Lola Basyang and The Children

October 18 was a special day.

Almost 450 individuals trooped to PETA Center to watch a very special play – MGA KUWENTO NI LOLA BASYANG.

It was special – because Lola Basyang was sooo candid and energetic; she brought the house down…to think she just started with instructions on how we were to respond by stomping and clapping as we answered her questions with laughter and excitement. There was the youthful cast as well all so full of life, wearing all the colorful costumes creatively and playfully done – slippers wrapped around as belt, baby bottles in a round bottle carrier as the queen’s crown, and all the other stuff that adorned the cast. They all gave life to the stories. Their voices were so beautiful and all the antics brought laughter and joy to the viewers.

It became very special – to the families, teachers and friends of Kolisko Foundation for Education (KoFE) and The Kolisko School for Steiner Education who went to watch the show. We laughed and interacted with the characters, feeling bursts of joy as we watched our own children laugh and shout with glee as they enjoyed every bit of the stories that unfolded before us.

But it was all the more special to the children and their guides from our partner communities. It was the first time for many of them to step inside a real theater, and watch a real play. They were there because someone gave them that chance to be there. And you my dear reader, you were one of those individuals who found a way to help. Your selflessness has moved our children to find joy in your love even when they are strangers to you, and you to them.

To us who were there we saw the children who are deaf, abused, orphaned, urban poor children, and those who once lived on the streets; and the youth from marginalized sectors such as poor artists from Antipolo, the struggling Deaf artists and entrepreneurs, the Indigenous Youth from Kalinga, Compostela and Samar - We were all blessed that we had this rare opportunity to enjoy, laugh and go wild with Lola B with them around us...just as they too were blessed with the gift of that one rare chance to experience the same. And their day ended with a memorable experience that would never be made possible without you finding a way to look for their sponsors. About 200+ were there because of you. The remaining 200+ were there, well because of you too!! ;-)

And let me share my appreciation to ALL of the parents, teachers, family and friends who made it a point to find a way to take those extra miles (a thousand i think!) to help - selling 1 ticket to selling over a hundred!!! convincing others to join us more so, finding those individuals and families who gave more by sponsoring 1 child and some even a dozen at a time!! And so thank you, thank you. We did not only help The Kolisko School raise the needed funds, but we made many children happy too. ;-)

And we just couldn’t get over the joy of what Lola Basyang brought us - the stories and the joyful children and adults who came out of the PETA theater that afternoon of October 18. Maybe a repeat can happen again, with your help.

For now, bask in the happiness that your love brought to these children and to our lives. Stop for a while and imagine those smiles and the brightness of life;s Light that beamed oh so bright that day.

Come and meet the children courtesy of Roxas family and Maralit family. Video soon to be uploaded courtesy of Macatuno family.

Thank you to the following
- MAJOR SPONSOR - World Chicken (Be good to your heart, eat grilled)
- DONORS - Mama Sita and Little John's Convenience (Camp John Hay, Baguio City)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KoFE is holding a block screening of MADAGASCAR ESCAPE 2 ARICA on November 8 (Sat), 4pm at Trinoma Cinema 5. About 103 kids who are deaf, children with autism, mental retardation and other exceptional children from Bo. Obrero Elementary School will be given this chance to enjoy a movie with your help. Contact admin.kolisko.school@gmail.com, noemi.pamintuan.jara@gmail.com, velvethere@yahoo.com, maralitcam@yahoo.com and techiedelatorre@gmail.com or any KoFE member or The Kolisko School parent/teacher for more details on how you can help. Maybe you or your friend can be their Ninong/Ninang on November 8? ;-)