Beholden by this

Web of shimmering thread, I

Cannot look away.

-jara-

(c. 2007)

Here are some more pics of Cherrylyn, that little girl born blind from Sitio Ibo with the volunteers.

A short account of the Rural Service Project I joined back in 2005.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Set in Barangay Tingo on Olanggo Island, 11 souls braved the constant threat of possible bird flu contamination considering the start of bird migration season. As expected, and to our dismay, the bird sanctuary was off limits to us for any excursion purposes.

And so we set out doing home visits, teaching catechism to primary grades and intermediate grades, giving a leadership seminar at the local high school, cleaning up the chapel and keeping house (doing all the chores!) in a place called home for one week which had only one bathroom. And all that with time to spare for prayers and get-togethers!

I left them yesterday in their beach excursion and pondered the coming events of today: the medical-dental mission and the health and nutrition seminars.

The memories of those memorable days spent with unforgettable people: Mirzi, Bea, Grace V., Angelie, Lucille, EJ, Celeste, Bulai, Ivi, and Narsheen will forever be etched in my mind. And now I look forward to my next Rural Service Project, whenever it may be.

Kind acts of any sort are

Indeed rewarded by more kind acts in turn.

Be a giver of joy to others

And you shall receive joy in return.

We seem to be all connected in some way...

Everyone is part of the full circle.

Be able to

Understand the different

Kinds of

Individuals around you for in

Doing this, you shall

Not be lacking the understanding

Of others too.

Never be afraid to be of service to others.

---<--<@>-->----<--<@>-->---

This was the first rural service project I volunteered in, way back in the summer vacation before my senior year in college. Aside from the poem, I also found a longer article I wrote about my experiences. Unfortunately though, I only have a few pictures of that memorable week (alll in print form).

Here's another clip from April's Rural Service Project in Siti Ibo, Barangay Pondol, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines. I was particularly amused by the extra coaching from the camera girl near the end of the song...

Here is just a teeny glimpse of the road we traveled going to Sitio Ibo. Part of the way, we had to walk since the hired tricycles we were riding could not make it up or sown the narrow path. Sometimes, we even had to push the tricycles! The project site is about a 30 minute walk or 15 minute ride away from where we were staying at that time: the public elementary school in Barangay Pondol (Cornelio Elementary School).

I wasn't officially part of the recent Rural Service Project in Sitio Ibo, Brgy. Pondol, Balamban , Cebu until the penultimate minute.... When I was asked to make room in my schedule to be part of the Rurals, my first reaction was "Ok......" When I was asked to take care of the kitchen, my reaction was "Hey wait a minute!..." Then I was also asked to take charge of the finances so I said "This is the job I really hate!!!!" Yet, I still went to the rurals....Now what was I thinking? My first rural service project was in the summer of '98 in Kibawe, Bukidnon. I enjoyed the experienced immensely, never mind the inconveniences. It's not only work but there was also a lot of "laag" galore! Friendships were formed too! Since then, I have been helping out in the rurals as my schedule would permit. April 2007 in Balamban also marked my first as a licensed physician....and my first as being totally in-charge of the kitchen...Incidentally, this also happened to have the most number of shall we say...."incidences"... The van got bumped into, the faucet had to be replaced, allergy attacks, toad invasion of the sleeping quarters, visits from the "tuko"(gecko) ..... ....And here's generalized view of my kitchen woes: perennially changed schedules, stored smelly garbage, dogs on the prowl, lack of time management, spoiled meat, leaking water dispenser, no refrigerator!, late food deliveries, "delivery multicab" a no show, "delivery tricycle" going around in circles, surpluses and unexpected expenditures, undercooked rice, overpriced fruits..... ...But nothing, absolutely nothing can top the fire from the leaking rubber hose connecting the gas tank to the stove.... and getting 1st degree flash burns while I was supervising 3 high schoolers! Will I ever volunteer to take part of the rurals again? Of course! My catering service is BOOMING!!!! These are my realizations:

• Guardian angels exist! The damage to property and person from the fire could have been worse... We would have made headlines burning down the whole school!
• My profession is still much needed in so many out of the way places.
• The work of the home is something imbued with dignity...and inspite of all the difficulties that came my way during this rural service project, I have fallen in love with this work.... and perhaps in the not so far off future, i can dedicate my time and effort to it.