2007 WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT ALTERNATIVE PACKAGING

St. Paul University Philippines Knowledge for Development Center, in cooperation with Silliman University, conducted focus group discussion, film viewing and alternative packaging training sessions on visual and performing arts for Cagayan Out-of-School Youth on October 25, 2008.These activities were conducted as follow-up to the same events held on September 17-18, 2008 of the World Bank-funded project entitled, Popularizing and Operationalizing World Development Report 2007: Exercising Citizenship in Local Government Procurement.

The project aimed at discussing issues and opportunities that will help the youth in the Philippines and East Asia Pacific exercise citizenship, especially in promoting good governance and transparency in governance. It also aimed at developing an advocacy tool using creative alternative ways of presenting and packaging the 2007 World Development Report.

PARTICIPANTS

The SPUP KDC recruited 29 participants with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II (DSWD FO II) and SPUP Bachelor of Library Science students. Twenty five of the participants were from Roma Norte, Enrile, Cagayan who were joined by four (4) OSYs recruited from Tuguegarao City. Participants from Roma Norte were officers and members of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines -Roma Norte Chapter. Mrs. Pasenciana Ancheta, Regional Rehabilitation for Youth Focal Person of the DSWD FO II was responsible for bringing the OSYs to St. Paul with the assistance of Ms. Divine Pasaraba, also from the same office.

TRAINING SESSIONS

The OSYs were divided into three groups in the alternative packaging training sessions: singing, dancing, and painting. A song entitled, “Hinaing” was then composed by the singing group and was adapted into dance and painting by the other groups of OSYs. This song was based from the topics discussed during the focus group discussion and film viewing of Kara David’s documentary films in the GMA 7 program, “I Witness” prior to the art workshops. The trainer for the painting workshop was John Mark Rasos, SPUP BSN 4 student while Mark Anthony Ollesca, SPUP BSHRTM 3 student, was the trainer for singing and dancing.

REHEARSALS

Rigid rehearsals were carried out by the singing and dancing groups with their trainer, Mr. Mark Anthony Ollesca, at Roma Norte Cagayan open gymnasium from October 29 to November 9, 2008 in preparation for the culminating activity on November 11, 2008. These rehearsals were supervised by Mr. Romeo Ong-ongawan, SPUP KDC Librarian, and Mrs. Pasenciana Ancheta, DSWD FO2 – RRCY Focal Person. The OSYs arrived in Tuguegarao City the night before the culminating activity to prepare for the final presentation the next day.

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

The culminating activity on November 11, 2008 was held from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the St. Paul University Philippines Gymnasium. Barangay officials and representatives from SPUP faculty and students as well as the SPUP President, Sr. Remy Angela Junio, spc attended the presentation. Also present, were staff members from DSWD FO2 and DBM RO2. Silliman University (SU), the project leader, was represented by the KDC Librarian, Ms. Gemma Plasabas.

The presentation started with an invocation and singing of the national anthem. This was followed by opening remarks from Sr. Remy Angela Junio, spc, SPUP President. Mr. March Magat, 3rd Year Public and Legal Management student presented the project background and Mrs. Ancheta talked about Pag-asa Youth Association and how the Roma Norte Chapter was organized including the projects of this local PYAP. The OSYs then presented their life stories and their ideas of good governance, as well as the song and its dance and visual art adaptations. The painting group presented their artwork and their interpretations. This was followed by a dialogue with the guests. The guests shared very inspiring messages and life skills which enlivened the spirit of the OSYs as gleaned from how they responded to the guests. Ms. Plasabas delivered a message and this was followed by closing remarks from Ms. Eva B. Brillo, Director, SPUP Knowledge and Information Resource Network.

PROMOTING KDC RESOURCES

To promote the resources of the SPUP KDC, new acquisitions were exhibited at the venue. Two (2) computer units were also provided for the World Bank and KDC powerpoint presentation featuring basic facts, resources and services. The culminating activity ended with dinner for the participants and guests.