ONE DAY OFFICIALS

OFFICIALS FOR A DAY

“HARANGAN MAN NG BAGYO” an idiom in pure Filipino, which means after almost being spoiled by two SUPER typhoons; PAENG and QUINEE; the much awaited turn-over of our scouts both Boys and Girls as one day public officials was pushed through last Nov. 13, 2006.

Participated by more than 72 active boys and girls from different schools around the city, all of them were formally presented to the government employees during the flag ceremony last November 13. After a short orientation, the scouts took their steps to stay in their counterpart’s office and serve as Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilors, Department heads and DepEd officials.

Happy as most of them are, the scouts considered the day as a special day of learning. Most of them were very enthusiastic in observing the actual day in public service. The activity was culminated by a special Sanguniang Panglungsod Session conducted by the scouts themselves. The said activity was held at the session hall at around 3:30PM.

Among the noted experiences was Scout Julius Q. Gomez’s experience as the Boy City Mayor where he was invited by Hon. James Gordon himself to accompany him in all the meetings and activities for the said day to include the orientation of the group of incoming trainees for Hanjin, a consultation meeting with students, drivers, vendors and other constituents for the issue of the new traffic scheme being implemented in 18th st. According to Scout Gomez the activity made him realize how busy the mayor’s schedule is and made him see how the mayor listens to all the concerns of his constituents before he decides on certain issue.

Also part of the output of the whole day activity was the result of the Session.Presided by the Boy Vice Mayor Kenny Fernando, the group of 12 boy and girl councilors approved seven (7) significant resolutions which will certainly affect the council for the next month to come.

The activity ended with a message coming from the activity adviser Hon. Edwin Piano extending his warm congratulation to all the scouts who participated in the whole day activity.



SEVEN RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY BOY/GIRL CITY COUNCIL 2006

Resolution # 1 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION EXTENDING GRATITUDE TO SANGUNIANG PANGLUNSOD FOR APPROVING RESOLUTION NO. 183. s. 2006 “ ENTITLED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (BSP)- JAMES L. GORDON COUNCIL BUILDING AS ONE OF THE PRIORITY PROJECTS OF THE CITY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2006:

Resolution # 2 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION ENJOINING THE BSP AND GSP TO DONATE OLD BOOKS, CLOTHES, AND TOYS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDRENS ( The project will be dubbed as HANDOG PAMASKO ng SCOUTS ng OLONGAPO)

Resolution # 3 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION STRONGLY ENDORSING THE 3 MAJOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS OF THE JAMES L. GORDON COUNCIL FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY-MARCH 2006. (The projects were the following BOOK DRIVE and PROUD AKO SCOUT AKO CAMPAIGN for January, Hosting of SCOUTS RENDEZVOUS for February, and TAKBO ALAY SA KABATAAN on March).

Resolution # 4 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARENTS AND INSTITUTIONS OF ALL THE ELECTED BOY AND GIRL OFFICIALS.
Resolution #5 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JAMES L. GORDON COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS

Resolution # 6 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OLONGAPO TO CONDUCT DIFFERENT COMPETITION TO COMMEMORATE AND PROMOTE OLONGAPO CITY’S HISTORY.

Resolution # 7 S. 2006- A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SUPPORT OF HON. RICHARD J. GORDON FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JAMES L. GORDON COUNCIL-BSP HEADQUARTERS.

Day 1 at the Camp (Bataan and James L. Gordon Together)

More Pictures from Cebu (on Board Super Ferry 17)

OIC Esquillo, Julius and Michael, just before Super Ferry 17 left Manila for Cebu














Michael and Julius enjoying the Sun-set during the voyage

THE MIX

THE MIX
Girls joining the Boys in the Challenge

They Dance, they sing, they make freinds, and what??? they are in Boy Scout's uniforms!!!
Yes friends, I have seen the MIX, and its quite lovely to see these Girls defy their limits as they treck the Venture trail, crawl the 10 meters tunnel, swim under water, crawl the commando line, and wow, they lasted the Venture Trail!!! Imagine that energy burning up and down trail which lasted for about 5 hours.

While the "Word War" between GSP and BSP is still on the grill regarding the new BSP program (as per National Memorandum No. 47 s. 2006 or let me call it NM47 or the MIX) allowing GSP members between 13-17 years old to join the Senior Scouting Program, these bunch of Girls from Davao, Rizal, Masbate and other councils took the step of joining the 3rd Scout National Venture in Capitol Hills, Cebu City last October 22-28, 2006. And as far as other councils are concern, they can never say NO to a girl who simply wants to join the Fun and Learning adventure in the Senior Scouting Program, a sign that definitely, theres nothing wrong with the MIX!!! Its only a matter of choice among the girls, afterall scouting is a voluntary organization and the guidelines were laid-out clearly for a win-win situation both for the GSP and the BSP.














The big question is? Why is it so hard for some of us to accept the reality that there are really Girls who loves challenging activities and who loves to try the programs being introduced by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines? Afterall, these girls are volunteers. They came as young students who wanted to have more out of their youth, more learning, more challenge, more friends, more development and no one can take out the name Girl Scouts from them. They are plain Girl Scouts who merely wanted to be more than the usual. Which is why it puzzles me the most? Whats wrong with the MIX?

An excerpt from National Memorandum No. 47, S. 2006
Paragraph # 2...Girls who whish to join the Boy Scouts ......will only be allowed after registering with the girl Scouts.....and securing a parental or guardian consent....

The issue according to some is the SAFETY of the GIRLS, the GENDER differences and more so, the fear of "Lossing the "GIRL SCOUT" identity, I certainly dont agree with this, If a certain institution would allow this MIX to happen, then perhaps each institution would only have to be responsible enough to follow the guidelines laid down as supporting document for the NM47 most particulary the Restrictions

Implimenting Guidelines:

The Mission of the SCOUTING is to educate the youth through a value system based on the scout promise and law taht is designed to create a society of responsible citizens.... it is defined as , "...a volutary, non-political, eduactional movement for young people- open to all without distinction of origin, race, creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the founder.."
Objective:
To provide opportunities to help girls and boys to develop their full potential, respecting individual differences and not being limited by traditional gender roles.
To contribute to the education of young people (male and female) as equals on the basis of the needs and aspirations of each individual.
Nomenclature:
Female members will be called SENIOR SCOUTS
Restrictions:
- Female Scouts are not allowed to sleep in the same Tent/Room with male Scouts during ANY ACTIVITY
- Separate tent/billeting during indoor or outdoor activity should be EMPHASIZED
- They should also have separate toilet/comfort room and shower room.
- There must ALWAYS be a Qualified Female Leader in ANY outfit that has at least ONE GIRL as member
To summarize:
The guidelines are all laid down, the simple process can only begin with a girl's eagerness to join and can only take-off with a simple approval: Any 13-17 year old girl who thinks she wants to take the challenge and is eager to join the program can consult her institution if it the program is already being implimented. If the institution thinks they can handle the responsibility they will accept the child's application provided she will have to be a registered GSP member first. If the parents believe their child is trustworthy and responsible enough and if they believe their child's institution can provide the safety of their child then they will simply provide their approval. With the four initial requirements fulfilled the Institution will submit the membership application to the council and the council will have to check that all requirements are met. If one of the Four Requirements are not met then the Girl can never be entered as a Senior Scout.

The bottomline is simple, Scouting Teaches one simple Law with 12 points (Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverend), if we are too afraid about this mix then it only means some of us cannot simply obey this one simple Law.














Female Senior Scouts in Type B uniform dance the Sinulog as well as this Senior scouts in yellow council uniforms

OIC Esquillo all packed-up














Carrying the wounded and fractured victim??? Just part of the Venture Trail














Take a deep Breath!!! whew! Venture Trail is really a challenge

Above: VS Julius Gomez during the National Youth Forum in Cebu
Some of the Activities that were not captured: BSP Heritage, Swimming, Crossroads of Culture, Team Game.
















Above: Tired??? VS Michael Beronio taking a short break with scouts from other council during the National Youth Forum in Cebu

One of the activities during the National Scouts Venture in Cebu
Commando Crawl.... believe me its a River not a Canal....