BONTOC, Mountain Province – Children from this capital town’s 16 barangays showcased their talents and skills in singing, declamation, and draw and tell in celebration of the National Children’s Month (NCM) on November 16, 2019 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
In an interview, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey mentioned that the municipal government remains proactive in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of children, but at the same time it needs the cooperation, participation, and help of everyone.
“We, as one community, should strive to protect every child. This should start in our homes and communities because our children will have no other better models but the very people they deal with every day. We should all seek to leave good prints in the minds of our children so that when their time will come to sit where we are today, they will think of us and say, ‘This is the good our fathers and mothers have done for us, the legacy we are supposed to carry on to the next generation,” Odsey remarked.
Sangguniang Bayan member Jerome Tudlong, Jr., who represented Mayor Odsey during the celebration emphasized that the protection of the rights and welfare of the children should not only be highlighted during the celebration of the Children’s Month, November of every year.
According to Tudlong, the wellbeing of the children should be an everyday concern not only by the social workers and the law enforcers, but all stakeholders and the community.
Tudlong also commended the parents and family members of the children for their full support to their children in the activity. He said that their presence motivates the children to perform at their best.
In the Singing Solo Competition, Anwey Lliodifaine Apongao of Ban-ay, Talubin Child Development Center (CDC) wowed the audience and the Board of Judges with her angelic voice and graceful actions making her the champion. Damayen Vem Faba-an of Mag-eo CDC landed 2nd place, and Kimshin Busoy of Alab Proper CDC got 3rd place.
Faith Focang of Upper Mainit CDC emerged as 1st place in the Declamation Contest, followed by Temprance Anongos of Lanao CDC in 2nd place, and Hazel Lamie Fangkingan of Sadlan CDC grabbed 3rd place.
For the Draw and Tell Contest, Eneman Danielle Pachingel of Lanao CDC is the 1st place. 2nd place went to Andrea Gakayen of Upper Mainit CDC and the 3rd place is Mitchelaine Ngolab of Sadlan CDC.
In closing, Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko urged the public to be advocates in nurturing children.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloy na Pahalagahan at Gampanan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan”.
This year’s celebration aims to celebrate the gains and successes of the country in promoting and protecting the children. Further, the theme is also crafted to intensify the public’s awareness and remind all sectors of the community and society to be responsible in raising the Filipino child to become a well-rounded person.
By Alpine L. Killa