NOW that health protocols have eased up, outdoor activities such as kite flying are a timely and fun play-based activity for parents and kids to bond and learn the essential values of creativity, persistence, and confidence.
Recently, the Davao Christian High School (DCHS) Batch 1998 headed by its batch chairperson Beem Kasten Padlan organized the “Craft and Fly: A Kite Workshop” at the DCHS CP Garcia Campus’ open field.
The purpose of the event was to jumpstart fundraising activities for the DCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming slated in February 2023 to be hosted by HS Batch 1998.
“The batch chose a kite workshop because it is family-friendly and an outdoor activity that is perceived to be safer considering the recent pandemic,” says Padlan.
Almost 200 participants eagerly registered for the kite-making workshops, which included a short history of kites and safe flying tips.
Each interactive workshop lasted around 30 minutes, after which the participants were encouraged to test-fly their creations in the open field. Interestingly, the majority of the participants were children who have never built or flown a kite.
The workshops were conducted by the members of the Kite Association of the Philippines (KAP) headed by its national president Orlando Ongkingko. Ongkingko, who is based in Manila but originally from Davao, happened to be in town to grace the event. He regularly represents the Philippines in international kiting events and organizes kite festivals throughout the country.
Another founding KAP member Carlito "Carlo" Perez of Carlo's Kites also assisted in the workshops. He is a fixture of kite-making in Davao City.
Although it did not rain the whole day, the erratic winds meant that the kites were not able to soar above the tree line. Strong rains from the day before also made almost half of the field muddy. But all these did not dampen the kids' enthusiasm as they gleefully ran around the grass with their kites (and parents) in tow.
Afterward, families enjoyed juice, coffee, and hearty snacks from pop-up stands onsite: Hanshik Korean Fried Chicken, Paramount Coffee, Takoen Mexican Street Food, and Miah's Corner Potato Tornado.
The event was likewise a wonderful opportunity for members of DCHS Batch 1998 to reconnect after missing each other for so long.
The constant hum of the event, chatter, and sporadic laughter of the kids plus the smell of freshly brewed coffee and deep-fried potatoes, and people mingling freely were almost like a new experience, a breath of fresh air (literally) after the strict social distancing during the pandemic.
For the organizers, the well-attended event was proof that people are ready to come out and reconnect with the community once more, giving rise to a new generation of kite enthusiasts in Davao City.
Special thanks to Imagine Fotofun for the photos.
E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.