Article by: Aya Nicole Fukunaga and Kathreen May
On May 3, 2026, the UST Volunteers for UNICEF launched the Batang Mataliknows: Adhika para sa Pansariling Likha at the Ministry on Urban Poor, Diocese of Kalookan. The event was designed to empower children by nurturing their innate creativity and providing a platform for self-expression through various artistic and educational activities.
As the project head, Mx. Maxine Shane Castro shared that the event shaped her overall experience as a UNICEF volunteer by deepening her understanding of collaboration with her fellow project heads and community engagement. This challenged the team to take responsibility for planning while ensuring a direct response to the needs of the children being served.
Looking back on her favorite moment, Mx. Castro shared her surprise at the children's performance and how enthusiastic they were throughout the event. She expressed that there is profound satisfaction in seeing children actively participating and expressing their creativity through the activities the project heads prepared.
The overall purpose of this project is to provide basic art education to imaginative children, teaching them the rules and techniques of sketching, drawing, and coloring, to help children develop their artistic skills and self-expression. By making art accessible and approachable, the workshop nurtures their talents and fosters a deeper appreciation for creativity and imaginative expression.
For Mx. Castro, the most challenging part of the event was the planning phase. She stated that it involved a lot of discussion on considering what kind of activities would be both entertaining and enriching for the children. Mx. Castro thanked her fellow project heads as their collaboration was what brought the event into its successful fruition.
According to her, last August 2025, a partner community reached out to collaborate with the organization. The UVU learned that the children in these communities have the skill and interest in art, however, they lack the resources for them to practice their artistic passion. On sharing her favorite moment, Mx. Castro shared her surprise by the performance of the children and how they were enthusiastic all throughout the event.
“It is important to initiate these activities to give the children the opportunities to discover their skills and interest at the stage of their discovery and development. At this age, they are naturally curious and open to learning new things, which is the ideal time,” Mx. Castro shared.
Through this event, children were given the platform to freely express themselves. This is significant, especially at their early age, as they recognize their own abilities and are a led to empower themselves through a unique medium. Indeed, the event proved that within every munting kamay lies a malaking adhika. By equipping these young minds with the tools to create, UVU is not just teaching them how to paint a picture—they are empowering them to bravely color the canvas of their own bright futures.
08 BATA BALITA INSIDER | Batang Mataliknows: Adhika para sa Pansariling Likha