A Moment of Recollection (St.

Benilde High School, Manila)

Written by: Elizabeth L. Uy
Edited by: Ms. Regalia Emeprador
Written on: June 2009

Spending Break inside a Plenary Session

The school had received an invitation from the United Nations Economic and Social Council on
March 2009. It was an invitation that the school never expected to receive considering that the
school is private as ascertained with our records with the Department of Education.
The letter was deemed a privilege for the school and for me, as I have been sent to the Plenary
Session with Mr. Leon Antigo of the Faculty Department.

At first, when I was told of the session, I was not aware of what is, neither was I aware of the
agency of the United Nations but I was trained on Parliamentary Procedure and was taught
manners respecting other cultures that the most respectful way to deal with elders is never to
look long into their eyes and bow slightly. It was a very exciting training.

April 19, 2008-I prepared myself for the one-day affair at Sulo Hotel Conference Hall. It was a
fantastic venue, the cushioned chairs and the well-set tables, the sumptuous meals and snacks. It
was brilliant! Then I was more struck with the fact that I am with all sorts of people, from a
Senator and two Congressmen, from two young Ambassadors and so much more invited
participants from the secondary schools of NCR. The event was simply amazing, entertaining
and educational.

The guest speaker was Senator Loren Legarda with which she emphasized her Green Project
and about youth being environmental-friendly. Then messages came after her about Youth power
and youth Rights given Cong. Rafael Perez of Region I and Cong. Isabel Lacameno of Region
III. Then it was my first time to meet Ambassadors. They are young based on their looks but they
had in them the look of confidence and seriousness that meant they shouldn’t be belittled just
because they are young. First to speak was Ambassador on Children Road Safety Regine
Tibong of CAR-she spoke with English fluency and always elicits laughter from the crowd. She
talked about the importance of Pedestrian Lanes and Flyover or Overpass, also why humps exist
near schools and why signages are put up about school zones. She also managed to tell some
about herself being a college student at Benguet State University and how she came to be an
Ambassador is a long story. She is already 17 as I am writing this. She is so far the youngest but
most talkative Ambassador in her team with the UNESC Philippines. Next to speak was
Ambassador of Peace Talks Helegia Antonio of Mindanao. With her, I understood their
culture and the idea of social unity despite differences in beliefs and cultures. She emphasized on
unity, self-control and self-confidence. She is a La Salle student and will be having her birthday
that day. The two Ambassadors both finished their speeches with gratitude to all the participants
who were forced to write a simple paragraph on their understanding of the event and the topic
presented.
At the end of the day (after workshops and games), the two Ambassadors (Sen. Legarda and both
Representatives left the venue thirty minutes after the first break) managed for Photo-Ops.
Each participant was given a kit to be able to present what Ambassadors Tibong and Antonio
presented for that day. Their aim was for the continuance of such project.