The City Government of Marikina has rolled out its “Summer Is Cool sa Marikina” initiative, officially opening the program on Friday as it continues to welcome participants for its series of free workshops. The seasonal project is aimed at giving residents, especially children and youth, access to creative and practical learning opportunities while school is on break.
City officials said the program is designed to make the summer period more meaningful by combining leisure with skill development, allowing young residents to stay active while learning new abilities outside the classroom setting.
Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro emphasized that the initiative balances recreation with education, ensuring that students still gain useful experiences during their vacation period.
“We want the children’s summer break to be enjoyable, but it is also important that they learn and develop new skills while enjoying time with their friends,” Teodoro said.
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Wide Range of Arts and Creative Workshops
The local government confirmed that enrollment remains open for various arts-focused activities under the program. These include folk dance, contemporary and jazz dance, hip-hop dance, performing arts, and visual arts sessions such as watercolor and pastel painting. Photography workshops and a Marikina photowalk activity are also part of the lineup.
Teodoro said the goal of these sessions is to encourage participants to explore their creativity, express themselves more freely, and develop artistic confidence throughout the school break.
Beyond the arts, the city is also providing free classes in music, sports, and general skills development that are open to children, youth, and even adults.
Skills Development and Community Growth
Adult participants are also given opportunities to join additional workshops covering basic makeup and beauty care, soap making, stress management techniques, basic yoga, flower arrangement, and dish garden making. These activities are intended to offer both personal development and potential livelihood skills.
According to the city government, the broader aim of the program is not only to teach new talents but also to strengthen personal values such as confidence, discipline, and social connection among participants. By bringing residents together in shared learning spaces, the initiative also helps build friendships and a stronger sense of community during the vacation season.
For many families in Marikina, the program provides accessible enrichment activities that help keep children engaged during school breaks while promoting creativity, wellness, and community involvement that can positively shape youth development in urban areas across the Philippines.
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