UVU

The volunteers had an opportunity to engage in a community tour led by Tajaran. From the tour, the student volunteers learned about the prosperous coconut farm of the barangay, its river, the daycare, and the health center built by the UST College of Architecture.

 

The following morning, the student volunteers invited the community to an interactive and engaging Zumba dance session to begin the day energized. Soon after, children of the community joined the series of enjoyable traditional Filipino games arranged by the student volunteers. Throughout the entirety of the games, children were rewarded and given equal opportunities to play and enjoy the company of their friends and the volunteers. 

 

To conclude the event, the student volunteers, alongside the community children, indulged in a quick swim in BIGA Spring Resort near Brgy. Sibulan. Before their departure, the organization delivered a bittersweet farewell to the community, expressing gratitude to the barangay for their unceasing hospitality.

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As the Cultural Kaleidoscope wrapped up, volunteers reflected on their two-day immersion. For the volunteers, the event was more than just a series of events; it offered a glimpse of a vibrant, close-knit community alive with warmth and connection. 

 

“They were still disciplined enough not to be too all over the place, and had rules like no hurting others,” Carl Benitez, a member of the Programs Committee, observed that while the children were naturally energetic and playful, they still carried themselves with respect and discipline.

 

In a community as small as Brgy. Sibulan, everyone grows up side by side, neighbors become lifelong companions, and strangers quickly become family.  Jonah Denise Aguilar, a member of the logistics committee, shared that the closeness among residents naturally extended to the volunteers as well. Parents checked in on them, prepared meals, and ensured their safety—small acts that made the volunteers feel welcomed and cared for, as though they belonged to the community.

 

Growing up in Sibulan means growing up connected to the whole community. 

 

“Life for kids and youth there feels similar to ours, but slower. I noticed how they really get to enjoy growing up, more time to cherish their childhood. It’s different from the city, where many children are forced to grow up faster because of the circumstances around them,” Aguilar reflected. Without heavy pressures or fast-paced distractions, the children in Brgy. Sibulan gets to experience childhood in a more natural and balanced way, something that many young people in cities rarely get the chance to do.

 

Childhood is nurtured not only by parents but also by a community that embraces a child as its own. 

 

For the volunteers, being part of the immersion reminded them that true community is built on care, trust, and shared experiences. The community taught them that growing up is not just about fun or discipline; it is about belonging, togetherness, and learning to live in harmony with others. 

 

Every smile, game, and meal reflects a culture rooted in love and connection. A reminder that even brief moments in a community can leave a lasting memory on anyone who joins in its life.