ALLEN, Northern Samar - Two years of the pandemic have been quite difficult for the youth sector not only in terms of education but also in the aspects of recreation and personal development. These activities help mold young people to become better citizens and become worthwhile players in socio-economic progress through developing new knowledge and skills. The 4-H Camp is one activity where the youth can engage with others more meaningfully.
As activities are being conducted in the new normal, the Eastern Visayas 4-H Club Officers together with their Regional Coordinator found the opportunity to bring back the Explorer’s Camp, the 4-H Club’s yearly summer activity that brings together the youth from different localities in the region.
More than 100 youth participants attended this year’s 4-H Explorer’s Camp in Allen, Northern Samar on July 26-28, 2022. This year’s theme, 4-H LEVEL UP: Leading Excellence in Agriculture through Viable Innovations, Empowering Leaders and Unleashing 4-H Potential highlights the 4-H Club’s participation in Agricultural Development as Youth Agripreneurs for Overall Nation Building. In line with the theme were various topics during the activity’s breakout sessions focusing on social media and agriculture, the different Digital Agri Tools and Platforms, e-Learning, and knowledge sharing of Best Practices on Farm Tourism.
“I am very glad and thankful that we have this kind of activity because for two years we were not able to gather because of the pandemic.” said Nenia Thena Amistoso, a participant from Tacloban City. During the camp, she talked to one of the participants from Southern Leyte Province and appreciated their eagerness and enthusiasm to attend the camp despite the 13-hour travel. “This activity intensified our knowledge, our visions, our goals, and appreciation of our culture. The bond and friendship we have established with other 4-Hers during our stay made this activity a meaningful one. I hope whatever we learn from this activity, we will put in action because I believe that talk without action is useless and learning without application is never a learning at all.”
Gracing the activity was Alang-alang, Leyte Mayor and former 4-H Club President, Hon. Lovell Anne M. Yu-Castro who reminded the youth about their role as agents of social transformation and their capabilities in making a real difference in the world in various areas. As this year’s keynote speaker, Lovell said, "I hope our 4H Club members will live by our pledge - use our heads for clearer thinking, our hearts for greater loyalty, and our hands for larger service. We can be agents of social transformation, and we can make a real difference."(transcribed by Northern Samar Provincial Information Office)
Not only were the youth challenged to learn about their roles in agricultural development through the lectures and breakout sessions, they too showed off their talents and skills through various contests during the camp.
There, they had a 4-H debate discussing issues that run with the youth and agriculture today. They also conducted a contest on Innovative Technology on Organic Fertilizer Production where the youth demonstrated the formulation of different organic fertilizers. A Video Making contest was also conducted prior to the camp promoting 4-H and its impact on the youth in various areas in the region. And lastly, the search for the Lakan and Lakambini of 4-H in Eastern Visayas.
The following are the lists of winners:
Innovative Technology on Organic Fertilizer Production
1st Place Dexter P. Calvario, Samar
2nd Place Luigie Gorme, Southern Leyte
3rd Place Jhonrey Gardon, Leyte
4-H Debate
1st Place & Best Debater and Best Speaker Kaiser Christoffer D.C. del Valle, Northern Samar
2nd Place Rex R. Rivera, Southern Leyte
3rd Place John Lorence B. Dela Cruz, Ormoc City
Best Team Affirmative
Promotional Video Making Contest
1st Place Rian Eulin, Northern Samar
2nd Place Jazpher V. Millan, Jiovannie Mirasol, Eli Jed Capisonda, Southern Leyte
3rd Place Eric James A. Lacambra, Chester Leonel C. Quiza, Tristan John B. Antonio, Tacloban City
Lakan ng 4-H Club in Eastern Visayas - Mr. Noel Adel Jr. of Northern Samar
Lakambini ng 4-H Club in Eastern Visayas - Ms. Nenia Thena Amistoso of Tacloban City
1st Runner Up/Mr. Head - Mr. Jomarie C. Pamon of Southern Leyte
1st Runner Up/Ms. Head - Ms. Carl Jean Lourence Toniza of Samar
2nd Runner Up/Mr. Heart - Mr. John Louie P. Royeras of Ormoc City
2nd Runner Up/Ms. Heart - Ms. Debbie Vinculado of Ormoc City
3rd Runner Up/Mr. Hands - Mr. Tristan John Antonio of Tacloban City
3rd Runner Up/Ms. Hands - Ms. Crista Jewel Quiambao of Leyte
4th Runner Up/Mr. Health - Mr. Kyle Nathaniel Peñaranda of Samar
4th Runner Up/Ms. Health - Ms. Regine S. Roa of Southern Leyte.
Over-all Results
1st Place Southern Leyte and Northern Samar
2nd Place Tacloban City
3rd Place Ormoc City
4th Place Samar
5th Place Leyte
Dionel Royandoyan, another participant from Samar stated his experiences during the preparation of the contest. “Before we went here, we encountered many challenges, our club experienced difficulties in the preparations for the different contests due to limited resources. But because of our love of 4-H club and we really wanted to compete, together with my co-4-Hers in Tarangan Samar we did it.” Together with his fellow participants from Tarangnan, Dionel takes pride and honor to represent the Young Leaders and Farmers of their municipality competing with whole 4Hers coming from different Provinces of Eastern Visayas.
Special awards were also given during the activity. Ormoc City was awarded as the Most Compliant Delegation while Ms. Christine Mirasol from Catubig, Northern Samar won as this year’s Best 4-H Coordinator.
Brightening up the night sky of the activity’s second night was the candle lighting ceremony. A staple in every 4-H Camp that symbolizes the hopes and aspirations for a better life among the youth and 4-H supporters throughout the country.
The recently concluded 4-H Explorer’s Camp was made possible with the collaboration ATI-RTC 8 with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 8, Local Government of Allen, Northern Samar, Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Provincial Youth Development Office, Provincial Information Office, and 4-H Club Eastern Visayas. Other key officials who graced the activity were the Municipal Mayor of Allen, Hon. Joey Suan; OIC-Provincial Agriculturist/Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Jose Luis Acompañado; IDS-Chief of DA-RFO 8, Ms. Nemi Aurora B. Abalos; and PASS Chief of ATI-RTC 8, Mr. Antonio E. Cadalin graced the activity.
