Dreaming Big for God: The 12th International Kids Village in Sta. Cruz, Laguna - Part 3

Joshua’s morning swim

Not fully satisfied with his previous night swimming, Joshua again swam to his heart’s content in the morning.


Unfortunately, our slow paced preparations that early part of the day made us miss out on the morning Mass, the Parents Conference and what could have been Sonny’s first ever attendance at a KFC Alumni Conference. Maybe next year…


As the IKV formally ended by noon time, we went around the place for the last time chancing upon new freebies to bring home!


That afternoon, with the Galeros, we were joined by the Libed family (Bro. Al and Sis. Donna Libed with children Ariane, Aya and Aldo) to a sidetrip to Cavinti, Laguna.

Side trip to Camarin Guesthouse and Resort in Cavinti, Laguna (Joshua with Ariane and Aya Libed )

Beside the picturesque man-made Caliraya Lake stood the Camarin Resort and Guesthouse, a National Power Corporation (NPC) facility which nonetheless opens its amenities to the general public whenever available.

Joshua with fellow KFC member Dominic Galero







Camarin has facilities for corporate and social gatherings









Hanging bridge over the calm waters of Caliraya Lake

A scenic view of Lake Caliraya

Tree houses are connected by hanging bridges

Joshua braves the high tree houses

Peaceful waters that soothes one’s soul…

And lush greenery that beckons you to stay

Kids enjoy a friendly game of billiards

We saw it here: Pacquiao knocks out Hatton!

As providence would have it, employees at the Camarin Resort had a television there and were watching the much anticipated boxing match between British boxer Ricky Hatton and Filipino Manny Pacquiao. We were able to watch Pacquiao make history by defeating Hatton by way of a TKO in the second round and winning the IBO Light Welterweight crown!

My kids and I transferred vehicles as the Libed family offered us a ride nearer our Fairview home, going back to Quezon City via the less conventional route going through the province of Rizal.

Tired but quite elated, the whole experience was a blast including the usual IKV side trip! I think I could speak on behalf of my two kids in saying we all look forward to the next IKV!

Dream big for God!

Dreaming Big for God: The 12th International Kids Village in Sta. Cruz, Laguna - Part 2

Ready for the full day ahead!

Saturday saw the conduct of this IKV’s various creative, sport and special competitions. With Sonny Boy now a YFC member and Joshua too young practically for the various competitions, I registered him yesterday to participate in one of the workshops offered for junior KFC members this morning.

With CFC Kids for Christ (KFC) International Coordinator Kirby Llaban

Under the shade of LOVE: With mime artists and a whole bunch of SFCs from

MM North B – 3 (Lou, Ainna, Jimi, Jayjay, Ai, Mhel, Cel, Tams, etc.)

Joshua works on his task during one of the workshops for kids

The workshops this year were categorized into three classifications: LEARN, LOVE & LEAD.

In LEARN, facilitators used Art, Music, People and fascinating Facts about the world for kids to know more about the Master Creator - God.

In LOVE, children discovered the various ways God expresses His love for us and the numerous ways we could love Him back.

In LEAD, KFC members are inspired to lead by example, to guide others to God, and be leaders of the future.

Most of the workshops offered ran for around one hour and a half per session, with one session scheduled for senior kids [ 9-12 yrs old/ up to 13 for SAGIP kids from Gawad Kalinga (GK sites) ] and another for junior kids [ 8 yrs. and below].

Joshua attended one of the LEARN workshops entitled “Learn about God through Music. The workshop venue was a classroom near the swimming pool area.

Uhh….Joshua is still working on his task as the workshop speaker prepares to teach a song

Joshua finishes his work

Youth for Christ (YFC) members from Laguna South A9 – B like Kuya Kevin, Ate Ghen and Ate Berna) assisted the kids during the workshops

Another McChicken meal under the warm sun






We fall in line for some cool freebies - Selecta Ice cream!

The afternoon gave us a lot of time to roam around the venue site, getting cool freebies and trying out all sorts of food products!

Joshua with CFC Bro. Raul Balaquiao, Resident Farm Manager of Hacienda Macalauan located in Calauan, Laguna. A kid's favorite during the IKV, their stall sold delicious and reasonably priced pure and flavored farm fresh milk (Gatas Tisoy) products

Sonny Boy attends the R.O.C.K. training for YFCs

Sonny Boy also got the opportunity to attend a R.O.K. workshop session that afternoon for YFC members. R.O.C.K. stands for Reach Out Christ to Kids, a preparation for youth members to be effective KFC Kuyas/Ates (older brothers/sisters) very similar in terms of content to the much older KFC Heart for the Kids training.

SFC full-time worker Norman Tarala shows the certificate of appreciation he received for his outstanding contribution as the R.O.C.K. workshop speaker









Group picture with a favorite KFC - Bea Lapac of North B-6
(formerly of North B-1)








Mother and daughter talent competition






Cake decoration contest using Goldilocks products (yum-yum!)







An afternoon promenade at the oval track







Del Monte’s marketing gimmick gets kids stuck to the wall!









Look Ma, no hands!

Curious and excited like most of the kids, Joshua tries being “velcroed” to the wall.

Joshua tries a second time…








…and gets hung to the wall again!








Joshua watches as kites of all shapes and sizes fly high over the cloudy skies









Kids just wanna have fun…. (throughout the long night!)










Joshua finally got his major wish this IKV - swim to his heart’s delight!













Kids will be kids - a friendly game of “Agawan Base” (capturing the enemy’s base)











Other KFCs have grown up to be young Youth for Christ (YFCs) members
(Time flies!)









Everybody enjoys the rest of the night!

Dreaming Big for God: The 12th International Kids Village in Sta. Cruz, Laguna - Part 1

Dreaming big for God!

Practically all the International Kids Villages of the Kids for Christ (KFC) my family and I have attended have all been special and unique in their own way. Take the case for example of the 2004 IKV. That was Junior’s first out of town IKV which was held at Ilo-ilo City. It was the first time for both of us to ride a ship for a long distance travel. Going home, it was Junior’s first time to travel by plane.

Last 2008’s IKV held in Bohol also had its share of firsts. Like his older brother, this was Sonny Boy’s first and last IKV as a KFC member. Junior entered the poster making contest in Ilo-ilo for the North B sector, Sonny Boy played in its basketball team.

This year’s IKV held at Sta. Cruz, Laguna from May 1 to 3 also had its own set of “records”. It is the first IKV that Sonny Boy served in as a member of the Youth for Christ (YFC) and Joshua’s first ever IKV. At his age of 6 years and eight months, he’s probably one of the youngest official delegates of any IKV!

Our humble tent dwelling inside the Grove Hotel and Resort in Barangay Bubukal, Sta. Cruz, Laguna

Thankfully we were able to share a ride to the IKV venue that Friday morning with our KFC sectors leaders Bro. Francis and Sis. Adelle Galero with their children Dominic and Martin using a spacious vehicle provided by another KFC coordinator Bro. Niňo Guerrero.

My two kids and I got accommodations along with other North B delegates at the Grove Hotel and Resort, a relatively decent, off the highway type of budget inn that you will find that side of the Laguna province. Unfortunately, due to the high occupancy rate, we were not able to get a room for ourselves. It was a good thing we brought along our tent, a veteran outdoors equipment we used from last year’s KFC Family Ties Camp in Los Baňos. Thanks to the generosity of KFC coordinators Bro. Emil and Sis. Marijo Caling, they graciously allowed us too pitch our tent under the protection of their unit’s garage.

Since we arrived quite early, we had plenty of time to settle down and have lunch at the nearby at Chowking Restaurant inside the nearby Sunstar Mall before going to the venue proper.

Visiting the public school compound assigned to North B delegates

In the afternoon, we had the chance to visit the other delegates at the assigned public school for North B. It was the San Jose Elementary School, a fairly sized public school 2.3 kilometers away from the main IKV venue.

North B kids perform during the group dance competition

The main venue this year was the Recreation, Education, Culture and Sports (RECS) Villlage, formerly known as the San Luis Sports Complex in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Province of Laguna.

In line with the Couples for Christ’s (CFC) theme taken from Philippians 3:13-14, “Forward in Christ”, the 12th IKV’s theme was “Dream Big!” Organizers look forward to a new generation of little Christians doing big things for God, family country and the world! Truth to tell, among these children are the future leaders of the community and of the Church in the Philippines. It’s an exiting moment to see them learn, share their talents and grow in their roles as youthful evangelizers for God!

Same North B kids in action

Singles for Christ (SFCs) in charge of transportation from the host province of Laguna (East 1 Pila, Sta. Cruz) surround Joshua








The Recreation, Education, Cultural and Sports (RECS) Village complex is teeming with KFC delegates

More delegates pour in as the 1st day progresses

It had been raining cats and dogs in Laguna during the preceding days before the IKV but thankfully the Lord blessed the event with warm sunny weather throughout its three day duration!

Munching on our McDonald’s dinner meals

It used to be Jollibee meals in the previous IKVs like the last one in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. This year, the food came from their major competitor - McDonalds’s. Still, it always brings a certain sense of enjoyment eating with family members during an IKV even if you know you’ll eat the same old deep fried chicken several times over during the event!

Kids for Christ members from Davao sing “How great is our God!”

The traditional Praise Parade is about to begin

Representatives from one of KFCs Metro Manila South sectors

Fast moving hues of participants are captured in this picture

A kaleidoscope of colors radiate from the ethnic costumes of these kids from Mindanao

Back to our home base

Thank you Lord for such a fine day!