STI Celebrates Year 2 of a Childlike Christmas
December 17, 2009
The real spirit of sharing came to life as STI, Dolphy Aid Foundation and SM Advantage gave a special treat to 60 street children gathered by Childhope Asia Philippines on December 15.
It was a Christmas party of sorts for the kids, as students from STI College - Taft gathered to share the holiday with media friends. By being the "big kuya/ate" for the day, they were given a chance to reach out to these children by touring them around SM Mall of Asia's Science Discovery Center – dubbed as the first ever interactive science center in the country.
Last year, STI gave 50 street kids a Christmas treat at Jollibee along with ride-all-you-can tickets to Star City. With the success of the event, last year's theme was carried over to this year's celebration this time giving 60 children a chance to learn new and exciting things while still having fun.
Prior to the tour at the Science Discovery Center, the little girls were made busy painting princess figurines with bright and adorable colors while the little boys stretched their imagination by giving more hues to the usual red and black outfit of Santa.
Bringing innovation and education to kids and adults alike, everyone was soon delighted to a lot of science wonders found in the discovery center including the earthquake stimulator, virtual coral reefs, robotics, and media city to name a few. As the kids enjoyed playing and experimenting with various galleries, STI students and friends from the media served as their tour guides who informed and educated them on what they were presented with. The fusion of facts and fun really made for a great learning time.
The Digistar Planetarium also proved to be a wonderful experience to these kids as they sat back and marveled in awe in a full dome theatre with surround sound packed with a unique visual experience.
After a good couple of hours of roaming around the center, everyone grabbed a snack while exchanging stories of the things they have discovered while on tour
Celebrity brothers Eric, Epy and Vandolph Quizon with wife Jenny, represented the Dolphy Aid Foundation and also served as guests of honor, together with our friends from the media. They all willingly joined in the fun and kept the children's spirits high.
Elbert De Guzman, STI's Vice President for Communications, said, "These children born into hardship and poverty think they do not stand a fair chance of developing their talent and broadening their knowledge. Through this initiative, we want to make these kids feel that they are able to reach their full potential if they put their minds to achieving greater things. This fun and educational activity also enables them to experience and see beyond the ordinary. The inventions around the Science Discovery Center surely tickled their imagination to believe that everything is possible."
Truly, it was a Christmas celebration like no other. The smiling, happy faces of these children are a testament to the success of the event, making it even more special. Giving back hope while promoting learning to their lives has been the inspiration of STI this Christmas season to continuously become a catalyst of nation development through quality education.
