With over 400 children, an estimated 120 central committee volunteers, and approximately 800 Ate-Kuya volunteers (AKV) in attendance, DLSU For the Kids (FTK) marked its 37th year of the flagship outreach program last February 1, at the Corazon Aquino Democratic Space. Carrying the theme “Haraya: A Festival of Dreams,” the annual initiative brought together the Lasallian community to support children with special needs from various partner schools.
Like previous editions, the program included a mini-Olympics composed of recreational activities such as basketball, football, obstacle courses, ring toss, an inflatable slide, unting balay, tumba saya, and more. The audience was also entertained by performances by the DLSU Animo Squad, La Salle Dance Company–Street, La Salle Dance Company–Folk, and DLSU Innersoul.
Keep going, keep dreaming
At the start of the program, Vice President for Lasallian Mission Ms. Fritzie De Vera emphasized that the word haraya means imagination. She further broke down the word into “halaga, ramdam, at yakap,” highlighting the program’s focus on creating a place for self-expression and recognizing the importance of every child.
(Value, Feeling, and Embrace)
Echoing this message, Ms. Jaymee Pantaleon, the Dean of Student Affairs, emphasized that haraya also means to imagine and to dream. She encouraged everyone, especially parents and teachers, to continue dreaming not only for themselves, but also for their children and their future.
Joyce Brasa (IV, FIN), one of the student project heads, described the event as “fulfilling,” noting that their preparations took eight to nine months. Organizers reached out to special education centers, organizations, concessionaires, and potential sponsors for partnerships, while volunteers underwent extensive training to deepen their awareness and understanding of various disabilities.
Brasa added that when she first joined the project as an AKV, she did not fully grasp the purpose of the event, but through the experience, she got to know the kids better and became more open to understanding them.
“We want the kids to imagine however they want to imagine, because as kids, they have a lot of dreams [and] imaginations…it’s incorporated in [a] Filipino-rooted space, [and] we want this day to be filled with laughter, stories, and joy together with the volunteers,” she underscored.
A fulfilling testament
The volunteers described the event as a way to contribute to children’s happiness. First-time Central Committee volunteer Marcus Paredes (I, ISJ) shared that participating in the event aligns with his broader advocacy for inclusivity, emphasizing that the experience is not only an opportunity to teach the children but also to learn from them.
“…for kids with special needs, it’s [often] easier to see the dark side of their lives, because of course, it is not easy to live with disabilities or special needs. But I [believe that] FTK 2026, and the succeeding ones, [serve] as a testament and a message that no matter the [disability] they have, there will always be an opportunity to enjoy the life [they’ve] been given,” he further remarked
Similarly, Tin Necio (VI, CHE) described FTK as a meaningful experience she eagerly anticipates every year. She noted that “one of the things that motivated me to be an Ate-Kuya volunteer is that I really like kids…COSCA is doing something remarkable for these wonderful kids, and [this] experience motivates me to do something great as a Lasallian.”
Although their assigned child preferred simply walking around the area, Lance (IV, PSM) found the experience both unexpectedly enjoyable and enlightening, noting that it truly takes a village to appreciate that children have different ways of having fun.
Ms. Jeanne Hernandez, an educator from Maligaya Elementary School, joined the event for the first time as a special needs teacher. For her, the experience was both affirming and meaningful, further emphasizing that “Napakahalaga na ma-include na sila kasi marami pa ring mga bata ang [itinatago] ng mga magulang [nila] dahil takot na ilabas [sila] sa community…pero kung ‘yung community natin ay equipped [at alam] kung paano makibagay sa mga children with special needs, mas magiging masaya pa para sa lahat.“
(It is very important that they are included because there are still children who are hidden by their parents because they are afraid to let them out into the community…but if our community is equipped [and knows] how to adapt to children with special needs, it will be happier for everyone.)
After more than three decades, FTK remains a collective initiative that transforms children’s dreams into meaningful experiences rooted in inclusion and compassion. Its vibrant activities and collaborative spirit extend not only to the children but also to their families, teachers, and volunteers.
While the event has concluded, it leaves behind a lasting message: despite the hardships they face, these children are not meant to be hidden, but celebrated, and given opportunities to experience childhood without barriers.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The publication was unable to obtain the full name of Lance (IV, PSM), who was one of the AKVs interviewed for the event.
