Water and laughter mix in LYoga anniversary
Water and sanitation is one of the primary drivers of public health … which means that once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won.†— Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, director- general, World Health Organization. Thus reads the invitation to the turnover ceremony of water and sanitation facilities at Commonwealth High School (CHS) in Quezon City last January.
In celebration of Laughter Yoga’s anniversary, we turned over to CHS 12 toilets and a water system that now provides clean running water in CHS buildings in keeping with Laughter Yoga’s mantra that “healthy mind equals healthy body.†This project, which currently benefits 10,800 students, teachers and staff, was made possible by Marivic del Pilar and Gerrie H. Villa, treasurer and president, respectively, of Victory Liner, and members of the LYoga team. They readily extended their generous all-out support to make this water and sanitation project a great success. My heartfelt gratitude and endless appreciation for joining me on this journey of helping uplift the situation of our public school children. The same goes to Joy Ortega, her mom Bernadine Ortega, Roger Cuaton, our indefatigable contractor, for making this biggest-thus-far project of Laughter Yoga Phil. a reality.
As always, during the turnover ceremony, I admonished the students to use the toilets properly and help preserve them for future use by the batches of students that will come after them, reminding them of responsibility — to their communities, to our beloved country, and above all, to our Creator. I advised them to “pass forward†any help they can — to spread goodness and happiness.
Eagerly awaited by students and teachers was the LYoga session — to help them get energized, relaxed, happy, and positive. We recited the positive chants and did some LYoga exercises to boost energy, improve memory power, and sharpen their brains. I mentioned the positive changes LYoga did to some schools in India, which reported zero absenteeism, as students enjoyed going to school. I suggested they do it for 10 minutes during the flag ceremony and, in between classes, to awaken the minds and reenergize the bodies of both students and teachers. Below are the inspiring and energizing comments we received:
• Dr. Sally Barcelona: We are truly grateful for the water system that will supply potable water for the Commonwealthians, a real blessing from above. Ms. Elvie P. Estavillo touched our lives by personally giving us her heart. School officials and teachers deserve to take a respite from the humdrum of everyday schoolwork. Ms. Estavillo’s magnifying energy provided the much-needed mechanism.
• Ian Amante, teacher: It’s a very rewarding experience, that Laughter Yoga exercise. I am grateful and very much delighted that we were chosen by Ms. Estavillo who shared all her talents with us. I will share it with my students and teach them the Ho-Ho-Ho! Ha-Ha-Ha thing. Very beneficial to our overall well-being, health, and wellness. It feels good inside outright after the activity.
• Mailane Muñoz: LYoga made me feel strong and improved my skills. It gave me the confidence to laugh. It was really fun!
• Aldrin Escalante: Yoga activity made me happy, and, in such a short time, freed me of stress.
• John Rommel Sena: I was very happy during the yoga activity. It relieved me of stress and restlessness. Also, the water sanitation facilities donated to our school are a big help and we promise to take care of them.
• Joseph Basconcillo: The LYoga session helped me overcome tiredness and stress, and I gained more knowledge.
• Eliseo Dayaon Jr.: Yoga helps us to think well, and keeps our body healthy. Ms. Elvie was right: A healthy mind means a healthy body, too.
• Alexis Inovejas: I had so much fun doing the LYoga. It made me feel better, and study even better.
• Krizhel Uy: Doing LYoga was interesting and exciting! We were able to exercise and make things different in our own little ways. It motivated us to become better students now and in the future.
• Trisha Kaye Balona: LYoga was very helpful in releasing stress for us, especially for our teachers. I learned a lot from Laughter Yoga. It regenerates the cells.
