A glimpse of the 6th Asean Jamboree

IMAGINE being among 30,000 Boy Scouts and their scout masters. That must be a major security and organizational nightmare. But the one hosted by Tagum City just over a week ago is organized to the highest level.

True, there were some hitches when it started, but after that... it was one grand event where the Boy Scouts from nine Asean countries, including the Philippines, as well as those of Sri Lanka, East Timor, Nepal, Netherlands, Maldives, Macau, Kuwait, South Korea, India, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.

I got a glimpse of the events at the Banana Beach of Hijo Resources Corporation last November 28 and 30, 2017, where two of the ten modules were held -- the Aquatics & Water Fun and the Campcraft & Woodcraft.

The other modules that were held at the Energy Park in Tagum City were: Asean Faith and Belief, Asean Crossroads of Culture, Global Development Village, Asean Better World Village, Sports Festival & Native Games, Challenge Valley & Obstacle Court, Community Service Projects, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

The ten Singaporean scouts who happened to be undergoing the Aquatics & Water Fun modules during our visit were all smiles when asked how they were enjoying the jamboree.

"We've learned a lot, and we have been making a lot of friends," one of the Singaporean delegates said.

A LOAD OF LEARNING. The ten scouts from Singapore in a chance encounter with Hijo Resources Corporation CEO Rosanna Tuason Fores.

MUDDIED. Hijos' Rosanna Fores with scouts who have just come out of the jungle trail with their muddied shoes and legs to show for it.

BASIC SKILLS. A scout simulates a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for a drowning victim.

SHELTER. The two types of shelter that scouts can make for jungle survival: the lean on and the A type.

LEARNING FROM THE PRO. Children learn how to use a lensatic compass from a soldier.

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Hijo Resources' marine biologist Harry Morris briefs the scouts on how to plant the mangrove seedling. Thousands of seedlings were planted by the boy scouts on Banana Beach where Hijo is embarking on a major marine environment...