Gifts, free rides for Olango kids at Kiddie Land

Kiddie Land at the Hoops dome in Lapu-Lapu City. (CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN V MENDOZA)

Nearly 8,000 children from 11 barangays in Olango Island enjoyed the free rides offered during the Kiddie Land program held at the Mini Hoops Dome in barangay Talima, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

Aside from the unlimited rides and free food, the children received candies and gifts from 20 bicycle riders dressed as Santa Claus during the two-day program.

“Abi nako sa TV o sa mall ra ko kakita og Santa Claus. Nalipay ko naabot sad sila diri,” (I thought I only see Santa Claus on TV or in the malls. I was happy they also  came here),” said 12-year-old Jan-Jan Mellino, a pupil of Caohagan Elementary School.

Francis Nicole Balao, former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president in charge of the program, said they thought of adding the Santa Claus bike riders for this year’s program.

The Kiddie Land program started in December 30 last year at the Hoops Dome in barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City and drew 4,000 children

The children and their parents or guardians were usually invited by barangay officials weeks before the activity.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza carries a child, one of nearly 8,000 who attended the two-day Kiddie Land program at the Mini-Hoops Dome in barangay Talima, Lapu-Lapu City. (CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN V MENDOZA)

Venue

Last year, children under the care of social workers like orphans, minor offenders and victims of abuse were also invited to attend the event.

“Ato ning gidala dinhi sa isla kay dili man tanan mga bata dinhi sa isla naka experience ani sa una. Maayo pud na nga makatilaw sab sila aning mga kalingawan nga wala pa sila kasulay,” (we brought it here in the island because not all children here were able to experience it before. It would be good if they could experience these rides which they never had before),” Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza told reporters yesterday.

The Mini Hoops Dome was inaugurated last December 12 to complement the Hoops Dome in the mainland, which Radaza said became the venue for major sports events like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games.

Three days later, Radaza inaugurated the Island Eco-Tourism Park in sitio Asinan, barangay Sabang in Olango Island.

“I envision the park to boost tourism in Lapu-Lapu City and create more jobs for communities. I hope the Mini Hoops Dome becomes another facility for major sports events in Cebu,” she said.