Short Films & Reseach
As Operation Merienda continues to evolve, we continue to build community and assess the areas of our stewardship that could better suit the needs of the communities we serve. Explore our interviews below to meet all the beautiful souls we've met through our outreach ministry efforts.
Past Joy Operations
I. Joy Operation: Lambangan Integrated School
Lambangan Integrated School is located in T'boli, South Cotabato in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region of the Philippines. The indigenous community of the T'boli was one of our selected schools for Operation Merienda's "Paskomunidad 2021" (Outreach Ministry) that delivered groceries to over 300 families during Christmas celebrations. This fundraiser was a partnership between Operation Merienda, Educators, and members of Dynamixz (a local community based organization in the Philippines).
III. Joy Operation: Merienda sa National Child Development Center (NCDC)
Operation Merienda partners with educators in Sto. Nino's municipality daycare by bringing a joy operation that incorporated elements from the children's educational tour to local firefhouses and community police houses. We are so grateful and happy to have had served Sto. Niño South Cotabato's National Child Development Center (NCDC) Municipality Firehouse and Police House Educational Tour on March 30, 2022.
We hope to serve more student activities with merienda and a healthy serving of smiles in the future.
IV. Joy Operation: Merienda Sa Munisipyo
In the Philippines, "Merienda" roughly translates to snack. But for Filipinos it is so much more! It is a very important time of the day carved into a typical Filipino's daily schedule. It is not only a time to relax and have a snack. No, no. Merienda done right requires a hearty serving of something sweet and savory. Best done with someone you love or are building a friendship with. Merienda is never a solitary activity ---- it is a bonding opportunity. Think of it as a mini brunch gathering carved into your day every day, twice a day. Minus the mimosas, of course.
In this #OperationMerienda we fed appx. 300 municipality staff in Sto. Nino's Local Government Unit. Offices served in this meal include: Mayor's Office, Vice Mayor's Office (Legislative Office), Treasurer's Office, Accounting Office, Local Civil Registrar, Assessor's Office, Budget Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Agricilture Office, COMELEC, Supply Office, and Rural Health Unit.
VI. Joy Operation: Surrallah Municipality PNP
On May 20, 2022, Operation Merienda delivered a “Rise and Shine Joy Operation” event to our partners in Surallah’s Municipality Philippine National Police (PNP) forces. Operation Merienda routinely involves our friends in community policing structures to serve as navigators and collaborators in various outreach ministry efforts within our program’s reach. My childhood friends that serve in Surallah’s PNP routinely volunteer their time and effort to help us successfully fulfill our mission to serve indigenous and low-income communities. After two years, we finally delivered a celebratory event where police leadership thanked my home institution, Teachers College, for the various ways my academic project has touched the lives of people in various townships across South Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines.
VII. Joy Operation: CAMACOP
This short film details the experiences of community leaders in the Philippines who have partnered with me to bring Operation Merienda to a larger network of community leaders. Operation Merienda has proudly served events for Norala and Sto. Nino (Nor-San) Fellowships where we brought merienda spreads and groceries for community leaders of various churches in the region. They share with us their sentiments and hope for the future civic engagements of Operation Merienda.