Worthless Memories of the Conference

-Angeli Monique Siladan-

Iloilo Council

It was almost 3pm of February 21, 2008; I was on a rush going home. The reason? At 6pm the ship going to Cebu for the Regional Senior and Cadet Conference will leave. As one of the officers of the Senior Planning Board, the council has chosen us- Ia Anne Noelle Burla and yours truly, Angeli Monique Siladan, to attend this annual conference for Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts. Ia and I were of course very excited because no adult will come with us. This will be a very great time for us.

The ship has boarded from Iloilo and fast as the hours passed, we have reached Cebu at around 8am of February 22. During our stay in the ship, we met some of our co-Girl Scouts from Capiz, they were only three, and they were so friendly to us. On the board was also the girls from Antique but it was already when we got down from the ship that we met each other, there were six of them that time. Now, we’re already in Cebu. I can really sense the feeling of the first timers there. I’m so happy to see the Regional Office again and the Titas there as well. I’m so glad that the Titas can still recognize me and so much to my gladness when I saw some friends there. I started to get to know other girls from the different councils. They really are Girl Scouts because of their friendly spirit.

It was already late when we started with the orientation and the opening ceremony but we were still enlightened when we were already introduced with each other. We were only 43 Girl Scouts present there so we must really know the other girls. We definitely started with the sessions after the opening ceremony. First topic that was discussed was about the “Adolescent Reproductive Health” and “Gender Sensitivity”. We really had fun with the topic and the resource person. The topic was really opened on the concerns of Pre-marital sex and knowing one’s gender. So much is to discuss but it still ended well with icebreakers, singing and snacks. It was then so fast and lunch came.

This time is really what we enjoy most. Everyone had a hard time communicating in different languages such as Bisaya, Ilonggo, Karay-a, Waray and every language present in Visayas, so what we did was during lunch we ask each other for some words to be translated. All we do is laugh and laugh during those times.

Later in the afternoon, we had the sessions again, this time the topic was “Peer Counseling”, “Personality Development” and “Leadership”. The speakers were really good. At the first part, we built a tower of straws which showed the real essence of leaders in us. It was really a fun activity. Next were oriented with the kinds of leadership we could possess and apply in times that we are necessary to lead. We then proceeded to games, which was in the end wherein I realized we were already in the peer counseling topic.

It was really good. Everyone enjoyed laughing and doing the activities. We were taught how to counsel a friend in need, and that was what I liked most. I was surprised with the last topic. Everyone started to get bored that time (we can’t deny it!) but we woke from restlessness to a good debate with the story, “The Crocodile River.” I really had fun from that and too much in my surprise, when I was carried by four girls (smaller than my size!) from the chair using only their 2 fingers, which was actually a test in one of the Johari Window. It was too fast and the night time is already in. We had diner and of course, funny moments were still there, after we practiced for our Thinking Day Ceremony. It was February 22 and it is in Girl Scouting culture wherein we celebrate the Thinking Day in honor for the birthday of our founders. We also had an acquaintance party that night. The girls were in their casual attire, we also had this “modeling” which led to a beauty pageant then. It was so funny, cute and nervousness arouse, especially if you’re one of those models being judged. We end the night with satisfaction and smiles in our selves. Before I ended that day, I talked with my love ones in Iloilo and reminded them that I’m safe wherever I am.

Late sleep and late rise! What can I do? I slept late at night and now I’m suffering my consequences. I wasn’t able to wake up earlier than what I have planned so I waited so long inside the shower room. Good thing I was able to finish bathing before we started the color ceremony. After the ceremony, we proceeded to the dining area for our breakfast. In our patrol, we did our work in the Kaper’s which was the Mess and Dining. Then, we fixed ourselves and prepared for the sessions this morning, the topic was about “Clean Air”. An engineer from the D.E.N.R., was our resource person. It was a good topic because we were able to awaken ourselves from a very long sleep when it comes to the concern of the environment, specifically the air. Young as our age, we were lucky enough to be aware of what is going on in the world right now, and the topic really soothed those who were “listening” by that time. The next session was much more interesting; we had “Fine Dining”! That was one of the most applicable among all the topics. The speaker was really good in giving each detail of the activity. Mostly, it is applied in formal gatherings wherein etiquette in eating is really important. We were given a chance to perform the same way of formal eating when lunch time came. But before the “formal dining” was performed, the patrol leaders, together with the steering committee, and the titas had the Court of Honor. Many things were discussed during the meeting but all were resolved after the meeting was adjourned. Now, it’s time for lunch! Each was asked to do their fine dining in their own tables. Some had the hard time but mostly had fun in performing it. Our table was actually the noisiest and loudest that time because we were really enjoying the moments and laugh at our best even though the Titas were already looking (sorry we just can’t stop it!). And here we are, back to the session hall again for the last topic of this conference, “Action against the violence of Women” which was already associated with “Human Trafficking”.

Pardon me but I didn’t totally listened to the speaker even though I liked the topic. It is really good to be aware of what are the latest standards of women in the society. That intriguing issue, which is, “Why women were considered inferior by men” was answered by that time. Your participation and rights in today’s world (as a woman and a human) was also discussed.

It ended up quite early, not like yesterday, because we had our workshop for “Action Planning”. We were given time to think of what kind of action plan we can come up wherein we can use in our respective councils. We finished our own action plan then it took so long for us to finish the action plan for the patrol. We had our last diner that night and we continued the action plans after which. We played some games, lead by the steering committee. We all really spent the night at its best, thinking that in the next day it’ll be our last sight with each other. For me that night was endless! Ia and I were the last people to sleep at almost 1am. We just talked, share some stories, laugh quietly and try not to disturb the others, until the time came that we really have to rest. It’s been a very short sleep! I wasn’t able to take a bath because when we woke up it’s already time for the exercise. After then, I rushed up stairs to take a bath and prepare for the Scout’s own. Everyone was in their official uniform and everyone put all their vows onto that sacred ceremony, done uniquely by the girl scouts. As soon as we finished the Scout’s own, we proceeded to the dining area and ate our breakfast.

It was Iris’ birthday that day; it was very early in the morning when we greeted her and until that time we sang a birthday song for her. This day wasn’t so busy. I just prepared myself for the reporting of the action plan of our patrol. Quite nervous that time when I faced the girls and the titas, but still with confidence I started speaking. Everything turned out right, I guess, but the titas were not so satisfied from what we made. We repeated our works and made the second one after I have reported. We had a short while for snacks and the other patrols did their reporting. Everyone wants to finish as soon as possible because we were already over time and the bus for the tour is already waiting outside. We had our lunch after all the action planning was done. It was our last get together in the dining hall so we really enjoyed it. There was a cake prepared for the birthday girl and everyone enjoyed it. At last! Everything’s done! The girls from Capiz, Antique, Bohol and Iloilo, prepared all their things to be brought down stairs. It was my last peek from the titas and the regional office, and now all of us head on to the tour.

First stop, the Taoist Temple! It was fun looking back to the temple once again. I really enjoy being there. After a couple of minutes we went back to the bus and we went to the next destination, the Sto. Niño Church and the Magellan’s Cross, but we also had time looking around Cebu when we were on the bus. Ia and I were able to light candles first then we bought lots of affordable souvenirs there and for that short time everyone really enjoyed. And now, the last stop…SM Cebu! I missed shopping there! The time was really so short for us to finish roaming around the mall. It was so fast and I lately observed that it was almost 4pm and we have to go! Ia and I had a very hard time looking for the exit. It was really funny of us! It was so sad but we bid goodbye to the other girls whom we’re not going to be with in the ship anymore. I will really miss every one of them. But for some of us who still sees each other in the ship, we just enjoyed while the ship started to depart from the port of Cebu, when in fact the rain started to pour. Maybe, the weather just joined us in thinking the memories we have left from the conference! We still did a lot of bonding in the ship. We ate together and talk of a lot of things. We ended up sleeping very well because of tiredness, and that was our last night with our co-girls scouts. With God’s guidance, the ship successfully arrived in Iloilo, earlier than expected. We all said goodbyes to each other as soon as everyone were brought to the bus terminal.

Reflection:
This was one of the best events I’ve ever attended in girl scouting. It didn’t only teach me a lot of new things but I also made new friends. Nothing can ever replace these memories until time fades away. I miss all the girls already! I encourage everyone to join and participate in the different activities and events of girl scouting. Its one event you wouldn’t ever forget as you continue with life’s journey. If the spirit is in you never stop pursuing it. Someday you’ll realize, being a girl scout is worth it!