CEBU, Philippines - A trip to a three dimensional art museum and a dinner party at an exclusive resort delighted 47 children living in a care facility in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.
Mayor Paz Radaza led on Saturday afternoon a pack of children, ages 6 to 12, going to the Happy World Museum in Barangay Gabi, Cordova town onboard two city government-owned buses.
Radaza said her date with the children had been postponed several times.
"We've planned for this for some time. It kept getting postponed, but finally we're able to do it in time for the Children's Month," Radaza said.
The children excitedly stormed the museum chaperoned by around 12 social workers, and eventually took several photos behind every 3D artworks.
Radaza said they were treating the children to an outing similar to what every mother and father does to their own kids.
Letecia Patalinjug, head of the center said the activity was an essential part the children's exposure to the community.
"Educational trips like this are beneficial for them," she said.
Patalinjug added that the experience made the children happy, wishing that another trip will be made soon.
After the museum stopover, the children were brought to a fast-food restaurant for snacks and were all then brought to Crimson Resort and Spa in Barangay Mactan for a dinner party.
Radaza was overwhelmed by the service of the resort staff for welcoming the children and even participated in various games, including song and dance presentations in collaboration with the Home Care Center workers.
The Home Care Center, a facility established last 2009, houses children who are abused and are in conflict with the law.
Last week, five children from the center were sent to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for experiencing upset stomachs after eating shrimp mixed with pork.
According to Patalinjug, the reported food poisoning was the first incident to have been recorded in their center in the last six years that it is operating.
"The children have recovered and the measures have been made to prevent another food poisoning," Patalinjug said.