PASKOokum 2014 - a priceless moment with the Abeling Tribe

The Skookum Mountaineers had its first ever Outreach Program last December 7, 2014 for the benefit of the children of the Abeling Tribe of Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose, Tarlac. While Typhoon Ruby (international name "Hagupit") was then currently wreaking havoc in the Eastern Visayas, we took the risk to proceed with our planned Gift-giving and Feeding Program in coordination with Tribal Chieftain "Kapitan Omeng", and some teachers of San Pedro Elementary School led by their Officer-in-Charge, and a member of the faculty, Mrs. Vangie Tabaquero

Charm, Nelson and Geovanni

At 0520H, we arrived at the McDonalds located near the Siesta Junction in Tarlac City and had breakfast. We then proceeded to the Tarlac City Public Market to buy additional provisions for the chicken noodle soup that we shall serve to the kids of Sitio San Pedro. Surprisingly, the all boys Marketing Team was composed by Skookums, Bogs, Allan, Espi and Oliver.

Allan and the Chieftain of the Abeling Tribe...Kapitan Omeng

...at Sitio San Pedro Elementary School...with Mt.Tangisan in the background

Happy Kiddos

Smile

Excited

Marami sila pero kayang kaya yan

We finally reached Sitio San Pedro at around 0800 as Kapitan Omeng eagerly waited for us at the registration area. In our excitement, most of us Skookums decided to just walk with Kapitan Omeng in going to the village elementary school where a number of children were already eagerly awaiting for our arrival.

They expected our arrival...and so we did arrive in spite of the impending storm

It's a happy day!

We are Friends

The children were so happy to receive button pins courtesy of Globe Telecoms

Sir Bogs busy sharing button pins to the kiddos

Button pins from Globe

We started the program by doing some games like the popular Bring Me Game, Sack Race, and The Longest Breath. The children also performed a dance number, while some shared their singing prowess. The prizes that we gave to these wonderful children include multivitamins, toys, candies and chocolates. Skookums, Geovanni and Lorie were the ones who took charge of the games. They were ably assisted by Jaime, Gani, Nelson and Charm. And as we were clearly outnumbered, it really was not easy to pacify the eagerness of the children to participate in every game that was set.

They were the participants in the stop dance

Hop hop and away

These kids gamely sang for us.

As the excitement of the children can no longer be contained, add the fact that there is already a continuing influx of parents with their babies and toddlers on hand, we began to distribute slippers. Skookums, Bette, Jaime, Allan, Bogs, Charm, Lorie, Espi and Eric. It really was an amazing experience for all of us to see the smiles on the faces of the kids as they queue and wait for their turn to try on their respective slippers. Call it heart-rending or even an "emo" moment, but it really felt so good to share happiness to these kids, a number of whom are barefoot (not intentionally but just because they really do not have any slippers at all) at that time. Whereas we distributed pre-loved clothes, medicine and multivitamins to the parents and townspeople that were not really part of the planned activity(...we prepared a lot of extra stuff since we anticipated occasions like this you know...).

..even babies and toddlers, with their mommies came to join the fray...

in Ilocano..."saka-saka"

Happy Feet

Parang sinukat lang

Barkada

Pila muna kids

eto and tsinelas namin...

Yehey...

masaya si bulilit...pre-school po sya

Lorie...and the kids

The distribution of school supplies, multivitamins and toiletries immediately followed. And after each kid has received his/her own plastic bag of goodies, he/she will start to run towards home to get a spoon and either a cup or a bowl for the feeding program that will follow.

mas magulo pa kung tutuusin ang mga magulang...hehe

school supplies...soap...toothbrush...toothpaste...multivitamins

ang mga tigasin ng Skookum hehe

agtaray kayon..mapan mangala ti malukong hehe

..."thank you po Ate"...

What followed was chicken noodle soup all you can for the children. As for drinks, pineapple juice and bottled water were the offerings. Christmas really came early to Sitio San Pedro that day.

Eisha helping in preparing the Chicken Noodle Soup

Food for everybody...

nagimasen...

...ang Blessing ko'y kayo..

Thank you Skookums

We are happy it was a very successful outreach program

Mga Tsiks... :)

We, the Skookum Mountaineers will really strive to continue this PASKOokum and pay it forward.

Skookum...Hardcore!