Three competition categories that aim to further advocate legal adoption culminate the 2019 Adoption Consciousness Celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 on March 4, 2019, Monday at SM City Cebu.
The activity was participated in by different Child Caring Agencies, Local Government Unit of Cebu, Central Visayas Adoptive Parents Association (CVAPA), University of the Visayas, St. Theresa’s College, and other non-government organizations and participating individuals.
Prior to the culmination, a Walk for Legal Adoption was done simultaneously in the four provinces of region 7 on February 26, 2019 to kick off this annual celebration of Adoption Consciousness, bearing the theme “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin!” (Spread Unconditional Love through Legal Adoption).
This annual celebration constantly intents to address the stigma of adoption in the community and strengthen the Department’s campaign for legal adoption.
Assistant Regional Director for Administration Grace Q. Subong in her opening remarks encouraged everyone to join in the call of spreading love through legal adoption.
“Putting a child in a family is not only the responsibility of DSWD. You are part of this cause,” emphasized Ms. Subong.
A representative of one of the partners of the Department also expressed her gratitude for getting a chance to work with the DSWD in consistently upholding this advocacy concerning the welfare of the vulnerable, neglected and abandoned children.
“Raising children is no easy task. Some of the social workers and foster parents really know this. Blood, sweat, and tears altogether occur. But it’s all worth it. That is why I am very grateful to be working with the wonderful people of DSWD and my fellow CWSG (Child Welfare Specialist Group),” expressed Atty. Darling Chyrmyth Wagas.
She also said, “We can all make a difference. It is my firm believe that the DSWD together with its partners will service through this challenge and see a silver lining, feeling confidently beautiful because of the spirit of care which guides us.”
The Pop Dance Competition, “Give It Your Best Shot!” Photo Contest, and the “Duyog sa Paghigugma” Songwriting Contest, highlighted the event.
The three winning groups of the Pop Dance Competition that have grooved their best on the stage are the Children’s Shelter of Cebu, Inc., 3rd Place; Children of Cebu Foundation Inc., 2nd Place; and the Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Inc., 1st Place.
Christian Santarita and Aubrey Lynn Soliano got the 3rd place with their original composition entitled “Treat Them as Your Own”. Also, the students of St. Theresa’s College, Johana Alexis Maloloy-on, Jericho Radaza, Fiona Grace Rago, Mikaela Jacy Rebaño and Denise Makatangay who performed their piece entitled “Kaulayaw” bagged the 2nd place, while the duo Regil Gador and Gabriel Bernil who delivered an original piece entitled “Paglaom sa Pag-ampon” won the 1st place.
For the Photo Contest, the 3rd place was awarded to the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Cebu with their entry entitled “Spreading Love Beyond Boundaries,” the 2nd place to the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) with their entry “Love Makes a Family” and the 1st Place to the Office of the Regional Director’s (ORD) which entry entitled “Overjoyed.”
The winners of each category were awarded with certificates of recognition and a cash prize, while the non-winners received a certificate of appreciation and consolation prize.
Through these activities, the DSWD is hopeful to further increase the awareness of the people in the community about the beauty of legal adoption. Moreover, it continues to encourage interested couples willing to provide a nurturing environment and home to abandoned and neglected children to visit the field office and undergo the legal process of adoption. ###
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