Youth volunteers from the 19 chapters of Philippine Red Cross including Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia join the 5th Supercamp held at the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)
Nearly 500 delegates joined the five-day Philippine Red Cross 5th Supercamp that opened last April 25 at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base (MBEAB).
Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang welcomed the delegates during the opening program at the MBEAB Elementary School grounds.
Nineteen chapters of youth volunteers from the Philippines, including delegates from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Thailand joined the event.
The Philippine Supercamp is done every four years in different areas in the country, such as Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
It aims to unite Red Cross youth leaders, nurture them with good values, develop camaraderie and learn to know and appreciate their respective cultures.
“We bring in youth delegates from other countries as we also prepare them to become global leaders,” said Dr. Pang in an interview with reporters.
She said the youth leaders will undergo trainings, seminars, competitions, games and challenges to develop their leadership skills and to learn the cultures of different areas in and outside the country.
She said the youth leaders attended the activity at their own expense, while others were supported by friends and their parents. They were housed in tents during the entire activity.
The five-day camp included lectures on disaster management, health, competition, games and poster making, among others.
Invited guest speakers from all over the country shared their expertise during the trainings and seminars.
Dr. Pang expressed gratitude to Col. Simplicio Lumantas, Deputy Commander of the 560th Air Base Wing of MBEAB for hosting the activity.
She also thanked Lapu-Lapu/Cordova Red Cross chapter administrator Vic Jay Gonzal for the preparations.
“I learned to be independent, I was empowered which eventually made me who I am now and I continue to inspire young blood,” Dr. Pang shared her experience from the Supercamp.
The opening program was made entertaining and colorful with the special presentation of the winners of this year’s Rampada Street Dancing during the Kadaugan Street Party in Lapu-Lapu City.