Several preparations were done before the immersion activity. The teachers were all busy reminding the students what to bring and the rules and regulations that while in the site. As for the h11 block, the week before the activity was really a tough one. We were all busy doing several computer works and other requirements due for the week, finishing our research papers, doing case analysis and a whole lot more! Generally, the immersion truly has become our break from the tiring 7-day work for almost two months.
Our site was on Magdacanan, Libmanan, a small barangay compose of six zones. My house buddy was Jun Tibi, my fat and hilarious classmate. We were close friends, that’s why we never had a difficulty in dealing with each other. We were assigned to Mr. Armando Reyes’ family, somewhere in Zone 6. According to ma’am Elaine, he has eleven sons and daughters and they don’t have electricity, which is why we were nervous thinking how to adapt in their way of living for three days. Then, the day came. At about 9:00a.m., our jeepney arrived at zone 5 and we were immediately guided towards our household families. The guide said that it was just walking distance but as minutes of continuous walking passed, as we perspire with the summer heat, and as we feel the thirst within our throat, it was just then that we realized how far one kilometer was. It was like walking in the desert with extremely heavy luggage!
Finally, we arrived at our household family-tired and hungry. When we came in, there were three little boys playing while watching channel two’s Mission: Odyssey. We befriended them and decided to play with them. My new friend’s name was Jason. He was three years old, with really white complexion and really cute smile. Jose (oti), Jun’s five-year old alaga, was Jason’s uncle. Jason and Jose were complete opposites. Jose was dark, short and barely smiles. Perhaps, the only thing they have in common was their love for dancing. Jose even won the dance contest at the socials night.
Jun and I started to take a few photo shots of the place. We were assigned to document the happenings in the immersion as a requirement in our NSTP class. Just as we were about to take a few pictures of the ampalaya plants, Jason’s dad came-a huge man, half-naked, with long hair and big tattoos at his arm. How would we react? It was really scary. Are we about to live with him for three days? Can we? Then, another group of huge men went in carrying bolo and again half naked…that was the time when we really got scared.
Our first impression lasted after the first day. We were able to talk with those guys (at least some of them) and we were able to talk about a lot of things, from text mates to their business of exporting vegetables. They were cool. They were often out busy, I guess. But they have their own mobile phones-with camera and really handy. It may be the reason why we haven’t charged our phones for three days considering that they have electricity…because our phones are not updated as theirs.
The three-day activity was thrilling. It was like a game of trying to belong, picking the right words to say and being brave to talk to scary strangers. Well, this was applicable to our brothers and sisters who often ignore us and even call us gays. Maybe they were not used to our jokes that led to misinterpretation.
Our ‘mother’ and ‘father’ were really kind to us. Our father was really approachable just like our mother, Salvacion Reyes. Mom would never let us do any kind of work, not even wash the dishes. But still, when they were both out (which usually happens), we do a lot of things by ourselves like washing the dishes, filling the water basins, watering a hectare of newly planted ampalayas, and of course playing with the kids.
Our ulam would always be a kind of vegetable- mongo, balatong, natong, upo and ampalaya. They even gave us some when we left.
We will never forget the place and the experience. In their house, they have their own big television with a really loud stereo that can be heard all over the barrio. During night, they would watch a lot if movies and invite some folks (neighbors) to watch with them. They watch James Bond Movies, Finding Nemo, The skull 2 and more. They even played April boy and Andrew E’s CD at almost maximum sound level. That’s the reason why we couldn’t sleep properly until the lights were shut and they all fell asleep.
With what was happening in our house, we feel bored so we would carry our alaga and visit adjacent houses for two valid reasons-(1) to take some photographs and (2) to eat. We can say that we stayed more in other’s houses than with our own family- because no one was at home during day, they were all busy.
I learned a lot of things from the immersion. I learned how to deal with people and how it is to be in other’s home. It also led me to understand the severity of poverty here in the Philippines which are seen in the farmers who are hardly reached by the programs and government assistance.
I also learned how to deal with kids which I admit I am not used to. I learned how to talk to them and take care of them. I also learned how hard it is to face responsibilities for the benefit of other people. And likewise, it made me realize how important it is to take action with what is happening to the society nowadays and how we should open our mind and take part to resolve the problem.
I consider myself lucky. I need not work in a huge farm and sleep in a really tight room. I also study in such a prestigious school which is never attained by ordinary people who are not financially stable. Thus, the best learning that I gained from the activity is love and joy that Filipinos share even in times of crisis, and this is one of the things that we should all be proud of. In fact, the Philippines ranks second in the most cheerful individuals around the world. Our assigned family may be in a state of extreme poverty but they still have time to enjoy and have fun. They watch movies together and it serves as one of the reasons why they have a special kind of bond that keeps them intact.
I adore the way their family works together. Each one functions as someone very important to be the one to do a work. Some works in the house and the others works in the house. Their Organization is really amazing!
They may not talk a lot but I can see their eagerness to try to welcome us. They may not serve us delicious food, but still they try to make us taste the love that is present in their hearts. They may not be very sociable, but you can approach them anytime you want. That is all that matters. Letting us feel that we are welcomed to come into their lives is more than enough…
In the site, I also have learned about God’s love for the poor. Our household family may not be rich but still we can see how much they love one another. That is what God wants us to do. To love, have hope and care for our neighbors. With loving, we can attain peace and strengthen faith in God.
I also appreciated innocent people who were embodied in my alaga, God’s child. My alaga was really nice and kind and truly depicted the lack of status, power and honor. As discussed by Robert Nolan, Jesus loves children because of their littleness and lack of responsibility in the cruel world. God wants me to learn and attain this littleness in order to enter the His Kingdom.
With all this learning, I offer to God this sincere prayer:
Dearest God,
Thank You for letting me learn in actual how you value love for humankind and children. Thank You for letting me feel that all the people in the world is loved by You equally, no matter whether we are poor or rich, or sinner or believer. Thank You for letting us understand that it lies upon us that we are judged to come in your Kingdom. And that it depends on the way we use all our freedom according to Your will.
Please continue showering us with Your blessings specially those little ones who truly needs Your guidance. May You also forgive all the sinners and lead them to the right path towards Your Kingdom.
Thank You!
Our site was on Magdacanan, Libmanan, a small barangay compose of six zones. My house buddy was Jun Tibi, my fat and hilarious classmate. We were close friends, that’s why we never had a difficulty in dealing with each other. We were assigned to Mr. Armando Reyes’ family, somewhere in Zone 6. According to ma’am Elaine, he has eleven sons and daughters and they don’t have electricity, which is why we were nervous thinking how to adapt in their way of living for three days. Then, the day came. At about 9:00a.m., our jeepney arrived at zone 5 and we were immediately guided towards our household families. The guide said that it was just walking distance but as minutes of continuous walking passed, as we perspire with the summer heat, and as we feel the thirst within our throat, it was just then that we realized how far one kilometer was. It was like walking in the desert with extremely heavy luggage!
Finally, we arrived at our household family-tired and hungry. When we came in, there were three little boys playing while watching channel two’s Mission: Odyssey. We befriended them and decided to play with them. My new friend’s name was Jason. He was three years old, with really white complexion and really cute smile. Jose (oti), Jun’s five-year old alaga, was Jason’s uncle. Jason and Jose were complete opposites. Jose was dark, short and barely smiles. Perhaps, the only thing they have in common was their love for dancing. Jose even won the dance contest at the socials night.
Jun and I started to take a few photo shots of the place. We were assigned to document the happenings in the immersion as a requirement in our NSTP class. Just as we were about to take a few pictures of the ampalaya plants, Jason’s dad came-a huge man, half-naked, with long hair and big tattoos at his arm. How would we react? It was really scary. Are we about to live with him for three days? Can we? Then, another group of huge men went in carrying bolo and again half naked…that was the time when we really got scared.
Our first impression lasted after the first day. We were able to talk with those guys (at least some of them) and we were able to talk about a lot of things, from text mates to their business of exporting vegetables. They were cool. They were often out busy, I guess. But they have their own mobile phones-with camera and really handy. It may be the reason why we haven’t charged our phones for three days considering that they have electricity…because our phones are not updated as theirs.
The three-day activity was thrilling. It was like a game of trying to belong, picking the right words to say and being brave to talk to scary strangers. Well, this was applicable to our brothers and sisters who often ignore us and even call us gays. Maybe they were not used to our jokes that led to misinterpretation.
Our ‘mother’ and ‘father’ were really kind to us. Our father was really approachable just like our mother, Salvacion Reyes. Mom would never let us do any kind of work, not even wash the dishes. But still, when they were both out (which usually happens), we do a lot of things by ourselves like washing the dishes, filling the water basins, watering a hectare of newly planted ampalayas, and of course playing with the kids.
Our ulam would always be a kind of vegetable- mongo, balatong, natong, upo and ampalaya. They even gave us some when we left.
We will never forget the place and the experience. In their house, they have their own big television with a really loud stereo that can be heard all over the barrio. During night, they would watch a lot if movies and invite some folks (neighbors) to watch with them. They watch James Bond Movies, Finding Nemo, The skull 2 and more. They even played April boy and Andrew E’s CD at almost maximum sound level. That’s the reason why we couldn’t sleep properly until the lights were shut and they all fell asleep.
With what was happening in our house, we feel bored so we would carry our alaga and visit adjacent houses for two valid reasons-(1) to take some photographs and (2) to eat. We can say that we stayed more in other’s houses than with our own family- because no one was at home during day, they were all busy.
I learned a lot of things from the immersion. I learned how to deal with people and how it is to be in other’s home. It also led me to understand the severity of poverty here in the Philippines which are seen in the farmers who are hardly reached by the programs and government assistance.
I also learned how to deal with kids which I admit I am not used to. I learned how to talk to them and take care of them. I also learned how hard it is to face responsibilities for the benefit of other people. And likewise, it made me realize how important it is to take action with what is happening to the society nowadays and how we should open our mind and take part to resolve the problem.
I consider myself lucky. I need not work in a huge farm and sleep in a really tight room. I also study in such a prestigious school which is never attained by ordinary people who are not financially stable. Thus, the best learning that I gained from the activity is love and joy that Filipinos share even in times of crisis, and this is one of the things that we should all be proud of. In fact, the Philippines ranks second in the most cheerful individuals around the world. Our assigned family may be in a state of extreme poverty but they still have time to enjoy and have fun. They watch movies together and it serves as one of the reasons why they have a special kind of bond that keeps them intact.
I adore the way their family works together. Each one functions as someone very important to be the one to do a work. Some works in the house and the others works in the house. Their Organization is really amazing!
They may not talk a lot but I can see their eagerness to try to welcome us. They may not serve us delicious food, but still they try to make us taste the love that is present in their hearts. They may not be very sociable, but you can approach them anytime you want. That is all that matters. Letting us feel that we are welcomed to come into their lives is more than enough…
In the site, I also have learned about God’s love for the poor. Our household family may not be rich but still we can see how much they love one another. That is what God wants us to do. To love, have hope and care for our neighbors. With loving, we can attain peace and strengthen faith in God.
I also appreciated innocent people who were embodied in my alaga, God’s child. My alaga was really nice and kind and truly depicted the lack of status, power and honor. As discussed by Robert Nolan, Jesus loves children because of their littleness and lack of responsibility in the cruel world. God wants me to learn and attain this littleness in order to enter the His Kingdom.
With all this learning, I offer to God this sincere prayer:
Dearest God,
Thank You for letting me learn in actual how you value love for humankind and children. Thank You for letting me feel that all the people in the world is loved by You equally, no matter whether we are poor or rich, or sinner or believer. Thank You for letting us understand that it lies upon us that we are judged to come in your Kingdom. And that it depends on the way we use all our freedom according to Your will.
Please continue showering us with Your blessings specially those little ones who truly needs Your guidance. May You also forgive all the sinners and lead them to the right path towards Your Kingdom.
Thank You!
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