Ever since we started
TREK or TRails to Empower Kids, I have been sparing my mom of the details, knowing how much of a worrier
she is.
All those years, my mom
was my quiet supporter. She would always be worried about the possible dangers
of our expeditions and was very vocal about it, yet, she would always be asking
what else the kids need that she could possibly give or ask from her friends.
Our lone outreach this
year was in celebration of our 9th year. I thought that would be something she
could do, so I invited her. I also felt it was high time for her to experience
TREK, which has been taking me to away from home during my birthdays since we
started. She immediately said yes.
Throughout the
preparation, she was very excited. She even bought a new footwear and joined us
in our Zumba Fundraiser sponsored by Gold's Gym to prepare for it.
The Recon
The outreach was in support of the Tau-buid cultural community, one of the eight group Mangyan ethnic groups of Mindoro.
Months ago, with some public school teachers from Calintaan, we trekked the hills of Mt. Malpalon to conduct a recon at two of the schools of the Tau-buids - Balangabong Elementary School and its annex located in Sitio Olango.
Months ago, with some public school teachers from Calintaan, we trekked the hills of Mt. Malpalon to conduct a recon at two of the schools of the Tau-buids - Balangabong Elementary School and its annex located in Sitio Olango.
Malpalon is just beside Poypoy, the jump off to Mts. Iglit and
Baco, which is on every Filipino mountaineers’ bucket list.
We were lucky it didn't
rain the previous nights, so the pickup truck we used was able to take us as
far as the second river we had to cross. From the river, it was a
30-minute ascent to the community.
The annex school is farther but is a more relaxing trek.
Nothing strenuous, just a few river crossings.
During the recon, Balangabong Elementary
School and annex Teacher in Charge Brian M. Angagan briefed us on the daily travails of the students and
explained to us the needs of the students. Most of his requests for the
students were very simple, but we knew they needed more than what Teacher Brian
asked from us. We saw a dilapidated blackboard, non-functioning comfort
rooms, and the lack of clean water.
The condition of the annex
school was more disheartening. The two classrooms were just makeshift, with
one classroom having just palm fronds roof. We couldn’t imagine how they
can hold classes when it is raining.
But, we were very
encouraged. Despite this, students still pursue, and we want to
help.
The outreach
Well, it rained, so it was
not that easy as I expected.
It was August so we
expected the rain, but not that much. The day before our scheduled departure, we
were already contemplating on postponing the project. But, everything was ready
so we just decided to push through with it.
We made some adjustments, though. We decided not to visit anymore
Olango and just leave the donations at the
barangay hall.
I also decided that we
would let the rest of the group go ahead of us and we would sleep one night at
a resort so my mom would have comfortable sleep. She needed to rest after a ten-hour
overnight bus trip.
The following day, the
weather was much better, but the trail condition was still not good. We had to
walk an extra kilometer because our truck could only take us as far as the
barangay hall, which would still require an hour walk to the jump-off point. It
was an easy and relaxing walk, though,
except for a few paddles that got us muddied.
Throughout our two-hour
trek, she didn't complain. I think she was even giddy when we crossed the
river. During our ascent, I was the one who would remind her to call for rest
stops. It was such a Herculean effort to pull our feet out of the mud, and
because we were both afraid to slip, we moved so gingerly.
Fadi-fadi
When we reached the school,
the program already started. We
were both tired and we just watched the volunteers and the kids play and dance.
After resting a bit, I walked
around the school to look at the hand
washing area we had constructed, the water system and comfort rooms we had
repaired, and the new blackboards. I had seen the school months before.
It was very quiet as opposed to what I was seeing. There were activities in
every corner, all filled with bursts of laughter
and cheers.
I noticed the word
fadi-fadi written all over the board. It sounded like "Party! Party!”, which we all liked exclaiming. It meant thank you. I found the word so endearing
and sincere. And, then I noticed, everyone, including volunteers, kept shouting fadi-fadi.
And there were a lot we were thankful for. Fadi-fadi first to the donors and volunteers who made the outreach
possible. Fadi-fadi to the volunteers and
some members of the community who prepared our meals for us. Fadi-fadi to the kids who prepared a program
for us.
I saw my mom shed a tear
when the kids sang "Doon sa Kabundukan,” a song that talked about the discrimination
the cultural community face. "Kaming mga Mangyan ay tao. Kami’s hinahamak,
ginagawan laruan.” (We, Mangyans are people. We are being discriminated and toyed
at.”) And then again, when the kids sang
their thank you song.
Most of all, fadi-fadi for
the good weather for the rest of the day. The trails dried up already when we
went down, which made trekking much easier.
Bonding
Good friendships are built
throughout our nine years of doing these outreach projects, and every time, we
welcome new friends. So, whenever possible, we set aside a day for side trips,
which adds to our bonding activities. These moments are filled with a recounting of experiences.
We briefly stopped at beautiful waterfalls that the barangay officials were raving about and they had every
right. We also stayed at Labros Resort
and Adventure Park, which had beautiful rooms and a wide cream-colored fine
sand beach. We also dropped by the Local Government Office, where we were
welcomed by the Mayor, the Vice Mayor,
and other officials.
Up to the bus on our way
back home, the socials continued. Actually, it was even up to facebook. I get
notifications every now and then volunteers who continue sharing their stories.
I also posted my mom's
pictures on that same social networking site and it got a lot of likes and a congratulatory message. She was happy with all
the well wishes. Most likely, TREK Calintaan was not her first and last.
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