XAVERIAN'S CORNER

Four Schools, One Goal
Filbert Tiu (H2A), Student Council Treasurer

Posted Wednesday, 01-Mar-2006 1:45 PM

      Last February 10-11, 2006, potential student leaders from four different schools: ICA, Poveda, La Salle, and of course, Xavier School, gathered at the Fr. Rafael Cortina Sports Center for the 6th annual EDSOR Leadership for Peace Conference. It was a major event as representatives from all four schools worked hard to plan and organize the camp.

      I actually arrived early that day to give myself time to still prepare a little before undergoing the two-day conference. Together with some batch mates of mine, I headed towards the Sports Center to register. After meeting our facilitators, we wore our pins, got our booklets and prepared ourselves to be seated with our assigned groupmates.

      I happened to be part of Group 3, MASIPAG, where I met a lot of new friends. We were facilitated by Mr. Emmanuel Santos, H4 Guidance Counselor from Xavier.

      Most of the activities we had were both  fun and enriching. We started off with the opening ceremony where the new EDSOR flag was presented for the first time. There was also a video presentation on the history of EDSOR which I truly enjoyed.

      Afterwards, we all headed for the Lecture Hall to view “Riles,” a documentary about a family living by the railroad tracks somewhere in Manila. I found it quite touching and it somehow made me guilty for enjoying so many comforts in life. What is amazing is that, after the movie, the delegates were given the rare opportunity to meet the family live in person. The family related to us how they survive from day to day. I took this opportunity to ask a question (since my groupmates were too shy to approach the microphone) and asked Kuya Eddie if his earnings as a balut vendor were enough to meet his family’s needs. To make him feel more comfortable, I even told him how good-looking he was in person. That sure got everyone’s attention!

      Next came lunch where I was able to bond with my new friends. Being able to bond even in the smallest and simplest way possible really helped because our next activity was the “Heroes’ Race,” where we had to work as a team to finish the whole race around the campus in the shortest time possible. As the chosen leader for our group, I felt that we worked very well as a team. We only had some difficulty performing the group sack race as well as looking for some hidden clues in the EED playground for the treasure hunt.

      Day 1 was supposed to end with a short paraliturgy but there was something more. Everyone was invited to watch the MTV Homecoming concert of Itchy Worms, one of the country’s hottest bands.  Two members of the band are actually alumni of Xavier School, thus the title "Homecoming".

      By the end of Day 1, I felt so tired and yet I was even more eager for Day 2.

      The following morning, each delegate was assigned to go to a venue to listen to speakers from different NGO's. The speakers came to share their ideas on what is happening in our society. I joined the talk of Fr. Willie of Ateneo about the Jesuit Prison Ministry. His talk had actually a lot to do with our H2 Bilibid service activity so I really enjoyed learning more about the inmates I visited at the start of this school year.

      Then, we had a very lively and inspiring talk given to us by Gang Badoy, the founder of Rock-ed Philippines, an organization which caters to fighting poverty through various campaigns. This actually gave us a lot of ideas and set the tone for the next activity--our goal settings and project planning.

      To ensure that our EDSOR conference experience would be fruitful, the delegates from each school grouped together to plan their own project or program for implementation by February 2007. After lunch, each school creatively presented its respective plans for the coming school year on how to respond to one of society’s biggest menaces--poverty.

      After the school presentations, everyone attended a very meaningful mass in the MPC celebrated by Xavier School Director Fr. Johnny C. Go, S.J. I was extremely proud to be representing Xavier School as one of the offerers.

      We then had our final snacks before heading to the MPH for the very last activity, the variety show which was planned and organized by the different student representatives. Throughout the show, I could see how people had changed in just two days. We all seemed so close to each another compared to the first time we met on Day 1. Everyone cheered and clapped as the 6th annual EDSOR Leadership for Peace Conference officially ended with a blast of performances from each school.

      Our MASIPAG group said our last goodbyes to each other, took pictures, exchanged phone numbers and email addresses, and of course, wished each other all the best. Everyone hoped to see one another again in next year’s EDSOR gathering in Poveda.

      As for me, I wish the conference did not have to end so soon. However, come to think of it, the spirit of EDSOR lives on. It is visible whenever people from different families and communities work hand in hand to uplift our society, our nation, our country.  Four schools,one goal.  That's EDSOR!.

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