EAST MIN REP MEETING

DECEMBER 15-16--- the Council Girl Representatives form all over Eastern Mindanao converged at Camp Alano, Toril, Davao City for a Regional meeting headed by the Regional Girl Representative Lareen Dawn Baluso.

There were 13 of them whose minds merged and planned a REGIONAL CONFERENCE that aims to mold Girl Scouts from all over the Region empowered but lady-like and be much more open to the modern world. They have come up with the theme, "REMIX GSP: Responsible, Empowered, Modest, Intelligent and Extraordinary Girls." The schedule for the upcoming event will be on May 8-11, 2007 at Camp Alano, Toril, Davao City.

The young leaders are encouraging the other Girl Scouts to take part in the conference since NEW ACTIVITIES will be introduced and it will be molding them into better GIRL SCOUTS.

The Used
Kevin A. Loma

He was tired when he built our home
While he was worn-out when he concreted the dome
She was drained as she iced the cake
And she was weary as she set the table near the lake

She felt sick as after she marcotted the shrub
While she kept complaining as she styled the beautiful Ms. Love
He passed out after handling the fish
Because he was exhausted on working his garden dish

He almost busted himself because of computing
As she cried out loud because of lay-outing
He had lost air through designing
Then she collapsed after presenting

They were miserable when their brains were used
They got tired because of painting many hues
They fought each other because as they had their meetings
They talked back as if it was one’s own ending.

Tired of this and that, and those
But without you, who will sew my clothes?
A skill, a flair, a gift ,an ability,
God gave it to you because you are worthy.

Make the first step, make your move
Through your skills, the world will improve
It’s not something to be deprived with
It’s something else that you can give

UNWRITTEN

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mindI'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah
Oh, ohI break tradition

Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way oh, oh

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips drench yourse
lf in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live you life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

(Gospel)

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live you life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live you life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

IN CASE YOU FORGET.....

MISSING YOU ISN'T ENOUGH.....
THAT'S WHY GSP GIVES YOU A HUG
SAYING THAT THE BOND WE HAD WE COULD PLUG
TO THE WHOLE WORLD NOT JUST WITHIN OUR BLOG..:)

YOU CAN

One day frogs arranged a wall climbing competition. The wall was so high that spectators were shouting that it is impossible for a frog to reach the top. One by one frogs began to fall due to exhaustion and one by one they gave up... Except for one.

He was a tiny frog. This frog was very exhausted but kept climbing. Spectators told him to give up but he did not. Eventually he reached the top. They wanted to know how he did it and found out that the frog was DEAF! :)


Lesson: Don't listen to dream crushers!!! Go for yours! Go GIRL SCOUT! :) You can do it if you think you can..:)

Senior and Cadet Planning Board Conference

Alona Suzell Ruyeras

SMAD- Davao Council

On the 28^th day of July 2007, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Davao Council conducted the Senior and Cadet Planning Board Conference. The event which was held at the Davao Council office at Ponciano St., Davao City, was participated by the Chairman, Vice-chairman and Scribe of both the senior and cadet planning board in each school. Six more representatives are sent by the participating schools to represent them in the two clubs of the GSP, the Junior Journalist Guild (JJG) and Radio Television (RTV).

Aside from development of skills and emergence of camaraderie among members, the main objective of the conference is to elect new officials and organize the government system of GSP Davao Council. The said event started with an opening ceremony which included the entry of colors, reciting of promise and law and the community singing of the song “We are the Girl Scouts”. Tita Enriqueta Abanilla delivered her welcome address. Dawn Baluso from Davao City National High School followed after with her inspirational message which focused on the conference’s theme: “Girl Scouts World Wide say: building a better world”.

The opening ceremony ended with the singing of the same community song, “We are the Girl Scouts”. Tita Beatriz Hualde, better known as Tita Betty imparted her talk regarding discovering the potentials of each Girl Scout. Her lecture contained the life skills that each Girl Scout must possess and the rights that every Girl Scout has. Tita Nenita Navales or Tita Nitz was next as she discussed about the ill-effects of drugs especially on the youth of these days. She gave a group activity after which was called DDD (Describe a Drug Dependent). The patrols had the reporting regarding the body of a drug dependent and performed their given challenge such as song composition and role play.

The next facilitator. Tita Enriqueta Abanilla, carried out a game for the group which tested the knowledge of the girls on the history of scouting, its laws and its founders. When the game was through, the girls were given ten minutes to discuss and organize the yearlong activities which were done by school. One by one, the schools reported their plan of action. After finishing all the presentations, the Senior Senior Planning Board (SPB), Cadet Planning Board (CPB), Junior Journalist Guild (JJG) and Radio Television (RTV) were given the time to meet and create a similar action plan but now it was done by club. The continuation of the planning and organization of activities continued the next day. After all the discussions, the elections of the SPB, SPB, JJG and RTV took place.

The conference ended with the hope that each club would be productive and effective not only for the organization, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, but also for the betterment of the society.

Clover

In this life, we can't expect too much...It is unfair. We can't change it. There are lots of opposites!! You want to do one thing, but you can't. You have to go even if you don't want to because you are obliged. You take things for granted even though you know that you must not take anything for granted! That is the circle of life...And the least we can do is go round with it..:)

Yup...Senior year is very tiring and exhausting... :( But because of this clover... I felt contentment.

The clover in which I saw at the wall with the colors of our flag. The clover printed in my ID. And the same clover printed in my dress. Nothing was as fulfilling looking at it.
With the accessories....the pins and the badges.....I felt respected...I had power....Power not for my own selfish reasons but for the goal of GIRL SCOUTING.


Because of this clover I had learned the essence of leadership:

A TRUE LEADER HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO STAND ALONE, TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND THE COMPASSION TO LISTEN TO OTHERS. SHE DOES NOT SET OUT TO BE A LEADER, BUT BECOMES ONE BY THE QUALITY OF HIS ACTIONS AND THE INTEGRITY OF HIS INTENT. AND IN THE END, LEADERS ARE MUCH LIKE EAGLES, THEY DON'T FLOCK. YOU FIND THEM ONE AT A TIME. :)

Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council

A Dream

“Everything there is and was begun with a dream…”

That’s how things are. We must keep on dreaming to reach what we want and to have what we desire, but know what, reality is always better than our dreams… and is worse than our nightmares…

I first saw the Purok 15-A Calot near the community we lived. I thought that was the right project for me. We visited the area and found out that there was an abandoned basketball court, so I immediately grabbed the opportunity and chose it for my Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme Project. Everything went well, I had talked to the Purok President about it and they seemed to respond nicely, until we’ve found out that the land where the basketball court stood, was not a government property and was owned by three Babor siblings. I have opened to them that I can’t start the project if they won’t be willing to donate the area. I did not give up convincing them, but I guess sometimes, I have to accept that some things are not meant to happen…

I gave up on the project… and the Scheme itself…

It was Christmas time when I had the time for myself. I was relaxed and felt comfortable with what was happening, until the time when I was alone, looking at my GSP uniform.

It was a Sunday morning when we passed the Montalban Sr. Street, Villa Kananga, Butuan City. It was the road going to the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church. I looked at it from right to left and saw different kinds of garbage dumped along its side as well as the tall brutal cogon grasses. By that time, I knew then that I have never given up the scheme, I have just accepted the fact that the project at Calot was not for me. Besides, a dream that you can’t fight on will hurt you for the rest of you life.

With the encouragement of my parents and the push of my adviser, I chose the Montalban Sr. Street, Villa Kananga, Butuan City, the gateway to ICP Church as the focus of my project which was Ecology: Environmental Sanitation and Roadside Greening.

The start of the project was not that easy. I have attended the weekly session of the Barangay Villa Kananga and introduced the project. Although the people I have talked to were accommodating and warm, I still realized that we can never expect the people to respond the way we wanted them to. During the first pahina, only a few came; my work group and three volunteers from the community. On the second pahina, no one from the community attended, it was just Kagawad Albay who helped me measure the distances between plant boxes and the other members of the work group and volunteers from different organizations who were there, cleaning the area with dumped garbage.

We have coordinated the Purok 2 & 3 Presidents of Villa Kananga, thinking that they were accountable for the area, but they said that it was far and they could not take full responsibility. I started feeling alone with just my parents on my side.

We then found out that the street was a part of three Baragays, Villa Kananga, J.P. Rizal and Imadejas. I joined the J.P. Rizal’s meeting and introduced the project. They were very supportive during the session, however during the actual pahina, the same thing happened. Maybe they were too busy to take part in the project. I have again coordinated with the Barangay Captain of Imadejas but sadly he said he was too busy to be involved in this project and that he can not help me.

It was that time that I felt how hard the challenges in the world are. I almost cried being neglected thrice. But my family was there, showing me the effort and inspiration no one has ever shown me. They proved to me, that with GOD, nothing is impossible.

I was advised to coordinate with the City government since the area was a government property. They seemed to like the project and immediately responded, through the leadership of Mayor Democrito Plaza III and Mr. Roy Rosales, Administrative Officer of the City Engineer’s Office. With their help, everything went smoothly. There has been gravelling and roadside grass cutting, installation of street lights and also, through Dr. Aurora Zaportiza, OIC-City Assessor, we were provided 14 student summer job workers who temporarily took charge of the project, with my presence.

I have then asked the religious sectors through Rev. Father Jun Diamante and Sister Letty Gatela for help. They have counseled me with love and understanding and since no one was willing to take responsibility, Father Diamante offered that the project, ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AND ROADSIDE GREENING will be turned over to the church with his leadership and companionship of the Block 9 president, Mrs. Pelagia Joven who lives near the area.

“I guess there’s just a point in my life where I just have to accept that not everything I wish or hope will come true. A time when I just have to gather up the courage to let go and just entrust everything to GOD, knowing he won’t allow me to be in pain for the sake of hurting but for the sake of learning. One day I will truly understand that he knows me more than I know myself, that even when I feel alone and misunderstood, and even sometimes unloved and used, there's still one person who knows all my flaws yet loves me unconditionally like no human can.”

Being a leader is hard. Everything is your fault. But sometimes you just have to let it happen and start leading. Chances are that we fail or win… But we always have a choice… To be the best of ourselves and do what we have to do no matter what.

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery. I guess that’s how things are and that’s how the CHIEF GIRL SCOUT MEDAL SCHEME PROJECT molded me into a better human being. Change does not happen overnight, I know it, but it sure takes time. For it is only through change that we can prove to the world that there’s more to life than regrets…

Beautiful lives don’t just happen. They are made, every single day, with much love, prayer and sacrifice. Let us be reminded that “IN THE END” only three things matter….

….How fully you lived

….How deeply you loved

….How gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council

Agusan Council hosts Patrol Leader's Course

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Agusan Council held a Patrol Leader's Camp Permit Course on June 22-23. There were 26 girls from all over Butuan City and from Agusan del Norte. They tackled topics on how to organize a camp and other Girl Scout activities.

Tita Thelma, who taught them about preparing for a Girl Scout Ceremony quoted that a program should be Kept Simple, Solemn and Sincere (KISSS).

Tita Leah who shared her talent and skills in knot tying really exercised the girls' hand movement with the threads and using them in gadget making.

The Part II of the course shall be continued on August 17-19, 2007. Then, they will graduate and have a certification for completing the course.

I guess...

Choice

Eastern Mindanao. An ordinary place with extraordinary race.

I've been to different camps, mingled with different people and shared different experiences with new found friends. But know what?! The best adventure I had was during my camp at home...

I was cleaning our basement, preparing for a small party for my sister. She was a celebrity, you know!!!! (and I am the queen...lol)...I suddenly saw an album that fell on the floor. I opened it and scanned the pictures. I was shocked! I was overwhelmed finding a photo of four Girl Scouts who happens to pose during their National Encampment at Subic! whoowh...:) I laughed and said, "I think, GSP is really popular..."

As I looked closer, I realized that one of those girls was my sister! And the others, were girls from our own region, "Eastern Mindanao" who are also her friends! I smiled realizing that these girls are not just ordinary people now...

Katrina Gaviola (left). Can you imagine that this pretty young lady, posing shyly, is now a SUPERVISOR of a leading Call Center Company?! Amazing isn't it?! Behind those smiles, was a true girl scout proud of her achievements! Not the badges but the honor she is now bringing to her family and to the region! Go girL!

Elaine Gay Zabate (second from the left). This grinning lad is what you call lucky! She is now a jet seater of a foreign company! That's what you call successful! Because in one way or another, what she's doing right now, is the thing that makes her happy. That's the essence of Scouting. Learning along the way yet feeling happy in the end. :)

Annavie E. Bacomo (third from the left). Photogenic, isn't she?! She is a graduate of Tourism, cum laude at UP Diliman and currently studying LAW at USC Cebu. She is the best proof of what we say, "Big surprises comes from Small dreams." She told me once that she has missed a lot in GSP! She thought that everything ends after college. That is the reason why right now, she is supporting a CGSMS project at Agusan Council. And behind her joyous pose, is a lady with so much to give not just to her family but also for extending her hands to others.

Clayd Torreon (right side). Familiar?! Right! A candidate of the Binibining Pilipinas'07 happens to be a Girl Scout from Eastern Mindanao! Awesome, right?! It just emphasizes that as long as we persevere, we can reach our dreams! And it's nice to see that beyond that green girl is a young lady in a night gown who is worth a clap! :)

Wonderful, right?! It was just a glimpse of how girl scouting can make a difference in our lives! And as I've said, Eastern Mindanao maybe a far place; by then it can reach the farthest goals; yet stays near what makes them happy...Girl Scouting...:)

Before I started crying again, my sister came. And she saw their pictures..those funny ones and those where they already learned how to take a pose.:) She smiled and laughed. I then concluded that she really missed Girl Scouting so much...:(

But we, GSPs right now?! Will it be okay with us to just look at our pictures when we grow up?! Or will we dare to make a difference and take the lead?

We won't stay forever in this world, and right now, we are given the chance to have a choice...A choice that makes us who we are. :)
_*">deejay">*_

Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council

THE MOVIE
Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council


".....it was the director who said that all the artists shall meet at the NSCC....."

"they met with smiles on their faces...and started the show..."


....they made friends with each other and memorized their lines.....
they acted very well....and the movie was nice. :)






....they all smiled not wanting to say goodbye or even start to cry...
what was on their minds was the journey that made them try....

but

....just like a movie,

no matter how nice,

everybody is expected to leave....

not just goodbyes but cries"

Dear Diary

I woke up early in the morning...went in front of my mirror...looking at myself with hair standing on my head, wearing pajamas and with my own morning star... usually I hate looking into the mirror. I mumble and complain about what I look. But this morning, I manged to smile... this maybe a face only a mother can adore but the feeling I have now prints so much happiness, satisfaction and above all....love...;p

It was almost noontime when we arrived at Purok 15- A Calot. With the sun striking on us, I almost cried especially am wearing the official GSP uniform which was inviting the heat to sink in our body! I felt so sticky and mad! We got there with all our wrapped gifts and packed sacks. I went under the shade of the acacia tree to ease what I was feeling and murmur about how untidy I am. As I looked at everyone, they seemed to wonder why we're here. And the other Girl Scouts were busy unpacking our things and opening conversations to the community. Suddenly, I felt someone bragging my dress. I stood as if nothing happened and stared at the people listening and falling in line as if we were celebrities. I felt the bragging again. I looked left and right but no one was there...I looked again..this time under...;p

I was right. The bragging was from a little girl, who as if looking for her mom or hiding under her skirt. I was pissed off and wanted to shout but then I was enlightened when she offered me her candy. I remembered when I was young, every time I cry, I stop just because of my lollipop. I smiled and bowed to reach her hand. She smiled at me to. Showing her cracked teeth, and swaying her dirty-white dress. I carried her and I know, that the candy was all she has. She offered it to me, because she knew that I need something to cheer me up. I then realized that the other Girl Scouts were here to do the same thing. Maybe not to cheer the people but to share what they have for Christmas. I then told myself that I was such a bully and a drama queen to even complain about my looks while everybody was there wiping each other's sweat yet smiling as if nothing happened. I went near my pals and they grinned saying all the things that I need to hear. They continued giving what we brought and I stood carrying the girl.

The girl giggled as she stayed in my arms for almost a long time. Then, as soon as the other kids heard her, they all went around me and asked if they can come up to. We all laughed and instead I told them a story of how a selfish pink girl turned into a loving green scout just because of a candy.

It was time for us to go home. The children hugged me. And instead of going "EW," I hugged them back as if promising that I'll come back. We went home beaming and telling stories about what happened. I stayed quiet and listened to them. For there were no words that could ever describe what I felt.

I have known, that it takes only one person to make a difference. We always have a choice...I chose to be the best of myself and live my way....And being a GIRL SCOUT was just the best part of living my life. ;p

_*">deejay">*_

Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council

Babaeng Berde
Desiree Jeanille G. Abella
Davao Council

Ang Girl Scout ay maganda sa loob at labas,
Kinabukasan ay maaliwalas;
Matulungin at mapagkakatiwalaan,
'Yan ang babaeng luntian.

Babaeng may kakayahang dumunong,
Sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong;
May dunong, makapangyarihan,
ginagamit para sa kabutihan.



GIRLS LEAD
Hannah Mae Rosales

Misamis Oriental Council

In the world of round

There leave girls in the ground

With pleasing green uniforms

That symbolizes the color sensation of life

They are the Girl Scouts....

Girl Scouts were scattered around the globe

To be the leader of change

To help uplift young women's potentials

To develop self-esteem

To carry a responsibility

To be effective leaders

And to face a new era with a

greater challenge and brighter future.....

Unforgettable Experience

Monday, May 28, 2007

An insight....

I slept late and woke up very early in the morning because of my excitement to attend the National Senior-Cadet Conference 2007 at Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center, Baguio City.

I traveled a total of 7 hours! Toxic, right?! Well, I had to sit at the air-conditioned Victory Liner and experience the boredom and coolness it brought! But still, I was looking forward to the fun, I know I would meet after a long trip.

When I reached Baguio City particularly, Ating Tahanan, I can't seem to explain what I felt. The place was very beautiful with the pretty flowers surrounding it. I saw wonderful things around. Tall, sturdy pine trees and different kinds of flora which made me feel better.

Ating Tahanan was really the right place for us to have our conference and for the sessions/
activities that the staff prepared for us. It was my first time to join the National Senior-Cadet Conference and a national event too where i met andgained lots of friends from different councils and regions.

Of all the sessions and activities, Body Talk gave me the greatest impact where I learned to appreciate and value my whole
self, including my personality, abilities and looks.

Wonderful!

Thank you, GSP! Thank you, ates and titas! Thank you, friends from different councils and regions! Thank you very much! Hope to see you all again soon. Take care and God bless!

Desiree Jeanille G. Abella
-Davao Council-

ATING TAHANAN
Hannah Mae Z. Rosales

Misamis Oriental Council

A- home where girls are

T- rain to become a great

I- ndividual to lead a

N- ation of the new

G-eneration.

T- his home

A- ting Tahanan lead a change to the

H- undred girls who

A- re joining the

N- ational Senior-Cadet Conference 2007

A- t the City of Pines

N- o other than Baguio City!

Eastern Mindanao Girls Say: "Start a new beginning."

Madyaw na Pagkani sa Eastern Mindanao!

We guess God has a funny way of working in our lives. He made the moon, the sun and the stars and then suddenly they just seem to fall into places, just like when He created Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Composing of 14 councils and productive young women is equal to the GSP Eastern Mindanao Region, where girls does not only sit in chairs during conferences or just cook during encampments but also do real work and real jobs that proves the true essence of girl scouting.

WELCOME TO THE EASTERN MINDANAO BLOG SITE!

A place where you can explore the wonders of the girl scouts in the region and the scenery of being progressive and pro-active. This is also a way in connecting and coordinating with other girl scouts from different regions all over the Philippines.

Hinaut nga nalipay kamo sa pagdu-aw sa amung site, ug unta inyong malantaw ang among mga pagdayig ug lalum nga mga panghinati nga tana magpadayon ang Girl Scouts nga mapalambuon.

Salamat!