Thirty three students and 5 professors from Gyeongsang National University of South Korea were at the Sta. Catalina Elementary School from January 10-18 and had their voluntary extension services.
 
During their 7-day stay in the school under the university’s Volunteer Overseas Program, the volunteers held Taekwondo, Korean language, Korean Tradition Instrument Music and Recreation classes.
 
Aside from holding classes, the group replaced broken jalousies, painted the roof of four classrooms, improved the children’s park, repainted the playground apparatus, constructed sink and shed and replaced the water pumps.
 
The volunteers also donated ten solar lamps, two industrial fans, steel thrusts for shed, school supplies and steel TV case.
 
“SCES is very lucky for having selected as the venue for GNU’s voluntary extension services program this year,” Dr. Rosabel Desamito, SCES principal said.
 
“We owe a lot to Mayor Monmon and Vice Mayor Ely for recommending SCES as recipient of the program,” Desamito added.
 
Meanwhile, Binalonan Vice Mayor and Acting Mayor Melicio Patague II attended on January 18 the Culminating Program where in behalf of the mayor he expressed his gratitude to the Korean students and teachers.
 
“The people of Binalonan will not forget your generosity and kindness. Thank you for the friendship,” Vice Mayor Patague said.
 
During the Culminating Program, the Korean students rendered Korean traditional music, performed magic and dance, fan dance, hip hop dance and taekwondo routines. In return, some pupils danced the Tinikling and members of the school’s drum and bugle group performed to the delight of the volunteers.
 
“We love the teachers and the children. They are very friendly. They are always smiling,” said one of the students.
 
It can be recalled that groups of Korean university students from GNU have already been at the University of Eastern Pangasinan, Binalonan North Central School, South Central School, Bugayong Integrated School and Capas Elementary School for voluntary services the previous years.

the panel of judges.