MARCH 2013 ARTICLE 3

MDS NEWSLETTER
Date Issued: March 2013

ISANG BAYAN ISANG BAYANIHAN CHALLENGE

          Office of Special Concerns of the Presidential Communications Operations together with its partner agencies, organizations and schools through its volunteerism program, Pilipinas Natin gathered in our beloved city. Trece Martires was one of the chosen venues in Cavite, specifically the Gawad Kalinga-Hugo Perez Site together with other 38 provinces as part of the biggest volunteerism event in the Philippines BAYANI CHALLENGE 2013 with the theme: “Isang, Bayan, Isang Bayanihan” held from March 23 to 27, 2013.

       Bayani Challenge is a 5-days gathering of volunteers where “bayanihan” and “Love for country” are showcased through building homes, repairing schools, health missions, climate mitigation activities and many more. Gawad Kalinga’s First Bayani Challenge started in 2006.

          The city government particularly the City Health Office headed by Dr. Marina Perena-Pagao joined the bayanihan and sponsored OPLAN TULI together with officials and Barangay Health Workers of Barangays Hugo Perez, Lallana, Cabezas and Gregorio last March 22 and circumcised almost 300 young males. The Office of the City Mayor assisted the 5-day event and sponsored the MAYOR’S NIGHT last March 24. The evening was made livelier by the Trece Martires City College students, All Star Barangayan Talent Search 2012 Champion Ms. June Joyce Ludia and the City Employees Choir. Mr. Jojo Bragais, City Mayor’s Staff hosted the said program supervised by Ms. Marina Castillo our City Administrator. The boodle fight last March 27 marks the conclusion of the Bayani Challenge 2013 was sponsored by the City Government through the generosity of HON. CITY MAYOR MELANDRES G. DE SAGUN.

         Also present during the event were members of the Trece Photography Club (TPC) who gathered and shared their skills in photography. Mr. Christopher Galpa and yours truly served as event coordinators together with Bro. Mandy Orallo  and Bro. Edgar Purification as representatives of the Gawad Kalinga Community.

          This year’s Bayani Challenge was a big success through the collaborative efforts of Gawad Kalinga, City Government of Trece Martires, Provincial Government of Cavite and the Office of the President. Volunteers from Philippine Navy, GK Canada, GK USA, GK Paranaque, GK Rizal, GK El Dorado, GK City Land, GK Intramuros, PNOC, Atlantic Coatings, Dream Team, National College of Science and Technology (NCST), GK Magallanes and Barangay Hugo Perez community as host barangay: everyone experienced life changing moments after the 5-day volunteerism event.