Bazaar-expo honors Filipino child

A unique pre-holiday season bazaar currently running at the WOW Philippines in Intramuros, Manila not only offers convenience to shoppers, but promises to make their stay a worthwhile experience.

Organized by Synergeia Foundation Inc., a partnership of people and institutions working toward the improvement of basic education in the country, "Tipanan 2005" pays tribute to the Filipino child through a simultaneous educational fair at the PTA Tent-Clamshell 2.

The educational expo cum bazaar, which runs until tomorrow night, showcases various products from different parts of the country. Organizers said proceeds of the bazaar would be used to support an education governance program in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu and benefit young students in Muslim communities.

Various activities have also been lined up for customers as they browse through the various items on sale at the stalls. There will be storytelling sessions from Museong Pambata, Alitaptap Storytellers and students of St. Scholastica’s College.

Artists from all over the country will also conduct art workshops.

Grade school students also get to showcase their talents in the on-the-spot painting contests organized by the Rotary International District 3830 while high school students try to outdo each other in the "Himig ng Kabataan" singing contest.

Organizers said other highlights include the lantern-making workshop with Project REY Pampanga, Hala Bira! headdress-making and dance workshop and the Educate Youth concert that will feature popular bands Orange and Lemons, 6CycleMind, and U-Turn.

Through the event, Synergeia also hopes to create awareness for their Reading Proficiency Program, which is being implemented in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, Negros Occidental, Benguet, and Iloilo.

The program aims to make basic education as the centerpiece of governance agenda of local government units (LGU)."

Synergeia chief executive officer Dr. Milwida Guevara said the organization has been pushing for the reinvention of local school boards among participating LGUs, which include Lipa City in Batangas, San Fernando City in Pampanga, and Libertad in Antique.

The program "Pathways to Higher Education" provides opportunities for students from poor communities to complete their tertiary education through training programs, including skills development for parents, establishment of learning centers, scholarships, and a modular curriculum for working students, she stressed.

Guevara said they have programs in South Cotabato for the early education of children from indigenous communities and capability building for their parents. They also support the Alternative Learning Systems for indigenous communities in Mindanao.