Isabel H.Del Pilar
My CWTS class for this summer was different from what I expected. The partner organization assigned to my group during my first CWTS class had to be changed. Me, together with three from my LEBD group were transferred to the Bahay Nakpil Group. The activities and the project implemented to our assigned sector went well and pushed through as to what was planned. We were able to interact with the children and socialize with their parents and other barangay workers. The location, which is in Quiapo is a place wherein lots of people live together and work well with one another even if their lifestyle is not as easy as what others have. However, I feel that the two-day project implementation allotted to us were not enough to get to know and connect with the people there. It would have been more meaningful and appreciated if a strong bond with them was built. But, everyone in our group tried their best and participated to interact with our sector, given the short amount of time. Big part of it was also because of the hard work and effort of our leader, Russalie Datu. Without her, the group wouldn’t be as fun and exciting if she wasn’t there with us.
Over all, I can say that this class was truly a great experience and served as an eye opener for me to the reality that people has different lifestyles. After visiting the National Museum and Luneta Park, it felt really great to be able to have the chance to spend quality time with people who live with simple joys and needs. Their life was not as complicated as to what others may think and that they welcomed all the small things they receive and are truly thankful for that. I have learned to give more value to each and every blessing I receive everyday, big or small. In return, I should help others in any way possible if I know that I can.
Carmina Janine Lozada
The exposure in Bahay Nakpil was very unforgettable. Even though the group was not the same as before, it still came up very well. With the help of the NSTP office, the Bahay Nakpil, and the group, the actual implementation was a success. We didn’t had a chance to solicit nor to have a small or mini business to serve as our source of income for our expenses for the exposure, so we decided to contribute our own money instead, not our parent’s money, but our own money. The actual implementation was fun, the kids are very spontaneous, and they are not as naughty as the kids during our implementation that we had in the first semester. It was very successful, after the implementation, I felt sad because the kids was somehow attached to us even if we only had the chance to meet in a short period of time. I’m looking forward going back there. J
Mary Rose S. Manrique
It was my second time to be there in Quiapo and I think that second time I’ve been there was really great. The more enjoyable thing was the implementation rather than the exposure. On the first day we just had the registration it only took until 12 noon and played some games so that the kids would enjoy our company. My favorite thing happened on the second day. The kids were so enjoyed the whole day. I didn’t expect that I would also enjoy all the company of kids there. They are all very fun to be with. They had a great time when we were in National Museum because I think all of them was not been there also like us students who had the implementation. They really enjoyed seeing the different Arts treasures we have here in Philippines. They have learned a lot of things there and that is our objective that they would learn and at the same time they would enjoy it. It was really a great time for everyone.
Joana Corinne G. Mercado
I was one of the students who came from LEBD. I had no chance to observe the community of Barangay 393 and to see and feel how their lives go about each day. My only knowledge about Bahay Nakpil and Quiapo was the one given by Dr. Obusan, the caretaker of Bahay Nakpil, during the Sectoral Orientation. But I had no chance to interview the children and their families about their financial situation, daily problems, etc. I know knowledge about those stuff is important in thinking of what project to implement and to feel if there will be a change whatsoever after the project implementation. Unfortunately, I and my group mates weren’t able to feel the impact of the project for we know very little about the people who will be part of the project. Also, children from LEBD are very different from the children residing in Quiapo, particularly in Barangay 393. I hope it’s not wrong for me to suggest that students to be transferred to another sector should first be exposed to the new place she is to be transferred to, for them to have familiarity with the place, and for those students to be able to actively participate in the planning. Perhaps some students may hate the idea, but it is still for their own good. It is also for the subject, CWTS, to serve its purpose to let students see and not just look at the situation of those less privileged than they are.
The proposed project of those who had an exposure of Quiapo was a field trip to take the “Tanods” and two of their children to the National Museum for them to be aware of our culture. I was not interested at all by their plan. Why? First of all, it may be fun, but why let children aged 6-12 go to a museum? Based on my experience, I was only able to appreciate museums when I was already in college. As a kid, I just looked at the pictures and didn’t care a bit about descriptions of paintings and sculptures, and their representations. I’m sure those kids would feel the same way. After some more discussions, I found out that the original plan of the students was to put up a bookshelf in Bahay Nakpil. Unfortunately, the plan was disapproved by Dr. Obusan because according to her, no one will be able to maintain the bookshelf, and requested for a field trip instead. I was calm after knowing that, but after much planning, it has been decided that the money to be spent for the food and prizes of the children would come from our parents’ pockets. I was filled with disappointment after that meeting, both for me and my group mates, because I felt that we were just after the grade. Our goal was just to pass and not actually be of help. No one had enough courage to get a solicitation letter from the office and give to possible donors. Yes, we had the money, but everyone knew that we should have exerted more effort. Our plan was a loser plan. In Filipino, its “patapon.”
Of course disappointing plans lead to disappointing actions. The first day of the implementation came and we had no plan for that day except to introduce ourselves and to orient them about the National Museum and some rules that they need to remember. We also brought grocery items to be given to the families of the tanods. After the very short orientation, the kids enjoyed some impromptu games prepared by our leader, Russalie. Actually as I have noticed, Russ was the only one who was really active all throughout the project implementation. The kids scattered home after two games. For, the games had no impact on them for they can play those games even in their homes. The first loser day ended at 1 PM.
Field Trip day finally came. It was again a loser day even from the start because when we got there, we didn’t even go down the jeepney to interact or bond with the kids. We just stayed inside and chose to be bored than to go out and have a breath of fresh air. Anyway, what I said in the second paragraph was right. The kids just looked at the pictures while running around the museum. Good thing there are bones of animals, at least something the kids can relate to. We went to a playground after the museum trip, for the kids were already complaining that they were hungry. That was the highlight of the project for me for it was there that I saw the sparkling faces of the children from Quiapo. That was when I realized that somehow, what came out of my pocket was worth it.
Mary Christine Therese A. Ongpin
We had our exposure in one of the barangays in Quiapo, Manila. While on our, way to Quiapo, I was picturing out all the things that could possibly happen. Play offs, games, chit chats and everything. As we came nearer and nearer to the confines of Quiapo I became more excited.
After how many minutes of waiting and wandering, we arrived in Quiapo and proceeded with our initial activity right away after a few minutes of interaction with the people around; We had a “mini field trip”. I together with my group mates were also the “ates for the day” of the little ones, the children. It was really fun that we were able to tour them in Manila. We visited the Manila museum and the famous Bagumbayan now known as Luneta. I can say that the kids especially really enjoyed the whole trip. In the museum it was really educating for them, since some of the children told us that it was their first time to visit the museum though they just live a few blocks away. In Luneta, the moment we stepped into its grounds, the children have gone wild. We as the “ates” told them to be careful and not to go too far but before we finished our reminder they already had their own ways. They were too excited to play. While waiting for our food to be delivered we (knollers) really felt tired and exhausted. Who wouldn’t be? We took care of children who are really “makulit” and “malikot”. Our lunch arrived and so we immediately ate after distributing the food. It was a shared lunch as what was talked about. I was a bit dismayed for the reason that we shared our lunch to those whom I think are financially capable of buying food in which deprived families are not. I am pertaining to those families who live the streets who cannot afford anything. It is not that I am being selfish; it’s just that if I were to provide food, I would give it to those who really are in need. There are many unprivileged families there I suppose. And I presume that the ones whom we provided food are not.
Our exposure trip was really fun; however it was really tiring and exhausting so at the end of the day we were all weary. On our way back to Miriam College we weren’t able to share stories anymore with our group because we are all too drained and worn- out to talk and converse. It was really a trip worth remembering.