Last February 5, 2011, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority visited the children of the Bantay Bata 163 Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan for the R.I.C.E. (Rehabilitation, Improvement, and Child Empowerment) Project. The children's village was established in 2003 and it has since then become the home of abused and exploited children rescued by Bantay Bata 163. In line with the PHI’s commitment to service, a total of 100 sacks of rice and several boxes of clothes were donated to the village by Phi International, Inc. through the efforts of Brod Romeo Librea Isidro ϕ77A and Brod Jose Jonas Diño Del Rosario ϕ86.

The visit started with a tour around the facility. Though still nearing completion, the village was evidently well equipped for the rehabilitation of abused children with its strikingly fine and well-maintained rooms and facilities. By noon, the children had finished mass and were then treated to a fun-filled afternoon by the brods and sisses. Even though there were some kids who were shy at first, probably due to the many unfamiliar faces, it wasn’t long before they started to participate, sharing fun and laughter over a scrumptious lunch of Jollibee Regular Yum with Cheese and Chickenjoy meal.

The kids were entertained by the wacky combination of Brod Alberto Mañibo Ong, Jr. ϕ08B and Sis Julianne Francesca Flores Reyes ϕ09 who hosted the afternoon’s program. The kids were very energetic and excited as they played parlor games such as “Bring Me”, “The Boat is Sinking”, and “Hep Hep Horray” with the brods and sisses. It was then the kids’ turn to entertain the crowd as they enthusiastically showed their dancing skills and sang popular Christmas songs. There could have been no happier scene as everyone happily passed the time away with videoke singing, dancing and wacky horseplay.

Looking at the way the children have enjoyed themselves, no one would think that they were victims of abuse. No child should go through what these kids have been through and it’s good to see that there are people who support the children and help them move on to a brighter future. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind and humbling experience for everyone. Cheers to Senior Guardian of the Temple Brod Joshua Anton Ostoy Yabut ϕ08B and Sister Caritas Sis Francesca Antonina Viray Jiao ϕ08 for a successful and very heart-warming R.I.C.E. Project. All for Phi!