Long before I know it

I've been wanting to write these stories. I just did not have the will to do so. But I do not want to miss the chance to share these stories to other since it really touched my heart and opened my eyes and my mind into different realities in our society.  

I've been hearing other people saying that life is really unjust for many Filipinos, that many of our fellow men are living on puddle or slime (metaphorically speaking). They say this is the truth. Every time I hear this, I would just nod and whisper to myself, "yeah, so do I." Looking at Metro Manila's picture, I would always say that poverty is everywhere and the evidence of social unrest lies on the situation of urban and rural poor. Seldom you'll see "heeled fat men" eating tokyo tokyo and most often, you'll need to endure the scene of those children running without slippers or even without clothes on them, of families living under bridges, along the river or near the railway, and of those old people sleeping in overpass in front of the school. I encounter these pictures everyday and all I can do is to pray for them, ask myself why are they suffering and wish for their welfare and safety. But eventually, I became tired of seeking reasons why some people are living in such situation. Sometimes, I tell myself that it is right to say that people are suffering because of their own action and deeds. Yes, I pity them but there are also times when I want to tell them that there is way out of their life and that they should not be contented with where they are now.

Consequently, I found out that I can not just say this and judge the things that is happening in our community. There are several faces of poverty and there are many stories of failure and suffering in life. 

First chapter, first destination, Aplayang Munti.

Upon arriving at the place, I said to myself that it look like an ordinary small barangay. People on the threshold looked happy and seemed to have been doing well, but when we went further, I noticed that there is something different in the houses. Then we reached the barangay hall but we continued walking. We passed by in a vacant lot which is full of garbage and wastes. (Before we went on the area, Sir Eros told us that garbage is really a problem in the place)

I was surprised because this was not the picture that I expected. The wastes in the place became uncontrollable. The area's location is the main reason for this heap of garbage. It is in a coastal area. At the end of the footbridge which we were tracing, the houses are already standing in water. The sea water is already touching the floors of some of the houses. 

There we met Mang Alberto, the president of the King Fisher organization in Brgy. 10-B. He accompanied us through out our stay in the barangay and we also interviewed him about the problem of their community. Then we discovered that he actually have a touching story to share. He and his son were victims of the typhoon Milenyo. That was September 25, 2006, according to him, when he and his son who was 19 years old then went on to catch fishes for something to eat or sell. Mang Alberto said he thought the storm was already gone in the country but when they were already sailing, the storm suddenly hit in their area. From what he had remembered, the sea suddenly became angry, and it began to throw big waves on them and toss their boat which made them tremble with fear. He suddenly cry when he remembered the incident. According to Mang Alberto, lucky they are that they survived. At first, they thought that was their last day. God is so great to give them another life.

Mang Alberto is grateful for his second life but in his second life, he suffers because of their poverty. He lost his boat in the incident, the boat which in which he invested P25 every week just to earn some money for his family. Since fishing is his main way to earn a living, he had a hard time in giving the needs of his family, especially when his daughter got sick. He had to put their house under mortgage just to get money for her daughter's blood transfusion. He had no choice the because he has to save her. Until now they are paying for their house.

Mang Alberto is one of Filipinos who are less fortunate. But behind those sufferings and struggles, he never give up rather he keeps on holding into his faith and he keeps on believing that they may not be rich one day but God will, one day, bless them with what they need for them to survive in their voyage along the sea and in the circumstances of storms. Mang Alberto does everything. He never loses hope. That's one thing that he has that others who are also struggling in life does not have. He is right, he can not be contented with what they are now and he can not give up and just watch everything. He is not dreaming of living in the castle but he is just hoping that one day he can give his daughters and sons books and diploma and that he can provide adequate food in their table.

What struck me most that day was when we gave Mang Alberto something that would help him. We were touched and very thankful to him when he accompany us.

Second Destination,

Last destination, last chapter, my life.

I say my family is also one [struggling in life], but my family is still blessed because God allows us to eat three times a day. God blessed me, which is why I can study in a pontifical university, I can eat fast foods, I can buy clothes whenever I needed them. And because of what I see with these people, I always keep in my mind and my heart that I should not waste God's blessing for me. Instead I should pay it forward.

For now, I'm struggling to survive since I am not receiving anything from my mother. Other people may not understand my situation. At first, I do. But eventually I have to. Regardless of any issues, I say this is what I have to endure and this is life. We're poor but we're blessed. I'm blessed. And I am still thankful to God for giving me everything that I am enjoying now.