Written by: Mrs. Wilma Duco-Renolayan, Student Publication Moderator
Held at Tagaytay Highlands, Tagaytay City last March 18-19, Mother and Daughter Camp 2017 brought in moms and daughters from thirty-three (33) families for opportunities to talk and listen to each other, and laugh together without distractions.
Themed “Grow and Celebrate”, this year’s mother-daughter camp shared essential tips on improving the relationship between moms and their daughters through a talk dubbed “Mother and Daughter Relationship Wellness” facilitated by Grade 11 Christian Living teacher Ms. Tess Dizon. The resource speaker designed intentional conversations between moms and their children during her session.
“I find the talk of Ms Tess very insightful. The tips she shared can be applied to our relationships in general “, Grade 11 Mom Cathy Peralta shared.
The talk by Mrs. Dizon was followed by another session of nurturing the bond between mother and daughter through a talk on love languages facilitated by Mrs. Angie Brazan of the Social Action Office. Mrs. Brazan echoed book author and marriage counselor, Dr. Gary Chapman’s research based theory on the five (5) languages of love.
After her talk, Mrs. Brazan encouraged moms to hash over their primary love languages through a small group discussion. Here, young mothers had the opportunity to hear some pieces of advice from experienced moms.
During the big group sharing, Mom Cherry Tantuico shared some “Tweetable” nuggets of wisdom on parenting, “With great expectations, come great disappointments.”
While the adult campers were having their group discussions, the daughters were asked to serve their moms, which meant lining up and getting the packed dinner for their mothers.
The highlight of the first day was the traditional bonfire where patrols shared their talents through performances like comedic skit, drama, song interpretation, poetry reading, stomp, and fashion show. It was during the bonfire when Mom Lolita Dela Cruz read a piece of her testimony as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome. The campfire ended with the children showing gestures of love and appreciation to their mothers while Tyler Collins’ hit song “Thank You” was being played.
The event opened venues for campers to learn water survival skills through “Uitemate”— the Japanese method of survival swimming. This session was facilitated by Ms. Marian Evangelista.
While creating special moments between mother and daughter, this year’s camp was packed with hilarious fun, team spirit, sportsmanship, and solidarity through competitive games like Amazing Race and Laro ng Lahi. The campers were divided into six (6) patrols, namely, Snow White, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Mulan, Rapunzel, and Jasmine. All the teams proved their witty strategies and game plans in completing the six challenges in Amazing Race. Meanwhile, campers played Jack-en-Poy and Chinese Garter in Laro ng Lahi. Four moms brought the house down when they cartwheeled successfully in Chinese Garter.
Other competitive games included Cheers and Yells Making, Flag Designing, Blanket Volleyball, and an adaptation of the popular game show Minute to Win It.
During the awarding ceremony, group and individual awards were given away. In the end, team Pocahontas was declared the overall Champion. Mulan and Snow White were awarded the First Runner-up and Second Runner-up, respectively.
Team Rapunzel, the recipient of the Best in Talent award, nailed the message of the camp when they encouraged all the mothers to help their daughters “to grow into the women that God called them to be [living in purity and good manners] because celebrating purity and good manners never goes out of style.”
