UVU

The afternoon session introduced more activities, including the Minute to Win It Relay, which featured a series of quick and engaging challenges. Participants were then given free time to interact with volunteers, allowing them to build connections in a relaxed setting.

 

Beyond physical games, the event included a creative workshop where participants made loop keychains. This activity allowed children to express creativity and take home a souvenir from the event. The inclusion of both physical and creative activities ensured a balanced experience for all participants.

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“Personally, it also made me reminisce about my own childhood when I used to play those very games [...] But at the end of the day, now that I am older, the best I can do is to make sure that every kid was able to play the way I did,” said Janise Kathryn Chua, a Junior Volunteer Coordinator. 

 

She emphasized how important it is for children to allow themselves to socialize with other children to create a space within familiarity and openness, where they are building confidence and developing courage–characteristics that can guide their growth and have a successful future. 

 

Through this initiative, UVU successfully demonstrated how structured community programs can support children’s development. By combining play, culture, and education, the organization created a meaningful experience that addressed current challenges faced by children today. The event serves as a model for future initiatives that aim to protect and promote children’s rights in practical and engaging ways.

 

As for the Project Heads, Arianne Kiley Dominique Santiago and Moira Nicole Dolloso, this event is about encouragement and engagement on how children need to have a foundation on understanding what is the true essence of sportsmanship. More importantly, it helps with the preservation of culture and traditions that are worth keeping. 

 

“Our goal and message for this event is we hope that we are able to help the children stay active, learn [about] teamwork while also reconnecting with the Filipino culture by letting them participate in traditional Filipino games,” Dolloso said. 

 

Santiago explained that Mahiwaga is meant to help children remember and carry traditional Filipino games with them as they grow older. She emphasized that the initiative showcases the richness of Filipino culture by introducing these games to younger generations in a meaningful and lasting way.

 

Through Mahiwaga: Tara, Laro Tayo!, the UVU once again created a space where children could learn, play, and connect—reminding everyone that simple games can still bring joy and unity. More than anything, it showed how creativity sparked new skills that helped everyone feel included and important.