(The Prologue)
Maayong Buntag! (Good Afternoon in Cebuano).
I have just returned from a 10 days, 9 nights expedition cum community service trip in Cebu, Philippines. This short trip was more than just a blue sky holiday for me, it was a trip of personal growth, thoughts and reflections. Indeed, i feel extremely fufilled and rewarded both in tangible and intangible terms. If i were to blog my entire Cebu experience in a single entry in one single attempt, it will be less than complete and certainly too lengthy for me and you yah. So i've decided to blog this wonderful experience as if i'm writing a novel. As of now, we are consolidating the pictures from the trip and i'll start posting entries in chronological order for you to sneak a peek at what i did in Cebu and for myself so that down the road one day when i am reading these entries, the memories i had in Cebu will still be fresh and vivid!
Contents
Day 1 (YMCA hostel, Cebu City) "Checking in"
a) Touched down in Philipines at around 5.30 am. Travelled to our living quarters at YMCA and project I/Cs started to discuss with their respective pastors about the greater details of their project.
b) Went to Lapu Lapu Slum to do a site recce after purchasing the raw materials required for the programme the following days.
Day 2,3 (Lapu Lapu City, Canjulao) "Deep into the slums, in the face of stark reality"
Led a team of 9 other mentors and mentees to
a) Assist in the construction of two toilet cubicles and two toilet pumps. These infrastructure will serve the 300 families living in the slums.
b) Run a feeding programme to feed 100 children for two days and a give-away programme on the second day. Feeding programme on Day 2 consisted of a bowl of chicken porridge and a banana each while Day 3's was a bowl of chocolate porridge with banana. The give-away programme for 100 pax consisted of a food pack of 2kg rice, 2 packets of instant noodles and a can of sardines.
c) Played simple games, sang songs like "london bridge", "twinkle" and taught them simple English songs. Not forgetting playing basketball with my buddies over there at Lapu Lapu - Amid and Jan Jan!
d) Home visit
Day 4,5 (Garing National High School) "The warmth and hospitality in a familiar setting"
a) Assisted in the construction of an extension of a school shelter and school clinic.
b) Taught grade one students (equivalent of Secondary 1) Mathematics, more specifically gradients and graphs. After that, we played with them games like '7-up', 'charades' and musical chairs
c) Shared with 100 over students about my dreams and aspirations.
d) Home visit to a grade one student's house. Communication was all thanks to my favourite and trusted fourth year student leader, KIM! She was really nice in telling me more about the school and being our translator during the home visit! Fret not, you'll always be remembered and contacted by me! :)
Day 6 (Jesus Healer's Fellowship Church) "Sunday Service"
a) Attended service but more as of an observer. Tears welled up in my eyes as Joe was praying for those Christians that went up to him.
b) Watched 'Casino Royale' with Joe and some other mentors.
Day 7, 8 (Cantipla Mountains) "Where sheer grit and determination overcame the chills"
a) Assisted in the construction of a water tank and laying of ridiculously long water hoses. Undoubtedly, the most physically demanding project of all. Had to help in the moving of hollow blocks, sand and gravel. Then we helped to fill the embankment with soil for what lasted like 3-4 hours.
b) Ran a Christmas party for the 100 kids and their families. Crowd control for me was a nerve wrecking task in face of these kids!
Day 9 (On the sea) "The getaway on a yatch"
a) Sightseeing along the Coast of Manila (not too sure about the name)
b) Snorkelling in the sparkling clear waters and saw the spectacular starfishes and corals. As though i tuned into Discovery Channel!
c) Jetski with a close friend that i made during the trip. The reflections of the rainbows on the water surface and the feeling of having wind blow into our faces at high speed - all etched deeply in my memories. Second jetski attempt with Guiquan was nerve wrecking and horrendous. We overturned three times and the instructor was even laughing at us. Worst thing was we got stung by jellyfishes!
Day 10 (Cebu Shalom Centre, Lapu Lapu Slums) "Departure day, of tears and unwillingness"
a) Did a final site visit to both project sites of which one i was taking charge of. Saw the constructed toilet cubicles and water pumps and was showered with words of thanks and gifts.
Indeed, the impact i left in the lives of the people i've touched in this short stint at Cebu was far greater than i had expected. Apart from the gifts i had bought for myself, friends and familiy in Singapore, I brought a big pack of gifts. From the well thought-of letters, intricate gifts and warm smiles and handshake from the people alike, we were not just mere volunteers from Singapore. But we became their "special friend" and "best friend" and they even promised "they will await our return to Philippines one day"
As a matter of fact, I've heard many quote worthy statements during this trip. Perhaps i'll share one to close this prologue of mine. This was from my social worker in charge, Joe. He said,
" the greatest gift you can give to the people is yourself, not the bowls of porridge, food packs or even the presents you brought for the kids. "
In this aspect, i certainly believe we have all succeeded. We gave them our heart, love and attention and we were duly reciprocated with the warm handshakes, grateful words of thanks and the loads of gifts. Touched and grateful we are for our efforts in the physical work and attempts in human interaction paid of!
Footprints' 06 Expedition at Cebu has made me realise and know of Philippines not only as a land where domestic helpers in Singapore hail from but more so; a land of smiles and hospitality, cherished experiences and fond memories.
(To be continued!)
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