Over 100 indigent children from daycare centers of the Akap sa Bata ng mga Guro-Kalinga Philippines, Inc., an advocacy and community service provider for childcare around the country, received educational toys created by college students.
The initiative was organized by the Center for Social Action (CSA) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in collaboration with the Industrial Design Program of Benilde School of Environment and Design (SED).
To fully equip themselves with the fundamentals and principles of toy design, the budding craftsmen dedicated a whole academic term to a series of comprehensive lectures and workshops under the guidance of industry experts and mentors Budji Tresvalles and Mary Nobleza.
They likewise conducted consultations with the benefactors, including the parents and guardians of the recipients, as well as members and volunteers of the organization.
Crafted with the specific needs and wants of the beneficiaries in mind, the finished outputs include instructional models that aim to aid mobility, encourage socialization and ignite imagination. The choice of colors likewise played a big role to capture the attention of the users.
Marco Noel Aquino, Bryan Chuo, Pablo Santino “Sachi” So and Enrico Miguel Velasquez built a set of fidget toys: a stackable that boosts familiarity with colors and textures, a chatter-box that allows for slide-move-click-and-roll options for highly energized kids, and easy-to-build bricks that may turn to different structures such as houses, churches, hospitals and shops.
Adolph Apollos Aldovino, Vivien Antonette Daso, Maria Quisha Denaga and Ma. Minermila Espeleta developed detachable geometric figures that fuel inventiveness, a styling doll that introduces different shapes and plush animals.
Aldrick Espinosa, Sharney Rubio, Dan Leyba, and Bhea Mallare produced giant building blocks made of cotton fabrics and a road mat with interchangeable patterns which double as cushions. They likewise made a stuffed chicken puzzle that activates fine motor skills, as well as huggable pillows in the shapes of Filipino kitchen equipment.
Abby Lim, April Salvador, Giana Sy, and Reese Yulo fabricated career-based felt toys. The collection is inclusive of tools and instruments for budding doctors, chefs, musicians and handymen.
Raphael Garcia, Eryn Amante, Frances Cu, and Christian Destura wished to inspire future culinarians and foodies with their wooden sets. The meal trays comprised of classic Pinoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner staples. The cooking collection comes with ingredients for the all-time favorite adobo and sinigang, while the fruit platter features apple, banana, orange and watermelon.
The turnover was conducted at DLS-CSB’s The Atrium, wherein the student-artists personally showcased and handed over with pride their creations to the delighted children from the daycare centers of Akap sa Bata ng mga Guro-Kalinga Philippines, Inc. in Pasay City and Quezon City.