22 youth leaders who are part of the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence (ALEx) gave out shoeboxes to some children from different municipalities in the north of Cebu namely Mandaue, Lilo-an, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod last June 23, 2011. Called “Shoebox Project: Kahon Pahalipay sa Sugbo- Habagatan Edition”, this project was made possible through the efforts of ALEx management council and active members. Most of the shoeboxes or the “Kahon Pahalipay” came from the Netherlands through the headship of a Dutch youth leader Sanne Pronk; some are from the USC Education 20 class, from the Young Minds Academy Season 5 scholars, and from the ALEx members.

The Adam Gennie’s Center for Special Children was the first place that was visited. A short program was held. Mr. Lee Gennie gave a welcome address. The children gave a dance presentation. Mr. Adam Gennie, an American citizen, talked about how it is to be away from home, to serve the Philippine Army and how he started the center. Shoeboxes were then given to 27 children with special needs. 

The next stop was the Municipality of Lilo-an. The event was held in front of the Municipal Hall. Since there is just a small space and 100 children were lining up and are accompanied by their parents, we just proceeded directly to the giving of shoeboxes.

 When we arrived at the gymnasium of the Municipality of Carmen, everything was prepared and was very organized. The program started with a prayer. The national anthem was then played. Ms. Gianne Sanchez, the former SK Federation Chair of the Municipality of Liloan and is an ALEx member, gave an introduction of how the Shoebox Project started. It was hosted by Jan Noel Canieso and Martin Misterio. 100 kids from different barangays of Carmen received shoeboxes. 

 

The children who were at the sea-side Pavilion of the Municipality of Catmon were very “noisy” when we arrived. Noisy because they were very excited to receive some gifts of joy that we were bringing. 100 shoeboxes were given to the children.

 

The municipality of Sogod was our last stop. When we arrived there, we were somehow shocked because we didn’t know that we have to share the gymnasium with a basketball team who were practicing for their upcoming game. Anyway, the program continued. One hundred children from ten barangays of Carmen received shoeboxes. 

 We then headed to Ma Benita Resort in the Municipality of Borbon. We did a debriefing of the activity. After that, we had dinner. Those who had events the day after, headed home while those who didn’t have, stayed.

 

The event somehow did a great impact, not only to the recipients of the shoeboxes but also to the ALEx members. It is very fulfilling to see the kids smile after we hand out the shoeboxes to them. A simple thank you filled our hearts with joy. At the end of the day, despite the tiredness that I have felt, I saw myself smiling. The best question that was asked to me was “how many lives have you touched today?”