sana hindi mangyari ang lahat!

Madaling araw ng Disyembre 12, 2010

Ang nakita ko ay isang halimaw na ulap na nagmamadaling umaakyat sa langit. Iyun ay tila may paa na nagmamadaling makapanira ng mga lupain. Lumindol ng pagkalakas-lakas, nabiyak ang mga lupa… nagkaroon ng mga malalaking usli ng lupa samantalang lumubog naman ang ibang mga bahagi. Parang pumutok ang isang bulkan… pero nakalilito ang mga pangyayari dahil mayroon ding mga kasunod na pagsabog. Mabilis na nabalita ang trahedya, at muli na namang sumailalim sa krisis ang ating bansa.

Mula sa tinutuntungan kong sementeryo sa bundok, nakita ko ang lahat ng mga pagsabog at pagguho ng lupa, huminto ako at nagdasal na sana ang lahat ay manatili na lamang sa aking panaginip at hindi ito isang pangitain ng mas nakakahindik na katotohanan!

SEVEN RESTAURANT TURN-OFFS!

Sure they have the most delicious meal on the planet, almost everything. That’s why we always bring our family there and even celebrate our precious days inside their usually colorful haven. Be it Jollibee, McDonalds, KFC or the rests, we know that we always put them in our considerations when we need a place to fill our hungry stomach. There are always reasons to visit their space; however there are simple things that they sometimes missed and we never fail to see them, most often, these became their biggest turn-offs. Here is a rundown of turn-offs you don’t want to see in your favorite restaurant:

1. Scary guards and the other person that never smiles. Do we need any explanation for this? Hello? Do you know the five-letter word spelled SMILE?

2. Caution! “Wet floor” signs all over the place and other signage that just go along the way. Sometimes it is no longer the wet floor that you have to watch out for because in some cases, you need to be very careful not to bump on the yellow sign panel itself. And sometimes, they are all over the place that walking through the restaurant gives you an obstacle-course experience.

3. The table is either too high or too low. Interior-designing provides new dressing for our eating-paradise. However when style and function never meet what you will get is a frustrating dining experience. Please double-check if your coffee table is just enough to serve that hot liquid, otherwise, it is our head that will go crazy.

4. Alienating faucets and other small stuff that you need to open. It is very okay that Jollibee, McDonalds and the others are trying to sophisticate their services by providing modern details to their place. But for a simple person like me and the children, going to the toilet might turn-out to be a disaster; having hard time to locate the flush button (or are there still any?) or not finding the light switch. I will not forget my encounter to the gravy-pitcher that doesn’t want to give even a single drop and in one shake it spilled everything on the tray.

5. When the cleaning gets to our eating. We want the place to be clean and tidy for added pleasure in our gastronomic adventure… but we want to make it clear that we don’t want to see how they do it. Aside from the strong smell of the detergent that they use, you don’t want to eat while someone in a uniform is blocking your view outside because he is wiping the glass window. Should it be done right before they serve the first meal of the day?

6. The open door that leads to the kitchen and to the principal’s office. Everything should have been okay until you had a sneak view of the kitchen. Should that kitchen door that leads to the costumer’s area be close all the time?

7. When self-service became too literal. It is true that in some countries you will be requested to clean your table and put your trash in the bin. That could work here in the Philippines too. But that doesn’t mean that we want to eat in the table that we are the one that needs to do the cleaning right before we eat. Yes, you can ask for assistance, but hello, it would be nice and sweet if they have taken a keen eye for this and set the table before you can even sit-down.

It is true that when things look very amazing your eyes will instead look for a single mishap that will complete the perfect look. But it should not stop there, show them that you care and caring means; I am not going to eat here again unless you move that broom out of my chair!

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photo from www.grimmemennesker.dk

Kabataang Lingkod ng Calumpit Leadership Training

The site was not new in my plate except definitely it was served with the mesmerizing look and gentle attitude of youth from Calumpit, Bulacan. My experience of facilitating the Community Organizing and Leadership Training of Kabataang Lingkod ng Calumpit or KLIC was a delightful treat to break my daily intake of 8-hour office work. This was a celebration set in the serene atmosphere of Forest Hills Village Resort in Subic Bay, Zambales.

I am so happy to arrive early in our assembly point in front of Calumpit Municipal Hall. The youth were very familiar to me; most of the convener and officers of KLIC were former officers of the youth council where I used to work in the last five years. The scenes wherein the youth were talking to each other, giving out genuine laughs, weighing their backpacks, comparing their fashion statement and some leaders reminding them of what they need to do; these were just memories to me now – almost!

Inside the van, KLIC officers were talking like professionals – checking out their responsibilities, reviewing their list of committees and once in a while will take a little bite of gossips about their friends and members. Very adult!

The ingredients for this sumptuous experience were just very simple; carefully prepared team-building activities in the afternoon, a cool diving experience in the pool, posh partying in the evening, chilly conversation during our sessions and sprinkle of good memories in the beach. Thanks to Mayor James De Jesus for believing in the capacities of KLIC members and for cooking up something special such as this for them.

But for me, more than anything else, the real secret of this successful recipe is the sincere effort of the youth to bring change in their community. I take pride of the sweet accomplishments of the youth behind this and for sharing me a slice of their wonderful cause -- in silver spoon.

HEROES AND SORROWS! Children and Youth who touched my life and changed my way of thinking…

They call me Kuya Edel, sometimes Sir Edel. They often told me that they realized many things from my lectures and were inspired by my life. The truth is, I was the one learning so much from the youth leaders and sponsored youth of Children International Manila…

and so starting from today; I will give accounts to all the youth who came across my life and left remarkable impact in my thoughts and actions.

Let me start with this simple story.

And he dreams again!

I think he never said hundred words for a day in his life except probably when he was required to sing the National Anthem when he was young. This was a joke of course.

But this is quite true to Gio (not his real name) one of the pioneer youth educators for our reproductive health advocacy campaign that started in 2005. When I interviewed him, he only introduced himself and gave more nod and head shakes than straight sentences and clear questions. It was very obvious to me that he will have hard times doing the task of a peer educator; he had insecurities standing in front of a crowd that’s why he speaks so low and always looking down, he didn’t even demonstrate any skills in art or show any creativity. Many people were asking why I included him in the list of the educators, I always respond by saying “at least he is there… meaning he likes the program… that’s why he’s there!” I hope it did make sense that time.

I discovered that he was very much interested in skateboarding and rock music which are way beyond my reference and so we rarely have conversations. I only learned things from him through the stories of the youth leaders who happened to be his neighbor or schoolmates. Just like many youth, he faced challenges in his life; he enrolled in college and had to stop after few months.

He attended our life skills training called Youth Empowerment Seminar or YES for out-of-school youth in our partner communities. There were group sharing, teambuilding activities and some sort of presentations. In one of that, he became our Retro Hunk for his outfit.

Despite of that rare expression, he was still a man of few words. However, I soon realized that his carefully chosen words were only trying to cover his unexpressed deep pain.

He shared to his youth facilitator his thought about being an out-of-school youth, his life with his friends, about the music they make and some other things that we never thought would come from him. His life was put in danger in quite some times; he tested and experimented in many things.

In high hopes and spirit, I prayed that he would pick-up some thing from the seminar that he can use in dealing with his life. And he never failed me.

After the seminar, I looked at the evaluation survey that he completed and I almost cried reading it… there imprinted in plane letters and color were words that made up a thought that changed my life. In the question “what are the most important thing you learned from the seminar?” this was his reply:
“I learned to dream again!”

I could not define exactly what I learned from that script but now, every time that I am down or I failed in my ways, I will remember Gio, and then I dream again!

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Mula kay Kuya Edel

Slice of Life in Sierra Madre

Working with Haribon Foundation will bring your consciousness to the protection of the environment and conservation of species but I didn’t expect it can get very literal than that.

October 5, 2010

I woke-up at 4:00 am to organize my backpack that weights more than 12 kilograms. It has been 6 years since I did this kind of preparations of going to the mountain. I don’t know what items to bring; I counted on bringing stuff that will make me clean and happy along the way. I arrived in the office a little earlier than 6 am. The short travel from my apartment in SM North to Anonas, Cubao already gave me an idea on how much work my back will do in carrying my stuff.

Joining me in the travel were Kuya Jim, one of our consultants; Ate Jen, staff from our accounting department and Angie, our training assistant. We took our breakfast in a Pares House in Masinag, Antipolo at around 7 o’clock. Kuya Rene, our driver, said that Pares House is a favorite stop-over point for travelers who want to fill their stomach. It is true indeed, because they serve sumptuous sisig and pares recipes that look very ordinary but will give you nostalgic eating experience. Sad though because that morning I was really overwhelmed of the idea that I will be walking in the mountain and that lost my appetite for gastronomic adventure. So, I just took my household favorite hotdog and egg with coffee.

We arrived in our staff house in Infanta, Quezon at exactly 11 am after the crazy ride in the mountain of Antipolo, Laguna and Quezon. We rested for thirty minutes then we took our lunch. My instinct was telling me to eat a lot so that I can consume enough energy that I surely need for the physical activity ahead of me.

We had our lunch at Queen’s Cake Restaurant, a famous pastry shop in the town. They have cakes in different colors and shape, which are always present in a many occasions in Infanta. It was funny however that we didn’t order for cake that afternoon. We settled for a simple treat of eating an overly-stuffed relyenong bangus and fresh chopsuey. On the side, I ordered hot tea with calamansi to calm my stomach.

Kuya Jim had been reminding us that we need to start our journey to Sitio Pangatloan, Gen. Nakar earlier than 3 o’clock because it might rain along the way and the river can grow bigger. And so at two thirty, we left the office. Kuya Jim didn’t join us in the travel since he has another commitment to attend to the next day. With us were Kuya Nove, the community organizer in the area, and Ate Rona, one of our site staff.

We started our travel by riding on their local tricycle that is bigger than what we have here in Metro Manila. It was a short ride in the Magsaysay Highway. Along the way we received very warm welcome from big hawks enjoying the dense breezy air of the mountains. The towering mountains of Sierra Madre have succulent green skin that shines under the blue sky; such spectacle is giving me reasons to be proud of our country. However, part of the panoramic view is prominent signs of disgrace in our environment. There were patches of denuded forests because of logging and kaingin. The construction of the Magsaysay road created a long thread of destruction of the forest. I don’t know how to call what they did in the mountain but they sliced its faces to reconnect Quezon Province to the metro via the city of Marikina.

We came to that point that we have to start walking because of the dangerous curves and inclination of the trail. At first, it was full of fun; we were very engaged to the sceneries in 360 degrees. It was like you need to observe everything that comes to your senses. My eyes were busy capturing the heights of the mountain and every species that dwells on its layer. There were many things that I only see in the magazine and National Geographic. It was my first time to get up-close and personal with the pitcher plant. The one I saw dominated its host-tree, that’s why at first I thought that pitcher plant is a tree but thanks to Kuya Nove who corrected my impression. There were trees that have red leaves, some have white while others are small, floppy, and curly and others are big and scary.

… And there’s the river.

To cross the river, we have to check our perfect balance in a boat that is a little narrower than the usual canoe. Adding to our excitement is our very lean 40-yr. old boat captain, Ate Julie. Because of the limited space of the boat, we had to go by-twos, which was a challenge to Ate Julie. But Ate Julie proved that she has the strength and stamina to transport all of us to the other side of the river despite of the rain and the disturbing current not to mention our weight and of our luggage.

Then we have to walk again in a very stiff trail to our destination.

The community is situated almost at the heart of the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre; there are mountains everywhere. On my estimate, only 30 families inhibit the place. People rely largely on farming that is just enough to sustain the need of the whole community. Many have vegetable garden in their yard while some raise chicken and ducks for their source of meat and protein. Though it may seem that living in the place is very challenging, Sitio Pangotloan is very lucky to have a school in their community with special classes for the Alternative Learning Education.

We capped our day by having candle-light dinner followed by the serenade of native ducks while we were sleeping.


October 6, 2010

I woke-up early to witness how the sun rises in the mountain but that morning was a little gloomy. Thick clouds were covering the mountains and the mist kept dancing with the butterflies in the school garden. We just enjoyed the cool weather and gave our best poses for the picturesque serene sceneries. Joining us in our romance with nature were birds in various flocks: kalaw, maya and small others that I don’t know. We also revisited the river but we were not able to get close because it grown wider and bigger - and brown like a 3-in-1 coffee that is good for our breakfast.

Then we geared up to do our intention of going to the community – to conduct an Organizational Management Training to the women’s group of Sitio Pangotloan. We were too busy that morning that we almost forget that there was a wonderful treat for our lunch.

But there showed up our unexpected visitor: a long creature that has features similar to grasshopper and walk like scorpion. I took my cellphone and recorded its every motion. It was my first encounter with that specie that later on I learned is called “stick insect”. May be, the stick insect was just so jealous that we have “sinantol” for our lunch which was a perfect match for chicken cooked in coconut milk.

Every people who visit Quezon should try sinantol for any of their meal. Like a fruit version of “bagoong”, sinantol is a good appetizer for your heavy meal. It has an extraordinary fusion of the sour taste of santol and the lame sweetness of the coconut milk.

In the afternoon, we rested in a hut inside the school premises. There we had coffee and shares of funny stories– what a lovely way to relax after our serious moments during the training.


October 7, 2010

Ate Rona and I will have to leave earlier than the rest of the group because we will be meeting the facilitators for our next training in Infanta, Quezon. So after loading up ourselves with our tasteful breakfast: dried fish, cucumber and coffee; we headed excitedly for our trekking adventure.

Instead of walking in the rice field, we walked straight beside the river to check other trails. Unfortunately, there were no available boats on that particular site and so we walked back to our original route. We passed by a family having a picnic in the riverbank. What a lovely way to spend the morning; children playing in the water, mother preparing the meal and a father looking after his children.

And there’s the river again… but this time on its frightening state, at least on my standard.

We have to wait for a couple of minutes for the boatman to arrive. That time what we had was a half-boat (literally). Because it was like they cut the boat into two and just covered the rear side and that’s it - another boat. With that half-boat and the rapid of the wide river, what I did was just surrender myself to the moment. Our boat was shaking in every small movement that we do and there were water getting in inside the boat. When we reached to the other side of the river, I thank God that it was over because that short distance was already a dare-devil ride for me.

We walked through the same trail that we had last Oct. 5. But it was harder this time since we were going up and I thought we were really trekking now. It was very hard! I have sweat all over my body. We stopped in a waiting shed were we can get a tricycle to bring us to the highway. While waiting, we met two mothers who harvested some crops in the forest. As a usual courtesy they asked where we came from and what did we do there.


After thirty minutes of waiting, we decided to walk again and see by chance if along the way we can get a tricycle.

The slope of the mountain was really hard that we have to rest (and relax) after five minutes. Being a frequent visitor to that place, Ate Rona walked faster than me but she too has complaining looks. There were several times that I have to catch-up with her steps; that even required me to exert more effort. When we reached to the point that our phones can already received communication signals, I wasted no time to call Kuya Obet, our driver, to pick us up wherever we can get through (but in my mind I wanted to say NOW, as in that very moment).

I found a shady point where we can rest but Ate Rona decided to continue walking and said that she will just meet Kuya Obet in the highway and then they will come back to pick me up. That was a very good suggestion for me. I dropped my backpack in the ground and rest my head into it like a pillow. I was so tired that I was able to sleep along the way for a few minutes. Thanks to Kuya Obet who arrived early than what I expected and everything went to normal including my blood pressure.

At the vehicle I kept talking about my big accomplishment of surviving that trail and all the great experiences I had in Sitio Pangatloan at Mahabang Lalim, General Nakar, Quezon.

So, if you are planning a unique and sincere way to spend any vacations that you may have, you might want to try that humble trip in Sitio Pangotloan. There are probably no guided tourism activities in the place – but there are many things that you can do depending on your creativity and desires to do the extreme. You can enjoy the rapid, watch birds, visit the falls or simply talk to the people who lives with nature. At the end of the day, you will have to remember everything; the slice of life in Sierra Madre.

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by Kuya Edel

PASKO NA, ANDIAN NA SILA - ang mga BADJAO!

Umakyat ako ng jeep at pinilit na isiniksik ang sarili ko sa kapiranggot na espasyo na natitira sakin para magbayad ng siete sa biyaheng Philcoa hanggang SM North. Alas-siete ng gabi, paboritong oras ng trapik. Ang bagal ng andar ng dyip, mas mabilis ang paglalakbay ng mata ko sa mga gawain sa Quezon City Circle. Kumikinang ang kabilugan ng parke, napapalibutan ito ng mga punong kumukutitap sa iba’t-ibang kulay na ilaw.Unti-unti na yata nilang inaayos ang perya sa loob nito. Habang nagmumuni-muni ako, tamang-timing naman ang pagtugtog sa radio… “pasko na sinta ko!” ay pasko na nga!


Bigla kong naisip na nandiyan na rin sila.


“Mag-ingat sa mga mandurukot sa kahabaan ng North Ave” yan ang paalala ng driver. Deadma ang mga pasahero, busy sa mga hindi-tumatamang tinginan. Huminto ang dyip sa gilid ng Veterance Hospital, iyun ang hudyat sa mga tao na tila kanina pa nagdarasal na huminto na ang mga sasakyan. Umakyat ang isang binata, maitim ang balat, katamtaman ang taas at nakayukong inaabot ang mga sobreng mukhang noong isang taon pa niya ginagamit. Kunwaring hindi ko tatanggapin ang sobre, pero nilapag na niya yun sa ibabaw ng bag ko na nakapatong sa binti ko. Binigyan niya lahat ng sobre, at umupo sa may estrebo at saka sinimulang tumugtog gamit ang mga latang, pinagdugtong ng makakapal na itim na goma. Maganda ang musikang nililikha ng kanyang paghampas, habang nililibang ko ang sarili sa naiibang tugtugin, pinagmamasdan ko ang sobre. Nangungusap ito, binibigkas noon ang salitang -- awa. Nakasulat na magbigay ng pera para sa kanilang pagkain. Naroon din ang pagbati ng maligayang pasko mula sa isang Badjao. Malapit na nga ang pasko dahil nandiyan na sila.

Pasko na, dahil nariyan na sila. Hindi man maganda pakinggan pero ito ay tila isang totoong testamento, sigurado akong hindi lang ako magsasabi nito.

Hindi ko lang sila sa North Avenue nakikita, naroon din sila sa Novaliches, sa SM Fairview, sa harap ng North Olympus sa Zabarte – hindi ko na alam kung saan pa, pero nariyan sila para umakyat sa dyip, tumugtog at manghingi ng aginaldo. Hindi mo man maintindihan ang mga awit nila, alam mo kung ano ang layunin ng kanilang mga puso sa oras na inabot na nila ang sobre.
Marami ang nagtatanong kung saan ba sila nanggaling, paano sila nakarating sa kanilang mga destinasyon kung tila wala naman silang perang pampamasahe. Pero maliban sa mga tanong na yan, meron pang mga bagay na dapat mas pagtuonan ng pansin nating lahat at ng ating mga pinuno.

Saan sila natutulog? Paano sila namumuhay sa mga espasyong hindi nila kabisado. Paano nila inaalagaan sa gitna ng daan ang kanilang mga anak? Paano rin sila pino-protektahan ng gobyerno? Paano nila inaalagan ang mga lugar na malayo sa pang-araw-araw nilang buhay. Napagmasdan ko minsan kung paano sila mamuhay sa kalsada ng Novaliches, sa gilid ng isang paaralan. Sinakop nila ang inabandonang tinadahan, naroon ang kanilang mga supling na naglalaro kasama ng mga usok ng mga sasakyan. Ang madudusing nilang damit ang naging palamuti ng pansamantala nilang tahanan. Masaya ang kanilang mga galaw, pero ipagpatawad niyo, dahil talagang natakot akong mapa-daan doon. Hindi ko alam, may basehan nga kaya ang nararamdaman kong pangamba? Sabi nila, wag daw mag-abot ng barya sa kanila dahil sila ay hawak ng mga sindikato! Lalo tuloy akong natakot.

Saka ko na iisipin ang takot, dahil gusto ko silang maging kaibigan dahil sa naiiba nilang tugtugan. Kung pag-aaralan mo ang musikang kanilang nililikha, ito ay may sariling pangalan at kayang magpakilala ng bagong tunog na mamahalin nating lahat. Ang musikang likha nila, tulad ng ibang sining ay may angking ganda na maaring humalina sa ating damdamin. Ito ay may sariling himno at patakaran. Sana nga ito ay maisama sa maka-sining na pagtatanghal. Naniniwala akong kayang makipagtulungan ng musikang ito na buhatin ang ating bansa sa pandaigdigang tungalian sa musika.

Sino kaya ang susugal para sa kanilang mga awitin?

Sa layo ng itinakbo ng isip ko, muntikan nakong lumampas, buti na lang nagsalita ang driver, “SM North na po!” Bumaba akong sumasayaw sa kanilang mga pangarap. Sana bago dumating ang pasko, maging kaibigan ko sila, malaman ko kung saan sila talaga nanggaling at makita ko ang inspirasyon ng kanilang sining. Sana ay magawa kong maki-pagniig sa kanilang kultura at maging isa sa kanilang pagmamahal sa sarili.

Sana hindi pa huli ang lahat na itayo ang kanilang lahi, naniniwala akong sa kanilang hanay ay ang mga magigiting na alagad ng sining, mabubuting mamamayan na gugustuhin pang bumaba ang tingin sa sarili kesa gumawa ng masama – at dahil dun sila ay lubos na kahanga-hanga.

Pasko na dahil nariyan na sila, kung wala ng pasko ay maaaring umalis na din sila. Pero may pasko man o wala, sila ay nariyan, gagawa ng musika para sa atin, hindi man para sa konting barya, para sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang kultura at paniniwala.

I AM THE KEEPER OF THE FAIRY'S HEART

Allure my heart and wake my dream
Reminisce the fight in my chamber of faith
Lionize yourself; see your reflection on the stream
Endear the moment, feel how they bait
Nuisance of fear of the fairy in doubt
ENtice your emotion; hear the keeper shout.


Hum ‘till I hear you cry and sing.
Empire of rage is waiting for the king,
Resound the hymn and begin to see.
Marathon of fire melts to the sea.
I am the keeper of the fairy’s heart
Devoted to wait ‘till I bring it home,
As I keep the fairy’s heart
I start again and dream alone.

- Edel S. Garingan