He hates writing, but it’s quite ironic that he was able to write this much after an unforgettable experience they had at Barangay Lorega where they made a lot of children smile with their feeding program and grocery-packs giving.

Darwin narrated not just about what happened on the day of their activity, but also included the group’s preparation with a little romantic twist and turns in life. Such narrative and descriptive stories all surrounded their charitable and generous activity. Find out what inspired Darwin to write this much words in just one sitting.

July 31, 2009

Friday

It was during after the Jobless Society’s philanthropic activity held at Barangay Carreta when couple, Joel and Zyra, two of the organization’s members went on a meaningful date at a grocery store.

I called it “meaningful” because such date wasn’t at all for romance purposes but for a good cause, as well. They were out on a date to do their task for tomorrow’s grocery packages distribution and feeding activity. Thus, they were out not on a romantic date but to shop for the list of goods needed for the groceries to be given away.

Despite the couple’s undertakings during the day, which I chose not to mention here, they were still able to accomplish their goal before the grocery store closed at 9 in the evening. It was a relief for the two to get out of the store while double-checking on all the items on the list. They were ready to call for a cab, when suddenly, an angel knocked on Joel’s head. It’s when they realized they had forgotten to purchase a 50-kilo sack of rice. It was supposed to be one of the most important items on the list. How could they ever forget it! “Damn,” was all Joel could ever say, but thanked the angel of memory for calling their attention to it, anyway.

Unfortunately, the happy couple’s date would just have to continue in a few hours for time was running fast and the group still had a lot of repacking to do. So, Joel called on a cab to let Zyra in and take their purchases to Ruby’s place in Labangon, where Ruby and I waited for the items, just about twenty-minute drive away from the grocery store.

I felt happy that the goods were already within our sight, but yet, felt a little disappointed that my private moment with Ruby, who’s my girlfriend, was interrupted. Well, if Zyra isn’t my friend, I would have just have gotten the goodies and shoved her off the house. Ha, ha, ha… but I couldn’t do that ofcourse. My friend, Joel would surely kick me hard in the ass!

Kidding aside, let me point the spot light back to the lovers in the grocery store. They were happily reunited after a few minutes when Joel came rushing past Ruby’s gate, laden with the sack of rice and into the room where we were already in the process of repacking the goods for distribution. A kiss from Zyra wouldn’t hurt at all after a job well done, would it? And perhaps another kiss for me from my beloved beau would surely complete the moment as well. Nah, I cut off my imagination anyway and concentrated back to what we were doing. I would have another special moment with Ruby later on when these two would hit the road towards their humble abode.

Anyway, let’s get back to Joel. A few minutes after a few tossing and twisting with a little drop of sweat trickling form the side of his forehead, he asked the group’s permission to excuse him for a blood screening. He volunteered to donate for his few-months-old niece who’s currently confined at the hospital. Oh, what a sweet and unselfish species Joel is. I’m glad he’s my friend.

It led me into thinking; if I would be confined in a hospital, too, would my beloved girlfriend, sitting beside me, donate her blood for me, too, or perhaps, would my friend, Joel do it for me? Nah, what am I thinking again, I just couldn’t stop my imagination from wandering off. I’ve got to hurry up repacking these things so I could have a sweet and romantic moment with my girlfriend later on.

So, it left me with the two girls, Zyra and my girl. We continued repacking until past 9 in the evening. At last, before the clock struck 10:30, we heaved a sigh of relief as the 60 grocery packs sat in a huge pile in front of us, ready to be distributed for the next day. Joel then came back a few minutes after we finished everything, just at the nick of time.

I thought Joel’s day would end after he left a few hours ago, but the spotlight moved back to him again. He came back, and together with Zyra, they left Ruby’s place and headed straight home. I grinned widely. At last! I could have Ruby all to myself tonight. Nevertheless, I chose not to take the opportunity to have romantic moments with her considering the busy day that lay ahead of us. I also forgot to mention, it’s sad to say that Zyra and Joel wouldn’t be able to attend the activity the next day to prepare for their worship service on Saturday. Well then, that would put the spotlight back to me, thanks to Joel. It would give me enough time to tell you about my love story. But then again, I changed my mind.

August 1, 2009

Saturday

Against All Odds

“It’s raining men! Alleluia, it’s raining men… Amen!” I sang silently to myself as I watched the droplets of rain by my girlfriend’s window pane as they fell like tiny diamonds from the blue-grayish sky. I shivered a bit from the cold temperature, drifting my mind back to my cozy bed and soft pillow. Ruby woke me up from my dreamy state as she tapped my right shoulder lightly.

“Baby, it’s time to go to Dave’s place. We don’t want to get charge for a fine of a hundred and fifty pesos for missing the call time, do we?” My girlfriend said with a sweet smile that suddenly brought energy to my entire body. That’s when I remembered that the call time was supposed to be 10:30 in the morning, and we barely had 30 minutes for travel. I didn’t want to miss my P150 for just a three-minute late; neither would we want to pay P300 for a fifty-minute tardiness nor missed my Ninoy Aquino for a thirty-minute tardy.

So, we had a quick preparation and refreshment. Then together with my beau and Marjohn who just arrived ten minutes ago, I placed all the sixty grocery packs for give-ways inside a big sack and in three cardboard boxes. We then hurried up towards Dave’s place only to find out that the JS fund would be P900 richer because of the three of us. We were fourteen minutes late. Damn their clocks! Why wasn’t it late? I said to myself. Whew, so much for being such in a hurry!

To make the matter worse, we realized that we’re slowly developing memory gap because we became too forgetful lately. We’ve just forgotten all the prizes for the games! Now, as I said, I was getting forgetful. I even forgot what happened next. Therefore, let the rest of the story be a history now.

Moving forward, when we arrived at the corner heading towards our event’s venue, the rain poured hard on us as the wind increased its intensity. “Is there a typhoon?” It made us asked one another. I checked the time. It was already 10:51, yet we couldn’t do anything else but just stayed silently in the car, staring at the gloomy weather outside. We didn’t mind the passiveness since we were also waiting for Dave and the rest of the JS volunteers to arrive, considering that we need additional work force to carry all the packages to the venue due to a very challenging pathway heading there. The road leading to the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where the group would be giving away the grocery items, was too narrow that only one person could pass at a time.

Four minutes after, the rest of the team arrived. However, it’s unfortunate that Eric and Annelene Joy, another JS members caught a fever. They were not able to join the group.

We slowly passed on the big white boxes of cement on the way to the venue of our event. But wait! I realized that they were not just any ordinary cemented boxes, but graves! It’s when I heard Daddy Lito telling us they were indeed graves. He said the place used to be a cemetery, but I though it’s status still hasn’t changed into a full residential place now, considering the number of tombs standing proudly everywhere in the area. However, it’s quite ironic that there is more life in the place than the number of tombs in the area. The place didn’t obviously look like a cemetery at a first glance, since the tombs are near an Artisan well while some are near the door steps or “raised” roofs of the residents’ houses. Creepy as it goes, but it’s quite amazing and indeed interesting how these people managed to maintain their living at the place. I just couldn’t imagine living there.

Nevertheless, the expressions of the children waiting for us anxiously answered one of the many questions I have in mind. Happiness is not just found on the things that can be bought. These children didn’t complain to have lived in such kind of place. Their big smiles that exuded utmost excitement showed their contentment of what they have and their thirst for surprises that lies ahead. It’s their undaunted happiness and contentment that were engraved in my heart and what I learned at that moment while we slowly approached the group.

The Activity Proper

When we reached the chapel in Barangay Lorega, the residents – children and their parents – welcomed up warmly. I could feel their sincere smiles, despite few missing teeth in between their smiles. Then the activity formally started with a prayer that was led by the children living in the area. It was followed with a short opening remark from Manolito Ardimer, the main organizer of the activity, whom we fondly call “Daddy Lito.”

While the parents were preparing for our lunch, we also spent the time having fun with their children by playing different games we suddenly had in mind.

Led by our game master, Lyndon Dave Ardimer, we played “Bring me” and “Muk-asim,” a contest for the ugliest face. We didn’t have enough space to play group games since the place is too small for such activity, since the small chapel is surrounded by houses. Nevertheless, this didn’t hinder the children from enjoying the games we prepared for them. They even showed us their talents in singing and dancing during the games. Most of the children’s favorite songs include “My Bukas Pa (There’s still Tomorrow),” and the famous religious song, “Who Am I.” I was even awed by a child who sung Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” I dreamed of singing that song when I was in high school, but it’s such a sad thing that no matter how much I love to sing, singing just wouldn’t love me back. So, I just listened and continued being awed with the girl’s musical talent, anyway.

Though, we forgot the prizes we prepared for the games, yet, it’s still a good thing we had extra goodies and supplies at hand, like a pack of Cloud 9, a famous local chewy chocolate candy, some chocolate bars, pencils and other goodies that were already enough to draw smiles on the children’s small faces.

After the games, the food committee didn’t finish preparing for our lunch yet, so we decided to do the grocery-packs distribution so the children could slowly go out of the place since the small space is making them uncomfortable. It wouldn’t be enough to accommodate all their undying energy. Despite the rain that slowly showered on us, we still managed to give a charming smile to Marjohn, who’s taking our pictures every now and then.

A gift-pack composed of about one kilo of rice, a can of sardines, a pack of noodles, one Moo chocolate drink, a sachet of Milo powder, a small pack of cereal powder and two biscuits was paid off with the resident beneficiaries’ sincere smiles. These are the real things that are worth keeping.

At exactly 12:25, we finally distributed all the gift packs to our beneficiaries while the rain then poured heavily on us. So, the children scampered on their feet to look for a good place to shelter themselves from the mad weather. Despite such dilemma, the children waited patiently and excitedly for their names to be called for their sumptuous lunch composed of rice and Ginamay, a soup concoction of pork, red long chili peppers and potatoes. While the four of the parents distributed the food, some JS members and volunteers also lined at the opposite end of the place for the distribution of the Nestea and OK Juice Drinks in a systematic way, notwithstanding the soft pound of the rain against our heads.

I didn’t really mind being soaked by the rain, because I felt so sexy with my wet looks. I just hoped that time, that Ruby noticed it. Oh! What was I thinking; let me go back to my serious recollection of the event.

At last, everybody had their share of the delectable lunch. We all munched our food heartily and delightedly. When everybody has been done with their share, parents and children thanked us with huge grins on their faces that signified their sincere appreciation of the organization’s charitable acts. The unfeigned “thank you’s” from the people embedded deep in our hearts and I could say, it’s such a memorable event that’s worth to be cherished.

Hit the Road Home

As we paved our way towards the main road, I was thankful for the graves in the area because they helped us avoided mud and swampy roads caused by the pouring rain. Daddy Lito, with his handsome nephew, Lyndon Dave and the rest of the volunteers composed by Jason Catulpos, Erik Cananea, Rex Warren and Daddy Lito’s friend walked their way home, while Marjohn, my girlfriend and I took the cab home. I didn’t want my girl to get wet by the rain, so I had to call on a cab fast. I spotted Marjohn looking at us. “Poor Marjohn, you’d better get a girlfriend fast, or you’ll just keep on envying us…” I thought to myself while I smiled at him.

At last, we got on a cab and headed fast home. Then the rest of the travel on the way back home was history. All I remembered was the feeling of putting my arms around my girlfriend and hugging her tight at the back seat of the cab after a productive event we had. As for Marjohn? He sat silently on the passenger seat, with no one to hug.

A Private Moment at my Room

Whew! As I sat down in front of my desk, writing this journal, I have learned so many things that words are incapable of describing and scribbling down, that’s why I just narrated what happened during the past days up to this time of writing. The thought of giving happiness to 60 children, including their families with our activity was indeed overwhelming.

We could’ve done such activity at the Chinese Cemetery in July in line with our Nutirition Month activities. However, we had to postpone it due to the many schedules of internment in the place. I believe I have found the reason why it was postponed and why we had to choose another place instead.

Meeting new faces in Barangay Lorega was just one of the many reasons why destiny led us there this day; establishing a good relationship with another set of beneficiaries was also another thing, while the rest were already embedded in my heart. For I believe, such experience is indescribable and only the heart could ever recall the feelings back to reality.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

The sun was almost high in the morning sky, signaling the fast movement of the clock’s hands towards 10:50.

“They should be here by now,” Erik Tuban impatiently said to himself as he tapped the public cemented bench in the V-hire (Shuttle) terminal in Ayala where he was sitting at. For a self-professed impatient man, waiting for more than thirty minutes surely pisses him off. His excitement for their well-planned activity was slowly fading away as boredom slowly took over his senses.

The Jobless Society (JS) members were supposed to meet at 10:00 in the morning to catch a van heading 73 kilometers away from the city, towards the northeastern part of the province. However, Erik couldn’t spot another JS member around the area yet, but it’s a good thing, the shuttle was still empty, as if waiting for them to get in first.

Thursday, July 23, 2009, the JS members who are committed as ever to share their blessings to their community, especially to the youth, were off for a Feeding and Gift-Packs distribution activity to Langub Elementary School (LES) in Langub, Asturias.

Amidst his deep thoughts, a group of voices with a chorus of big and boisterous laughter stopped him from wandering in space and put him back into his senses. When he looked up, he saw his friends carrying big bags of goodies and other stuff to be given away to their young beneficiaries. His boredom eased away as he got into a cheerful conversation with Joel Hayag also known as Wowwajoelie, Marjohn Presbitero, Ruby Kareen Basilla and Darwin Jayme, the other JS members who committed themselves to help in the day’s feeding activity.

When everybody calmed down from their chitchats and excited laughter, they slowly got inside the white 18-passenger shuttle van, now almost filled with passengers. Erik sat himself beside Joel in the passenger seats where they both started talking about stuff that only they could relate to.

In less than an hour, the van started to accelerate on its way towards the central highway, while the JS were cheerfully chit chatting in the first hour of the travel, while some titled their heads slowly from left to right, going with the rhythm of the moving vehicle as they trance into a light slumber in the following hours of their travel.

As the van travelled along the green pastures and zigzagged along the deep ravines, a kaleidoscope of thoughts escaped his mind. Erik never felt such fulfillment before. Being member of the JS surely led him into a deep realization of how much lucky he is. As he saw the different faces of poverty in children they’ve helped in their previous feeding programs, he felt an overwhelming surge of joy inside him, knowing that God used him as one of the instruments to help these lesser fortunate people. For him, being a part of the JS is such a great honor and thus, it’s a commitment he will never let go of.

His thoughts were interrupted when the van came to a halt in front of a school with beautiful and green surroundings. When he peered his head out of the van, he could see tiny heads from the classroom windows peering at them expectantly; their eyes bulging with excitement as they glitter in an innocent grimace.

As soon as the JS members entered the venue of their feeding program, they were able to begin their activity immediately as teachers played a big role in helping out promote a smooth flow of the program. They started with a prayer that was led by Debbie Mae. This was followed with a three-set game – Lumba Taghoy (Whistle Contest) after eating Polvoron, Joel’s Version of Hep Hep Hooray and Message Relay, which was the most unforgettable of all the games they had.

Teachers, students and the JS members all became hysterical when a participant of the Message Relay contest innocently said “Bati’g Nawng Si Erik (Erik is Ugly),” when asked what was the message relayed to her. Her answer was not even close to the exact message relayed to their team by Joel, the game master. Unaware of the amusement she brought to everybody, she turned bright red as the entire room rang with deafening sounds of laughter. The exact message, which was “Gigutom na ko (I’m already hungry)” was supposed to give a good segue for the next portion of the program, which was the feeding proper. Instead, the little girl took the crowd away with her innocent humor, and it’s something Erik couldn’t forget, especially that it involved him.

The feeding proper was also good, considering the children’s huge appetite that proved the food to be very delectable for all of them. The children couldn’t stop themselves from coming back and asking for more. Eating wasn’t so much of a stultifying moment at all since some of the students rendered nice songs to everybody while some were busy gulping and slurping on their Pospas and Arrozcaldo with chicken meat strips, courtesy of Debbie Mae Jayme, her mom, Elpedia and Alen Bordaje, their assitant.

A Bring-Me Game was also played while everybody is eating their lunches with so much gusto, and while Erik and Darwin were busy capturing the innocent and undaunted smiles of these children together with their teachers and other members of the JS.

July is recognized by the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education as the Nutrition Month; so, all schools are celebrating such month with a campaign to all students to exercise daily and take nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle. Thus, Debbie, a member of the Catechist in Action for Reformation and Empowerment, together with the grade one teachers of LES and the JS members organized the program in relation with the Nutrition Month. The fun-filled activity ended at 4:45PM with the distribution of gift packages while the beneficiaries, coordinators and organizers posed for the camera. The 86 grade one students were happy to take home a gift pack of school supplies and powdered milk each.

Erik may experienced an embarrassing and yet a funny moment during one of the games in the program. He may find it quite an insulting situation, yet he knew in his heart that such a red-faced moment for him means a lot to these graders. The thought of how the “Bati’g Nawong si Erik”-moment made all these children happy, also brought gladness to his heart. After all, for some people, he may be “Bati’g Nawong,” but inside of him is where real beauty lies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

Instead of attending classes like most of the children around his age, Carlo’s usual day involves working in the cemetery, cutting and pulling out weeds from the grassy graveyard, cleaning the tomb area and planting flowers and ornamental plants in its surroundings for as low as five to thirty pesos per service. He couldn’t go to school because his parents can’t afford to send him to one. At eight, he’s already exposed to earning a living within the cemetery premises to help aid in the family needs.

Carlo was born at a little tattered and dingy place inside the Cebu Chinese Cemetery where he lives with his family. Despite his challenging youthful years, he still manages to play Patintero, Buwan-Buwan, Pulis-Dunggab and Bahaw-Bahaw among other Cebuano traditional games and have fun with his friends who, like him, live within the cemetery.

July 18, 2009 is quite a different day for Carlo. The morning greeted him with excited chit chats from his friends about a feeding program to be done later in the day. It made him very curious that instead of doing his usual chores in the cemetery, he took a bath at his usual bathing area along the side of the street early. He wore his tidiest sleeveless white shirt and red faded shorts, combed his damp hair sideways toward the left side of his forehead, revealing Dr. Jose Rizal’s trademark hairstyle, and wore the same innocent and lively smile when he rush out of his little home, exuding his undaunted youthfulness despite his current situation.

The time meanders slowly, as if dragging the day to a yet another stultifying moment for the children living inside the cemetery. The waiting took a little while, but indeed, true to Carlo’s expectations, blessings abound him and his friends as members of the Jobless Society (JS) entered the cemetery, wearing huge grins on their faces as they approached the amused little children. They were as eager and excited as the children who waited for them enthusiastically. JS members greeted the children with a happy “Hi!” and the young ones answered a lively “Hello!” with a smile of great enthusiasm, showing their missing teeth proudly.

July is recognized by the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education as the Nutrition Month; so, all schools are celebrating such month with a campaign to all students to exercise daily and take nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle.

However, for the out-of-school youth living inside the Chinese cemetery like Carlo, being out of school is no excuse for them not to celebrate the Nutrition Month. With the JS members’ generosity and true heart of volunteerism, they provided financial assistance to these children’s feeding program and celebrated the Nutrition Month with a lot of fun games with healthy drink as prizes that reaped utmost happiness to the winners.

The program started when Lyndon Dave Ardimer, the game master of the program announced to all the children who stared at him intently, to form a line to formally start their fun-filled activities. In a wink of an eye, the line of young children was formed despite the cute and high- tone shrieking and giggling.

The first game executed was the “Longest Line,” where there were twelve players in each of the two teams with funny names — Team A for Team Ambongan (the Cebuano vernacular for handsome) and Team B for Team Banggan (a Cebuano informal word for incompetent), where Carlo belonged – to compete each other. The children couldn’t contain their laughter when the game master announced their team names. The players took the game seriously that one player even cried because he was almost naked during the game, which slowed down the team a little to give time for the little cry-baby to put on his clothes.

The excitement continued with another game, the “Boat is Sinking” for those who were not able to join the first game. Each activity progressed smoothly despite the few first-timers among the children as the volunteers helped in demonstrating each game. The winners happily grabbed the Chuckie, Yakult and Chamito (healthy drinks) they received as prizes.

After the fun-filled games that boost the children’s craving for sumptuous food, they munched on their healthy set of lunch, which consisted of Mongo beans, vegetables like red squash among others and fish mixed with coconut milk delightfully. The volunteers took their share of the food as well after all the children had their stomach filled.

When everybody was satisfied with their full stomach, a pictorial followed. Carlo showed his inartificial smiles that were well-captured in the digital camera. Though, most of Carlos’ friends and their parents already bade their goodbyes to the JS members, a sincere “thank you” goes with their hearty smiles and farewells for an unusual day at the Cemetery, which embedded an inconceivable sense of fulfillment to the generous volunteers’ hearts.

Jobless Society are indeed grateful to Manolito Ardimer, who is directly affiliated with Action for Nurturing Children and Environment (ANCE), an organization that’s committed to anti-hunger campaign by organizing feeding programs to chosen areas like the Cebu Chinese Cemetery.

Before the entire activity ended, Carlo involved himself in an interesting conversation with Francis Eric Cananea, Rex Warren Ganub, Yasser Ranudo, Norman Burgos, Marjohn Presbitero, Erik Tuban and Annelene Joy Ranudo who composed the group of volunteers and the feeding sponsors, and whose names he wouldn’t forget. He shared that someone was killed the night before their Nutrition Month program that happened in the same place they held their event. Indeed, it’s something to be scared of, but for Carlo, being scared is out of his emotions at this time. Instead, he’s filled with so much happiness for such a special event he experienced.

For the school children, it may just be an ordinary or even a boring event, but for Carlo, it’s more than just a Nutrition Month at a cemetery. For him, it’s a momentary bliss!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

Having grown up with my devoted Catholic grandparents, I always think that Christmas is for kids to enjoy every party with something new to wear, something delectable to munch on and something nice to receive from exchanging gifts. I used to think that all children in the world are as lucky as I am. Having to eat the best food on Christmas Eve while laughing and blowing paper horns with my relatives; what a life it was, thinking Christmas was the best time of the year.

Having grown up with my grandparents with a silver spoon in my mouth, I realized that I was blinded with the harsh realities of life. I was so unmindful of what the lesser fortunate children eat, receive and sleep on during the final month of the year when the air outside is chilling. For me, having all the things I asked for and eating the food I only wanted to eat was so fulfilling and thus, made me happy then. However, I realized that such happiness was empty and locked within my ignorance of what life really is and what makes it even more fulfilling.

Such ignorance remained in my younger years until I met people who taught me what life really is, much more when I became a journalist where I get to meet a lot of people from the other side of my personal perspective of the world.

The JOBLESS SOCIETY is one of the organizations I came across with that really inspired me to write more about the things that really matters in life. They introduced me to the students of Sogod Elementary School, located in the northeastern part of Cebu during a Christmas treat activity in 2008.

December 7, the eyes could witness a different school environment, not so much conducive to learning; it’s a school where one could see little children walking more than a kilometer away, sweating under the scorching heat of the sun, with their slippers thin and worn out from the long walks just to get to school everyday. It is also a place where one could see children carrying plastic bags rugged from ages as their school bags. To make things worst, it is a place where books are shared between a ratio of one is to three or four students. Moreover, some of the classrooms were tattered and the sun could shine its rays inside the classroom, while during rainy seasons, a pail would sit under the holes to hold the rain water from flooding inside the classroom.

Indeed, such circumstances touched the hearts of the JS members. Thus, in their aim to give inspiration to these young learners to strive harder to continue and hopefully, finish their studies until they could get a good job despite their present educational situation, the JS, led by the pioneering members travelled more than 80 kilometers from the city proper just to tap these children.

As soon as the mini bus slowed down to a stop in front of the school, the graders’ enthusiasm was so obvious in their smiles as they eagerly waited for the JS members to get down and start their surprises. The little party started with a prayer that was led by one of the JS pioneers, Joel Hayag.

The laughter and smiles of the children and teachers echoed the entire place, making people think that these people never had problems in their places. It’s just so amazing how these children still appreciates life so much despite the current situation they have at their homes and in school.

The graders then munched on their spaghetti, that their teachers cooked for everybody, and drinks after the fun they had in playing the games and receiving prizes. Before the entire gathering ended, a little inspirational talk was given by another JS Pioneer, Lyndon Dave Ardimer, followed by a pictorial with the graders, teachers, volunteer teachers and their principal, Rosalie Pasaol.

Teachers from the school were also very thankful to the JS for visiting their place and taking the time to conduct such humanitarian activity. Teachers gave their sincere gratitude in their finale speech. About a hundred and twenty grade one students each received a gift wrapped in colorful papers as the JS’s early Christmas treat to them. Each present contains school supplies.

JS was also thankful to Mrs. Dionesia Presbitero, mother of one of the pioneering members for leading us to the place. For the JS, this is the real essence of Christmas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

NOT a lot of people recognized how lucky they are for the clothes they wear, the four walls and roof of their house that shelters them from the unpredictable mood of the weather, and most importantly, for the food they eat. In fact, a lot of these people complained for what they currently have, even unmindful of how the lesser fortunate ones strive even harder to get the things the more fortunate ones possess. Moreover, notwithstanding the nonstop struggles of those who are living along the streets for survival’s sake; others still want more. They just can’t seem to get enough of life.

Nevertheless, in the midst of the world’s selfishness and competition, there are still those who rejoice over the happiness of others and who exalt in sharing their blessings to those who have lesser in life no matter how small their possessions may seem. True to such statement, five benevolent volunteers from the JOBLESS SOCIETY (JS) continued their generous acts of sharing their blessings to those who have less financially in life. Jobless as they may seem, it never hampered them from extending a little generosity to the children, vendors, beggars and families living and at the same time making a living along the streets of Jones Avenue to the corners of Sr. Santo Niño church located at the down town area of Cebu.

Members of the organization never seem to get enough of the smiles of those who received the Mac Donald hamburgers they gave away in their last year’s humanitarian activity during the Sinulog Grand Parade on Mango to Jones Avenue, and that is similarly the main reason why they decided to do the same activity during the Sinulog 2009 Festival.

January 17, despite the scorching heat of the sun and the myriad crowd that eagerly gathered around the JS volunteers for a free sumptuous lunch of 2 puso (hanging rice) and a big bola-bola, a concoction of pork meat and spices in a fist-size ball fried into golden hush brown, they unmindfully fed a lot of people attending the festival. The scene looked like a boodle fight on the side walk, except that it’s more meaningful and memorable than a real boodle fight. The plastic bags-full of packed lunches that the guys struggled to carry for about an hour were emptied within minutes. The noise of the crowd in a great effort to get their share of good lunch seemed deafening. But then, this was amazingly followed with a sudden silence to devour the food they received.

The sweat, the hunger and the struggle to keep the crowd under control among other challenges the volunteers encountered from the charitable act were all paid off when a good number of people gave them their sincerest smile of appreciation and gratitude for feeding them. Their brightly-lit facial expressions were candidly captured in photos. The words of “thank you” from the happy recipients inspired the team to organize similar activities in the future.

The adventure did not stop where the people walked away with satisfaction and filled with gratitude. The jobless in philanthropic action, namely, Joel Hayag, Zyra Homedia, Darwin Jayme, Ruby Kareen Basilla and Marjohn Presbitero walked home with great pride. Despite the long walk they took due to the fact that they didn’t catch any tartanilla, a wooden carriage pulled by a horse used for transportation around the down town area in the city, the five felt an inner happiness and excitement in them. Thus, the overall experience made the mission even more unforgettable for the JOBLESS SOCIETY. After all, it’s not just the convenience of one’s self that really matters, neither their personal feelings nor their situation that really matters to these volunteers, but it’s how they made others feel with what they did.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

A sincere statement of “daghang salamat,” an uncomplicated Cebuano translation for “thank you very much,” coupled with the children’s warm grins of appreciation and gratitude pays off all the challenges the five volunteers had to go through to feed the street children begging and selling something along Mango and Jones Avenue in the heart of Cebu City.

During the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 20 last year, while other people were so busy chit-chatting with their friends, joining the parade, clad in their best outfits and enjoying the feeling of being in the crowd to show themselves off, pioneers of JOBLESS SOCIETY were also busy with a philanthropic activity, giving away Mac Donald hamburgers to the children on the streets, with or without their parents, but with preference to those who couldn’t afford to buy some for themselves.

Some parents were hesitant to receive the food handed to their children; while most were happy with such generosity. The street children, on the other hand, eagerly grabbed them and even begged for more.

In their aim to share their blessings with the less fortunate ones, especially the children in celebration of the annual Sinulog Festival, Darwin Jayme, Lyndon Dave Ardimer, Annelene Joy Ranudo, Ruby Kareen Basilla and Michael Remo unmindfully work their generous mission despite the heavy loads of boxes they carried hand in hand with the unfriendly scorching heat of the sun upon their faces, and followed with a good pour of blessings from the heavens above. In layman’s term, rain or shine, they made a lot of people happy by sharing the food they personally prepared.

Ardimer said, the heavy loads slowed them down, but they felt very fulfilled indeed, just seeing the smiles of the children as they posed for several shots. Moreover, regrets were out of the question for Rebecca Basilla, Ruby Kareen and Darwin who sponsored for the food financially.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life