in life.

Photos below: The students heartily share their time, skills and resources through story-telling, games, listening to the children’s life stories, and gift-giving.

The parent-beneficiaries had their Christmas culmination activity too last 16 December 2009 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Mandaluyong City. Twenty-six (26) parents participated in the activity with the SDC staff. Niday Mayor, the Executive Director, shared her thoughts about the virtue of sharing and love, the theme of the activity.

Right upper photos: The parents relived their childhood days playing various relay games. Gift items and groceries were given by the SDC, followed by exchange of gifts and more gifts given by an SDC board member, Nora Pagador. A cell phone was also raffled off by Niday. Thrilled to receive the many gift items, they were reminder to give thanks for life’s blessings and for their SDC participation.

The Christmas culminating activity for the street children was not to be outdone. Last 12 December 2009, the SDC advocates, Corie dela Cruz, Marriane Dolleton and Zorayda Daarol, a UP law student, sponsored a Christmas party for the street children at Brgy. Pinagkaisahan Basketball Court. Marianne’s mother and nephew attended the party. Eighteen (18) children from EDSA-Kamuning, Quezon Avenue and Mindanao Avenue participated in the activity. The activity helped the SDC staff to strengthen its rapport with the children from Delta, Quezon City. The activity started with a short session on meaning of love and sharing. There were lots of gifts and sumptuous food. The children were so overjoyed and thankful that they were able to participate in the culminating activity.

Photo below: The children are having a great fun during the gift-giving, games and picture-takings.

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Street and Community Visits After several months of absence in Mindanao

Avenue due to lack of staff, the SDC resumed undertook street visitation at Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City to re-build rapport with their former street children beneficiaries. The SDC was able to renew contacts with eight (8) of its former beneficiaries, while about six (6) children were added as new contacts for values education sessions and reunification. In West Avenue, around the vicinity of Delta building, some former beneficiaries were sighted but were no longer prioritized because they are now over 18 years of age. But the SDC has initiated contacts with new faces on the streets, ages 10-11 years old, for values educational activities. Meantime, community visits in Mandaluyong areas of concern are undertaken regularly to deepen rapport with the youth and parent beneficiaries through various sharing sessions on everyday issues and other educational activities.

Happy Birthday: KAMPAY

Francis - November 2

Noemi - November 11

Niera - November 16

KAYA NATIN ‘TO Katha ni Merly Ladrillo

Heto na ang pwersa ng kabataan

Pag-asa nitong ating bayan

Kayo’y di dapat mag-alinlangan

Susulong sa laban

Sulong kabataan

Wag uurong sa laban

Ipagtangol ating karapatan

Diyos ating sandigan

Manalig ka, manalig ka

Lahat ay makakaya

Pagkakaisa, talino, galing ay ipamalas

Yaman ka nitong bansang Pilipinas

Kami’y di magpapatalo

Apo’y bomba man o bagyo

Tapang nami’y masusubukan

Di uurong sa laban

Ikaw, ako, at lahat tayo

Ipagmalaki sa buong mundo

Tatak batang Pilipino

Kayan natin ‘to

Meryl A. Pagador, 6 years old, is a familiar sweet face in the SDC office. The eldest daughter of Nora A. Pagador, a member of the SDC Board of Trustees, she would often tag along with her mom during SDC meetings or office visits. She is an incoming Grade 1 at St. Mary’s College in Meycauyan, Bulacan. Meryl has leadership qualities. She is full of energy and mirth when she plays with other children. She loves to draw, like the one below.

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Life at its Best By: Noemi L. Labaydan

In life, nothing is easy. It has

always been a battle for survival. If you’re weak or slow, you will probably miss the rare opportunity of

living life to the fullest. For me, it’s a hard, roller coaster ride during my first year at the SDC since the environment and the policies are mostly new to me. I thought I wouldn’t last long because I felt that my days at the SDC were not a challenging one. At some point in time, I did not even have the joy anymore in dealing with the beneficiaries and felt lazy in relating with them. There were even a lot of instances that I lost my appetite towards work. I felt I was looking and experiencing the same things that I went through with my previous job. Because of this, it crossed my mind that it is crucial for me to leave the SDC the soonest possible time. I thought staying away is the answer to my situation and that it will somehow bring back the enthusiasm I have for work. But I tell myself, God always gives me lots of reasons to enjoy life… that I have the heart for the less fortunate children and God will never ever allow His daughter to pass the opportunity of experiencing life in an extraordinary way.

But as I continue my work at the SDC, I could feel the

burden of my everyday activities. Again, I thought that ending my days at the SDC would somehow lessen the weight. Still continued my work at the SDC, wanting to know how far I could go. But the feeling of boredom and tiredness of my everyday routine still got the better of me. I felt I could no longer be of help to the beneficiaries and to the organization. Thus, after staying at the SDC for almost four (4) years, I finally said, “It’s over!” When I resigned from the SDC, I had to admit that I missed my work, even the smiles of the parents and children. I went home to the province and faced the responsibilities of housework and of being a nanny to my niece. Enjoying my new tasks at home and the company of my family, the thought of working again at the SDC was farthest from my mind. I soon realized however that just staying at home would not help me fulfill my dreams for my career and for my personal life. So I went back to Manila because I realized it is where I could feel the real home of my Christian life. I missed going to church and I missed being with the parents and the children. Because God always makes a way for me to work and to excel, He led me back to the SDC. Somehow I was excited to come back. And although I did not know what life is in store for me on my return, still, I could feel the challenge I was about to face in the new tasks assigned to me. To be back at the SDC again is truly a different experience now. I feel like I’m not doing work at all. Somehow, the SDC has now become my mission field of service. The SDC has taught me a lot of things in my personal and professional career. Staying with the SDC has really molded me into a better person, and has taught me to plan life accordingly. To the SDC, I thank you for joining me in

my struggle towards an enhanced life. At the SDC, I have one of my best times ever as a human being. I know that my days at the SDC have just begun. Not everyone knows, but I am just starting a wonderful journey. It’s hard to explain, but now I could feel the freedom of my life when it comes to work. I realized that I did the right thing of quitting the first time to be able to find myself. Truly, SDC is the answer to my long drought for existence!

Chona L. Loro is one of our active

parent beneficiaries from Block 20, Welfareville Compound, Mandaluyong City. She displays great interest in learning and developing her personality for the benefit of her family. She has five (5) children and her husband works as a security guard in Pasig City. She willingly takes on any responsibility that the SDC gives her, unless she has a prior commitment. She has leadership qualities and the SDC is taking every opportunity to help her develop her leadership capabilities to the fullest.

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