Reaping The Rewards Of A Fruitful Harvest
By MARIE OCONER Date Posted: April 9, 2007
Nobel Peace Prize winner and modern day freedom fighter Nelson Mandela once stated “One of our strongest weapons is dialogue”. The GK Harvest event on 24 March 2007 captured the essence of Mandela’s statement in that it revealed the power and effectiveness of communication, the reward of sharing our experiences and lessons learned with others.
In addition to simultaneously being a day for political voices to be heard from a State politics perspective, it was also a pivotal day for the voices of passionate and spirited supporters of Gawad Kalinga to be heard. Through a myriad of artistic mediums such as drama, speech, visual art, graphic design, song, dance, photography and film, recent GK Youth, YFC and SFC GAT participants united for a common purpose: to share the message of GK with an audience of almost 250 eager and attentive individuals.
Personal testimonies and sharings from recent GAT participants, their immediate family members as well as veterans of the GK and ANCOP family, provided the audience with a rare and insightful glimpse into the impact the GK experience has had, not only on the lives of GATers themselves, but on the lives of their family and friends.
At times uplifting, emotional, comedic and heartbreaking but in all instances passionate, the sharings captured and reflected the notion that GK GAT is a truly life changing experience. The sharings were in fact personal invitations from each speaker to each audience member who has not already experienced a GAT themselves, to live the journey in 2008.
The film and photography components of the event unveiled the beauty of the people, the landscape and the overall voyage one undertakes during a GK Great Adventure Tour. The visuals presented stimulated the audience’s senses and undoubtedly captivated their hearts and minds, arousing interest in becoming part of the experience.
Furthermore, they tugged at the heart strings of GAT participants past and present, prompting them to recall priceless moments from their trips, whether they were encounters with the inspiring locals or interaction with the illustrious surroundings. The pictures, coupled with affecting music, made GATers wish they were back in the surrounds of the GK Villages they called home, living with the families they are now blessed to call their own.
Mixed in with the formal and earnest elements of the day was also a guest appearance by Missy Elliott. Not literally of course! The leaders of the 2007 GKYGAT, affectionately referred to by all as Ate Corina (Velasco) and Kuya Reggie (Santos), in collaboration with talented 2007 GKYGATers, showed off their hidden dance abilities, much to the favour and entertainment of the crowd. In addition, GAT pioneer and veteran Joy Lopez (the REAL J-Lo), led her GKYGAT build team in a comedic presentation of “A day in the life of a YGATter….” The presentation filled the auditorium with laughter and amusement.
The event fittingly closed with the Gawad Kalinga song, whose lyrics convey the message of the movement to the world: A new home, a new life, a new community. With each word sung and each action performed in unison, the final performance was a true act of solidarity and unity on the part of the GK family. As one voice, the message of hope and triumph over poverty echoed through the lecture hall.
Overall, GK Harvest 2007 was a truly successful event, thanks in large part to the organisational skills of Geraldine Pace and Mike Dela Cruz (GKOM Events), Jocytte Musa and Jamike David (GKOM Leaders) under the guidance of Marcy Mission. Through the investment of their talent and time, all involved in this year’s event contributed to the fruitfulness of Harvest.
If the interest from attendees was anything to go by, the 2008 GKYGAT alone is sure to reach its target of “108 in 08”.
(Source: Photos taken from www.marcopalmero.com and www.gregorerdmann.com )
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Personal testimonies and sharings from recent GAT participants, their immediate family members as well as veterans of the GK and ANCOP family, provided the audience with a rare and insightful glimpse into the impact the GK experience has had, not only on the lives of GATers themselves, but on the lives of their family and friends.
Furthermore, they tugged at the heart strings of GAT participants past and present, prompting them to recall priceless moments from their trips, whether they were encounters with the inspiring locals or interaction with the illustrious surroundings. The pictures, coupled with affecting music, made GATers wish they were back in the surrounds of the GK Villages they called home, living with the families they are now blessed to call their own.
If the interest from attendees was anything to go by, the 2008 GKYGAT alone is sure to reach its target of “108 in 08”.
