Storytelling Session
August 10, 2002
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Philippine General Hospital Wards 9 & 11

The Bukas Sarili Foundation held its fourth storytelling at the PGH pediatrics wards in coordination with LINK (Linkod ng Lasalyano sa Komunidad), an organization in De La Salle University. It was another wonderful experience made more fulfilling by the presence of additional volunteers. Such is reflected in the thoughts of Timi Gomez:

Our afternoon with the children of the PGH pedia ward turned out to be so much more than just goofing around. In the middle of the things, we found ourselves listening and sympathizing with the patients and their families. What they say about outreach programs is true-that you will always receive more from the beneficiaries than they from you.

Our group of 15 DLSU-Manila students was blessed to have spent the afternoon of August 10 with the children of the PGH pedia ward. Armed with storybooks, cans of bubbles and art paper origami, we did our best to keep the kids entertained. A few minutes into the activity, everyone was in high spirits. It was a real treat for both the patients and our group to be filling the ward with soap bubbles. It was heartwarming to see our friends animating a storybook to the patients. It was so moving to find ourselves listening to the bantays' frustrations. The afternoon truly had a hint of Patch Addams magic to it.

While the afternoon was brief and the help we extended was limited, we at LINK are grateful for the opportunity to be with the patients. As a political party that centers on the principle of community service, the activity reminded us that our real mission as Christian Achievers (as DLSU puts it) definitely extends beyond the perimeters of our campus.

Many thanks to the volunteers of LINK and Bukas Sarili who helped make this a memorable experience: Joyce Bingkok, Christine Arambullo, Anna Chua, Jamaine Cruz, Kitty Ambat, Paola Arcilla, Mico Cervantes, Timi Gomez, Miguel Gomez, Cat-cat Marasigan, Pam Ayson, Jeff Saez, Geo Bautista, Mikko Aventajado, Tessa Santos, Ana Narciso, Ray Alimurung, Mike Alimurung, Mari Swa, Koyen Cipriano, Mike Julian, Quintin Pastrana, Barney Bartolome, Jenny Rose Panaligan, Jay Estoya, Alnie Daluyaya, and Arman Figueroa.