By Mildred T. Fragante

PSSST kid, come here! Yup, it's you I'm talking to. Don't be afraid. I just want to tell you a little secret. Well . . . okay, so it's not actually a secret. It's something everybody should know about. But first, you've got to promise to share this with others. Okay? Now you're all set to know about the force that changed and will still change millions of children's lives--The Convention on the Rights of the Child or CRC.

What is CRC?

Members of the United Nations recognized that children are more vulnerable, require greater care and attention than adults. They saw that children were increasingly exposed to violence, separation of families, abuse, war and other forms of danger. So on Nov. 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child or simply CRC. CRC is a big list of obligations of each country to children. All but two countries, Somalia and the United States have yet to approve the CRC formally. The convention provides guidance for making laws, policies and programs that look out for kids.

You have rights to stand and live for. These were your rights since the moment you were conceived in the womb of your mother. Here's a list of them:

• To born, to have a name and nationality.
• To have a family who will love and care for me.
• To live in a peaceful community and a wholesome environment.
• To have adequate food and a healthy and active body.
• To obtain a good education and develop my potential.
• To be given opportunities for play and leisure.
• To be given protection against abuse, exploitation, neglect and danger.
• To be defended and given assistance by the government.
• To be able to express my own views.

Guyito treks to the South to ask five kids on their views on adults and the government concerning children's rights. The streets echoed with laughter as the kids playfully tug on his tail, hold on to his horn, and take turns to ride on his back.

The five passengers are: Ricky Basallo, 12, Anna Liz Barba, 11, and Melissa Bayawa, 11, from the University of Perpetual Help in Las Pi¤as; Tisha Alcantara, 12, from Manresa School in Para¤aque; and Sara Susanne Fabunan, 13, who studies at United Christian Academy in Sucat.

GUYITO: Do you know that you have rights as kids?

5 KIDS: Yes!

GUYITO: How did you learn about this?

RICKY, ANNA, SARA: These were taught to us in school.

MEL, TISHA: From TV commercials.

GUYITO: (laughs) OK. OK. So, do you think all these rights are practiced in your homes?

MEL: Um. . . I think so.

RICKY: Yup. 'Cause I'm being cared for, given meals. . . .

GUYITO: Do your parents, older brother/ sister listen to you when you voice out your views on things concerning you?

ANNA: Yes, sometimes they agree to what I want but not always. But they explain to me kung bakit hindi sila pumapayag.

SARA: My family listens to my opinions . . . (pause) well . . . except . . . (laughs), never mind!

TISHA: (pokes Sara) C'mon tell us.

SARA: (grins) No way it's a secret!

GUYITO: Do you think the government is giving enough attention to kids in our country?

RICKY, TISHA, ANNA, SARA: No.

MEL: Of course they do! (accidentally slaps Guyito on the back) They give food to street children.

GUYITO: Ouch! That hurt. (Mel apologizes.)

ANNA: No they don't. Sabi sila nang sabi na magbibigay sila ng bahay sa mahihirap, di naman natutuloy. Nababalewala rin yung rights natin. A lot of kids get hurt . . .

TISHA: Puro pera na lang ang iniisip nila. Puro economy. What about us kids?

GUYITO: So what do you suggest that adults and the government do?

TISHA: The adults should listen more to us. Because they do not know everything. There may be things na alam namin na 'di nila alam.

ANNA: The parents and adults should have seminars on children and our rights.