My Own Concept of “Sharing”

MY OWN CONCEPT OF “SHARING”

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

FOR THE TNTH TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT MY BLOGS ABOUT THE UNFORTUNATES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE USED AS TOOLS TO SOLICIT FUNDS. I SHARE MY PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH THESE PEOPLE TO LET SOME VIEWERS KNOW THAT WHAT THEY OCCASIONALLY SEE AS FLASHED ON TV SCREENS ARE TRUE. I MADE THIS CLEAR IN MY EARLIER BLOGS THAT VIEWERS ARE NOT ENCOURAGED TO SEND HELP TO ME AFTER LEARNING MY LESSON FROM RECEIVING HELP WITH STRINGS ATTACHED. THAT IS ALSO THE REASON WHY I HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT POSTING THEM ON FACEBOOK. ON THE OTHER HAND, WHAT I ASK ARE PRAYERS FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GO ON, AND FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GO ON WAKING UP IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THEY ENJOY LIFE DESPITE DEPRIVATIONS.

 

IT IS FUNNY HOW SOME PEOPLE CAN BE SKEPTIC INTO ASSUMING THAT WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING ARE IMPOSSIBLE, JUST BECAUSE THEY (SKEPTICS) CANNOT, EVEN IN THEIR WILD IMAGINATION, DO THEM AS SUCH ACTS MEAN A LOT OF SACRIFICE. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT OUT THERE, ARE PEOPLE WHO DIRECTLY PUT INTO THEIR MOUTH MORSELS OF FOOD PICKED UP FROM TRASH. THEY THOUGHT ONLY ANIMALS DO THAT. WHAT ELSE WOULD ONE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT A FAMILY WHO KEEPS MOVING AROUND WITH THEIR PRECIOUS BELONGINGS IN A PUSHCART FOR FEAR THAT THEY WILL BE “APPREHENDED” BY SOCIAL WORKERS, BUT OCCASIONALLY STOPPING BY GARBAGE DUMPS TO PICK UP JUNKS THAT THEY CAN SELL, OR IF LUCKY ENOUGH, EATABLE MORSELS OF FOOD THAT THEY CAN STUFF DIRECTLY INTO THEIR MOUTH?

 

I KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE CANNOT TAKE PHOTOS AND ESSAYS THAT FOR THEM ARE HORRENDOUS AND DEPRESSING, AS THEY CONTAIN WHAT THEY ASSUME AS “UNBELIEVABLE” PRIVATIONS. THEY ARE THEN, ADVISED TO SKIP MY BLOGS WHICH ARE ONLY MEANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE REALLY INTERESTED.

 

SOME PEOPLE ALSO THOUGHT THAT SHARING IS A “TREND”, A “CRAZE”.  JUST BECAUSE OTHERS ARE DOING IT, THEY MUST DO IT, TOO, TO BE “IN”. THEY MUST KNOW THAT SHARING IS A 24/7 ADVOCACY THAT KNOWS NO SEASON AND TIME. IT IS NOT JUST SHARING ON CHRISTMAS DAY JUST BECAUSE IT IS THE “BIRTHDAY” OF JESUS. IT IS NOT ABOUT SHARING JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE ASKED FOR HELP. SINCERITY IS LOST IN SHARING IF ONE WHO DOES IT NEEDS TO BE PRODDED. AND, SHARING IS NOT ABOUT GIVING BECAUSE THERE ARE CAMERAS AROUND!

 

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW THE MINUTEST DETAILS OF OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES BEFORE THEY GIVE HELP AS IF WHAT THEY SEE OUTRIGHT AND ON-THE–SPOT ARE NOT ENOUGH.

IF I SHARE THE DETAILS OF WHAT I DO TO EARN THE TRUST OF THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED FOR A LONG TIME THAT THEY BECOME SUSPICIOUS EVERY TIME A STRANGER WHO TALKS TO THEM BRINGS OUT A CELLPHONE WITH CAMERA, THE STUFF WOULD NO LONGER BE A SIMPLE BLOG BUT A BOOK.

 

SOME VIEWERS ALSO, FORGOT THAT I DO THINGS ALONE DRIVEN BY A PERSONAL DESIRE. I AM NOT A PAID JOURNALIST NOR, DO I BELONG TO A FOUNDATION OR AN “NGO”. I SHARE SPONTANEOUSLY WHAT I CAN AFFORD BASED ON WHAT MY POCKETS CONTAIN AT THE TIME OF ENCOUNTER. HOW CAN I ASK THE FATHER OF A FAMILY ON THE SIDEWALK IF HE HAS MONEY, WHEN OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE NOT YET EVEN SHARED A CUP OF COFFEE TO WARM THEIR EMPTY STOMACH? SKEPTICS MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT UNTIL NOW, THESE PEOPLE WHO LEARNED TO TRUST ME DO NOT KNOW MY NAME.

 

FOR SEVERAL DECADES THAT I HAVE BEEN SHARING WITH THE UNFORTUNATES, I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW THE KIND OF PEOPLE WHO AT FIRST GLANCE SEEM TO BE BENEVOLENT- THEY WHO I THOUGHT WERE SINCERE IN EXTENDING ASSISTANCE. IN TIME, THEIR TRUE COLOR BECOMES DISCERNIBLE WHEN THEY BEGIN TO GIVE ME INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW I SHOULD DO MY RANDOM ACTS, EVEN TO THE POINT OF IMPLYING THAT “PERHAPS, SOME OF THE UNFORTUNATES REALLY DO NOT NEED HELP”.

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

Sharing Need Not Be a “Big Time” Effort

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I ask from friends and collect myself, what others consider as “trash” – empty rice bags, used shopping plastic bags, brown paper bags, net bags, used tarpaulins, empty jars, lengths of straw rope, etc. – to be distributed among my friends who sell recyclable junks and vegetables by the pile on sidewalks. They are called “buraot” vendors and the “buraot” refers to the junks and wilting vegetables that they sell. Some of them keep the brown paper bags to be used by their children as book covers, and the sturdy plastic grocery bags as “school bags”. On the other hand, the rice bags have many uses, one of which is safekeeping of things in the absence of decent bags that are sold in department stores.

 

It takes me about two weeks to be able to collect a sizeable volume of these various “treasures”, classify the plastic bags according to size, carefully fold them and finally apportion them together with the rest of the items among the pre-identified recipients for easy distribution. I am most glad if I am able to collect big plastic cover of refs and washing machines because they can be used as extended roof for “kariton (pushcart) home” of my friends. I taught them to fold big plastic bags in such a way that they can be used as “rain coat”. I used to do that when I was in elementary during which I would scavenge the garbage dump of a bakery in our town for recyclable junks especially plastic bags.

 

One time, a friend in California, “Perla” sent plenty of blue tarps that went straight to sidewalk and “kariton” dwellers. But I told her to stop sending such kind of item because I met a couple who sell “tinseled” bags of condiments that when spread by slicing open the two sides can serve the purpose of a mat, as well as, protection against the rain – for just Php20.00 apiece.

 

Every time I come home from shopping, I see to it that the bags, both made of plastic and brown paper are properly folded and set aside instead of tossing them into the garbage basket. The brown bag can also be used in keeping extra portions of vegetables before storing them in the ref. Also, I am not ashamed in picking up lengths of straw ropes from the ground while shopping in outdoor shopping areas such as Baclaran and Quiapo, as they are also needed by my friends in tying things that they always bring along with them. As a recycling advocate, I had been doing this for more than thirty years now.

 

Every time I hit the road for my random acts of sharing my backpack is full of these “treasures”, aside from Skyflakes crackers and home-cooked pudding for sharing. I just want to show that sharing blessings need not be a “big time” effort that involves a lot of money. If I can do it, I am sure others can do it, too. Those interested to do the same can start with the plastic bags that can be collected and given to their favorite vendor in the market….by doing so, we also help Mother Nature as the plastic bags that we recycle are prevented from clogging esteros or canals.

Ang Nanay naming Matapang at Mahilig Mag-ampon

Ang Nanay naming Matapang at Mahilig Mag-ampon

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang pangalan niya ay Angelica pero ang palayaw niya ay “Ica”. Bunso siya at nag-iisang babae sa kanilang magkakapatid. Mabait siya pero matapang dahil kahit maliit ay marunong humawak ng itak kaya sa palengke noong maliit pa ako, kung saan may puwesto kami ng tuyo pero nalugi kaya nauwi sila ng tatay namin sa paglatag sa lupa ng ukay-ukay, ay pinangingilagan siya.

 

Naalala ko noong nasa Grade 1 ako, nagkagulo sa isang inuman ng tuba malapit sa puwesto namin dahil sa isang lasing na nagwala. Daanan ang puwesto namin papunta sa inuman ng tuba, kaya halos naglaglagan ang mga tuyo dahil sa dagsa ng mga taong nagtakbuhan. Sa inis ng nanay namin, kinuha ang itak na nakatago sa ilalim ng bangko at sinugod ang nagwawalang lasing. Nang makita siya ay parang nahimasmasan dahil kilala pala siya nito. Lalong natakot ang lasing nang makita ang itak na hawak ng nanay namin. Ang may-ari naman ng puwesto ay hindi mahagilap dahil tumakbo daw at nagtago, kaya ang nanay namin ang nag-utos sa lasing na linisin ang mga kalat tulad ng nabasag na mga maliit na garapong kung tawagin ay “Bol” na ginagamit sa pag-inom ng tuba. Ang “Bol” ay tatak ng garapong galing sa America noon at ang dating laman ay minatamis yata. Antigo na ito ngayon at mahal kung bilhin sa antique shop.

 

Nang kumandidato ang nakakatanda niyang kapatid bilang Vice-Mayor, pati ang pamilya namin ay nadamay sa mga intriga. Sa inis niya ay nag-research kung sino ang nagpasimuno ng isang intriga at nang malaman niya ay sinugod sa bahay at hinamon ng away sa kalsada. Binantaan din niyang huwag nang dumaan sa tapat namin at huwag na huwag daw magpakita sa kanya. Nagkaroon ng problema ang intrigera dahil ang bahay namin ay nasa tapat lang ng plasa kaya kung may libreng sine, ay nagtatakip ito ng turban sa ulo at mukha upang hindi makilala ng nanay namin na mahilig ding manood ng libreng sine. Ayaw makialam ng nanay namin sa pulitika at ito ang itinanim niya sa aming isip dahil para sa kanya na naunawaan din namin, sisirain lang ng pulitika ang magandang samahan ng magkakamag-anak at magkakaibigan na ang isip ay nakatuon sa hangad na makaupo sa puwesto sa anumang paraan.

 

Isang gabi ay nakita ko sila ng tatay namin na nagbibilang ng mga lumang pilak na perang Kastila na matagal na nilang naipon. Kinabukasan pinalitan ng kumpare nila ang mga pilak na pera ng bago. Pambayad pala sa naipong utang na dahilan kung bakit wala nang nagdatingang bagong stock ng mga tuyo galing sa Iloilo. Nalaman ko ring marami pala silang pinautang ng paninda na hindi nabayaran kaya nalugi ang negosyo. Sa bagay na ito, hindi ko nakitaan ng tapang ang nanay namin upang maningil dahil sa awa sa mga umutang…mga kapos din daw kasi tulad naming. Hindi nagtagal, ibinenta nila ang puwesto namin.

 

Noong ukay-ukay na ang ibinenta ng magulang namin, sinubukan din nilang dumayo sa ibang bayan. Isang gabing dumating sila galing sa dinayong tiyangge, may kasama silang buntis. Sa kuwentong narinig ko isinama nila ang babaeng nakita nilang palakad-lakad sa palengke ng Tulunan, ang dinayong bayan nang araw na yon, dahil baka daw “ihulog” ng babae ang anak niya. Ang “ihulog” ay “ilaglag”sa Tagalog o sa Ingles ay i-“abort”. Pero dahil bata pa ako ang na-imagine ko ay ang gagawin ng babae na “ihuhulog” ang anak niya sa bangin! Inampon namin ang babae hanggang sa manganak. Nang umabot na ang anak niya sa gulang na apat na taon ay pinayagan siya ng nanay namin na bumalik sa Tulunan.

 

Isang beses naman, nang naghuhugas ako ng mga reject na tuyo upang matanggal ang namuong asin ay may nakita akong batang apat na taong gulang lang yata, umiiyak sa tabi ng public toilet. Nag-iisa lang siya at ayaw sumagot sa mga tanong ko kaya sinundo ko ang nanay ko. Isinama niya ang bata sa puwesto namin at inutusan ang kuya ko na maghanap ng pulis sa palengke upang sabihan na may batang “napulot” at nasa puwesto namin. Hanggang magsara na kami ng puwesto, ay wala pa ring kumuha sa bata kaya isinama na namin sa pag-uwi. Araw-araw siyang isinasama sa puwesto upang makita ng kung sino mang nakakakilala. Nang magdesisyon ang nanay naming ampunin na ang bata ay saka naman siya nakita ng tiyuhin. Sa pag-uwi nila ay sumama kami ng nanay ko at nagdala pa kami ng maraming tuyo upang pasalubong sa mga magulang. Nakatira pala sila sa bulubundukin ng Magon malapit na sa boundary ng South Cotabato, kaya napasabak kami ng “hiking” na inabot din ng ilang oras dahil napakadalang pa ang mga sasakyan noon. Nakabalik kami sa palengke bandang hapon na. Inihatid kami ng tatay ng bata dahil sa bigat ng pinabaon sa aming maraming bayabas at guyabano.

 

Nang umuwi naman ang nanay namin galing sa Bantayan Island (Cebu) mula sa pagdalo sa pista ng nagmimilagro daw na Sto. Niἧo, may kasama siyang isang batang babae na ulila at limang taong gulang. Naging kapamilya namin ang bata hanggang sa siya ay isinama uli sa Bantayan noong mag-sasampung taon gulang na. Hindi na siya naisama pag-uwi ng nanay namin dahil nang makita daw ang bata ng isang tiyahin ay binawi. Wala namang nagawa ang nanay namin kundi ang umuwing luhaan.

 

Hindi lang tao ang nakahiligang ampunin ng nanay namin dahil nang minsang umuwi siya ay may napulot siyang tuta na nangangalkal sa basurahan ng isang bakery na nadaanan niya. Hindi pa ako nag-aaral noon kaya naging kalaro ko ang tuta hanggang sa ito ay lumaki. Ang pinaka-puwesto ng aso tuwing gabi ay ang balkonahe namin. Isang umaga ay nakita namin siyang patay at kagat pa ang leeg ng isang asong patay din at ang bunganga ay umaapaw sa laway, palatandaang ito ay isang asong ulol. Nakaakyat pala sa balkonahe ang asong ulol at kung hindi napatay ng aso namin ay malamang na kami ang nabiktima pagbukas namin ng pinto nang umagang yon.

 

Kung buhay ang nanay namin ngayon, malamang ay naipagpatayo namin siya ng isang maliit na “halfway home” para sa mga gusto niyang ampunin kahit pansamantala, pati na rin siguro ng isang maliit ding “pet shelter”. Pero masaya na rin ako dahil alam kong inampon din siya doon sa “itaas”.

See with Our Heart, Feel with Kindness

See with Our Heart,

Feel with Kindness

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Our eyes perceive the world

That’s all that they can do;

But there’s more beneath

The surface of everything

That only the heart can see –

If strengthened with fidelity.

 

Touching the lives of others

Some do with false charity

They, who think, food is enough

They, who think, money is fine

But given devoid of kindness

All effort becomes worthless.

 

Look around with our heart

Touch others with kindness

Those are what we should do

To realize our purposes in life –

Live and share, love sincerely

And thank the Lord as we pray!

 

 

Nang Mapahiya ang Isang “Donor”

Nang Mapahiya ang isang “Donor”

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ngayong Oktubre 2015, naalala ko ang isang “donor” na ipinakilala sa akin ng isang kaibigan na regular donor para sa mga project ng maliit naming grupo. Nangyari ito noong nakaraang taon. Akala ko ay ang kaibigan ko lang ang madadatnan ko sa restoran na tipanan namin sa Greenbelt area ng Makati Business Center, na malapit lang sa office ng kaibigan ko. Dahil ang pinag-uusapan ay tungkol sa fund-raising para sa pasko 2014, nakisali ang kaibigan ng kaibigan ko, at nagsabi na magdo-donate din daw. Subalit nagulat ako nang tanungin niya kung saan daw ang “office” namin. Sabi ko, “wala, at apat lang kami sa grupo”. Dagdag pa niya ay kung pwede daw ba siyang humingi ng resebo para magamit niya sa tax deduction. Muntik na akong mabulunan ng mainit na kape sa tanong niya. Sa umpisa medyo nairita ako pero nagpaliwanag pa rin ako na hindi kami rehistrado sa SEC.  Naisipan kong sakyan na lang siya. Binigyan ko siya ng address kung saan siya puwedeng maghatid ng donation na mga de lata daw.

Four days ang nakalipas, habang kasagsagan ng pag-repack namin ng mga items, dumating ang “donor”, may dalang isang kahon ng sardinas. Natuwa kami, pero ang “donor” ay hindi, dahil ang dinatnan niya ay isang lumang garahe ng kaibigan ko at amoy-tuyo pa, dahil kasama ang tuyo sa nire-repack para sa mga plastic bag… akala siguro niya ay big time kami. Kahit amoy pawis kaming apat, ininterteyn pa rin namin siya, hindi nga lang namin nabigyan ng kape dahil ayaw naming bawasan ang mga donasyong kape na naka-sachet.

Halata ang disappointment niya. Wala yatang konsiyensiya, nagtanong pa kung bakit wala man lang kaming t-shirt na isinusuot tulad nang ginagawa ng ibang Foundation. Inulit ko sa kanyang hindi kami Foundation. Patanong na sabi ko, pangalan nga namin ay hindi namin ibinibigay, bakit pa kami magpapa-obvious pa sa pagsuot ng t-shirt? Ang dagdag paliwanag namin, dis-oras kami namimigay para walang makapansin.

Ang isang kasama ko ay hindi nakatiis, nag-“excuse me” at pumunta sa labas…akala ko ay galit. Nang sundan ko, nadatnan ko siyang namimilipit sa pagtawang pilit pinipigil. Tumigil lamang siya sa pagtawa nang tanungin niya ako kung saan ko na-meet ang “donor”. Hindi ko na sinagot ang tanong niya, basta ang sabi ko na lang ay, “hayaan mo na….may donation naman”. Pagbalik namin sa loob, inabot naming nagkokodakan ang dalawa pa naming kasama at ang “donor”. Nag-group picture kami, pa-selfie.

Maya-maya tumawag sa cellphone ang “donor” at ang kausap yata ay driver niya dahil ang sinabi ay,” Hoy, ang kotse ihanda mo na at lalabas na ako diyan, buksan mo na ang aircon…yong pinabalot kong pansit na natira sa restoran pala ipasok mo rito sa loob”. Maya-maya pumasok uli ang lalakeng naka-short- sleeved barong tagalong na nagdala ng kahon ng sardinas, may dalang supot na malamang, ang laman ay ang tirang pansit. Nagpasalamat kami sa dalaw ng “donor” at sa kanyang donation….at pansit. Nang ihatid ko siya sa labas ng gate, nakita kong Porsche ang kotse niya. Nag-alala lang ako dahil ang ibinigay niyang pansit ay baka para sa driver o kasambahay…kawawa naman sila.

Familiar pala sa isa kong kasama ang babaeng “donor”, kabit daw ng isang milyonaryong negosyante ng itlog at manok, at may palaisdaan pa na taga-Bulacan. Ang kasama naming nagsabi ay taga-Bulacan din, subalit tuwing Oktubre lang umuuwi mula sa Amerika at ang bakasyon niya ay hanggang Enero. Umuuwi siya para lang makibahagi sa fund-raising tuwing Oktubre at pamamahagi ng Christmas bags tuwing last week ng November. Akala siguro ng starlet ay may mga taga- media siyang madadatnan sa “repacking center” namin tulad nang nangyayari sa mga Foundation center ng mga kilalang TV stations. Makakatiyempo nga naman siya ng libreng mileage kung sakali at baka may makapansin upang makabalik siya sa pelikula. Bold starlet siya dati, at maganda pa rin hanggang ngayon…suki siguro siya ni Dra. Belo.

Ngayong taon, ingat na ingat na kami sa pagtanggap ng mga donasyon para sa pasko 2015, at baka makatiyempo kami ng mas matinding personalidad na gustong mag-“donate”.  Lalong masama kung makatiyempo kami ng pulitiko, panahon pa naman ng kampanyahan para sa election 2016.

The Best Ways to Show Gratitude

The Best Ways to Show Gratitude

By Apolinario Villalobos

Benefactors may be generally classified into two: individual and institution. The individual may be classified further into two: discreet and obviously selfish. There is no problem with the institutions which may be government agencies or non-government organizations (NGO), because their projects need to be publicized so that people, especially, their donors will know where the donated money and commodities go.

The obviously selfish individual benefactors could be politicians, attention-hungry career and show business personalities, or any attention-hungry person who does selfies every time he or she extends a helping hand. On the other hand, the discreet benefactors are those who would rather keep their identity confidential because of their limited resources, hence, the consistency of their projects are dependent on the availability of funds. The latter do not even give their real name to their beneficiaries.

While receiving help gives much relief to the needy, it is important to know how gratitude should be properly expressed. Those who received help from institutions should not despise what have been given to them, if they are not what they have expected, except when they are spoiled food items from government agencies that should be reported immediately. In fairness to the NGOs, they have no habit of giving spoiled food items to the victims of calamities, that the Department of Social Welfare is wont to do, based on reports. If there is an opportunity available to share the information through the social media, such as, facebook, by all means, it should be done. The same should also be made for sincerely given unspoiled foods.

Individuals who are given financial assistance should put the money to proper use as originally intended. If the help is for reviving a losing business, so be it….and, should not be used in buying a tour package to Boracay. If the money is intended for the tuition fee, it should not be used to buy a new cellphone. If the money is intended for medicine, it should not be used to buy groceries, etc. Using the financial assistance in some other ways, other than its original intention is tantamount to fooling the benefactor.

Discreet benefactors always tell their beneficiaries to pass on the help to others, and this should be respected. The beneficiary will only irritate the benefactor of this kind, if he insists on returning the favor to the latter. If there is an added request to keep the act of charity a secret, then, this should be respected, too.

But the greatest and the best way to show gratitude for the help received from any of the abovementioned benefactors, is by praying for them, be their intention is sincere or selfish.

Si Annalyn Sagenes at ang Huli niyang 150 pesos (kagawad siya ng Barangay Real Dos)

Si Annalyn Sagenes at ang Huli Niyang 150 pesos

(kagawad siya ng Barangay Real Dos)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Isang hapong nakipag-umpukan ako sa kubong pahingahan sa subdivision namin na katabi ng Barangay Hall, nakipagpalitan ako ng mga kuwento. Isa sa mga kakuwentuhan namin ay si Annalyn Sajenes,  konsehal ng Barangay Real Dos. Marami kaming napag-usapan at ang hindi ko makalimutan ay ang kuwento niya tungkol sa huling 150 pesos  sa kanyang bulsa.

Maaga pa lang daw noon ay may lumapit na sa kanya upang humingi ng tulong na pampa-ospital, at kahit kapos siya pera noon, naisip niyang ibigay na lang ang 100 pesos upang magawan ng paraan ng humihingi na madagdagan. Naisip niyang pagkasyahin na lang ang natirang 50 pesos sa maghapon. Pagdating niya sa Barangay Hall ay nakita naman niya ang basurero ng barangay na inaapoy ng lagnat. Wala itong pambili ng gamot, kaya ang ginawa niya ay pikit-matang iniabot ang huling 50 pesos sa bulsa niya. Sa maghapong yon ay hindi niya ginamit ang kanyang motorsiklo dahil wala na siyang panggasolina. Inisip ko na lang na baka nangutang siya para may magastos kinabukasan.

Nang tumira ako sa barangay namin, inabot ko si Annalyn na tin-edyer pa lang noon. Nakitaan ko na siya ng mga katangiang angkop sa pamumuno. Itinuturing akong hindi iba ng kanyang pamilya at mga kamag-anak, kaya halos araw-araw akong namamasyal sa lugar nila pati sa “bukid” kung tawagin namin na nasa silangang bahagi ng subdivision. Nang tumigil sa pag-aaral si Annalyn, sinubukan niyang magbukas ng maliit na karinderya sa labas lang ng bahay nila. Maraming nakagusto sa mga ulam niyang lutong bahay, at style-Kabitenyo.

Kalaunan, hindi ko akalaing sasabak si Annalyn sa pulitika, kahit pa sabihing ang itinuturing niyang lolo na si Ka Pedro ay naging unang Chairman ng barangay namin. Laking gulat ko nang malaman kong sumali siya sa listahan ng mga tatakbo sa pagka-konsehal, ganoon pa man, tiwala akong makakalusot siya, na nangyari nga.

Sa unang termino pa lamang ng kanyang panunungkulan, nakitaan na siya ng sigasig sa pagpapatupad ng mga obligasyon. Ginagamit niya ang kanyang motorsiklo kahit sa mga lakad na opisyal, at ang pambili ng gasolina ay galing sa kanyang bulsa, hindi nari-reimburse. Maliban diyan, nakakadukot din siya sa bulsa niya ng pera para sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong tulad ng nabanggit ko. Ang barangay namin ang pinakamaliit sa buong lunsod ng Bacoor, kaya maliit din ang binabahaging buwis para dito, ibig sabihin, maliit din ang allowance ng mga taga-barangay. Kadalasan tuloy ay abunado silang lahat, mula sa Chairman na si BJ Aganus, hanggang sa mga kagawad.

Nasa ikalawang termino na si Annalyn bilang konsehala. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang maganda niyang pagpapatupad ng tungkulin lalo na kapag nakatoka siya sa pagroronda sa buong barangay, feeding program, at sa pag-asikaso ng mga hindi nagkakaunawaang magka-barangay. Kung minsan ay inaabot siya ng hatinggabi sa pagpapatupad ng kanyang tungkulin, kaya hindi na rin siya nakakapagluto ng mga ulam na dati niyang ginagawa.

Umiiral ang magandang samahan at “sharing” sa pagitan ng mga opisyal ng barangay Real Dos. Sakripisyo nilang itinuturing ito, kaya hindi nakapagtataka ang ginawa ni Konsehala Annalyn nang ipamahagi niya ang natitirang 150 pesos noon, sukdulan mang magtiis siya sa maghapon na hindi makagamit ng motorsiklo dahil walang panggasolina. Binigyan niya ng buhay ang kasabihang: “kaning isusubo na lang, ay ibibigay pa sa kapwa-taong nagugutom”.

More on Sharing…

More on Sharing…
By Apolinario Villalobos

There is more in sharing than what most of us know about it. The heavenly bodies in the universe share ample space. Without the fair sharing in the seemingly infinite space in the universe, the heavenly bodies including earth would have been bumping with each other. Humanity shares the air to be able to survive and so are the lesser creatures. Sharing is not limited to food. The Designer is wise, indeed, and that is what He expects His intelligent creatures to be.

Unfortunately, because of pride and greed among humans, even the road space is not shared fairly, resulting to altercation among greedy motorists. They want to get more than what is provided by going against the flow of traffic or by overtaking the long queue of vehicles as they come to a standstill. This greed sometimes results to violence, and worse, death.

The disgusting land grabbing of government officials and moneyed entrepreneurs show their blatant greed that borders on exploitation of the ignorant. Add to these their robbing of government coffer. These greedy people are not satisfied with what they already have. If only they let the bounties be shared by all, poverty could, at least, be minimized.

Some of us refuse to share honors with others who deserve them by robbing them of such opportunity. In school, students who are desirous to be on top of the honor list, do all possible to garner high grades even to the extent of submitting plagiarized reports and thesis. Unsuspecting artists are also robbed of their rightful opportunity to achieve honor, when their works are plagiarized by fellow artists who make sure that they alone shall get the honor.

On the positive side, there are so many things that we can share with others, such as happiness, knowledge, prayer, and of course, blessings. The righteous sharing is what’s expected of us to do. But if we do otherwise, we should be prepared for the consequence in what the Golden Rule says….do not do to others, what you do not want others, would do to you.

Christlike People Around Us

Christlike People Around Us

by Apolinario Villalobos

Without their knowing it, some people around us are Christlike – they who act like Christ but do not belong to the Christian fold. Some do not even belong to any religion. The Christlike way is my own gauge in measuring the extent of kindness one extends to others, while being Christian is belonging to the group that is supposed to advocate the teachings of Christ. Unfortunately, some or most members are only Christian in name but not in action.

When the typhoon Yolanda devastated Leyte and its neighboring Visayan provinces, some Aeta tribes in Zambales went down with bunches of bananas and sweet potatoes in answer to the call for donations. A girl donated her month’s savings that amounted to a little more than a hundred pesos. Two cigarette vendors I met in Sta. Cruz, Manila, donated the money each of them saved. While one vendor’s savings was supposed to be for his wife who was to give birth within the month, the other one’s savings was supposed to be for the purchase of tarpaulin for the pushcart which he considered as his family’s home.

In our neighborhood, “Ester”, a housewife who operates a beauty parlor sponsors free haircut at least once a month in depressed areas. A retired couple in a nearby neighborhood, “Gene” and “Maggie”, crams their old van with goodies for deserving street children who they would encounter every time they hit the road, aside from doing weekend visit to depressed areas with a small group. Still, a couple in another neighborhood, “Sam” and “Ness”, regularly visit on weekends a shelter for elderlies where they spend their whole day as volunteers. A retired couple in their 80’s, “Lando” and “Cora” are foster parents to a former child prostitute who will graduate from high school next year.

Even distance does not hinder others to act like Christ. “Perla” who lives in the United States regularly calls friends, schools, and stores for books to be discarded, even tarpaulins and emergency home tools which she patiently packs to be sent to the Philippines for street children. “Doring”, brought out her carefully saved money, an extra amount during her last visit to the Philippines, and which she sent to be spent for a needy person and street children.

There are more of these Christlike people around us, who do not even know that they are manifesting the image of Christ through their acts. Some do not even know how to pray the Rosary and Novena. Some do not kneel in front of the altar and implore God for blessings. Some have not tried joining a religious procession. Some do not say repetitive prayers akin to pagan chanting. Some do not offer flowers and candles to the images of saints. But these Christlike people, do what are supposed to be done right away for others, acts which are along what Christ said: “what you do to others, you do to me”, and “love they neighbor”…which could mean, who they may be.

A Philanthropist at Quinta Market of Quiapo….Baby “Bicol” Dionisio

A Philanthropist at Quinta Market of Quiapo
…Baby “Bicol” Dionisio
By Apolinario Villalobos

If I am around the Quiapo area and want to partake of my favorite eggplant torte, I would just go to my favorite carinderia (makeshift restaurant) at the Quinta market. The stall is beside the fish section. For more than nine years now, I did not know that the single mom, Baby “Bicol” Dionisio, who is tending the said eatery has been silently enduring trials that have befallen her, as under her care is a hydrocephalic granddaughter. Both sleep in the cramped area behind the counter, among their worldly possessions, and the worst time is during the flood season during which the overflowing murky water from the Pasig River which is a few meters away would flood the whole market for days, reaching up to her ankle, and during some seasons, up to her thigh. In addition to such nuisance is the several decades-old roof that drips rainwater.

I learned about her hydrocephalic granddaughter one morning when I dropped by for my favorite dish, before proceeding to the Hospicio de San Jose beside the Ayala Bridge, and which is just a few hundred meters away. During our animated conversation, she inadvertently mentioned about the child in her care. It came as a surprise. I did not know about her ward as every time I drop by, she was always cheerful. I did not know that in the crib is a handicapped child.

What touches me every time I drop by for my cheap breakfast is her very positive outlook despite her strangling financial needs for the health maintenance of the child. That morning, she told me that she has learned to leave her fate to the Lord, but added that she has never failed to exert much effort in earning for their daily survival by waking up as early as four in the morning to do her purchases and cooking, and since theirs is a public area, staying awake as late as ten in the evening. She also cheerfully mentioned that the child has learned to knock at her crib post to wake her up consistently every morning.

Baby’s daughter, the mother of the child, still has two children in her care and she is also doubling her effort to support them by doing odd jobs. She and her family live in a shanty by the Pasig River with her two other small children. Her husband drives a traysikad or pedaled tricycle. I was even more surprised when Baby pointed at an old man who was sleeping that morning on an old reclining chair in front of her stall. She said, the old man who is past his seventy years, and suffering from the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease is also under her care. As soon as she is free from attending to her customers, she checks the old man. She has no idea about her additional ward’s family. I had no courage to ask her how her caring for the old man started. I find it unethical. For me, what’s important is what is being done at the moment of need.

I did not mention to Baby about the Hospicio as I was not sure if the said institution could take care of semi-invalids such as her old ward. I am resolved, however, to at least try my best in helping her locate the family of the man for his own sake. Most often, victims of Alzheimer’s disease who could not find their way back home are painstakingly searched for by their families.

Baby’s friends in the market would sometimes extend their assistance, although, not regularly, to help lessen her financial burden. Despite her situation that could break the bearing of the weak in body and spirit, she would just smile while attending to her customers, with not a bit of complaint. Due to her very amiable personality, she exudes a warm aura that gives her face some kind of a radiance that veils her real age, making her look like fortyish despite her age of past sixty years. When I asked if it is okey to take her photo with her granddaughter beside the old man, she vehemently refused, but she did not hesitate to give me her real name. I only knew it after more than nine years, during which I would just call her “nene”.

As always, people like “nene” or Baby keeps me going…