Eudeline Austria
We never had the chance to interact with the kids during CWTS-1 due to scheduling conflicts. That is why, I am really glad to finally get the chance to experience it with almost 120 kids. I felt the urge for service when we talked about these kids; we bought and brought prizes, books and activity materials for the 2-days tutorial. I met kids that I can say, made it close to my heart. I memorized their faces, their names and I also observed them in a way that you wouldn’t think of at first. Even for a while my heart belonged to them and there’s something inside me that tells me to go back there someday and do something not just to last for a day or two.
I really loved teaching the kids, monitoring what their doing cause it was not enough just to throw out the information but to really guide every step they’re taking. It really is fulfilling. It made me think of my first ambition–to be a preschool teacher. Those kids are lucky because they have their youth and they still have the time to grow and think of what they want to be. Their smiles captured me the most.
Sunshine Clapis
The exposure in Quiapo was a good experience for me, I mean its not everyday that we experience being away from our comfort zone. Though this is not the first time that I am able to have an exposure in Quiapo because in Cwts 1 I was able to attend the two day exposure so I guess that already gave me a heads start. I really had fun in all of my exposure though the children were “so makulit” somehow it was still manageable. There are also things I realized in my exposure it’s being thankful of what I have and how my grandparents raised me. I mean a lot of the children there were not listening to us we even have to be little tough and tone up our voices just to get their attention although some were properly behaved. In the activity I also saw the different personalities of the children depending on their environment. I really pity those children who seem to be lost because there’s this boy who was bragging about him being in a fraternity and as encouraging other kids to join him, he even showed a burn in his skin which he claimed was from a cigarette. Although the exposure was very tiring we still had fun and we were able to do team work
Gelinna Udelle Biag
Quiapo. A place I never dreamt of visiting, ever. Whenever we pass by that district, I am displeased with its very unkempt surroundings. Vendors here and there, topless men walking down the streets, beggars, and all that. To me, Quiapo is very unappealing, just the sound of it makes me want to walk a way.
When we got there, I saw the “real” Quiapo, behind all the prejudices and discrimination, I get to see what is really behind Quiapo. Though some places are smelly and filled with filth, I was fascinated by the history of the place. A myriad of stories were told held my interest. The essence of the whole is just captivating, I wish I were able to know more. I didn’t know Quiapo has it’s own brand of beauty.
As fascinated as I was, it’s very disappointing to see what a waste the place is right now. We don’t seem to care if our surroundings smell like hell or look like hell. The surroundings are so dirty; historical sites, forgotten and grotesque. And what about the people around? Very ignorant.
I wish that the children we associated with kept in mind how to dispose their trash properly. That simple action will benefit their generation in the long run. I also wish that they keep in mind that the difference in religion does not hinder comradeship between people. It’s just sad if in the near future, they do not remember the things we have taught them.
Visiting Quiapo, feeling discriminated, teaching children moral values and getting to know the core of the place made me think less of the appearance and look inside the heart of the subject. It is very convivial that I get to know the real deal behind Quiapo, its core and the people. Now I can say, there’s more to Quiapo than pirated DVDs and cheap thrills.
Sarah Maria Chavez
Bahay Nakpil is found at the center of Quiapo, I noticed that there are many Muslims in that area. Before we went there we reminded ourselves to watch how we speak and act in order not to insult them, their religion and their god. Like not eating pig, not making fun of Allah, etc. We should respect them because they have the same rights as we do.
“Halal” – they first perform a ritual before killing an animal, cooking it and serving/selling it. While we were in Quiapo we decided to eat what they eat, we brought food from a store with “halal food.” It is like our normal food, chicken, pizzas, burgers, etc. but they don’t serve pig and I noticed that they like spicy foods. Their catsups have chili on them.
When we went to Quiapo last January, we saw the beauty of Bahay Nakpil, I was awed by the paintings and antiques inside the house and how they managed to preserve it through the years. But, beside it is a polluted river which is already considered dead because of garbage and toxic wastes that were thrown into it. The people living around the house aren’t properly aware of waste disposal and the children there aren’t hygienic. That’s why we decided to teach them how to keep themselves clean and as well as their surroundings.
We conducted plenary sessions and taught them how to brush, wash their hands and how to throw their trash properly. The children learned and at the same time had fun while we taught them these things. We gave them new toothbrushes, toothpastes and soaps so that they can continue to practice what we taught them.