by Mary Cherry Lynn Mencias - Dalipe
Province of Aklan delegates to the 50th OISCA International Anniversary Celebration.
The Organization for Industrial Spiritual & Cultural Advancement (OISCA) – Philippines, under the leadership of Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., in collaboration with OISCA International hosted its 50th International Anniversary celebration with the theme, "Forging Stronger Partnership for a Sustainable World".
About 10,000 delegates from Japan, Palau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and various provinces of the Philippines converged in Panaad Park, Mansilingan, Bacolod City to witness the three-day celebration, which started on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Some 50 percent of the delegates were students who participated in the Youth Camp for the Environment. The youth camp was a joint collaboration between the Provincial Government and the towns and cities of Occidental Negros; the Department of Education; Girl Scout of the Philippines; and Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural Educational Association.
About 10,000 delegates from Japan, Palau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and various provinces of the Philippines converged in Panaad Park, Mansilingan, Bacolod City to witness the three-day celebration, which started on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. Some 50 percent of the delegates were students who participated in the Youth Camp for the Environment. The youth camp was a joint collaboration between the Provincial Government and the towns and cities of Occidental Negros; the Department of Education; Girl Scout of the Philippines; and Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural Educational Association.
Aklan was represented by 133 participants composed of teachers and students of various secondary schools from Boracay National High School, Buruanga Vocational School, Gaudencio L. Vega National High School, Malay National High School, and Mangan National High School, Banga.
The major activities on this celebration included the Negros Eco-Tourism and Food Fair and Photo Exhibit; Provincial Congress of Farmers and Fisher folks Associations; Cooking Demonstration with GMA–7 featuring International and Philippine Cuisine; Consultation on Organic Aquaculture Standards; Inauguration of OISCA Bago Training Center Soccer Field; Environment Youth Camp; Tree Planting; International Friendship Night; Japan – Negros Football Match; Fun Run with ABS-CBN Bantay Bata; Thanksgiving Mass; Launching of the Negros Green Program; Food First/Love Green Summit; Pianica and Harmonica Play by Toyota Miyoshi and Ibaraki Group.
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., president of OISCA – Philippines, said OISCA has contributed much to the progress and development of the country, especially in the province of Negros which cannot be quantified financially. It is more on human development.
OISCA Philippines has sent more than a thousand trainees to Japan to learn the Japanese culture of work, and discipline. Further, Marañon said OISCA Philippines has contributed to the preservation of the environment by planting 3.8 million trees in 2,410 hectares upland areas and 7.2 million mangrove trees in 1,272 hectares. The organization also spearheaded the silk industry project in Bago City which supplies 90 percent of silk for the whole country.
During the Opening Ceremony, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia and Hon. Genaro M. Alvarez, Jr., Negros Occidental Vice Governor warmly welcomed the delegates. DepEd Regional Director Mildred L. Garay, CESO III gave her inspirational message.
The Participants got more excited as the DJP Trio, Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Semi-finalist from Bacolod City delivered their songs. The heavy rain brought by typhoon Nina caused discomfort to the crowd but it didn’t stop the 1,030 students from Bago City to play various musical instruments stupendously.
After the opening program, Care for Environment activities were conducted. These included workshop on Zero Plastic and Origami Making.
The International Friendship Night was totally unforgettable. It started with an Opening Salvo showcasing the Pinta Flores Festival of San Carlos City. Other dance presentations included the Bailes de Luces of La Castellana, Ballroom Extravganza by Ching’s Dance Studio, Tigkalalag Festival of Isabela province, and the Bon-Odori Japanese Drums presentation. The celebration was more colourful because of the lighting and releasing of more than 300 lanters and very colourful fireworks display. The concert and dance-for-all celeb was hosted by the Kahoneros of Sagay City.
On Thursday morning, August 25, various games and relays were held. These included swimming relay, running limbo rock, kadang-kadang, sack race, and pig catching. Tree planting activity was also done. A 1-km, 3-km, and 6-km Fun Runs were held where the top three winners received medals and cash prizes.
One of the sought–after events was the Football Friendship Game between the Negros first U19 and the visiting Japanese booters. Japan is a football powerhouse in Asia and currently ranked No. 16 in the world by the Federation Internationale de Football Association, the highest in Asian countries. The Negros First U19 is an all-male team while the Japanese Booters got male and female players.
Former national head coach Norman Fegidero mentored the Negrense squad. The match was indeed an exciting one and at first a very close fight. The game ended with a score of 6:4, for Negros First U19.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, OISCA International Vice President Etsuko Nakano, OISCA International Secretary General Yasuaki Nagaishi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) senior representative Hirohito Mitsugi, and Department of Tourism Asec. Benito Bengzon, Jr. graced the 50th Anniversary awarding and recognition program held on Thursday afternoon, August 25. Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., Mr. Hirohito Mitsugi, and Asec. Benito Bengzon, Jr. gave their messages; while Mr. Motohiko Kato, Deputy Chief of Mission–Japanese Embassy to the Philippines delivered his Word of Challenge. After which Vice President of OISCA International Ms. Etsuko Nakano rendered her response. The WCOPA Champion, Joshua Pineda also offered a special number.
During the Expression of Commitment Ceremony, more than one thousand student participants of the Youth Camp presented a Mass Dance with the West Negros University Kaanyag Pilipinas Dance Co. and Rondalla, immediately followed by the Hanging of Origami by the OISCA Day Care beneficiaries.
Two awards were given to the participants of the Youth for Environment Camp. The Cleanest Camp Site was awarded to Silay City division and the "Early Bird Award" (first to register) was given to Mangan National High School, Banga, Division of Aklan. The activity culminated after the community singing and the releasing of doves and butterflies as symbols of every body’s commitment to heal Mother Earth. It was an eight-hour travel to Bacolod City for the Aklanon delegates but the effort is worth the experience everyone gained. It was indeed the cheapest International Youth Camp since every participant paid three hundred fifty pesos only registration fee for the kit, a sling bag, a t-shirt, origami materials, and the snacks and complete meals which were overwhelmingly abundant.
The three-day activity was also a way of giving tribute to the people who have long been working to avert environmental degradation and to enable the youth to become productive and protector of the depleting natural resources. It is also aimed at enhancing public awareness and appreciation of environmental volunteerism as well as an opportunity to explore and expand partnership ventures. /MP
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