On Achieving Goals and Cooperation

On Achieving Goals and Cooperation

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

SOME PEOPLE PRESUME THAT WHAT THEY CANNOT DO, OTHERS CANNOT DO, AS WELL. THEY PRESUME THAT THE SHORTCOMINGS AND INSUFFICIENCIES THAT THEY HAVE, OTHERS HAVE, TOO…HENCE, THEY EXPECT OR EVEN WISH OTHERS TO FAIL, AS THEY DID. THEY ARE THE CRABS OF THE SOCIETY…THE NEGATIVE THINKERS.

 

INSTEAD OF BEING NEGATIVE, THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OTHERS.  AND, THOUGH, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COPY THEIR FEAT TO THE LAST EFFORT, IF THEY STRIVE HARDER, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH OTHER THINGS BASED ON THEIR DISTINCT CAPABILITY AND CHARACTER. HUMANS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER… UNLESS CLONED FROM ANOTHER.

 

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MANAGERS, DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER ON HOW THEY RUN A COMPANY. LEADERS OF NATIONS HAVE DIFFERENG DIRECTION. SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN HAVE WELL-GUARDED TECHNIQUES OF THEIR OWN, ETC. WE CANNOT BE LIKE SOMEONE ELSE.

 

WHAT THE WORLD NEED IS COOPERATION. WE MUST PUSH AND PULL EACH OTHER TOWARDS OUR GOALS IN LIFE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL!

Volunteerism is in the Heart of my Neighbors, Angie and Hector Garcia

Volunteerism is in the Heart of my Neighbors,

Angie and Hector Garcia

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Just like the rest of the pioneers in our subdivision, the couple, Angie and Hector Garcia went through the expected hardship of living in an unfamiliar new-found home, which in our case is Cavite, used to be known for notoriety – unsafe as many alleged. Add to that the difficulty of commuting to Manila because the only way was via the Aguinaldo highway that passes through buzzling public market of Zapote. The Coastal Road during the time was not yet even in the drawing board of the Department of Public Highways. That was during the early part of the 80’s.

 

A “short cut” to our subdivision from the Aguinaldo highway is traversed by a creek, deep and wide enough to be classified as a river. Several bamboo poles that were laid across the creek served as the early bridge, that was later “upgraded” to a safer one made of two electric poles floored with planks. During the early years the creek did not overflow, however, the constant reclamation of both banks constricted the flow of water that resulted to flash floods which did not spare our subdivision. These instances brought out the innate character of our neighbors that hinged on volunteerism.

 

As the home of Angie and Hector Garcia is situated right at the western entrance of the subdivision where the creek is situated, the homeowners’ association’s heavy duty rope was used to be left in their custody. They would bring it out when flood occurred so that those who would like to take the risk of crossing the bridge would have something to hold on to as they gingered their way through waist-deep flood. A heavy rain for three to four hours would put every homeowner on the alert as the heavy downpour usually triggered a flood. Angie and Hector would miss precious sleeping hours as they waited for the right moment to bring out the long heavy rope, one end of which would be tied to the post of the bridge while the other end would be entwined around the iron grill of their fence or gate. If the flood occurred at night till dawn, we would wake up in the morning with the rope already in place to serve as our “life line” to the other side of the overflowing creek.

 

The couple also took pains in cleaning the vacant area behind the subdivision’s Multi-purpose Hall and planted it to medicinal plants and mango tree which also provided shade. Vegetables were planted, too, aside from medicinal herbs for everybody’s taking in time of their need. The early morning as the sun rises would also see them sweeping the street in front of their house.

 

The leadership qualities of the couple, made their neighbors trust them. Hector had a stint as the president of the Homeowners’ Association, while Angie kept in her custody whatever meager earnings of the association from renting out the Multi-purpose Hall and monthly dues, aside from the collected Mass offerings, until clear-cut procedures were finally established during which she turned over the responsibility to the Homeowners’ Association’s Treasurer.

 

Angie is a cancer survivor having had a mastectomy, but despite her situation, she patiently endured the rigorous travel to Naujan, Mindoro with Hector to regularly check their “farm” which they planted to fruit-bearing trees. When I asked them one time why they take pains in maintaining such far-off farm instead of purchasing another either in Silang or Alfonso, both in Cavite, they confided that they have already “fallen in love” with their investment. Their love for the farm truly shows in their robust physique despite their age of sixtyish. I just imagine that perhaps, if they stop commuting to and from Naujan, Mindoro, weed their farm, and take care of the growing saplings,  their health would deteriorate as usually happens to people who cannot stand being idle.

 

The couple has three daughters, all successful in their chosen fields of endeavor. And, one of them is serving the Homeowners’ Association as Treasurer.

 

Ang Imahen ng “Lady of Guadalupe” ng Barangay Real 2 (Bacoor City, Cavite)…simbolo ng matibay na pananampalataya at pagkakaisa

Ang Imahen ng “Lady of Guadalupe”

ng Barangay Real 2 (Bacoor City, Cavite)

…simbolo ng matibay na pananampalataya at pagkakaisa

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang imahen ng Birhen ng Guadalupe ang itinuturing na isa sa maraming naipamalas na milagro sa mga mananampalatayang Kristiyano.  Ang imahen ay unang nakilala sa Guadalupe, Mexico dahil sa mga milagrong ipinamalas niya sa mga katutubo kaya ang mga Mehikanong kasama sa mga paglayag ng mga galleon mula noong 1400s ay nagdadala nito upang maging “tagapagligtas” nila kung magkaroon sila ng sakuna sa karagatan.

Sa Pilipinas, ang unang nakilalang imahen ng Guadalupe ay ang nakaluklok sa Guadalupe Church, sa Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City. Itinuturing din itong mapaghimala kaya maraming debotong dumadayo sa nasabing simbahan upang ito ay hingan ng tulong. Ang piyesta ng “Lady of Guadalupe” ay tuwing ika-12 ng Disyembre.

Sa Cavite, may imahen ng nasabing Birhen sa Barangay Real Dos, Bacoor City, sa maliit na subdivision ng Perpetual Village 5 at nakaluklok sa Multi-purpose Hall nito, na itinuturing nang “chapel” dahil dito rin nakaluklok ang iba pang imahen ng Birheng Maria at Hesus. Ang imahen ay donasyon ng mag-asawang Glo at Ed de Leon noong 2013 nang italaga ng parukyang San Martin de Porres ang nasabing birhen bilang patron ng nabanggit na barangay. Bukod sa imahen ng nasabing Birhen, ang mag-asawa ay nag-donate din ng imahen ng Itim na Nazareno, Christ the King, at mga gamit pang-Misa ng pari. Ang mag-asawa din ang nagpa-ayos ng mga sirang bahagi ng “chapel” at nagpalit ng pintura nito noong huling bahagi ng 2012. Payak ang nasabing “chapel”, may kaliitan din subalit hindi hadlang ang mga kapintasang  ito upang umigting ang pananampalataya ng mga taong taga-barangay at mga karatig lugar na dumadalo sa Misa tuwing Linggo.

Mula nang mailuklok ang birhen sa nasabing barangay, kapansin-pansin ang pagkaroon ng dagdag sa bilang ng mga dumadalo sa Misa tuwing Linggo. Nagkaroon din ng dagdag- inspirasyon kaya lalong sumigla ang pagkilos ng mga religious crusaders ng Holy Face of Jesus na namamahala sa imahen. Ang grupong ito ang nagbubuklod sa mga mananampalatayang Katoliko na taga- loob at labas ng barangay dahil sa pinapakita ng mga miyembro na walang kapagurang pagdasal sa mga lamay sa pakiusap ng namatayan, pamumuno sa pagdasal ng novena at rosaryo sa kapilya tuwing Huwebes ng dapithapon, at pakikiisa sa mga pagtitipong ispiritwal sa parukya ng San Martin de Porres tulad ng paghahatid ng imahen ng Birheng Maria sa mga bahay na gustong magpabisita sa kanya. Ang lahat ng mga nabanggit ay ginagawa ng grupo sa ngalan ng sakripisyo dahil lahat sila ay nagkakanya-kanyang gastos kung may lakad o  tuwing may prusisyon sa parukya. Ang grupo ay pinangungunahan ngayon ni Lydia Libed, bilang Presidente. Nakikipag-ugnayan si Gng. Libed sa namumuno ng Pastoral Council ng Real Dos na si Emma Duragos, na nagsisilbi namang kinatawan ng parukya sa barangay.

Nakadagdag ng lakas na ispiritwal ng barangay ang chorale group ng mga kabataan at young adults na kumakanta tuwing may okasyon para sa patron at tuwing Linggo na araw ng Misa. Ang grupong ito na pinamumunuan ni Arianne Lorenzana ay madalas ding maimbita sa mga Misang idinadaos sa labas ng barangay. Ang tumatayo namang mother/adviser nila ay si Norma Besa na bukod sa nagpapakain sa mga miyembro tuwing may practice ay takbuhan din nila upang hingan ng payo. Hindi rin nagpapabaya si Norma sa pagkukusa ng tulong sa pagpalit ng mga bulaklak na alay sa patron at iba pang pangangailangan nito.

Umaagapay sa mga grupong nabanggit si Louie Eguia, presidente ng Perpetual Village 5 Homeowners Association, na ang pinagkakaabalahan sa kasalukuyan ay ang proyektong pagpapasemento ng harapan ng kapilya dahil sa dumadaming maninimba tuwing Linggo na umaapaw hanggang sa labas, bukod pa sa pagpapaayos ng bubong nito. Ayon kay ginoong Eguia, ang donasyon sa pagpasemento ng harapan ng kapilya ay manggagaling sa gobernador ng Cavite na si Jonvic Remulla, at ang pagpapaayos ng bubong ay manggagaling naman sa gaganaping “bingo social” na proyekto ng PV5 Homeowners Association. At tulad ng dapat asahan, ang maybahay niyang si Edna naman ang nagbibigay ng hindi matawarang suporta sa kanya sa lahat ng kanyang mga ginagawa, kasama na ang pag-follow up ng mga dokumento sa iba’t ibang opisina, para sa mga proyekto.

At sa abot naman ng makakaya ng Barangay Real Dos, ang Chairman nitong si ginoong BJ Aganus ay nakaalalay, mula sa pagbigay ng marshall tuwing magdaraos ng prosesyon at seguridad naman para sa iba pang mga kahalintulad na okasyon. Ang iba pang sakop ng patrong Lady of Guadalupe ng Real Dos ay ang Luzville subdivision, Silver Homes 1 and 2, at ang Arevalo Compound.

Ang nais kong ipakita rito ay ang maaliwalas na pakikipag-ugnayan sa isa’t isa ng mga grupo at opisyal sa Real Dos sa ngalan ng patron na “Lady of Guadalupe”. Ito ay patunay na nagkakaroon ng pagkakaisa kung ang mga tao ay may matibay na pananampalataya na nagpapaigting ng respeto sa isa’t isa.

Kapit-bisig Tayo sa Pagsulong!

Kapit-bisig Tayo sa Pagsulong!

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Huwag sayangin ang pinaghirapang kalayaan

Na upang matamo’y maraming buhay ang naibuwis

Dumanak din ang masaganang dugo

Sa ati’y pamana ng ating mga ninuno.

Mga banyaga’y nagpumilit, sa atin ito’y maagaw

Subali’t ‘di nagpanaig, mga ninuno nating matapang

Nag-iisa itong pundasyon ng karangalan –

Karangalan ng ating lahi, ng Inang Bayan.

Kapit-bisig tayo sa pagsulong upang makipaglaban

Huwag hayaan, ito’y maagaw sa atin ng ganoon na lang –

Ng mga banyagang nais ay likas na yaman-

Yamang pamana sa atin ng Inang Kalikasan.

Kapit-bisig tayo sa pagsulong laban sa mangangamkam

At mga tiwaling opisyal, animo’y mga tuko sa pamahalaan

Hindi nagpapatinag sa kapangyarihang hawak –

Na kung humawak, akala mo’y tuko o bayawak!

An Ideal Homeowners’ Association…Flores Village Phase II (Bangkal, Davao City)

An Ideal Homeowners’ Association
…Flores Village Phase II (Bangkal, Davao City)
by Apolinario Villalobos

Life in a subdivision is not always idyllic. There are always setbacks such as unreliable security, stray dogs, arrogant neighbors, and irregularly maintained cleanliness of surroundings. Having a reliable homeowners’ association then, becomes the only hope of the homeowner from nurturing regrets for having lived in such kind of community.

During one of my trips to Davao City, I was invited by a friend to stay with his family for a night which I gladly accepted. He lives in a middle- class, though exclusive subdivision, the Flores Village Phase II in the suburbs of the city, particularly, Bangkal. As I was used in our subdivision of being bothered by the presence of stray dogs and their incessant barking at night, my overnight stay at the Flores Village was a relief, as I never heard a single bark.

Incidentally, my friend, Ed Collado is the president of the homeowners’ association and I got interested on how he does his job. He confided that among his implemented priority projects was the installation of the CCTV units at strategic locations around the subdivision. The cleanliness and cordial relationship among neighbors are also maintained. The vacant lot which has been developed into a plaza which lately, has been provided by the local government with a multi-purpose shelter and basketball court is further made useful with the Council’s encouragement of homeowners to maintain plots which to date are planted with vegetables. Much earlier, mango trees were also planted to provide shade and later, fruits.

A healthful activity of the homeowners is the early morning brisk walk around the village which they commence as early as five in the morning. Usually, the earliest to rise is Manuel Pabriaga who is also a staunch volunteer in practically all activities of the association, despite his being a non-officer. But Ed, considers him as the Council’s “Ex-O”.

Noticeable in the subdivision is the abundance of ornamental and medicinal herbs. Some are rare which prompted this writer to encourage Ed to have them propagated and sold during agri-trade fairs, making such venture as a fund-raiser for their association. And, for this purpose, a small portion of the community garden can be converted into a nursery.

I was also told that coordination is being done with the local government for the provision of additional streetlights that will definitely make the village more livable. As of now, only the “tri-sikad” (non-motorized tricycle) is allowed to service the transport needs of commuting homeowners within the village to maintain the peace and quiet.

Interesting is their “mortuary” program for the homeowners which is akin to the “paluwagan”. In such, the homeowners are encouraged to deposit in their common fund, Php100 per month that can be withdrawn to provide relief when somebody dies in the family. This is aside from the fixed death aid benefit.

Aside from Ed Collado, who is the President of the homeowners’ association, the rest of the officers are: Emeterio J. Josue, Jr. (Vice-President), Elizabeth E. Sacco (Secretary), Rolando V. Supetrano (Treasurer), Alex Cordero (Auditor), Jesus Galcio (Business Manager), Federico Limjuco (Public Information Officer), and Rogelio Limjuco (Peace Officer).

The successful Council of the Flores Village Phase II, showed that an effective homeowners’ association is very crucial to maintain a friendly, clean and secured in a subdivision.

When Volunteerism is Misunderstood as Meddling…Sympathy and Cooperation Suffer

When    Volunteerism   is   Misunderstood  as    Meddling

…Sympathy      and    Cooperation      Suffer

By   Apolinario    Villalobos

 

While    it    is    true    that    each    of    us   has     our     own    life    to    live,   there    are   instances    when   sympathetic    acts    which     are     given     voluntarily     in    the     spirit     of     cooperation    are    necessary.   Unfortunately,    some    people   view    this    as    some     sort     of     meddling    in   other    people’s     lives.    Sympathy    is    extended    to   give    comfort    to    grieving    people,     aside    from    lightening     up    their    heavy    load     of    responsibility.    Such    act    is   usually    manifested    through     soothing      words,       action,    and     material    comfort.

 

What    is    bad     is    that    those    who    have    no    intention    of     volunteering    sympathy     try    to    dissuade    others    from    doing    so,     especially,      if    they      have     a     grudge      against      the      beneficiary      of     such     sympathy.     One     community     that    I    know    has     so    many   religious     proponents      but    they    are    on    their    own,     except     when    they    see    each    other     during    the   weekly    liturgical   service    during    which    they    put    on    the    best     face     they    could    muster     to    hide    their    feelings     toward     each    other.     Each    is    afraid     to     volunteer     counsels     for    fear     that     they    will     be    misconstrued     as     meddling.     Prayer    meetings     are    held    but    shared     feelings      become    useless     because     they    return      to    their    usual     selves     after      they      leave      the        meeting      place.      The     habit     of    backbiting     is     still     enjoyed     by      them,     and      envy       is     still          manifested       as      they    pull     each     other     down     to    ensure     that     nobody    is    above    anybody.  

 

A     friend      who     belongs      to     this     community    and    who     relinquished      her     duties      as    head       of     their      organization         shared      her     disappointments     about     this         wicked     attitude      of     her      neighbors.       When     her      plan     to      help       the     incoming      officers       by     way       of       suggesting     some     important      hints      in     running      the     organization     was     known     by      her     friends,      she     was      practically       told        to     leave      the      new      officers     alone,     and     for    her    not     to     meddle     since      she    is    no     longer     an     officer      of     that    organization.   These      same     people     also,     just     has     no    kind     words     for     the    volunteers     who     spend     their     spare     time     in     assisting      the    parish     priest.      Instead     of     praising     the      volunteers      who     have      more     time   than   them   in     assisting       the     parish      priest ,        they        look       at      them        as        a     bunch    of     suckers.

 

In    another     community,     the    head    of   a    non-religious       organization ,    confided     that     he    was     discouraged     to    share    everything     he    knows     in    running     an    organization      to      the      incoming      new      set        of     officers.     Those    who    did     are    supposedly    his    close    friends        who     told     him     that     his    plan     is     tantamount      to     meddling       which      might       be      misunderstood      as     influence      peddling.     This    is    contrary     to    his     plan    which    is     to    support     the    new    group     of    leaders     in    their    endeavor.      He      was      even     prodded      to     spend     the     budget     on     hand     for    whatever     projects      he       may     think        of,    and    let      the    new     group    raise     the      replenishment      to     show     them     that    leading    an    organization     is    not      easy.        But       obviously,      those     who     are      trying       to     influence       him      are     not     in     good     terms     with      the    new     set      of     officers.      They       tried       to     use      the     outgoing     leader      as     an     instrument      in     getting     back     at     them.         Fortunately,       the     outgoing   leader,       proceeded    with     his     plans     and    gained      the      respect      of     the     new     set     of     officers.

 

The     above      are     just         examples     of    how    some    people    can    easily      destroy    the     essence     of     volunteerism     which     is     a      necessary     component      of     sympathy. There    are     some   people    who   enjoy    the    helplessness    of    others     when     this    could     be    avoided     if    a    helping    hand    is    extended.     This     attitude      is     made      worse     by      their     ploy     to      use       others     as      instrument       in      carrying      out       their      evil      desire.      These         same    people       would    rather    see     the   failure      of    an    organization     than    witness     how    recognition    is    given     to     those     who    are     successful    in     their    effort     to    uphold      its    integrity.     It      seems      that  these    kind of     people     live     on     the    dictum:    let     others     suffer      for     their     acts      and     let     them     break     their     back    for      something      they     want.