The Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme: Learning by doing

“The Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme: Learning by doing”

Sun.Star Davao, Nov. 18, 2017

The Chief Girl Scout Medal, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines’ highest and most prestigious award, was recently bestowed to 735 dynamic awardees from all over the country.

In a presentation ceremony held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the medalists were lauded for “their outstanding service, perseverance, dedication, and zeal in community development through the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme (CGSMS)”.

Among this year’s CGSMS medalists were ten (10) Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts from the Davao Girl Scout Council, namely: Jecel Ann Abraquez (Bernardo Carpio National High School); Kimberly Esquibel (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Shavana Aba-a (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Anne Gayle Binancilan (University of the Immaculate Conception); Trisha Kaye Bautista (University of the Immaculate Conception); Deanne Marie Pia (University of the Immaculate Conception); Katherine Lantajo (Holy Cross College of Calinan); Kris Xelamar Bataller (Ateneo de Davao University); Jan Vieva Maristela (Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School); and Anicka Beatriz Teves (Davao Christian High School).

2017 CHIEF GIRL SCOUT MEDALISTS. Davao Girl Scout Council’s (Front row, from left) Jecel Ann Abraquez, Kimberly Esquibel, Shavana Aba-a, Anne Gayle Binancilan, Trisha Kaye Bautista, and Anicka Beatriz Teves. (Back row, from left) Deanne Marie Pia, Katherine Lantajo, Kris Xelamar Bataller, and Jan Vieva Maristela

Davao Girl Scout Council Executive Teresita Pia takes a pose with the Davao CGSMS medalists. 

The Davao Girl Scout Council 'titas' with CGSMS medalists.

(From left) Myrna Aba-a, Scout Kimberly Sheyn Esquibel, Scout Shavana Aba-a, Scout Kathrina Lantajo, Margarita Canaynay and Reyna Lantajo

NATION BUILDING

Launched in 1976, the CGSMS “highlights the Girl Scout’s role in nation building as exemplified by the Chief Girl Scout and her distinguished leadership and vital contribution to nation building. It is a continuing incentive that Senior or Cadet Girl Scouts can aspire for as they become actively involved in the conduct of the community and national affairs.”

The scheme recognizes Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts who “meet the criteria for outstanding service to their community. It is built on the Girl Scout’s concept of developing the total Scout, making her well-rounded in all aspects – spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social.”

(From left) Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) 1^st National Vice President Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson, Dr. Helen Grace Roasa, GSP National President Susan Locsin, and GSP National Executive Director Ma. Dolores Santiago

“While standards of achievement are necessary, there is no competition with others. Each Scout is judged according to her individual ability and leadership capabilities.”

“In the span of 41 years (1976-2017), 10,053 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts have worked on the scheme and were awarded the CGSMS. Some of these medalists are now lawyers, doctors, teachers, business executives, nurses, outstanding community leaders, among others”.

FIRST AWARDEE. Dr. Helen Grace Roasa, guest speaker during the 41^st CGSMS Presentation Ceremony, was one of the first Chief Girl Scout Medalists in 1977.

This year, the CGSMS medalists worked on the following community development projects:

ECOLOGY

“325 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts worked on waste management; tree planting; mangrove and sea grass planting; seedling dispersal; reforestation; beautification projects on parks, centers, children’s playgrounds, highways; utilization of blighted areas; construction of waiting sheds and bridge; and clean-up of canals and streams. 9,750 families in 325 barangays were beneficiaries of these efforts.”

One of the CGSMS beneficiaries for 2016-2017 (My daughter's adopted community for 1 year):
Purok Baybay, Lizada Village, Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr., Davao City

LIVELIHOOD

“34 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts focused on skills training in cosmetology; reflexology; handicrafts; sewing; candle making; doormat and eco bag making; tray making; baking; food production; food preservation; putting up of vegetable gardens; mushroom production; and poultry and hog raising which benefited 1,020 families in 34 barangays.”

HEALTH

“316 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts helped 11,060 children and 9,480 families in 316 barangays through mass feeding and healthcare monitoring; medical and dental services; personal hygiene education; organizing mother’s classes for the promotion of proper nutrition; putting up of vegetable and herbal gardens; and construction of comfort rooms, water pumps, and rainwater filtration system.”

Teaching proper hygiene at Purok Baybay

Dr. Catherine Te does a dental check-up with a Purok Baybay beneficiary.

B.M.I. monitoring at Purok Baybay

"My Healthy Food Plate" at Purok Baybay

CULTURAL HERITAGE

“60 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts highlighted the appreciation and promotion of Filipino culture and traditions through research and sharing of Philippine dances, songs, games, stories, and poems, cataloguing of collections in a local museum; preservation of historical markers; museum and park visits; renovation of chapels; and installation of mini public library which profited 1,800 families in 60 barangays.”

"Fit is it!" at Purok Baybay

In total, 22,050 families and 11,060 children in 735 barangays/communities greatly benefited from the CGSMS projects this year.

MORE THAN MEDALS. In her speech, Cadet Girl Scout Halle Andrea Java from the North Cotabato Girl Scout Council shares that although the medal makes the awardees feel great, it is serving those who need their help the most that is more meaningful. 

“The Chief Girl Scout Medal represents what true Girl Scouting is all about. It is an action project of the Girl Scout Promise and Law which one lives by. It is learning to put others ahead of yourself”, stated Dr. Cristina Lim-Yuson, 1^st National Vice President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (National Headquarters), in her message.

Special session with the beneficiaries' mothers regarding "My Healthy Food Plate"

With Purok Baybay's hardworking barangay workers Joy Tinambacan, Larry Entia, Marygen Pinto and Barangay Kagawad Erico Talili during the CGSMS Evaluation Ceremony.

“These are not easy to learn, but because Girl Scouting is all about “learning by doing”, these good works should come naturally with you as you get older and wiser”, Dr. Yuson enthused.

Kudos to this year’s spirited Chief Girl Scout medalists! May you continue to make a difference in other people’s lives, even beyond scouting.

Special thanks to the Girl Scout of the Philippines' official Facebook page for some of the photos on this post.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.