Our latest addition to ONCAN projects is the: BAYANIHAN PARA SA KABATAAN (BPK) a joint project of the 302 INFANTRY BRIGADE of the Philippne Army, the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION and ONCAN, launched 27 July 2011.

One of the BPK programs is the monthly LAKBAY ARAL or EDUCATIONAL TOUR where Grades 5 and 6 pupils from the hinterlands are brought down to the city for the first time in military vehicles accompanied by their teachers, school principal, the PTA president and their Barangay Captain - to give them new perspectives and to widen their horizons. After their tour, the children are given souvenirs each consisting of school supplies, raincoats, slippers, bibles and goodies donated by concerned citizens. This project has a province wide coverage.

ONCAN’s 300 children mark country's heritage
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 31,2011 (PIA) -- About 300 children of Oriental Negros Children's Advocacy network (ONCAN) have participated in some traditional games dubbed “Magdula Ta” in celebration of the National Heritage Month.

ONCAN initiated different traditional games for the children to value local sports and create sportsmanship among the players.

More than 10 domestic games have been played which include kayukok, patinero, siatong, bulan-bulan, sepak takraw, bao-bao, bato lata, luksong tinik, takarang, sud-sud, takyan, taksi, among others.

ONCAN President Baby Jambora said, before the game started, different government agencies and non-government organizations joined the fun run led by Provincial Governor Roel Degamo running around the main streets of Dumaguete City.

With the efforts of some member networks, Jambora said a collaborative painting competition also conducted for some youth-participants of the children's network at Robinson’s Place.

The Philippine Army and other NGOs assigned to bring easels, plywood, bagul for mixing paints and other materials to be used by poor children-participants.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) member Kitty Taniguchi of Mariyah Gallery was one of the judges in the painting contest. The works of the children are now exhibited at the gallery.

Meantime, in behalf of the Provincial Director Col Rey Lyndon Lawas of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Information Officer PO3 Edilberto Euraoba III emphasized in his message the importance of giving value to country’s heritage left by the forefathers and significant role in preserving it as it brought pride and honor to Filipino people.

Euraoba encouraged the children to participate in activities that help develop a sense of responsibility. He said they should take ownership of that responsibility being the hope of the nation.

ONCAN is an umbrella organization of NGOs working for and with children in the province which cater mostly to the needs of children at risk; street children, orphans, children in conflict with the law, children with disabilities and those who come from disadvantaged families. It advocates education on the importance of the healthy environment for children. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

National Heritage Month Celebration 2011 letter

March 04, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

Army, PNP and NGO conduct children’s
collaborative painting

As part of KISAW (a Cebuano dialect which literally means movement) 2011, a series of events were organized to celebrate the National Arts Month in Dumaguete City. The Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN) through its president Mrs. Baby Jambora, in partnership with the Army’s 302 Infantry Brigade under the command of Colonel Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, Neg Or Provincial Police Office headed by PSupt Rey Lyndon T. Lawas, and the management of Robinson’s Place, Dumaguete, launched the Children’s Collaborative Painting Competition on February 26, 2011 at the Main Atrium of Robinson’s Place, Dumaguete City

The competition was attended by young participants from different organizations of Dumaguete City as follows:

Category 1 (9 years old to 12 years old)

1. Dumaguete Child Foster Care Project, Inc.
2. Little Children of the Philippines – Dumaguete City
3. One Candle School House – Siaton
4. KNH-KCDC Siaton
5. Little Village Educational Foundation, Inc. – Dumaguete City
6. Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office
7. Bright Lights Community Learning Center – Bonbonon, Siaton

Category 2 (13 years old – 18 years old)

1. Little Children of the Philippines – Dumaguete City
2. Southdale Integrated School
3. KAPASKI
4. GWAVE
5. Casa Miani Arvedi
6. Bright Lights Community Learning Center – Siit, Siaton
7. Chapel of the Doves

The theme of this year’s contest was premised on art being an essential sustenance to life or “Buhing Mugna” with the following criteria: the arts play an important part in our lives; they give expression to our feelings; they depict events around us; they honor important people’ they entertain and inspire; they give us valuable lessons. Without the arts, life will not be as interesting and colorful. There will be no songs to comfort us, no stories that will move us, no drama to mirror our lives.

With the above points in mind, the children were asked to paint or visualize something related to any of the following:

1. What are your strongest feelings rights now? Why?
2. Who are the important or special people in your life? What are they like?
3. What is an unforgettable experience you’ve had? Try to visualize a scene from this experience?
4. What are your strengths as a child? How do you show this strength?

The children were given the option to choose from among the above-listed theme-guides.

During the competition, the 302 Brigade, Philippine Army provided the participants with easel as part of the painting requirement. Ochotorena said that the competition was also aimed to enhance the painting skills of high school and elementary students with expressed emotions.

The winners of the competition were the following:

Category 1

1st Place - Dumaguete Child Foster Care Project, Inc.
2nd Place - KNH-KCDC Siaton
3rd Place - Little Village Educational Foundation, Inc. – Dgte City

Category 2

1st Place - KAPASKI
2nd Place - Southdale Integrated School
3rd Place - GWAVE

Significantly, the activity was highlighted with distinguished officials and guests during the program. These are Mr. Audrey Tumulak, Dumaguete City Tourism Officer; Mr. Ar-ar Maquiling, representing Ms. Myla Abellana, the Provincial Senior Tourism Officer; NOPPO Provincial Director PSSUPT Rey Lyndon Lawas; Colonel Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, Commander, 302 Brigade; and, ONCAN President Marrieta “Baby” Jambora.

Details of the very sucessful SNIF can be read on our News and Archives page.

 

MEDICAL MISSION PROGRAM
29 May 2010

A DIFFERENT BREED OF MEN

I always associate the police and military with guns and firepower. They represent that branch of government in charge of peace and order and their work mission involves carrying firearms.

Last Saturday I saw army men and policemen bearing medical and dental instruments, a far cry from their usual firearms. They were on a medical mission at the Scandinavian Children’s Mission Village , or what Dumaguetenos commonly call the Scandi or Scandinavian village. This is a free housing project of the Scandinavian Children’s Mission and the city government of Dumaguete City .

ONCAN or Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network President Baby Jambora and Dignity Plus Vice President Ofelia Capayas invited me to join their medical mission at the Scandi. I was looking forward to the regular medical missions our club, Rotary Club of Dumaguete, usually does.

It was a big surprise to see police and army personnel in their uniforms actively involved in medical activities. Members of the 302 Army Infantry Brigade Medical team based in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City was there in full force. They brought in doctors, dentists, and what really surprised me, masseurs and barbers. Army dentists worked side by side with the police dentists; young men in military fatigue medical uniforms/police uniforms, who worked efficiently and fast. I was really impressed by Dr. Legaspino with rank of Captain who calmly administered anesthetics and pulled teeth in minutes.

The police medical team came from the Agan-an Provincial Command and from the Regional Office. They were in their light blue police uniform.

I next watched as burly army men called out to the crowd to offer massage or the native hilot. Young men and women came forward for a good massage. Their supervisor said these army men are good masseurs and looking at their performance I saw how good they were. These army masseurs even bought alcohol and efficascent oil from a local store so the villagers really got a free rubdown. Nearby a young soldier called out for free haircuts. Surprisingly it was little boys who came up for free haircuts.

On the dental tent, police dentists were also busy. There was a Pharmacy Tent where free medicines were given after doctor’s consultation. In a separate section, there were free surgeries and circumcision. Civilian doctors worked side by side with the army and police medical team. Free X-ray and ultrasound were also available. A children’s feeding program was scheduled in the afternoon.

The whole medical mission was a joint activity of the ONCAN and the army and medical team. I met 1st Lt. Win Love Bag-ao who is the Civil – Military Operations Officer of the Infantry brigade. He said over 30 army personnel joined this medical mission and they usually do 2 or 3 medical missions a month, usually in conflict areas to assist the civilians’ medical needs.

For me it was an unusual day. I am accustomed to seeing civic leaders and civilian medical teams do medical missions and this is the first time I saw army and policemen do medical and dental work on marginalized civilians and I am very much impressed. Lt. Bag-ao had assured me that his team is always available to help non-government organizations when medical missions are needed.

More power to all army and police medical mission all over the country who serve our people in all fields of endeavor – be it in peace and order or in the field of medical duties.

Lele Martinez
Negros Chronicle

Photos: Lele Martinez
Negros Chronicle