Reply to comment
Coke Barkada Tambayan guests are role models for the youth
Now, the youth in Paradise Heights community have models to look up to. Thanks to VIPs like Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Gawad Kalinga Chair Tony Meloto and Coca-Cola Bottlers President Bill Schultz, who attended the Inauguration of the Coke Barkada Tambayan in Tondo, Manila last September 5, 2009.
Built to give the youth a venue to help shape their communities, the Coke Barkada Tambayan is a partnership project of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation and the Office of Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
The new President and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines said, “As I make the Philippines my new home, I want to contribute in making a difference for the youth here.” His statement validates the company’s commitment to building sustainable communities in the country where it operates.
Meloto, for his part issued a challenge to the youth. What used to be a symbol of poverty (the Smokey Mountain) no longer exists, he said.
“This is now Paradise Heights and through it we will build a dream of a country we can all be proud of.” This dream is slowly becoming a reality with the help of Coca-Cola, he added.
The Coke Barkada Tambayan is composed of a multi-purpose hall and a library. being used as a venue for modern dance, ballet, gymnastics and taekwondo classes. With the help of generous employees who donated their books, the community was also able to build a very functional library.
Furthering the excitement of the community, the Coca-Cola Tigers basketball team also came and made the occasion very memorable to a lot of the people there. “Ang saya-saya ko po kasi nakita ko ang mga idol ko na sina Asi Taulava at Kenneth Duremdes,” 10-year-old Brent Dave Laurente said. He shared that this is the first time in his life that he was able to see celebrities.
Other Coca-Cola leaders who attended are: Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Chair Rene Adad, Procurement Director Ronnie Asuncion, Public Affairs and Communications Director JB Baylon, National Key Accounts Director Eric Montinola, Region Director for GMA Ito So, GMA Region Sales and Commercial Director Jose Mallman, Area Sales Manager Beda Bartolome and Cris Rivero and Territory Sales Manager Perry Pascol.
Reply
Barkada is a group of friends – but not just ''a group of friends''. As with many Filipino words, it is difficult to translate barkada to a single English word - ''clique'' and ''gang'' come close, but do not quite capture the essence of barkada. Clique connotes exclusivity and snobbishness. Gang, in the informal sense, mimics barkada but lacks the lifelong bond that differentiates barkada from a mere social group. The best definition of barkada is probably ''family'', minus the pre-requisite blood relationship. Barkada is the group of peers that one is always comfortable with, knowing that he will be accepted no matter what.
