Winning dance interpretation by PYAP Olongapo.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL CANLAS
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Out-of -chool youths as well as troubled children in the region who want a better future gathered for the 8th Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) Regional Assembly at the SM City Pampanga here last week.
Under the banner: “Sayaw at Gabay, PYAP ang Hahataw,” PYAP members said they felt the positive vibe in the meeting which was organized by Regional PYAP focal person Elena L. Carreon.
The event is a venue where different PYAP sectors from all over the region come together to forget about their personal problems and just have fun, said Carreon.
The event’s objective is to make an impact to the members of the PYAP through the presentation of accomplishments of the PYAP, Carreon said adding that it is also a venue for PYAP members to meet and get to know each other.
The PYAP chapters came were Bulacan, Tarlac City, Cabanatuan City, Aurora, Angeles City, Olongapo City, San
Jose City and Tarlac Province. In attendance were all presidents of the PYAP in Central Luzon as well as local government representatives.
According to Carreon, the PYAP is open to any interested youth no matter what social class they belong. All they had to do is go to any Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in their locality and apply to the PYAP.
“All out-of-school youths are welcome here in PYAP so that we can help them help themselves and can make them productive citizens of the country,” said Carreon. She added that the theme for this year is “Positive Life” which is about healthy lifestyle, anti-smoking, anti-drugs and anti-early sexual encounter.
“We need this kind of activity because we need to sustain the organization, because if there will be no programs or projects for the youth, the organization will just fade-away and will not be able to do the things it’s supposed to do,” she added.
The event featured seminars from three speakers: Jhonny Flores who talked about “Pilipinas Go Health, Nelly Medina who spoke on “Child Sexual Abuse Prevention” where she presented a film entitled “A Good Boy” and Panela Pangilinan who discussed teenage pregnancy its causes and consequences.
Also part of the event was a dance competition where the different sectors competed in promoting positive lifestyles through their dancing skills. The performances were led by Bulacan, Tarlac City, Cabanatuan City, Aurora, Angeles City, Olongapo City, San Jose City and Tarlac Province.
One of the highlights of the dance competition was when Olongapo City performed on stage dressed in costumes depicting beggars, hobos and homeless people. They broke the ice with their comed performance leaving everyone laughing and on their feet.
The judges later gave them a special award. Intermission numbers by Jenely Cruz and Armin Poblete of Bataan who did an energetic ballroom dance also brought the house down.
PYAP Ambassador of Goodwill, Kino Del Rosario sang his heart out with a song rendition of “Ipagpatawad Mo.”
He said” PYAP helped me a lot, especially with my problems. I’m a proud PYAP member.” The last intermission number was performed by the Tarlac City Dance crew where they dance to the audience’s delight.
Judging the participants are Artistic director Erwin P. Vicente, dance instructor of the University of Assumption Editha S. Carlos, and PYAP regional offi cer Evelyn N. Manalo.
The winners were Cabanatuan City, Aurora and Bulacan.
-Michael Canlas, Charmane Cayanan and Yeo Intake/SPCF-OJT
