My new found family in the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP)

“The world would be so lonely, in sunny hours or gray, without the gift of friendship, to help us every day.”- Hilda Brett Farr

True friends are blessings in our life. They are always by our side during good times and bad times, through thick and thin, and the seasons of our life. Most of all, they never get tired of loving us.

When I came to GSP as an on-the-job trainee (OJT), I assumed I wouldn’t be able to find friends because I am just a trainee in the Movement. I thought it would be to make friends with the professional staff, who are older and more experienced in their job. But that was just at the beginning of my assignment here at the GSP National Headquarters. In the midst of my initial and unfounded feelings, I found friends in GSP!

At first, it felt awkward because I knew I would be interacting with the professional staff of GSP. However, all those awkward feelings and fears disappeared.  I saw the heart-melting smile of Ms. Myra Contessa Diokno-Sarmenta, GSP Assistant National Executive Director, and OIC of Communications Division. I met Ate Princess Duldulao, whose sweet demeanor was just inspiring; the caring attitude of Ate Chel Fontijon, and the ever-helpful ways of Kuya Dharvie Cinco. When I first entered their workplace on December 8, 2014, I also had the chance to meet Dr. Paz Diaz, Communications Committee Chairperson and GSP’s National Treasurer, who patiently checks and edits all our entries, blogs, and write ups.

I also met new people from other divisions who are all willing to help me. Ms. Roselyn Davadilla, Director, Personnel and Legal Services Division, was so helpful during my application in the GSP. Ate Len Perido supervised our orientation. Ate Faye Mercurio happily assisted me with photocopying while she was passing by the hallway of General Services just when I needed someone’s help. Ate Dred Mendoza taught me how to send documents by telefax. And there is the ever-cheerful Ate Angel Redoble, who provided us with “Happy Hours” during office hour breaks!

I also found my spiritual family in Ate Megan Villoria, Ate Divine Comia, and Kuya Dong Palomar when I attended the bible study. These people help strengthen my spiritual growth as I attend the Thursday sessions.

GSP professional staff members in the National Headquarters indeed serve as my second family who continually show their concern for me and who inspire me while I enjoy my internship. They also guide and mold me each day so I can face the real world.

In this experience, Girl Scout members and professional staff show and prove to me that indeed, “A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout.”

First lunch meeting with Communications Division. Upper photo (from left) is Mr. Dharvie Cinco. Lower photo (from left to right) are Ms. Jenelyn Matamis, Ms. Princess Grachelle Duldulao,Ms. Myra Contessa Diokno-Sarmenta (GSP Assistant National Executive Director and OIC of Communications Division), Ms. Rebilyn Quiroz, and Ms. Ms. Marichel Fontijon.

The Celebration of 1^st Anniversary of our Bible Study Group. This was taken at the Josefa Llanes Escoda Hall on February 11, 2015.

By: Jenelyn R. Matamis, GSP Communications Division Intern

A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout

One of the best feelings in the world is that of having someone to rely on, someone who loves you, and someone who accepts you for who you really are.

There are different kinds of friendships. The one that lasts forever and the one that will just last for a short period of time. Whatever it is, it is still counted as friendship. Friendship is a love shared without condition. That’s why people always say, if you’re really friends, it will never ever end.

But in life, you can never have all the time you want to share with the people you like or love. There are times that you will only get to spend a limited time with some friends. But come to think of it, none of these matter anyway. What matters most is that you know you have built a good relationship with them.

The fourth Girl Scout Law signifies building good relationships with others. It also implies warm camaraderie among Girl Scouts.“A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout.”

In GSP, different activities are within reach for girls and young women as well as for adult volunteers to connect with each other. National and Regional Encampments are organized not only for the Girl Scouts to learn new things and have but also to have the chance to meet other girls and young women and even older “Tita’s” and make new friends.

I tried Girl Scouting when I was in my elementary grades, and it was fun to mingle with other girls and adults. I learned to share my thoughts with them and to accept the differences that make each one unique. For me,those moments were so remarkable!I can’t remember the names of the girls I've spent the days and nights with during encampments, but memories with them surely stay with me forever. That feeling when you know you have built a good relationship with others, even strangers, you have just encountered is just amazing!

I’m even happier now, knowing that I’m working as an OJT-Trainee with the organization that made me experience those camping days. The people here in GSP are kind, and they welcome us to the world of professionals. With the endless “good mornings” and “good afternoons” as you walk by the hallways, offices, and divisions, the GSP professional staff build a friendly place for us. I enjoy working as an intern at the GSP National Headquarters knowing that the people here truly live by the Girl Scout Law.


By: Rebilyn Quiroz, GSP Communications Division Intern

A Girl Scout is Helpful

“HELP!” We always use this word when we are lost, when we are new, and when we are in trouble. There is no limit to using this word each day.

Let’s use it the other way around…

“HELP…” We can always help people when they are lost, when they are new, and when they are in trouble. Can we also do it without limit?

These are my thoughts:

Some people say that the true essence of helping people is in giving without expecting anything in return. Can we really give without expecting in return? I doubt it. Human nature tells us that we want to have something back when we give out something. It is somewhat in our mind, the hope of getting something in return. But the acknowledgment of people to what we have done is actually enough as a reward for us.

Helping is synonymous to giving. It is because when you help, you are giving away a part of yourself to others. It’s the noblest act you can offer to the needy. But in this cruel world, you cannot always have the role of a giver. I just thought that there must be limitations when you give.

It’s been a month since I started working here in the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) as a student trainee. I still don’t know everything about the organization, but I know some of the essential things about the organization.

The GSP Mission Statement:

“To help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, the nation, and the world community.”

It is important to have a mission in any organization. This serves as the beacon light for the organization to focus on what it wants and needs to do.

Who would ever thought of making an organization with this kind of mission? How did they come up with this mission?

This is why GSP is different. The Founder herself, Josefa Llanes Escoda, made this organization so selflessly, thinking about the girls and young women of future generations to be guided to their future development as a whole.

Josefa Llanes Escoda founded The Girl Scouts of the Philippines in 1940.

The GSP is at its own peak. This organization has made an impact on the world by providing programs and activities that help the girls and young women to become independent and to have a positive outlook in life.

In GSP, I realized that what I initially thought about “GIVING AND EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN” was a myth. We are human beings and we can give selflessly if we want to—without limit.

I salute the people who are behind the organization believing in GSP’s mission. HELP, we can always do it freely for everyone. GSP believes in this. GSP works with this mission. It is also the third Girl Scout Law that every Girl Scouts live with—“A Girl Scout is helpful.”

Girl Scouts pack goods during the relief operation for Typhoon Yolanda victims to give new hopes to the affected ones.

By: Rebilyn R. Quiroz, GSP Communications Division Intern

I Salute the GSP Volunteers

“Helping also gives that rewarding feeling of being able to empower those who need our help without expecting anything in return.” –Salud Bagalso, MD, GSP National President

One thing that instantly came to my mind after reading the 3^rd Girl Scout Law: “A Girl Scout Law is Helpful,” is the fact that GSP has so many volunteers!

Volunteers in the GSP are special people.The GSP volunteers are adult members in the organization who are willing and able to serve voluntarily in various capacities with no expectation of financial remuneration. They are remarkable because they always participate and contribute to GSP events. They share their skills, abilities, resources, and positive attitudes to help make GSP grow as a Volunteer Movement in the Philippines and all over the world.

The true essence of volunteerism is helping others without expecting anything in return. GSP volunteers live by the Vision, Mission, and Goals of GSP, and by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. They continuously help promote GSP as the largest girls-only organization in the country. They have been generously and wholeheartedly serving, sacrificing, and sharing what they have for the girls and young women and the organization as a whole. They serve as chairpersons of the various committees on the national, regional, and council levels. These committees include the Communications committee, Finance committee, Fund Development committee, International Affairs committee, Legal committee, Membership committee, NES committee, Personnel committee, Program committee, Real Properties and Building Committee, Training committee, Award Sub-committee, Land Grant sub-committee, Investment Special committee, and Josefa Llanes Escoda Memento Fund Special committee.

I was awed and impressed as I watched the GSP volunteers talk and give their responses and inspirational messages to the professional staff and guests during the Retirement Party of Ms. Esteria Alvarado, Center Director, Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center (AT-NPTC) on January 28, 2015 at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila, and during the National Staff Awards on January 29, 2015, at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila.

The GSP volunteers are serving selflessly in the Movement, motivating many people to performacts of volunteerism. The events I have witnessed this past month gave me a chance to absorb and to completely understand the true meaning of volunteerism–helping without expecting anything in return!

Helping others in a small or big way is a gift in itself not only to others and to one’s self but above all, to God who takes care of everyone. 

            GSP volunteers graced the Retirement Party of Miss Esteria Alvarado, Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center Director, held on January 28, 2015 at the GSP National Headquarters, Manila

By: Jenelyn R. Matamis, GSP Communications Division Intern

GSP’s Diamond Jubilee Songwriting Contest

We are launching the “GSP’s Diamond Jubilee Songwriting Contest” as part of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Diamond Jubilee celebration.

The contest aims to bring out the creative songwriting skills of our girls and young women and to highlight the Movement’s part to the development of every Filipino girl and young woman.

The winning entry shall be used as GSP's 75th Anniversary Theme Song. 
The winners will receive a plaque and cash prizes as follows:

1st prize P 20,000.00
2nd prize P 10,000.00
3rd prize P 5,000.00

How to Join:
1. The contest is open to all Girl Scouts from Junior to Cadet level and Adult Leaders who are registered as of January 31, 2015.
2. Entries may be in any genre, but should preferably be upbeat to inspire or rally people whenever it is played.
3. The length of the song must not exceed three minutes. Its music and lyrics must be all original. Lyrics may be in English or Filipino or combination of both.
4. The song must be able to showcase or focus on the 75 years of GSP with emphasis on its Vision and Mission.
5. Contestants must submit a soft and hard copy of the lyrics, with a demo CD of the song saved in MP3 format.
6. Entries must be submitted to Girl Scouts of the Philippines National Headquarters c/o Communications Division, 901 Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila or 
email it to communications@girlscouts.org.ph or communicationsgsp@gmail.com 
on or before March 31, 2015.

Criteria:
1. Melody (Catchy melody, beat and rhythm with recall value): 30 points
2. Lyrics (Effectiveness of the message): 30 points
3. Creativity (Outstanding songwriting style and technique): 20 points
4. Relevance (Appropriateness to the theme): 20 points
Total: 100 points

The panel of judges will be composed of personalities with musical background.

Awarding:
Winners will be awarded during the 75th Anniversary Celebration on May 26, 2015 at the GSP PHL Auditorium, GSP National Headquarters, Manila.
The top three winning entries will be the sole property of the GSP.

Join now! :-)

A GIRL SCOUT IS LOYAL

Our second week in the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) was quite busy and inspiring.

On January 28, we celebrated the retirement of Miss Esteria “Esther” Alvarado, Center Director of Ating Tahanan, National Program and Training Center (NPTC) since March 2004. Miss Esther started her career in GSP as Assistant of Cagayan Girl Scout Council in 1972. She became the Council Executive of Cagayan GS Council in 1983, and because of her outstanding performance as Council Executive, she was promoted in 1996 to the rank of Regional Executive Director of the Northern Luzon Region.

Her 42 years of service as professional staff of GSP was undoubtedly a blessing for the organization. I heard warm messages from her friends in the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Sweet laughter and fond memories filled the room while everyone looked back at those extraordinary experiences they had with Miss Esther.

GSP Communications Division, sharing a light moment with Ms. Esteria P. Alvarado. Seated (from left to right) are Princess Grachelle Duldulao, Dr. Paz Diaz (National Treasurer and Chairperson of Communications Division), Miss Esteria Alvarado, Ms. Myra Contessa Diokno-Sarmenta (GSP Assistant National Executive Director and OIC of Communications Division), Ms. Marichel Fontijon. Standing (from left to right) are Rebilyn R. Quiroz, Mr. Dharvie Cinco, and Jenelyn Matamis.

 

The next day, January 29, we witnessed the GSP National Staff Awards where 24 professional staff who worked for GSP from 5 years to 35 years were recognized and awarded.

Recognition is a way of appreciating the service of the employees in the organization. It can also inspire all employees to hold on firmly to the dignity of hard work as they contribute to the development of the organization. But I know, and I am certainly sure that these people are not just after that recognition. This was an expression of the gratefulness of the organization for their work and their intense loyalty, which is the basis of all their good work.

Looking at the length of service they have rendered, I can say that they are all loyal to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Here are the 24 awardees together with other GSP staff members, volunteers and executives during the National Staff Awards Ceremony.

I laughed as I say the word “loyal”. Loyal people nowadays are hard to find because sometimes, loyalty can lead you to being a fool. Well, that happens when you are a blind follower.

But loyalty is a choice of our heart. “Relationship lasts when you’re loyal.” Girl Scout volunteers, and the people behind the organization who support the movement, are all being true to the GIRL SCOUT LAW. GSP will celebrate its 75^th Anniversary in May 2015 in serving the girls and young women this year. No organization will come this far if it is not being true to its promises. Talk about LOYALTY!

By: Rebilyn R. Quiroz, GSP Communications Division Intern

Loyalty is the new beginning

“There’s always a room for change. Every one of us can start for a new beginning.”

I don’t know how it feels like being a Girl Scout because I didn’t experience being one in my younger years. 

Nowadays, when you ask girls and young women if they experienced Girl Scouting, they would say “Yes!” without any hesitation. Regrets crept into my mind realizing that Girl Scouting is a wonderful experience for the girls and young women, something which I was not able to experience when I was younger.

Until now, I ask myself why I turned down the idea of joining the GSP then. What I remember is that I was not sure of my answer whether to join it or not. In short, I doubted myself and even my decision in saying “No”. Even my parents wanted me to join the GSP but I would always end up saying “I don’t want to join.” As my elementary school days went by, no one changed my decision about that. Now that I am a grown up, I always feel envious of those girls who experienced Girl Scouting.

Today, many firsts are happening to me as I became a student-trainee at the GSP National Headquarters. I signed up as an Associate Girl Scout member for the first time! Another is reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law for the first time in my life during the National Staff Awards last January 29. I don’t know why, but it gave me goose bumps. While reciting the Girl Scout Law, I realized that Girl Scouting is something special. Honestly, the event changed me! Now I wanted to become loyal to myself, to my loved ones, and to my country.

Having regrets is one of the most difficult things that could ever happen to someone. But on this new journey in my life, who would have thought that the girl who didn’t experience Girl Scouting in her elementary and high school days can still become an Associate Member of GSP. I can throw away that regret because the opportunity to be a Girl Scout is within my reach!

I am so grateful and honored to be a part of the Movement. “A Girl Scout is loyal” and I am proud to be a loyal Girl Scout now!

This is proof that I am now an Associate Member of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

- Jenelyn R. Matamis, GSP, Communications Division Intern