http://www.youthactionnet.org/index.php?fuse=showblogdetails&blogid=2377
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.
Coca Cola Barkada is all about living positively; it’s all about collective volunteerism – the spirit of working together to give back to communities. Coke barkada is about positive action for positive change.
Recognizant to the contributions of young people to promote positive social change in heir own spheres of influence which in turn benefited by their own communities, Coca Cola Foundation Philppines awards the 2008 Coke Barkada Award to Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay Negros Chapter established during the Worlds AIDS Day Celebration on December 1, 2006 based in Bacolod City. The establishment was inspired by the President of TAYO Foundation, Mr. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino III's challenge to our President to expand its services in the Visayas Region within 5-years time during the TAYO-Agimat Young Leader's Retreat held in Bulacan on November 2006. A month later the challenge was fulfilled.
KGPP Negros is one of the five chapters of the organization operating in Western Visayas dedicated for at-risk and vulnerable children and youth and people living with HIV. The parent organization established in Iloilo City in 1998, started out as a group to rescue from further abuse and protect sexually exploited boys and girls from sexually transmitted infections and HIV through the HIV and AIDS Youth Advocacy Package or HAYAP on Tour - it won a TAYO Award in 2003 and a youthactionnet global fellowship in 2004.
KGPP as a venue for creating innovative and youth-driven ideas, the winning project entry entitled, Each One, Reach One, Teach One: Leadership for Treatment, Care and Support for Young People Living with HIV which the original concept was published by the journal of the International AIDS Society (http://www.iasociety.org/Default.aspx?pageId=11&abstractId=200714851) demonstrated a youthful courage, determination and perseverance to reach out and connect the common humanity with others to help living positively despite a life-long, life-threatening affliction and the heavy ordeals of HIV-infected brethren. The innovation is supported by the Global Fund against TB, AIDS and Malaria Round Five and made successful by a youth-adult partnership in its implementation reflects the true "Bayanihan Spirit" of the Filipino - a tribute to a collective volunteerism brought forth by the Filipino concept of "Barakada".
Its time to recognize youth not just as tokens but their “very laudable things they had proven to be possible” according to Zimmbodilion Y. MOSENDE│Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser│UNAIDS Country Office Philippines
The awarding took place during the awarding ceremonies of the sixth Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) on the 6th day of December 2008 at Renaissance Hotel, Makati City, Philippines. Cecile Alcantara, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, provided an emotional message for KGPP and PLHIV under its care before conferring the the plaque of recognition and a 20,000 grant to "Juan" (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20081231-180884/Juan-finds-life-after-HIV), KGPP's advocacy and Liaison Officer for PLHIV in Negros area.
This was KGPP's second feat after TAYO 2003 to be recognised as one of the ten outstanding Filipino youth-led organizations in the country for the year 2008 by the National Youth Commission, the TAYO Awards Foundation and "K na Tayo" Programme of Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.
KGPP dreams to expand its mission in Eastern and Central Visayas and war-torned areas in Mindanao to empower children and youth to take action for their own communities. Yes! it takes to collectively BELIEVE where together dreams are ACHIEVED the Bayanihan Spirit of Barkada.
For more information about the Coke Barkada Award and the Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations please visit the following links:
http://www.cokebarkada.com/home
