Thousands of young Filipino children and their parents tuned in to the Friend to Friend event last February 20, 2021. Interactive and fun, the broadcast was patterned after the Face to Face-style events of the Church, but tailored to be more child-friendly for Primary children ages 3 through 11. The event included arts and crafts activities, sing-alongs, and special messages from a host of speakers, including President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Members of the Church and friends of other faiths were excited to share their fun experiences with the event. Amber Sky Luczon, a 5-year-old girl from Mintal 1st Ward (congregation), said about the event, “I loved it and it was fun!”
Many other children shared important lessons they learned, including Daniel Lopez from Mauban Ward in Lucena Stake who said, “I’ve learned in this activity that we need, to be honest, kind and be good to others. We should also have faith in Jesus Christ.” Even children as young as 3 years old, such as Dainty Viriña from Nagcarlan Ward was able to say after the event, “Always pray and read the scriptures.”
Aside from lessons in faith, children were also eager to share what they learned by following along the arts and crafts and the singalong segments of the event, as well as felt connected to other children, referring to the different places that the event took its young viewers to. Caitlin Danoog, a 7-year-old girl from Olongapo 3rd Ward in Olongapo Stake said, “It was fun. I love to draw. I want to go to Tahiti.”
The Friend to Friend event was not only enjoyed by children but also by parents and Primary leaders in local units (congregations), as they organized virtual gatherings to view and participate in the event together. Leaders and parents of Dagupan 2nd Ward, Dagupan Stake organized a virtual meeting through Google Meets where parents and children could watch and follow along with the event together.
A mother from Majayjay Ward, Santa Cruz Stake shared how her daughter, Andrixia Clasicas enjoyed the follow-along drawing activity in the broadcast feeling as if though she was talking to the hosts of the event, and how she was captivated by the changing costumes in the broadcast.
The mother of Ephraim Alvarez from Darasa Ward in Lipa Stake shared “Ephraim happily watched the Friend to Friend broadcast. I witnessed his undivided attention while watching it. He loved joining in the activities. As young as he is, I know that he can hear and feel the teachings of our leaders. He said he loves Jesus and President Nelson!”
Friends from other faiths were also able to enjoy the broadcast as children and parents of the Church invited them to watch the event with them at the invitation of Church leaders, who envisioned the event to be friendly and inclusive to all children who want to participate in the fun-filled event. Nazar Pamongcales, an 8-year-old boy from Davao City shared, “I’m happy to join and watch the Friend to Friend activity. I enjoyed the activities like drawing and I learned to pray like Jesus.”
Primary children from all over the Philippines enjoyed the event and expressed their appreciation to the Church for organizing the event. Ebenezzer Torculas, a 9-year-old from Mintal said, “I’m happy we have our own children event in the Church. It’s so cool!” Many Primary children also shared how they hope for a future Friend to Friend event.
Mark Martin from Caloocan 1st Ward, Caloocan Philippines Stake said, “It was really fun, especially when we sang I Am a Child of God because it’s my favorite hymn. I also learned how to like collecting rocks because they said we can make a lot of stories using rocks. I really hope there are more events like this".
Because of the pandemic, many opportunities for in-person interaction through Primary activities in the Church have been lost in order to follow health and safety guidelines. However, the Friend to Friend event was successful in creating an opportunity for children to still have fun and learn interactively through the event.
Church leaders continue to encourage parents to watch the Friend to Friend event with their children and invite the children of friends from other faiths who might be interested in the event to also participate in the event at their own leisure. The full broadcast is available on the Church website and YouTube.
Starting March 13, 2021, the event will also be available in Tagalog and Cebuano, and the event will also be available to watch in shorter, more convenient clips for parents and children to watch and use as an aid in their family gospel-study.