Thank God it’s Friday!

It’s `The Children’s Night’ in Canatuan

Some were wide-eyed. Others had their mouths agape. Still others were smiling. The smaller ones moved closer to the center of the stage to have a better view of the performer. Then, as if on cue, everybody clapped their hands and burst into laughter and cheers. The mostly Subanon children, aged 3 to 14, were watching a magician do his tricks – the latest in a series of fun activities lined up by TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) every Friday night for the sons and daughters of the company’s employees at its copper-zinc mining operations in the mountains of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

For five months now, the children of Canatuan – ancestral homeland of the Subanon indigenous people — have been participating in different activities hosted by employees of TVIRD at the company clubhouse. Aptly called “The Children’s Night”, this much-awaited weekly event seeks to provide children of company employees, as well as residents of the company’s host community, with a venue where they can have fun as they learn at the same time.

“In every activity, the children learn something in an enjoyable way,” says Rosalie Tiongco, Administrative Services Manager at TVIRD’s Human Resources and Administration Department (HRAD). “For instance, the kids learned how to express themselves through art when Kathleen Digdigan, our Senior Geologist, taught them how to make greeting cards some months ago. They learned, too, that men could be good cooks when the “Barakos” (macho men) of the Mine Department showed the children their skills in the kitchen.”

Indeed, TVIRD officials and personnel have been taking turns demonstrating their hidden “talents” to the young ones of Canatuan. Yulo Perez, TVIRD Vice President for Philippine Operations, also performed magic tricks of his own, much to the delight of the kids. On another Friday night, Noelle Nazareno of the Community Relations and Development Office (CReDO) engaged the children with her storytelling skills when she told them the biblical story of baby Moses using visual aids for better understanding. Nazareno, together with her CReDO colleagues Rocelle Magpayo, Permitting Department Officer Emma de Fiesta, Admin Superintendent Roda Francisco, Kitchen Supervisor Ember Impang and HR assistant Beth Mampon, also taught the children the art of making removable tattoos – something which the children said they will never learn in school!

In yet another night, Ely Valmores, TVIRD Canatuan Acting General Manager, treated the children to geography and history lessons, sharing with them the historical spots and tourist destinations of his home province of Cebu. The children followed Valmores closely as he showed them, on a projector screen, the Magellan Cross, planted by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the name of Spain in the 1500s; the small Island of Mactan where the conquistador died at the hands of local chieftain Lapu-Lapu; and the beautiful Mandaue Bridge. Valmores served as a sort of a guide to the little “tourists” of Canatuan, answering their questions and asking questions in return.

Romar Biong, a grade 5 pupil and son of a TVIRD Mill Maintenance Department employee, says he loves to attend The Children’s Night and always looking forward to its coming because, “makalingaw ug may makat-onan pa ko (I have fun and learn something from them).” He adds: “The Children’s Night is also a time for me to bond with my neighborhood friends. At school we could not play as much as we want to because we still have to go to our classes. Here, there is much fun. Sometimes, too, there are goodies to it because of the prizes we receive for winning the games.”

For his part, Jonaire Batoon, a second year high school student, agrees. “I get to experience new things with my friends,” he says. “Besides, it’s a good feeling to eat with them and to meet new ones.”

The Children’s Night is facilitated by the different departments of TVIRD-Canatuan. During the Fire Safety Month last March, TVIRD Canatuan Safety Manager Art Abad described fire to the students as “a friend and a foe.” “Children as young as they are must be taught to prevent the occurrence of destructive fires,” he says. “This teaches them to be inquisitive, but careful at the same time.”

TVIRD Canatuan utility man Diosdado Taconing, father of Apple Taconing who is one of the children who would not miss The Children’s Night, says the activity has helped his daughter discover her talent, that of being an artist. “And I can see that her being shy has considerably been reduced because of her exposure with other children.”

This was also the observation of Johnny Alidan, Joana Jazmine’s father. Alidan, a member of the Security Force since 2003, says his 5 year-old daughter eagerly anticipates for the coming of Friday because it is the day when she is able to meet new playmates. “I hope The Children’s Night will continue,” Johnny says. “Positive values are instilled in our children here.”

With the positive feedback she has been getting from employees, TVIRD TVIRD Canatuan HRAD Manager Cirilo Baylosis says he and his peers at his department are inspired to continue the program. “This is one way of showing that the company is sincere in taking care of its employees and their dependents. After all, happy employees make for a happy company.” (Lullie Micabalo)