Day 390: The Sumbanan Awards – Part Two

The basis of the Sumbanan Awards can be traced back to the provisions found in R.A. 7160, The Local Government Code of the Philippines of 1991. The celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan is not only confined to activities, “…competitions, and cultural festivals, arts and skills exhibition” but we take advantage of the freedom set by the provision that says that there can be “recognition and awarding of outstanding youth organization for their achievements and contribution to the development of the country or the locality”.

The nominees and winners during the 2011 Sumbanan Awards Night at Mindanao State University,
General Santos City Gymnasium. More than 300 KKs get involved during that night.

It should be clear by now that we are not making the SK as an award giving body, per se, but in compliance with the cited provisions we might, at least, impact the lives of our constituents worthy of the citation.

Granted that it is only “youth organizations”, we widen the scope of the Sumbanan Awards to individuals, too, as we acquired information about the General Santos City Youth Achievers Award (GSCYAA) from the Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) in our city. The said search awards individuals and groups inside the city, including the Sangguniang Kabataan.

In planning your Sangguniang Kabataan program, in this case Awards program you need all the resources you can get. The conceptualization of the Sumbanan Awards’ framework is credited to the YADO. They allow us to replicate and modify the GSCYAA’s format.

So the process…

We have these categories for individuals: PSK Officials, Academic, Sports and Health, Environment, Artistic Discipline (In-School and Out-of-School), and Cultural Communities Youth and Youth with Specials Needs. And our group category is singular, whether it is on health, sports, environment, a glee or a troupe. Let’s begin:

• Should they meet the age and residency requirements, their peers or their teachers can nominate them. A recommendation/nomination letter from this third person should be submitted to the office.
• After the nomination is accepted, we send them a confirmation letter congratulating their acceptance to the program.
• They can now start preparing their portfolio (these are required on both individual and group category). They are also informed of the additional requirements and documents through a checklist sent together with the letter as in No. 3.
• The panel of judges before the interview will meet to evaluate the passed documents one their comfortable time. They are handed with a copy of the whole portfolio of the whole nominees from all of the categories filled.
• The judges will interview the nominees on an assigned date. Additional interview with their peers, co-members in their organization, adviser and others, may follow.
• The judges will be given time (a separate day) to deliberate/discuss, and finally resolve to whomever will receive the award in the specific category.
• The result is a confidential between the panel of judges and the SK until the Sumbanan Awards Night that usually happens on the last day of the Linggo ng Kabataan celebration.

Problemo? No Problemo!

“I keep on extending deadlines.”

NO PROBLEMO! Oh dear! That really is a problem. So, you are dancing on the same tune – DEADLINE EXTENSIONS. Don’t be afraid to extend and further extend your deadlines. Of course, since it’s a new program not everyone will instantly buy that one.

Since you are just starting it, try extending the schedule but not hyper-extending it to the point that you’ll ruin your credibility. We also extend deadlines, 2 movements, the most.

Why? As much as possible, we do not want a single organization or individual be nominated on a category. We want a competition, and one that is healthy. Nobody feel prestige on a selection where he is the only participant. And believe me, you don’t want anyone gossiping about your “self-serving” program. Criticisms and gossips can never be avoided but at least do your best to keep your Awards’ integrity and credibility by not giving any chance for such.

“Nobody has responded. I quit!”

Not so easy. Before I answer let me say, NO PROBLEMO! Coordinate with the nearest high school and let them have recommendations. Allow the purok chairpersons, Barangay Kagawads, and other barangay personalities know of your program and make them nominate. Ask Manang Pepay of your suking tindahan if she knows someone who qualifies or tell Kuya Berto that he can have his intelligent son be nominated by a peer. I know you can add this list.

IDEAS!

1. Select the most appropriate judges. It starts and ends with them. Last year we have a university Office of the Student Affairs Director, Barangay Social Worker, a Teacher, and an Officer from an NGO.
2. You may tap your DILG City Director, at least this year we do. Or you can have your distinguished SK Chairman friend as one of the panel.
3. Allow your winners be involved in your future programs. It will give them vitality and further cherish the award they received.
4. Do, do, DO personalize your trophy or plaque. BUT 'wag umepal sa award. Don’t put your face on the trophy or plaque, or have large prints of your name on it. Tsk. No to epal mga SK!
5. Together with the award, you can add a reasonable cash prize. Our Sumbanan Cultural Communities Youth and Youth with Special Needs Awardee 2011 used it for his matriculation. It may help them.



(L-R) SK Chairman Samejon, Sumbanan Youth with Special Needs Awardee 2011,
his mother, City Vice Mayor, MSU-GenSan OSA Director (he is one of the judges).

6. You may contact me, in behalf of the council, for the detailed requirements and forms. We would be thrilled to hearing from you.

Any more words?

And you are thinking, “How will we account all these things?” I believe your trusted treasurer or legislative staff can help. If not, elevate the matter and your desire to implement such program to your SK Federation.

We are now on our last week of preparation for the Linggo ng Kabataan 2012 celebration. Also, we already have the resolution and budgetary requirements approved, thank God!

Have a great day y’all!