Article Features
RP-US troops host weekly movie night for Sulu children
By
Sep 23, 2008 - 2:59:07 AM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 24 (PNA) - The military's Joint Task Force Comet (JTFC) and U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) have partnered to host a movie night once a week for the local children.

Held every Sunday inside Camp General Teodulfo Bautista in the village of Busubus, the event is not only for kids as some grown-ups are also in attendance.

Sulu has not a single movie house, hence both children and adults express eagerness for this recreational activity.

What started to be a small gathering of 20 children has now grown into an assembly of 400 kids and grown-ups eager to watch lesson-filled movies with the military personnel.

According to Sheila Albol, 13, of Barangay Palar, Jolo town, a movie night for her is very special as it is one of the few times she is able to see her friends from other villages.

“Masaya ako dito kasi dumadami ang mga kaibigan ko (I’m happy here watching movie because I gain more friends),” shares Sheila.

On the other hand, movie night has become an important weekly ritual for Ken Somayarao, 8, along with her friends. She said a Marine soldier told her about it and she invited her friends to go and watch movie with her.

“Parati ako dito kasama mga kaibigan at kapatid ko. Paborito namin ang Shrek. (I always come over with my friends and sibling. Shrek is our favorite),” says Ken, while enjoying her popcorn.

For 11-year-old Roymart Rafa, last Sunday’s movie night was his first time. He learned about it from an American soldier.

“Excited po ako. Ipapalabas raw ang Happy Feet. Kahit maraming bata, malamig pa rin dito (I’m excited. Accordingly, Happy Feet will be shown. Even if there are too many kids, it’s still cold),” referring to the air-conditioned movie house at Humanitarian Assistance Coordinating Center in downtown Jolo.

JTFC chief Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said what started as a small gathering of 20 children, has grown, over the past few months, into an assembly of 400 children and grown-ups watching lesson-filled movies with the military personnel.

Sabban said the conduct of Movie Nights highlights the learning of right values while having fun.

It is meant to provide wholesome entertainment with the objective of broadening their horizon, according to Sabban.

"The objective of the Movie Night is not only for children to get acquainted with the military but more importantly to broaden their perspective and help shape them into individuals as assets to the society," he said.

He said that each Sunday night has a different movie shown and the show usually starts at 6:30 p.m.

He said they select a movie that teaches powerful lessons and the content of the movie and the aptness for the child's age are considered.

He described movies as a rare glimpse into the outside world citing it is a pastime that children love and a fun activity where they can use their imagination.

Viewers do not only enjoy an evening of fun and good movie but also free popcorn and balloons too, Sabban said.

"It is a great time to have movie night with the kids to wind down before the start of a busy week that's why we make sure movie night is done right," said Maj. Yuri Pesigan, the JTFC Civil Military Operations Officer.

Pesigan said the movie night begins with Philippine and U.S. military volunteers escorting local children to the movie site where they line-up, get a squirt of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, and then move through the line to receive a small bag of popcorn and a bottle of water.

Once the seating and snacks are complete, the mood is set, Pesigan added.

Before the movie starts, Philippine military volunteers talk to the viewers about basic healthcare, their dreams, and various other topics intended to instill the principles of obedience, discipline, unity, patriotism, and other values.

"It gives the children a chance to see what's on the other side of the gate--to see who the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) really is. We are here to help and educate them.... and they see that we really care about them," said Philippine Marine Sgt. John Paul Lacao, a Movie Night volunteer.

"The Philippines is a huge melting pot, similar to America and these kids all come from a wide variety of backgrounds," U.S. Air Force Capt. Vance Rothmeyer, a Movie Night volunteer said in a statement.

After the education portion of the Movie Night, Sabban said the lights are turned down in a way that the kids can still get up and move through the room safely.

He said the children are shown short films, which highlight the importance of unity and patriotism, plus military's various humanitarian undertakings meant to benefit the province.

Following the short films, the Philippine National Anthem is played, followed by a child-friendly movie.

Sabban said the movie Night culminates with more social interaction between the children and the AFP and U.S. military personnel.