September 22, 2013. It’s raining
hard. Outside is a roar of thunder and inside were the children’s laughter. 4:30pm
in the same afternoon, you could only hear the group that entertained variety
of children and packing up every mess that brought joy to these special youth
of one of Hospicio De San Jose’s building. Wondering, what brought us here?
It started more than a month ago,
around mid-July of 2013. The class of Mr. Tullao, Events Management, decided to
use their events development and study to few chosen charitable place. One have
been chosen, and that was Hospicio De San Jose, a nurturer of hope and care for
babies, children, adults and elderly
persons who have no other home. Hospicio is located beside Pasig River and Ayala
Bridge. The class decided to raise funds; our Professor of the class was
clearly not impressed though. The class would not be developed if we will just
raise funds by asking people’s money or give our own money. Solicit, raise and
get money in the most creative way possible was the final verdict. We were
divided first by groups in the event itself, and another group for raising
funds. We had 3 products produced per week since the first day of September.
Sleepless nights were ahead of us. As the time goes by, students, one-by-one
suggested and introduced their own way of soliciting and producing funds for
the class. Mostly were donations and some were participation to other events.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, sort to speak. We went through hardship,
even though the event hasn’t started yet. Well if a thing’s worth doing, it’s
worth doing well so we really tried our best.
 |
| The list of our sponsors |
Finally, last days of preparation
and production are abolished. Saturday, September 21, 2013. A night before the
event, we all had that butterflies in the stomach. The goodie bags were bagged,
the drinks were bought, the food – to be delivered, and the sound system and
alike were all prepared. Rushed, were the music and script for the
entertainment and reviews of program flow kept us from a relentless sleep.
September 22, 2013, 3am. Most of
us were still awake and we need to wake up at 7-8am. Most of us probably had a
good slumber but few of us that prepared and stayed overnight didn’t have much.
Around the clock until 10 in the morning, we were preparing. Everything that
needs to be brought had been brought, everything that needs to be bought, had
been bought. Waiting for the transportation, we had our hopes up for the
unstoppable nature of a rainy weekend to cease even for a while.
The same Sunday morning, 11am,
the rain is still falling. We felt hopeful and hopeless, then hopeful and
hopeless again.
We arrived
at the event, at last. Soaking wet by this gloomy Sunday, we started packing
things up to set the preparation for the awaited event, piece by piece and part
by part.
 |
| Toiletries, supplies, food and drinks |
Hoping to find handful of hope in
a hopeful place, I was told that if the rain don’t stop 70 participants will
drop down into 14. And if it won’t really stop, the event might be postponed.
An imaginary glass was shattered to the inner voice of my head. I think that
was the longest 3 seconds of my life. All the sacrifice we had in the past
month redundantly plays through my mind. I snapped back to consciousness and
sat at the corner, thinking “What have we done? What brought us here?”
Forgetting all this negativity, I just prayed for the rain to stop or good
news; the rain didn’t stop but there was good news. Change of plans, and
division of responsibilities. Group 1 will be in-charge for the pre-school
children and group 2 will handle elementary to teenagers.
We had a really short briefing
about what’s the plan but it came out pretty clear. The activities will be
separated, and everything will be adlib. The pre-school kids will do the
activities and youth group will have the play, the projector, the sound system.
So mostly, technical entertainment is heavily established at the elementary and
youth while tender, love, care and patience is heavily needed in the pre-school
kids group. What could possibly go wrong?
 |
| This is where the event should be held, if the rain didn't occured |
As the IT Committee, we are
needed in both divisions, but we are suggested to be on the Youth side. We
witnessed mostly the youth side.
We searched for the area we were
assigned. With the rain still falling, we rushed finding that shelter. We
arrived at a quiet area and a ‘caretaker’ or ‘nurse’ I presume, told us
instructions and precautions. Luckily, it’s not that strict in that area so we
freely designed the area with balloons. Most of the girls did the work, because
most of the guys were outside organizing school supplies. While setting up,
more and more kids are showing up. There is this one boy with a face mask on
and couldn’t speak. He asked for a balloon design. He was with us, staring and
even helping. And then there’s this other boy that could create astounding
balloon twisted animal. He’s also there helping the rest. It really fascinates
us that these children we were about to entertain, entertains us and even helps
us.
 |
| Design team of the Youth Division |
 |
| Design of the Pre-School Division |
 |
| Design of the Youth Division (with projectors and sound system on side) |
What’s left is the final setting
and finishing. We are, again a bit nervous, for our special guest (Disciples of
Escoffier Representatives) came to observe us. Our guitarist finally came,
until there is only one problem that was solved immediately, speakers for the
dance music and effects (there is already an amplifier that assessed the
microphone and the guitar, but could not be connected at the projector). When
everything’s all set, we began. The host already introduced the prayer leader.
Though the noise is a bit distracting, a short and clear prayer for the day was
delivered. After the prayer, the host, looking a bit nervous and unaware
broadcast each statement with cheer. We started having a play we made up
inspired from the avengers movie. The play consist wit and supposedly audience
participation, but it gets a little less interesting through time so we
shortened it up. The message of the play is clearly delivered and we proceed to
the music number. There was a little delay at the food or something so we had
to kill the time by playing videos and music. We began to sing a song that our
musicians prepared. It started out not-so-good, but after a few parts, most of
the class started to sing in front. We continued until food is distributed. We
were never been astonished as the crowd cheered for more entertainment until
everybody wants to participate. We had song requests and dance requests. It was
really fun. We played more music and most of the class fed and entertained our
beloved audience. After this wonderful scene, we didn’t fail to delight our two
special guests that provided some of us certificates (we worked for a day in
their event in exchange for donating in our event).
 |
| They saved the day by singing and entertaining our young audience |
The last part of the event was
gift giving. We played a cheerful song as our Professor instructed and we gave
all of the gifts and donations we worked hard for. Then we gave the floor to
our Professor. After all the acknowledgement is done, we ended the event with
joyful laughter and cheerful music. After all the arrangement and the clean-up
were done, youth adoration held us back in going anywhere. Though it breaks our
hearts to leave, we had to. We did our part, and we didn’t regret that. We had
to say goodbye but it doesn’t mean we’re never going to go back. What brought
us there? Fate probably brought us there, and memories will bring us back.
