Cebu City’s children got talent

By Marc Eric A. Cosep
^{PIO Digital Media Specialist}

CITY HALL, Cebu City (Nov. 18, 2022) – Some 200 children trooped here to show they’ve got talents.

Indeed, they have when they performed the special abilities they discovered for themselves and cultivated for some time with the help of their parents and mentors at their daycare centers.

They sang, danced, drew-and-told stories here as the city celebrated the 30th National Children’s Month (NCM) at the ninth-floor community hall of the executive building.

They would have performed onstage at Plaza Sugbo but persistent rains came bothersome for the kids with their parents, guardians and mentors.

**Kuratsa.** These kids perform the favorite dance of their great grand parents, or probably even yet their great great grannies. 📷 𝗗𝗦𝗪𝗦/𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘫𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘴

The Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) organized various contests through its Early Childhood Care and Development Program (ECCDP) rolled out in different child development centers in the city.

ECCDP lead person Marivic G. Alolod said DSWS organized the event to showcase and cultivate the talents of the children while they are in their developmental years.

**ECCDP** lead person Marivic G. Alolod. 📷 *Grabbed FB profile photo*

ECCDP creates programs, such as the day’s activities, so that children would discover their talents, and parents may encourage them to pursue and hone them.

“This is our role man gud, na while the school develops their academic excellence, kita we develop their talents aron sab ma encourage ang mga ginikanan to let their kids pursue things that they are good at,” she said.

Alolod said that all three performances were anchored on the 2022 NCM theme which is: “Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”

Jocelyn Fuentes, mother of 6-year-old Shaira Mae, told Cebu City News that, as a mother, she would take advantage of programs that would boost a child’s confidence.

She shared her daughter has always been fond of dancing and that she would love to see her nurture her talent, even more through NCM activities.

**Surtido.** These kids perform what the era of literary Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara would dance with, a mix of Filipino and Spanish infuences. 📷 𝗗𝗦𝗪𝗦/𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘫𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘴

Furthermore, Alolod said the ECCDP will also choose a performance to represent the city in the NCM activities spearheaded by the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC).

“Developing their talents plays an important role in helping children develop and reach their potential, thus, we hope to create more programs like these and be able to contribute to every child’s development,” said Alolod. # (PIO/MEACosep)