INTERACT[ION] 3850: Witnessing the Service of Modern Heroes

By: Chris Armand Santiana

Interact Club of Antique District 3850

“Amare et Servire,” To love and to serve.

The Covid-19 pandemic made it more challenging for Filipinos to interact with one
another. Every one of us is unfamiliar with the sensation of being trapped inside our own
home. We can't socialize with our friends, there are no face-to-face classes, minimal
resources, and we can't help others personally. But Interact Club of Antique enters the
story, District 3850 became an escape for us to engage through different virtual activities.

July 2020 marks the start of IAC Antique, and modern heroes are preparing to face
the difficulties brought by the pandemic. I was persuaded to join this club by one of the
most responsible Presidents, Mariela Deslate, because curiosity had sparked my interest, I
joined.

NEW CHAPTER UNFOLDS

The club's activities have been

escalating as the weeks have passed. Starting
with a get-to-know-each-other exercise, each
club member's name is introduced. Then
there's the induction of the new officers. I was
offered the opportunity to be appointed as the new International Service Director, and I
gladly accepted the responsibility.

Then there are several trainings that will help us maintain our Leadership skills as
Interactors. Each officer is entrusted with learning about their tasks and obligations as
Interactors with the help of another officer. There was also a discussion on the full year's
activities for us to engage more with one another.

Virtual Fun Night are also held. Learning from Interactors from other Clubs in the
Philippines is a fascinating way to begin the new interact year. As a result of this activity,
many Interactors became friends with one another as a result of this activity, and group
sessions to virtually interact is a great thing in spreading fellowship to everybody.

UNLEASH OF HEROIC SERVICE

After months of virtual preparation, the IAC Antique District 3850 Superheroes are
ready to put their heroic service in action to the people of our province's far-flung areas.
The modern-day heroes' major activity is visiting places in various parts of Antique, such as
Barangay Yapu in Bugasong for a “Read to Lead” outreach program.

“We also aspire to

grab opportunities to
help young Antiqueῆ os,
especially in these trying
times, like assisting in
education and youth
training,” Deslate said.
 In addition, they were given some relief goods, school supplies, old books to read,
and so on. Seeing those genuine smiles on the children's faces reminds each of us,
Interactors, that we can generate happiness through small things, we can get connected
through small things, and we can create change as modern heroes.

NEVER ENDING SERVICE

Like what Mother Teresa once quoted,

“It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do, that
counts.” An inspiring quote that touched the lives of every person. A quote that can change
one’s mindset. A quote that can lead you to greater things in life through genuine service.

Indeed, it is true that helping others is a life-long service that we will uphold forever.
Life is short, so let’s make our life meaningful by joining the Interact Club of Antique as a
way of spreading love to our fellow kind. Let us be one, be an Interactor! Because,

“I am INTERACT, and I VOLUNTEER.”