We are almost THREE

I have been trying very hard to write an entry for the past days. I have been writing about the things that I am doing conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in Barangay Don Mariano Marcos so thought that maybe I can go on with the topic. Several drafts after, I still have not written something worthy of publishing. I thought this must be due to the stress I have been realizing lately with so many things to do in my so-called little kingdom. This morning, I had a headache and did not do much other than give instructions for the reports that I have to accomplish. Logging on to the internet, I saw a familiar title on a Facebook Picture a high school classmate posted. She was about to give birth and the title of the photo she posted was: And then there was three.

Two years ago,  I use the same title on a post about the birth of my little girl, Star. The FB photo bought me back to that blogpost that reminded me the wonderful feeling I had when I became a father. Today, that little girl is two years old and has developed a liking to anything that is Barbie. I figured that with so many things that I am doing right now, I have to reconnect with those that I value the most: My family who is several miles away. While I try my best to do a good job at PDOP, I should remind myself of the wonderful life I am building, a life with a beautiful wife and a bubbly daughter that I promised to give a good life. When things become so hectic, our priorities seem to become fuzzy and somehow, God reminds us with something (a headache perhaps, or a high school classmate about to give birth) that reminds us of the path we choose. In the past days, I have been feeling guilty of not being able to talk to my wife that much as I am mostly in meetings or too tired to talk. I have seem to forgot how I defined love as an action word, a conscious effort to let the other person know that she is loved.

Today, we are discussing moving to a house in General Santos. All these years my wife and daughter has settled in their old house in Kiamba, Sarangani as I am mostly away on assignments.Talking to my wife about the arrangements for this new development, I am excited that we are gradually progressing as a family. Last year we started paying off two adjacent lots in a housing project within General Santos City and the goal now is to be able to pay it in full within the year. As I write this blog, I am being tickled inside by the goodness of God in the way He has guided my family.

I think more than anything, I should be writing about how God has made things well for me and my family. The struggles that we had in the past two years are merely blurry memories that brought us to the happy state that we are now. I am thankful that God is perfecting me to become a loving husband and father to my growing family.

Next week, my wife will be celebrating her 26th birthday. Last year, I was able to come home at around 12 midnight in time for her birthday as I just came from an activity somewhere in Davao del Sur. I am hoping now that we will be able to celebrate it together this year. Later on the month also will be our 3rd wedding anniversary. Last year, I was somewhere in the mountains and failed to find the cellphone signal to be able to greet her on our special day. This year, I am praying hard that circumstances will be in our favor. We have never celebrated a wedding anniversary together. Well, God is still good and he is good all the time. I am crossing my finger that my wish will be granted, but whatever happens, I am thankful for the family that He has given me and will trust that He will see this family through according to His will.

All in a Day's Work

I had some interesting talk with a few of my troops after we had our usual meetings to plan out or future activities. As what I usually do, I spend time explaining to them why we do what we do if only to inspire some commitment in the kind of work that they deliver to the people that we serve. Anyway, our discussion came to the various activities that we have been doing in the Barangay, from the Water System Project that we just turned over to the local residents this afternoon up to the Cooperative we are in the process of organizing in the same Barangay. I told them the incident that happened just this morning. Well at least allow me to tell the whole story including its background.

Last thursday, I decided to go to Davao City and try to learn some more about organizing a cooperative. I have been toiling for this project in the past weeks and after reading almost all available material on the topic I can find from the Internet, it was just time for me to ask the experts. I went to the regional office of the Cooperative Development Authority in Davao City. I was impressed by how accomodating they were plus an enchanting conversation with one of the staff whom I had the terrible mistake of not asking who she was in the Office (she just might be the BOSS). Well, I came out of the office with more vigor in really pushing through with the project although I also made some realization as to difficult it would be as I was formally schooled about the actual problems they have encountered.

And so, armed with that new knowledge, I was looking forward to a wonderful meeting with the potential cooperative last night only to be met with a disappointing attendance. I was able to overcome being hsyterical about it, thinking that it was normal since I was actually trying to introduce something new to the community. In the end, we were able to come up with a working plan on how to move forward with the agreement of fixing our attendance problem.

Today, I made a call to the Muncipal Cooperative Development Officer of Lupon, Davao Oriental. Although it is still too early to pass judgment but this is how the conversation happened:

Woman: Hello

Me: Yes ma'am, ako po si Lt Cabales of 28IB, I was referred by a personnel from Cooperative Development Authority in Davao and I was told that you were the one to be asked about my concerns

Woman: Ano po ba yun sir, kung information lang po ang kailangan nyo maganda po kausapin nyo yung taga CDA talaga

Me: Galing nga po ako ng CDA ang sabi nila kayo raw po ang makakatulong sa akin

Woman: Ano pala gusto nyong gawin sir

Me: Nag oorganize nga po ako ng cooperative and I wante to know on how do I make arrangements for a pre membership seminar for the group that I am organizing as a cooperative

Woman: Hindi kasi ako sir ang nag bibigay nyan, tanong kayo sa iba

Me; Kayo naman po kasi ang rinefer sa akin, I'm sure kung hindi kayo dapat meron kayong marerefer sa akin kasi I was told that you were the point person when it comes to cooperatives in the Municipality.

Woman: Ay sige sir kailan ba ang plano nyo?

Me; Yun nga eh kaya I really need to talk it out kasi po itong grupo na inoorganize ko ay mga Habal Habal Drivers (Motorcycle drivers) so wala po silang time to have the seminar during the day kasi oras po yan ng paghahanap buhay nila, gusto ko po sana gabi

Woman: Ay hindi pwede yan sir after office hours na yan

Me: Yun nga po kaya gusto kong makausap kasi naman para naman pong mali na hindi natin kaya silang i accomodate ng ganung oras eh gusto nga natin silang tulungan tapos kailangan pala hwag silang mag hanap buhay para lang matulungan natin sila

Woman: After office hours na kasi yan sir

Me: Ma'am diba po taga gobyerno tayo, para namang sinasabi natin sa kanila na hwag na munang kumain yung pamilya nila para maka attend sila ng seminar na kailangan nila para matulungan sila ng gobyerno. Ang tingin ko po dapat tayo ang mag adjust kaya nga po sana pag usapan natin.

Woman: wala na kasing trabaho nyan sir

Me: (by this time if she was in front of me I would have slapped her) Ganito na lang po ma'am punta na lang po ako dyan para mapag usapan po nating ng maayos yung concern ko

Woman: Sige sir (then immediately puts the phone down).

I was able to finally connect to the Provincial Cooperative Office who was in fact more accomodating and I think is more professional. Again I am not passing judgment on her (God Bless her Soul) but if only our government workers put some form of commitment in what they do maybe we have less problems. For me now, I will go one, move forward, in the end all of these things are just part of a day's work.

Bayanihan in Action

DON MARIANO MARCOS, LUPON, DAVAO ORIENTAL - True to the Filipino tradition of “Bayanihan,” A Water Improvement Project was completed in Purok Waywayan Centro-Bitan-agan 2 through the cooperation of the Don Mariano Marcos Barangay Council, local residents of beneficiary Purok and the Peace and Development Team of Alpha Company, 28^th Infantry (Kamagong) Battalion deployed in the said Barangay.

“Kung wala naningkamot ang mga Army, dili gyud namo ni maangkon nga project” (If not for perseverance of the Army, we will not be able to have this project) said Purok Leader Samuel Santos after the project was completed last March 6.

The project was initiated after residents during a meeting brought up their problematic water system with the soldiers conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in the area. They said that although they have an existing water system, it is not able to supply many of the residents especially their neighboring Purok which is farthest from the water source. Incidentally, the meeting they were conducting was for the organization of the Barangay Development System (BDS), a people’s organization that fostered togetherness and cooperation in the neighbourhood for their improvement. The soldiers then realized that what better way to emphasize their point of coming up with such organization than a project that will benefit the whole Purok but would also require cooperation of the whole Purok.

Private First Class Oliver Paguirigan, who is a skilled carpenter and mason, was the “engineer” of the whole project while First Lieutenant Alex Cabales came up with a proposal based on the plans of PFC Paguirigan. Although the project was completed in a day and a half, the more daunting task that confronted 1Lt Cabales and Barangay Captain Eduardo Orias was the sourcing out of the materials needed for the project. 1Lt Cabales explained that more than just a developmental project, it was a classic example of how the local residents can participate in the delivery of services without purely relying on the government. He further said that they were in fact hitting two birds with one stone for they do not only solve the problem of the residents they also foster responsible citizenship on them. Hopefully, this attitude will redound to other projects with greater community involvement. Eventually, the council was convinced and funds were released. The Barangay Council shouldered the materials except for four (4) bags of cement which was provided by the soldiers.

The materials were brought to the Purok amidst jovial residents excited that their problem is being addressed. Through the leadership of their Purok Leader, about 10 residents worked hand in hand with a handful soldiers. Some carried hollow blocks from the Purok to the construction site, others collected sand for the concreting of the structure while others worked on the structure itself. PFC Paguirigan managed the construction while 1Lt Cabales supervised the whole activity. By noontime of March 6, the construction was finished and once the concrete has dried the residents of the Purok will experience a better water system.

Eventually, the water system will be extended towards Purok Upper Waywayan. They agreed to discuss amongst each other how they are going to maintain their water system which is now a greater possibility as they have now understood the value of working together and cooperation. They are even more excited for the formal organization of the BDS in their Purok as they have now seen the light… the light of Bayanihan… the light that will shine bright everytime they use the water provided by their collective effort as a community.

Appeal to HELP (updated as of April 22)



The Barangay Hall

Don Mariano Marcos is a community a few kilometres away from the City of Mati in Davao Oriental. As of this month, this has been my workplace conducting what we call Peace and Development Outreach Program. In essence we assist the local government particularly the Barangay Council in improving the delivery of government services through liaising, organizing and whatever assistance possible. Through this. we hope to increase community participation in governance, empower the barangay council in the performance of their duties and innovate solutions to problems in the community.

The reason I write this now is to formally use my blog as a tool to solicit help for the various initiatives we have been doing right now in the community. I am aspiring to put up a community library for this community. You see, although this Barangay is remote, potential here is abundant. These community has four (4) daycare centers; four (4) elementary schools; and a national high school. Ironically, the community has no library where the students of all these schools can use.

The first time I came here, I had an enlightening chat with the Teacher in charge of the national high school. From initially asking about her students, we came to the serious topic as to how many of those who graduate from the school actually go to college. From the small number she gave, I then asked how many of those will graduate and get a degree?; then the very troubling answer…. “Swerte na sir pag may ISA”

This is the National High School

Having been privileged to come from good schools (Silliman University and the Philippine Military Academy), I was perfectly aware how important atmosphere can be to assist a student. According to the teachers here, they do not give research work to the students because they have nothing to use for research. Sadly, research is a major activity in college plus the discipline it teaches a student allows them to be better learners. Students here cannot be encouraged to read because in the first place there is nothing to read. Although there could be other factors that will affect the future of these students, I feel that they are being denied of various opportunities just because there is no library in this community.

Well, I believe something can be done. I believe somewhere out there are books that people do not use. It may be old encyclopaedias, dictionaries, atlases and other reference materials. Rather than throw them out maybe you can just give them to this community so that we can start this community library. We will deal with whatever donation people will bring. I am appealing to the kind heart of people out there please extend a helping hand to this community. We might just be able to give them a better chance for their future.

For more information about this project you can reach me through my number (09177192179) or just leave a comment here. Please help.

Thanks

(Note: This appeal has resulted to donations from as far as the United States. You can read the follow-up blogpost to this appeal here)

EDSA @ 26

I was reading a statement written by SenatorBongbong Marcos on his Facebook account about the EDSA 1 Celebration happening in a few days’ time. In that statement he did not dwell much in defending his family or criticizing the revolt rather, he asked the obvious question what has happened to our country after that historic event.

Growing up, the grandeur that was given to that event has always been a story to behold. Although I wasn’t exactly aware of how these things have happened (I was born in 82), my generation just can’t rid of himself about stories of a peaceful revolution, with tanks, soldiers on one side; nuns, priests and ordinary citizens on the other. It was only later that I learned that EDSA actually meant Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. I thought it was a nickname for that event. What I do remember very vividly was the tanks that barricaded our subdivision during one of the coup plots in the late 80’s. Our subdivision was developed by the AFP Insurer AFPMBAI and at that time, most if not all the residents were officers in the Armed Forces from both the Government and the RAM side. I remember how, as little children, we would threaten our friends that we will report his father as one of the RAM Boys (my father was with the government). At that time though, I did not have a clue what RAM was, I just knew they were the ones being arrested.

I also had memories of the power shortage the country experienced were we dealt with daily blackouts up to 9PM. For us kids, it was a perfect excuse to go out of the house and play with other kids. I remembered the Mt. Pinatubo Eruption where we dreamed we were in some other country experiencing “winter” for the first time. There was also the earthquake where I learned that “linog” was actually the Visayan term for “lindol.” And then the 1992 elections where I idolized the now Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. At that time her brilliance was mostly considered “kabaliwan.” I would like to think that people then was not yet that accepting for someone as brilliant as she is.

In all these events in our country’s history, the glory of EDSA Revolution seems to be a spirit that provides inspiration and aspiration for the people to hope for a better Philippines. Today, as I read Senator Marcos’ Facebook statement, I realized that we have never moved on from that EDSA hysteria. Not that it is bad to relive the glory of that proud event, but considering the state of our country now, I think one can say that the EDSA Revolution is some dead star like the one described by Paz Benitez in her classic short story.

In the ABS-CBN Article that printed Sen. Bongbong’s statement most comments were criticizing how the late strongman’s son has no ascendancy to speak of such things, how he is still the part of the devil that brought about the horrors of martial law. But in his Facebook page, most were praises for a fine statesman he has become. My bias is leaning on Senator Marcos.

I think it is one thing to remember the horrors of the past so as to become vigilant so that we will not allow it to happen again but it is another thing to be tied down by these horrors and not move on. The question is simple, what have we done after EDSA 1. After 26 years, when we have been overtaken by many of our neighbors in terms of national development, our country’s laurels are still those that have been laid down by those who marched in EDSA. That was the question that Sen Bongbong asked but was missed because he is a Marcos.

In all important events the often missed point is the effect that event has done to the person. In everything there always has to have an effect that goes beyond the mushy feeling of that clincher. Like in a relationship there has to be something beyond the courtship. In the case of our country today, that is yet to be seen.

Today, I am in a barangay conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program. Many of the people here now do not know anything about EDSA, but like those who joined the revolution 26 years ago, they too want a good life for them and their children. While many will talk about the impeachment, about the Hazing in San Beda and the glory of the EDSA Revolution, people here do not give a damn. The truth of the matter is, we are missing the point why issues are ISSUES in the first place. We can have Renato Corona impeached or even all of the other justices be impeached, and then WHAT. We can eliminate hazing, and then WHAT. We can celebrate EDSA Revolution for another century and then WHAT?

Umiinit ang ulo ko… good day everyone