Street children frolics with US and Japanese Navy

By ADOR LEANDA HURTADO
July 2, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Pacific Partnership 2012 wraps off their Catbalogan City mission through the activity dubbed as "Street Children Interaction Day" organized by the City Government of Catbalogan through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and in partnership with Waray-Waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA) last June 30, 2012 at Guinsorongan Beach.

More than thirty (30) street children identified by the CSWDO gleefully participated in the many arts and outdoor sports activities including a Paper-Folding Session, and several Traditional Japanese Toy-making Sessions with the Japanese Navy; and Soccer, Volleyball and Badminton Games with the US Navy.

Amidst the scorching heat of the sun, a warm exchange of not only pleasantries but of wonderful cultures was experienced when the US and Japanese partners tried and tasted traditional Filipino and Catbalogan dishes and the street children and the youth volunteers from WARAYA got to experience authentic Japanese food and desserts.

One of the highlights of the event was the official turn-over of Hygiene Kits and Toys for the street children donated by both the US and Japanese Navy. In grateful recognition for the partnership, the City Government of Catbalogan thru City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan gave out a framed Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution in full support of PP12 dated February 2012, a framed tarpaulin that reflected the many PP12 activities held in Catbalogan City, and several limited-edition "Catbalogan Higugma-a ta!" t-shirts to both the US and Japanese Navy partners.