The manamko’ surprised the children age seven to 14 years old when they showed up since Monday to join the children in what started out as youth summer camp.
Hosted by Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Division of Youth Services and Sports and Recreation, the annual summer program has been modified to include the mamanko’.
Sports and Recreation Division director, Joe Lizama said the manamko’ enjoyed a lot doing sports with the children. They failed to show up in the first session for six to 10 years old lods last week so the manamko’ did everything they could to make it up with the children.
During the final portion of the summer camp yesterday, Feliza Basa who is in her 70s, joined the children dance the hip-hop and showed off a little of break dancing by doing the head spin.
She flipped upside down and twisted her legs to make a spin.
This left the teenagers watch in awe, with their jaws dropping to their chest.
Basa, who drove cab for many years turned to have liked the hip hop dance than what she had during her time.
After finishing a round of Polynesian dance, Basa and other manamko’ requested the kids to play the R&B again so they can try another hiphop dance.
Since Monday when they joined the youth camp for the first, the manamko’ were very excited, according to Walter Manglona, manamko’ program coordinator.
The manamko’ have been doing a lot of sports ever since, but Manglona said doing them with children turned out very different. It was more exciting, he said.
Manamko’ acting director and federal programs coordinator Rose DLG Mondala said that told Basa not to do the head spin or dance the hip hop any more, when the manamko’ were back home.
“I told her, hey, you can’t do that kind of thing again,” Mondala jokingly said.
She said it always turn out better when manamko’ get themselves involved with kids.
Since manamko’ and DYS are under the same department, Mondala said it was fine for them to work together when the idea of bringing the youth and manamko’ in the summer program was brought up to her.
But she stressed that before she could send them there, the manamko’ had to under medical screening. That is why they failed to show up in the first week for the six to 10 years old children.
“We want to make sure they had all the papers that guarantee they will be okay, healthy enough to handle it,” Mondala said.
Most of them raised their hands when asked who wants to come. However, only 25 of the 78 made after the medical screening.
“Those who are fit to do it really want to enjoy their time with kids,” Mondala said adding that the manamko’ told her they want to go back and continue towards the end of the program.
