Way back in my elementary days, I became a Girl Scout because my classmates also joined. Let’s just say it was because of peer influence. The reason seemed so shallow, but I was always excited whenever October approached because it was National Scouting Month.

Back then, I didn’t have any idea what Girl Scouting was, as long as I wore the green uniform, cap and scarf with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) logo and stood in the crowd, confidently holding the patrol flag. I used to think that Girl Scouting was a battle of winning most of the games and having loud voices during the song and yell competitions.

I remember having a hard time memorizing the GSP Promise and Law. It didn’t matter if I understood what I was saying or not, as long as I could memorize it. I may seem stupid for joining Girl Scouting activities without knowing what the point was, but I really did enjoy all those moments.

When I was a little older, I was asked by my troop leader to do the role play for our District GSP Encampment together with other Girl Scouts. After a long discussion about choosing a particular scenario that would highlight the power of the green-blooded girls, we decided to portray the 2013 earthquake in Bohol.

Girl Scouting movement

It was during this time that I slowly understood the meaning of Girl Scouting. The movement is not just about song and yell competitions; it goes well beyond the basics that I used to believe. It means lending a helping hand to those who are in need. Because of this, I started dreaming of becoming a philanthropist, of showing empathy and care to humanity. I wondered what it felt like to offer a cup of champorado to street children or to teach them how to read and write. This change in mindset and eagerness to help pushed me to become more passionate and active as a Girl Scout.

Every time I joined an activity, I found comfort and peace in fully understanding that there is so much more to being a Girl Scout than just the green uniform, the cap, the scarf, badges and pins. The best thing about being a Girl Scout is I get to live the GSP Promise and Law.

I was in Grade 7 when our GSP council held a Chief Girl Scout Orientation. I was so determined to join the orientation because I was greatly inspired by my senior who was a Chief Girl Scout Medalist. The Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme (CGSMS) is an activity for Girl Scouts who wish to help and serve the community in their simple way.

Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme

Girl Scouts who completed CGSMS would be awarded in Manila (and get to ride an airplane!). I must admit that’s one of the reasons I wanted to join.

But as I started working on my CGSMS project, I realized that it was not a piece of cake. I almost gave up because of my hectic schedule in school plus my extracurricular activities. I reached a point where I had to weigh what was more important. My brain was telling me to stop what I was doing but my heart wanted me to continue my CGSMS journey.

I had chosen ecology and health as the focus of my CGSMS project and I treasure all the memories of working on it, including the exhaustion and tears. The challenges I encountered while working on my project made me a strong, independent, confident and even more empowered young woman. By God’s grace, on Nov. 4, 2016, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, I was one of the 758 Girl Scouts that was awarded the Chief Girl Scout Medal—the highest and most prestigious award given to a Girl Scout.

It was a dream come true to become a Chief Girl Scout Medalist and to inspire other Girl Scouts to also take on the challenge.

I also fulfilled my dream to ride an airplane. Riding an airplane is a big deal for a Mindanaoan like me. Girl Scouting activities made me experience things I never thought were possible. The Girl Scouting movement is not just about games or song and yell competitions. It is an organization that helps empower young Filipino women, giving them a voice and showing them that they are capable of becoming great leaders in the future. The movement crushes the stereotype and perception of people that women are weak and incompetent.

During the final Q&A at the 2019 Miss Universe competition, eventual winner Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi said that the most important thing that should be taught to young girls is leadership. I believe that Girl Scouting is the best arena for producing great women leaders of the future.

My life as a Girl Scout started because of peer influence, but I fell in love with the life of a Girl Scout because of the way Girl Scouting embraced me. Girl Scouting gives you so many stories to tell and songs to sing. —CONTRIBUTED