GK EXPO 2006: As seen through the eyes of a CFC Unit Leader

It was a warm and humid Saturday morning of October 7, around 9:00 am if I recall correctly, when my third child Joshua and I arrived at the SM Mall of Asia. Both of us were really excited to see for the first time the famous mall reportedly the biggest in Asia and third in the whole world. Certainly, it would have been more fun had my whole family been with us but my wife taught in the graduate school of De La Salle University (DLSU) during Saturdays and the other kids stayed home. That time of course when we would be able to go to the Mall of Asia as a complete family would eventually come in November of this year.

Joshua at the SM Mall of Asia's Music Hall

The main reason of our presence there last October was to attend the GK Expo 2006. After minutes of walking and searching for the actual grounds of the exposition, we later found it to be in the open grounds on the other side of the mall from were we alighted earlier. In a way, that gave us an opportunity to see the sights of the mall and have a sense of direction considering its immense dimensions. You could really be disoriented and “lost” in the middle of this shopping jungle.

GK Expo 2006 at the open grounds

Inside the open grounds of the expo itself one could appreciate the simply beauty of Manila Bay, the whole Mall complex being situated in the reclaimed area of this well-known place. The humid heat though of that day in time led many CFC members to stay longer inside the mall rather than on the expo grounds itself.

The expo was well into its second day having started on October 6 and to end on October 8. Various activities were painstakingly prepared by CFC brethren from all over the country showcasing the people and programs of Gawad Kalinga. Twelve GK Villages were set up, each with a unique theme and/or area to present to the public. There were street performances, art and photo exhibits, concerts, and fora throughout the expo period. After meeting some of the brothers and sisters from my cluster and chapter, and where they were located, Joshua and I went back inside the mall to eat and look for one of the forums scheduled today. We ate at Subway and then looked for the forum. Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate the forum on community based learning on time among the SM Cinemas it was supposed to have been held. We later went back to the Expo grounds to the food stall of GK Ruby our base of operations for North B1-D.

Inside the expo grounds with North B cluster and chapter leaders

The expo was well into its second day having started on October 6 and to end on October 8. Various activities were painstakingly prepared by CFC brethren from all over the country showcasing the people and programs of Gawad Kalinga. Twelve GK Villages were set up, each with a unique theme and/or area to present to the public. There were street performances, art and photo exhibits, concerts, and fora throughout the expo period. After meeting some of the brothers and sisters from my cluster and chapter, and where they were located, Joshua and I went back inside the mall to eat and look for one of the forums scheduled today. We ate at Subway and then looked for the forum. Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate the forum on child and youth development on time among the SM Cinemas it was supposed to have been held. We later went back to the Expo grounds to the food stall of GK Ruby our base of operations for North B1-D.

SIGA/YFC/SFC members with Bro. Dandy Valera-YFC Cluster Coordinator

Having lunch with new found CFC friends from Antique

Our SAGIP football team for GK Ruby arrived late for one of their games due to transportation related problems which proved to be costly as they ended only as one of the runner-up teams. Our SIGA (GK Youth) from Ruby on the other hand, won first place in the basketball competitions.

GK Ruby Football Team with CFC members

GK supporters from the Philippine Army's Security Escort Battalion stationed at Fort Bonifacio

Batang Business stall with KFC and Sagip Coordinators

North B's GK Village: Mindanao-Highway of Peace

The main stage



A titanic slide for children



The ubiquitous Jollibee mascot

GK youth members fro Sitio Ruby bagged first place in the basketball competitions

The various events drew support from many GK partners from both the government and the private sector. Former President Corazon Aquino according to the program was to visit the GK Exhibits though I didn’t see her personally. I did see President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she arrived in the afternoon. I remember seeing Jose Concepcion, a leader of Philippine business and Mikee Cojuango-Jaworski, a local celebrity and wife of Congressman Dudut Jaworski (son of former Senator and basketball legend Robert Jaworski).

With Mikee at the Expo's Main Stage

GK attracts support from people from all walks of life. While there are GK partners that I personally don’t like because of their questionable integrity I have to admit that it has become a rare avenue for national unity with high impact results! It is one of the few occasions where you would see students and alumni of Ateneo and La Salle working hand in hand in harmony! Err….just don’t ask which is the better school and basketball team while they work!

Later in the afternoon, there was a parade of heroes, consisting of GK volunteers from the various CFC Metro Manila sectors along with representatives from the other CFC ministries.

GK Ruby's SAGIP Band



North B representatives during the Parade of Heroes

Joshua with roving Philippine National Police mascots

Joshua with make believe heroes, the true ones are in GK!

Joshua and I ate dinner at Wendy’s after some time looking for a place with reasonable food prices. On our way out of the mall, we got the chance to watch a promotional concert by Heart Evangelista, a local young heartthrob. After some time, Joshua and I went our way. I think it was around 8:00pm by the time we got on the MRT train going to Quezon Ave. It was a long trip back to Fairview but the GK Expo was worth it.