Thousands gather for GK1World Expo 2007
By LOUISE DAVIES and RHONA CUARESMA Date Posted: November 01, 2007
Under the slogan “GK1 World: One Hope. One Vision. One Global Army Against Poverty”, thousands of volunteers, partners, businesses and Government officials gathered together for the GK1 World Expo last weekend, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) movement.
The expo’s main focus this year was on the productivity of GK sites and their on-going sustainability, taking into account the surrounding environment. In line with this theme, the expo commenced with an Environment Forum, showcasing a number of “environmentally friendly” initiatives for GK sites. These included: the provision of efficient waste management systems, community based forest management programs and the introduction of efficient cultivation methods.
This was followed by the official opening of the expo by the Vice President of the Philippines, Noli De Castro, joined by GK founder, Tony Meloto, GK Executive Director, Luis Oquiñena, and Couples For Christ Director, Joe Tale, and a tour of the various productivity stalls at the expo grounds in the SM Mall of Asia.
This year’s productivity stalls were manned by high school students who participated in the Teenpreneur Challenge - the country’s first inter-high school entrepreneurial contest where students’ innovative ideas are used to improve the business performance of livelihood projects for GK communities. On display were: lamp shades made from capiz shells, hand bags made from recycled cloth, slippers made from water lilies, candelabras, photo frames, place mats and baskets made of woven paper.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presented Manila Waldorf School with the Best Selling Product award for their lamp shades and the San Beda School with the Most Improved Product for their eco-friendly, biodegradable detergent. At the same awards presentation, The Philippine Centre for Entrepreneurship also presented three GK communities with the Most Inspiring Entrepreneurial Communities for 2007. These communities were: GK Freedom Ville in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for its candle making business, GK Sunshineville, in Las Piñas for their baskets made from water lilies and GK Selecta Village for producing vegetables, herbs and orchids at its integrated urban farm.
The second day of the Expo began with a GK Marathon at six o’clock in the morning. Runners had the choice of either going for the 5km or 10km run. A lot of partners, volunteers and supporters of GK joined the competition that was sponsored by Adidas Philippines, with the theme ‘Run for Love’. All participants were rewarded with a certificate, free Adidas singlet and a free cup of Milo at the end of the race.
On the same day in the afternoon, there was a Parade of all the GK Partners, Province and Metro Manila Delegates called ‘Martsa ng Mga Bayani’ (Heroes’ March), where colourful flags from different GK Sectors and partners were paraded along the main streets of the GK Expo venue. Caretaker Teams and Kapitbahayan members of GK Sites all around the Philippines were also part of the march and proudly represented their respective groups.
Other formalities of the expo included the Salo-Salo ng mga Bayani (or “the Gathering of Heroes”), where everyone shared an afternoon ‘miryenda’ (snack) and at which the youth from various GK villages performed a play about the significant impact GK has made on daily village life, entitled ‘TAO PO’.
GK Executive Director, Luis Oquinena, and GK founder, Tony Meloto, also paid special tribute to GK partners and volunteers for their advocacy and support. Special mention was given to: Rotary, for their support in building 900 homes, Globe Telecom and Meralco, for their significant employee involvement in GK villages and Shell for their assistance with building several GK farms. Tony Meloto also thanked the GK Builders Corp volunteers (from the USA, Germany, Australia and New Zealand) for their support of GK both in the Philippines and overseas.
“We can bring the country out of poverty if we build together. The expo is a gathering of those who believe in the greatness of the Filipino spirit….We have to show that God did not make a mistake when he made us Filipinos. We can build first class Filipinos…with the help of Filipinos abroad”, Tony Meloto said.
*** Please visit our GK Youth Australia Photo Gallery for GK 1 World Expo 2007 Photos ***
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This was followed by the official opening of the expo by the Vice President of the Philippines, Noli De Castro, joined by GK founder, Tony Meloto, GK Executive Director, Luis Oquiñena, and Couples For Christ Director, Joe Tale, and a tour of the various productivity stalls at the expo grounds in the SM Mall of Asia.
The second day of the Expo began with a GK Marathon at six o’clock in the morning. Runners had the choice of either going for the 5km or 10km run. A lot of partners, volunteers and supporters of GK joined the competition that was sponsored by Adidas Philippines, with the theme ‘Run for Love’. All participants were rewarded with a certificate, free Adidas singlet and a free cup of Milo at the end of the race.
GK Executive Director, Luis Oquinena, and GK founder, Tony Meloto, also paid special tribute to GK partners and volunteers for their advocacy and support. Special mention was given to: Rotary, for their support in building 900 homes, Globe Telecom and Meralco, for their significant employee involvement in GK villages and Shell for their assistance with building several GK farms. Tony Meloto also thanked the GK Builders Corp volunteers (from the USA, Germany, Australia and New Zealand) for their support of GK both in the Philippines and overseas.
