Painting At Payatas

12/05/08
GK Blue Eagle Village, Payatas

All my memories of going to Payatas with my blockmates is always crazy and funny.
We always groaned in unison upon smelling the varied degrees of garbage stench each time we made our way to the site via jeepney (hence the open windows). We used to hold sniffing contests among the brave and the valiant, and whoever could sniff the stench the longest would be held victor.

For our Fine Arts 102 activity, we had to go all the way back there to conduct two sessions of an art workshop. Our group has decided to teach T-Shirt designing, while other groups were teaching Origami, Music-Making, Card-Making, Storybook Making, and etc. all of which sound really exciting.

Usually I really don't mind going to immersions and stuff. Even though it always seems to be taking too much of our time, I always find myself pleasantly enjoying. It's just this fact that getting there was a really big pain in the ass. Not only for the horrible fact that the transportation WAS NOT provided by our school, but we also had to go there on our own armed with only a photocopied map and a yellow filler. Fascinating.

Originally, we assumed that there were jeepneys arranged to take us to Payatas and bring us back to school (just like the last time), but after waiting for further announcement regarding the jeeps, which didn't come, it was then we realized that we had to find our own means to get there. Making last-minute arrangements, we ended up forcing all our seven large butts inside Mosh's Camry (thank you, thank you!). I ended up sitting at Mish's lap. :)) Sorry Mish!

We held our shirt workshop just outside the chapel with fourteen eager kids (the plan was to take 2 kids each), however Sam wasn't able to make it to our first session, so two of us had to take three kids (and one was me). The kids I had were a pleasure to talk to, however, they were intent on just writing "Payatas Children's Choir" at the back of their shirts instead of stabbing their shirts with painted hearts and circles and having convulsions over the pretty color combinations that our blues, yellows and reds could make. In my effort to save these shirts from epic boringsomeness, I smeared the kids' hands with paint and told them to leave their handprints for a more personal touch.
After what seems to be an eternity of refusing my pleas to experiment with the paint, they ended up being quite pleased with the result. Yay!
I hate how kids can be so stubborn at times, and I always enjoy proving them wrong. Haha!

We had a few issues regarding the workshop, e.g. adults "helping out" the kids until they end up actually doing the activity for them (shoutout to Jake and his very helpful gay friend), and kids who didn't want to listen to suggestions, but overall, most of the kids were able to finish their shirts. Next week, we're coming back for another workshop, and to hold a fashion show for everyone who has designed. :D Yayy. Sounds really fun. I just hope the kids won't forget to bring them next week :)

AND, PICTURES!!! Since I think I've already talked too much :D


Textile Paint I Prepared For My Kids, Jhonel, Jonalynn and Jasmine


Getting ready to paint the shirts!


Mosh's kid finger painting Payatas Children's Choir on her shirt.


Awesome shirt design by Matt's kid. Blues Clues daw. Epic!


Makeshift paint palette featuring Mish & Reese Blues!



Mish with her "masungit" kids :)) (although they do look nice here haha)


Me with my three kids :D



BONUS PICTURE! Haha, Rian and I making the FAIL face. No rewards for us today. :( Photo credit for this picture goes to James Magalong, thanks!

YAYYYY! I regret not taking more pictures of the kids with their shirts, but there will be time next week (FASHION SHOW!) This time I really don't mind staying until evening, given that we already transportation back to school. AND I ALMOST FORGOT! Big thank you to Dan and Dan's van for making us ride with you guys. 16 people in one Starex (was it?).

I'll update you with pictures of the next workshop, well, next week! :D For now, I'm just planning to bum around. Long weekends are always heaven-sent!

<3 Reese