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Boy Scouts of the Philippines

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This article is about the youth movement. For the article on the military unit, please see Philippine Scouts.

Kapatirang Scout ng Pilipinas
File:PhilBoyScouts.png
Boy Scouts of the Philippines logo. Laging Handa means 'Always Prepared'.)
HeadquartersManila,Philippines
Country Philippines
FoundedOctober 31, 1936
FounderJoseph E. Stevenot
Jorge B. Vargas
Carlos P. Romulo
General Vicente Lim
Judge Manuel Camus
Arsenio N. Luz
Gabriel Daza
Membership1,966,018
Chief ScoutGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
AffiliationWorld Organization of the Scout Movement
Website
Official Website
 Scouting portal

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), or Kapatirang Scout ng Pilipinas in Filipino, is the National Scout Association for boys and young men of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth and adults the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute to nation-building.

The BSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 111 on October 31, 1936. Its predecessor was the Philippine Council chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in 1923 through the work of Filipino, American, and Chinese businessmen and interest groups.

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines began in 1923 with the organization of the Philippine Council of the Boy Scouts of America (the Philippines being an American possession at the time). The Philippines, having acquired Commonwealth status in 1935, became an independent Scouting nation in 1936 with the transition of the Philippine Council into the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. In 1940 the Girl Scouts of the Philippines was founded. In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree held in Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, the first world Scout jamboree held in Asia.

As of 2007, the Current National President of BSP is Jejomar Binay and Secretary General, Jose Rizal Pangilinan, himself. According to the BSP National Council, the Philippines will host the upcoming Asia-Pacific Jamboree on 2010 at PSC-APR, Mount Makiling Los Baños, Laguna

History

Scouting history of the Philippines can be traced back to the American occupation of the islands. The first documented formation of a Scout troop in the islands was that of the Lorillard Spencer troop of Zamboanga formed in 1914 by a U.S. Navy Lieutenant named Sherman Kiser.

Sherman Kiser was initially assigned to escort American charity worker Caroline Spencer in Sulu. Mrs Spencer saw how Filipino boys could benefit from Scouting and discussed her ideas with Kiser. This suggestion was natural for Mrs. Spencer as her son, Lorillard Spencer was quite active in Scouting in the United States, hence the name of the troop. Kiser was reassigned however to Zamboanga, but he followed through with Mrs. Spencer's suggestion and formed a Scout troop composed of young Muslim boys. Upon learning of the formation of a new troop, Mrs. Spencer sent monetary support to purchase uniform and construct a headquarters.

Philippine council-BSA

More troops were organized through the years, mostly organized by American missionaries and servicemen in the island. The growing number of scouts was the reason why the Rotary Club of Manila wrote to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in New York. The letter was a request to formalize Scouting in the Philippines starting with Manila.

The BSA responded by sending Samuel W. Stagg as the special field scout commissioner to the Philippines. At the same time, Philip D. Carman, a U.S. army Major stationed in the Philippines who was on leave back in the United States, followed up the request with the BSA in New York.

On October 5, 1923 the, the Manila Council of the BSA was formed. The new council was initially funded through the help of various civic-organizations namely: the YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Elks, Filipino and Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the U.S. Army, the Catholic and Protestant churches, and the American Legion.

. In November 1923, the Rotary Club advised the BSA that the council had been organized. On December 27, 1923, BSA Deputy Scout Executive, Dr. George J. Fisher cabled the endorsement of the BSA by chartering the council as a first class council. In addition, the BSA gave the council jurisdiction to the whole Philippine island instead of only Manila as originally applied for. This officially created the Philippine Council-BSA.

Other historical events

1931, experimentations on Sea Scouting and Cub Scouting.

1933, the Philippine's first participation in an international Scouting event. The Philippine Council sent delegates to the 4th World Scout Jamboree in Budapest, Hungary, as part of the American contingent.

1934, Rover Scouting was introduced. BSA's Shanghai Scout district was placed under the supervision of the Philippine Council.

1936, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines was founded by virtue of Commonwealth Act 111 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The charter members are Joseph E. Stevenot, Jorge B. Vargas, Carlos P. Romulo, General Vicente Lim, Judge Manuel Camus, Arsenio N. Luz, and Gabriel Daza.

1953, first Wood Badge course was conducted at Camp Gre-Zar in Quezon City.

1954, 1st Philippine National Scout Jamboree held in Rolling Hills, Balara, Quezon City.

Dr. M.V. de los Santos served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1957 until 1959.

1959, 10th World Scout Jamboree held in Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. First world Scout jamboree held in Asia.

1963, the 24-member delegation of the BSP to the 11th World Scout Jamboree in Marathon, Greece, perished in a plane crash off the coast of Bombay, India. Streets in the South Triangle District in Quezon City were named in memory of the Philippine delegation.

1993, the Philippines hosted the 1st ASEAN Scout Jamboree.

1997, the 2nd World Scout Parliamentary Union held in Manila.

2007, the BSP 14th National Jamboree was held.

2007, BSP National President Jejomar Binay was elected as the new president of the Asia-Pacific Scouting Region


After Jorge B. Vargas, other Philippine recipients of the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, include Sir Gabriel A. Daza in 1965, Hermengildo B. Reyes in 1967, Ambassador Antonio C. Delgado in 1971, and Jorge M. Cui in 1979.

Ranks, program and ideals

The Scout emblem incorporates elements of the flag of the Philippines.

Scouts must earn the Membership Badge prescribed for the program they belong prior to working on the ranks.

Ranks of KAB scouting

  • Young Usa (or Young Deer)
  • Growing Usa
  • Leaping Usa

Ranks of boy scouting

  • Membership
  • Tenderfoot
  • Second Class
  • First Class

Ranks of senior scouting

  • Membership
  • Explorer
  • Pathfinder
  • Outdoorsman or Airman or Seaman
  • Venturer or Air Venture or Sea Venture
  • Eagle

The BSP offers the following programs:

  • KID Scouting (Kabataang Imumulat-Diwa or Children to be Introduced to Virtues) is for boys 4 to 5 years of age.
  • KAB Scouting (Kabataang Alay sa Bayan or Children Offered to the Nation) is for boys 6 to 9 years of age.
  • Boy Scouting is for boys 10 to 12 years of age.
  • Senior Scouting is for boys and girls 13 to 17 years of age.
  • Rover Scouting is for young men and women 16 to 24 years of age with a Rover Peers division for adults ages 24 and up.

Oath and law

The Oath and Law of the BSP are the following words, respectively,

On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty, To God and To my Country. The Republic of the Philippines and to obey the Scout Law, To help other people at all times, To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

A scout is

  • Trustworthy
  • Loyal
  • Helpful
  • Friendly
  • Courteous
  • Kind
  • Obedient
  • Cheerful
  • Thrifty
  • Brave
  • Clean
  • Reverent


International scouting units and association in the Philippines

There are two organizations focused on serving children of American military families living in the Philippines and elsewhere in eastern Asia and the western Pacific: USA Girl Scouts Overseas, serviced by the West Pacific Girl Scout Council, and Boy Scouts of America, serviced by the Philippines District of the Far East Council. These councils serve BSA and GSUSA units made up of children of diplomatic, business and military personnel, and international units run under their auspices.

Traditional Scouts.. Rover Scouts Association who serve Both male and Female 18-Above for those who want to be Rover Scouts and follow to the traditional Scouting program as laid out of B-P during his time, Thus U.S.R and R.S.A has a Crew in the Philippines.Baden-Powell Movement of Australia has a Branch in Philippines and serve to those member of Mormon Church.

See also

References


Template:Asia-PacificScout


  • [www.phiscout.org/scouting_phil.html Scouting in the Phils.]