One Nation, One Heroism – Bayani Challenge 2013

It would take a humble heart to have the courage to care.

So how it started?

Bayani Challenge, started as a yearly event of Gawad Kalinga with thousands of volunteers all over the country and across the world have started to look forward as their heroic response in ending poverty. Now, it is a multi-sectoral event organized by both Public & Private sector to be the convergence of heroism & working together in building this nation.

This 2013; 80,000 volunteers from One proud nation; in 33 Provinces at 37 sites and several individual around the globe who took the courage and dare to care for our country for one whole week.

And we are one of the 33 Provinces. Our site is Cadiz, Negros Occidental.

To those who do not know about Gawad Kalinga, many would ask on what we are doing here, why volunteer? But only a volunteer can genuinely answer based on what they experience in the ground.

What transpired for the 5-days challenge were remarkably planting a dream to those who have lost one and discovering the full potential of being a Filipino. It is a 5-days test of courage, endurance and love for country.

As always, the Bayani participants were from:

The youth sector composed of 70% – High school and college students who see the Bayani Challenge not only as a meaningful way to spend their vacation but also as a fun way to answer the call of heroism.

Then, the working warriors are 30% – Young professionals who are doing the Bayani Challenge as part of their company’s Corporate Social Responsibility or as their voluntary contribution to building this nation.

Volunteers were registered to different hometown activities of their choice such as:

HOME BUILD – building an eco-friendly house from laying its foundation to attaching its roof, painting, and landscaping.

PARAISONG PAMBATA – Fun and learning with children aged 6 to 12 years old. Participate in feeding program, story-telling, games, conducting Sports Clinic for the children.

SCHOOL BUILD – Refurbish and repair schools through painting, landscaping, repairing tables and chairs.

ENVIRONMENT OR ISLAND GREENING – volunteers’ caring for the environment through coastal cleanup, mangrove and tree planting to be conducted in tourist spots, town plazas, landmarks, playgrounds, etc. all over the island.

HEALTH MISSION – volunteers conduct a nutrition program, medical check-up and consultancy covering different barangays. A healthy people, is a healthy nation.

These hometown activities were happening from 8:00am to 3:00pm each day for 5 days, in different location within the host site province, towns or cities.

Back to the campsite were volunteers pitch their tents or stayed in the school classroom, special events starts like:

SPORTS COMPETION – basketball, dodge ball, volleyball, soccer, frisbee, tug of war and Pinoy games, these gives the volunteers to enjoy it’s favorite games to play and builds camaraderie with every volunteers.

BAYANIHAN RACE – Teams compete in a unique race around the town. Visit the best tourist destination in the area while showing their Heroism to the Extreme!

MASTER KUSINERO(CHIEF) – team who cooks the best dish using an endemic ingredient from the town. Showcasing the delicious delicacies of the area.

After these special events, volunteers freshen up, share food at dinner and prepare for the Kalinga night activity which gives more inspiration for the volunteers as they sit back, relax, watch what transpired during the day as it shows on the big screen, listen and be inspired by speakers and sharers with music, arts and culture presentation. Then, fellowship night as the warmth of new friendship discovered being enjoyed by everyone.

Thus, these were all happening in the life of volunteers in every Bayani Challege for the past eight years and will continue to happen in decades to come.