“KANTAHANAN”: A Concert for the Aeta College Students

Aeta in College?  Yes, College is for Aetas too because 39courageous aeta youth are pursuing a degree in the tertiary education.  Soon we will have a new breed of Aetas, that of professional aetas. 

In the past, we only see the Aetas in the uplands working in the mountain and raising their family.  During Holiday Seasons like Christmas and New Year, they go down to the lowlands asking for money or clothes and begging for food.  These are the only things that they do in life.

Today, the Aetas have seen the importance of education to uplift their lives and to make their dreams come true.  True indeed, many of these young Aetas also have their dreams and aspirations.  Theybelieve that education can help themchange their plight in lives. Yes, some of their children are in college. 

Many organizations and institutions are helping the Aetas.  One of these is the Volunteers for Catholic Action (VoCA), which is a network of Catholic schools in Pampanga, an organization convened by the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) that helps the Archdiocese of San Fernando in the education of the Aeta Students. 

To address their need for a convenient place to stay while they are studying, VoCA has thought of “KANTAHANAN”,a concert that aims to provide financial assistance  for the construction of the “Aetahanan”,  a dormitory designed for the Aeta Scholars whom we fondly call “Kapatads”.  This event was staged last October 11, 2013 @ 6:30PM in the Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City. The fund raising campaign is in line with the project of the Volunteers for Catholic Action (VoCA), which intends to help the Archdiocese of San Fernando in providing tertiary education to the Indigenous Peoples. 

The concert’s name “KANTAHAN actually came from Rev. Fr. Francis, F. Dizon, SACOP Executive Director and VoCAConvenor during one of  the VoCA meetings.   Fr. Dizon said, “puedeng kanta para sa tahanan ng mga Kapatad Scholars...KANTAHANAN”, puede!” and with this, a unanimous decision was made by VoCA to have it as the concert’s name.

Rev. Fr. Regnel Fuertez said, “ King KANTAHANAN apakit tamu ing malasakit tamu kareng katutubo.  Malambat ng panahon na ali la mididinan pansin, so at least, ining KANTAHANAN metung yang paralan to recognize them, na biasa la namang mangarap king bie da, at hoepefully maging instrument tamu. 

Salamat kareng pari, madre, kareng eskwelang sinuporta, ampon kareng teachers-in-chare kening KANTAHANAN a ini, uli na nini maragul yang saup ban kanita matupad ya ing kekatamung parangarap karela na dagul ya ing disenting tuknangan (boarding house) da reng kekatamung Aeta college students.”

Mrs. Edna Manlapaz, Director of the Center for Christian Formation (CCF ) said,  “ AUF is spearheading the initial concert with the support of the people from VoCA and from the people of Angeles University.  I am so passionate and I am really very supportive because I believe that this is our way of really extending financial support to our “Kapatad”.  To me, what is more important is the instrumentality. We are happy because we believe that this is only a small way of extending ourselves to our “Kapatad”.  We are happy that we are given an opportunity to be of help.”

Ms. Melody Austria, a BSEEd First Year of Mary the Queen College (Pampanga), Inc. on behalf of the Aeta students, mentioned that she is happy and sincerely grateful to all the people behind the “Kantahanan.”.  “Ako po, sampu ng aking mga kasamang Aeta students ay buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga taong tumutulong na maabot ang aming pangarap.”

Indeed, the concert is for a noble cause because it aims to address their need for a decent, comfortable place to stay that is accessible to their schools here in the lowlands. With the new boarding house, which is nearer and a decent place for them to live, the gap of time and space that hinders them to take an active part in the development and progress of our society is made possible. In addition, “Aetahanan” would greatly help them perform better academically and be more available to join school activities because they will not go home daily anymore to the uplands.  

After knowing the situation of the Aeta Students, I was deeply moved because a challenge was posted on me to answer the call to help them. But I know  that there are many people with kind and generous hearts who are more than willing to help and support them.  With this, in my heart is HOPE, hope that someday some of them, because of their determination to finish their education, will have a better life.  At the moment they can only wish for their dreams to come true, but for as long as there are people who are willing to share their blessings, for as long as there are people who are moved to HELP and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their lives, their dreams and aspirations are not fat-fetched, for with the GRACE of God, NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE.

Kabalen students make it to regional TOSP finals

This article was lifted from SUN STAR Pampanga... Local News...Kalokaaa....now ko lang nabasa because I was looking for my other articles...biglang nag pop sa google....hmmm...just thought of posting it here in my blog po...thanks po to Sun Star especially to the person who interviewed me...cencia di ko na maalala po.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Two students from the Mary the Queen College (MQC) were nominated in this year’s regional search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) after meeting the required academic and social responsibility qualifications.
Representing the school in the search are Kelvin Cadiang (Accountancy) and Leomar Bucud (Information System department), said Maria Fe Gonzales, Outreach head and trainer of the two nominees,
“We can never tell or say if they will make it or not. What I always tell them is to speak from the heart during the interview,” Gonzales said.
She said MQC was among those invited by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to participate in the search, which is already an achievement in itself.
Gonzales said three MQC students have given honor to the school after having been nominated in the regional search for the past three years -- Mark Gil Tuazon was one of the 30 finalists for 2012 and the only one from Pampanga; Sarah Colis, an awardee in 2011 also at the regional level; and the very first one to have been nominated in 2010, Rudolph Jay Velasco, who was declared as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines at the regional level.
“Rest assured that Mary the Queen College is preparing its entrants for this year’s search very well,” Gonzales said.
These awards -- aside from the latest six CPA Board Passers and from the previous CPA Passers and LET Passers and other more achievements -- prove MQC’s ability to produce competitive students, she said.
“It is one way of showing the fulfillment of the school’s vision and mission through its ten-year existence,” she said.

Sowing an Act of KINDNESS...

    

   

I have just thought of coming up a regular post in the outreach blog about sowing an act of kindness on a daily basis by the students. This invites them to share the experience of kindness they have done to other people. Hmm...I know they will be motivated with this idea. Let me start it here then...

     This happened inside the bus. I and my friend Gayle were on our way home from Ateneo then. We had a meeting with Father Joe, a Jesuit priest, so we went to Katipunan to see him. Hmmm...after talking to him about some concerns, we had our malling and then went home.

     We were on board the Genesis bus, tapos sa tabi ko, dahil sa me aisle ako umupo, were two ladies who are on their mid 50's. I and my friend were making chikka, pero...pansin ko lang...hmmm...mabilis magpatakbo ang driver. Not only that...pabigla bigla din s'yang mag preno, sort of balasubas ika nga. So, parang medyo di kami really makapag concentrate dahil lagi ngang swerve ang driver...kakalokaaa talaga...nakakawala ng focus kasi kailangan naming humawak at baka kami ay mahulog sa aming kinauupuan o sumubsob sa aming harapan.

    Nagpatuloy ang aming paglalakbay sa ganoong situation sa loob ng bus...hanggang all of a sudden, biglang nag break ang driver. Napatingin ako sa loob ng bus at napansin ko na yung ale pala na katabi ko ay nakaupo na yung mga paa ay nakataas. So yung kanyang mga sandals ay napunta sa bandang harapan...mga about apat na upuan ang layo from where she is seated.

    I noticed yung reaction n'ya as she was looking for her sandals...she was kinda worried kung saan na ba kaya umabot ang mga sandals nya. So dahil di nya makita, she was making some comments about the driver. Since I heard her...and nakita ko how upset and worried she was...sabi ko..."napunta po sa bandang harapan. Ayun po!" So she tried to sort look for  them, kaso di n'ya makita dahil nasa ilalim nga ng upuan.

     I can sense and feel the worry in her face...alam ko she was thinking kung ano ang gagawin n'ya. I was also thinking of whether those who are seated will do something...na sana makita yung sandals n'ya and they would ask kung kanino ang mga yun. waaaaah....di naman sila react...and I do not also know kung nakita ba nila...

     Patuloy na mabilis ang takbo ng bus...umastang tatayo ang matanda pero biglang nag swerve na naman ang sasakyan, so umupo s'ya ulit. It was during this time that I made the act of helping the old woman. Kapampangan din s'ya....and so sabi ko..."Ako nalang po ang kukuha." waaaah...so kesehodang gumapang gapang ako because it was not possible for me to walk sa aisle...kailangan kong kunin sa ilalim ng upuan sa may bandang harapan ng bus yung sandals n'ya, at kesehodang naka blazer ako at medyo formal ang suot ko dahil me pinuntahan pa akong isang office maliban kay Father....kinuha ko ang mga ito. It was difficult, kasi mabilis ang sasakyan...di ako puedeng tumayo...but I was able to do it. Extra challenge on my part.  

     Other passengers were looking at me then, kasi parang ako yung tipong di gagawin yun dahil sa porma ko....pero di ko na inalintana ito. My mind was focused on how I will get the sandals of the woman. Besides, siguro innate na sa pagkatao ko yung immediate reaction ko and my desire to help.

     And so, the woman thanked me. She doesn't know nga pano n'ya ako pasalamatan and she said: "Me mga tao pa rin palang mabait these days." Then my friend said: "Di lang po mabait ang friend ko, maganda pa!" nyahaha...natawa ako sa friend ko.

     Noong mga oras na yun, there was JOY in my heart, and nasabi ko sa sarili ko, iba pa rin talaga ang mararamdaman mo when you make other people happy and you were able to extend help. The words of gratitude uttered by the woman, na di ko man nga alam kung sino sya, have inspired me to do acts of kindness whenever and wherever I can.

     Truly, showing KINDNESS would make you feel good...it makes you feel that your life is really fruitful and worthwhile because you were able to do something good to other people. Kailangan lang talagang ma instill sa system natin, sa ating pagkatao ang spontaneous gesture of goodwill towards others. Sa ganitong paraan we show our care and love to them.

     Hindi mahirap ang gumawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa. Maraming pagkakataon and darating sa ating buhay. Ang tanong nga lang ay....Tayo ba ay nakahanda? O baka naman tayo ay nahihiya kaya?

                                  

    It is a matter of CHOICE and DECISION. We are given the free hand to respond to every situation. Whatever we do, whether to react positively or not...then...this is what and who we are in this life we have.

     Sa ganang akin, mas gugustuhin ko siguro yung makatulong at me kaligayahan sa puso ko dahil natugunan ko ang pangangailangan ng kapwa ko. Yung walang feeling of guilt on my part na di ako nakatulong...dahil....who knows someday....pano nalang kaya kung ako naman ang nangangailangan ng tulong?

    We have to carry out an ACT OF KINDNESS in our everyday life with no expectations of reward because someday, someone or somewhere somebody will just do the same for US.

                                     

GRATITUDE...Straight from the HEART

I maintain a JOURNAL of GRATITUDE where I write the countless blessings I receive in my life.  I am expressive in terms of my feelings and so,  at this moment po is a deep urge in the very core of my being to write about events and people that I am grateful for. My sense of gratitude has summoned my heart to  EXPRESS the feeling that percolates to every cell in my body.  

I know words will NOT suffice to express how grateful I am to the people and institutions who have made the First Values Education a success. Our gratitude knows no bound to many people and institutions in terms of appreciation for the success of the project. I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH Po, but I will try to....

I am genuinely grateful to our generous and helpful DONORS and SPONSORS in PaCEF. Thank you for the financial assistance you have given to the scholars. You have helped them to grab the opportunity for growth and development in terms of knowledge and competencies by teaching the pupils. The exposure they had with the  school children definitely was a life-changing experience. Above all else, with the "experience",  you have helped shape their attitude towards commitment and towards work. Consequently, you have given these students HOPE to reach their goals and dreams in life. I really appreciate your help because I know in my heart that without your financial support to these students some could have stopped in their studies.  Many thanks to all of you po and may God shower you more blessings for your generosity and act of kindness!

Just as importantly, I value and sincerely appreciate Pampanga Children's Education Fund (PaCEF), the foundation.  The Community Development and Extension Office and the PaCEF scholars of Mary the Queen College believe in its advocacy, thus we have committed to render our service and share our knowledge, time and talents to help in achieving the mission of the foundation.  Thank you for the intervention of PaCEF Foundation’s program on Values Education which advocates ethical and moral values and civic responsibility among the learners. This indeed is an advocacy that ca MAKE a DIFFERENCE in the lives of the children.  

Likewise, a meaningful THANK YOU is given to the Principal, teachers and pupils of  Mansgold Elementary School  for welcoming us. Thank you for providing the PaCEF scholars the venue to reach out and touch the lives of the pupils. For  almost a year you have accommodated the scholars, making you as their second family. We are indeed grateful for that and we are delighted for all the help and warm welcome you have accorded us.  

A great relationship among the scholars indeed has contributed to the success of the project. I appreciate your commitment to the project, with the great deal of work involved and the challenges you  have faced, it was not easy.  I know how hard your have worked and sacrificed because of your dream to continue your studies,  but thanks to your patience and determination, you were able to hurdle and face all the challenges. I deeply appreciate your dedication and efforts and for giving your best to the project.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of  my friends, Sis Agnes Lacap, Sis Elsa Ang and Sis Marlyn Yambao for all the help they have extended. I appreciate your presence and moral support in the past activities of PaCEF. Thank you for sharing your time and effort. I am grateful that there are people like you and how I wish there will be more people like you.

Words of appreciation are also given to Dr. Rouel S. Roque...thank you for always coming out to support us with your ideas in terms of how we are going to go about the project. We appreciate your dedication, passion and zest in your advocacy.  We delight and appreciate your words of wisdom and the inspiration you have given to the team...we remember your words about,  "not changing the world, because we cannot do that, but just making a difference." Your words have immensely helped us in our endeavor. You are the brain, the heart and the soul of the team...Many thanks to your exemplary leadership.

I thank my husband too for allowing me to do this project in spite my busy professional life. He has been a big help by giving me his moral support. He is always an inspiration to me. I appreciate his words of encouragement  whenever I feel down spirited because of  the many things I have to do. "Pa, dakal salamat king suporta ampon king lugud.  Balu ku masaya ka potang masaya ku oneng makasaup ku.kasi ita naman ing buri ng gawan ning pusu ku". You and the Lord know my heart's desire...Dakal SALAMAT!  

Most important of all, with grateful hearts I thank the LORD for nourishing us with strength and wisdom. Thank  you, Lord, because your have given us a venue to answer a call to help the least, the lost and the last...Thank you for the opportunity to share our time, talents and knowledge to others by reaching out and touching the lives of the children. Our hearts deeply appreciate that You have put us under your care...For a year, we had a safe travel and we did not encounter any untoward incident...I know that You were with us in our journey...and so, we offer YOU the success of the project.  Thank you, Lord, and may You always keep us safe from harm as we continue our mission and do things for Your greater Glory. Amen!

With all humility and from the bottom of my heart, my sincerest appreciation for the help and the assistance you have all given to  PaCEF's  first project, the Values Education Program.

CONGRATULATIONS po sa ating lahat and God bless us all as we continue our journey towards this noble endeavor.

Arigatou, Gracias, Danke and Dakal pung dakal a SALAMAT kekayu ngan!

My JOURNEY to VIETNAM...

The Awesome Vietnam Experience....

One of the blessings I always have in life is to travel...I delight in travelling and I never thought I would be  able to explore Vietnam, one of the loveliest countries in Asia.

I woul like to share some of the amazing experiences I had, so here are some of the memorable pics...

at Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a SAIGON...

Mekong River Boat trip with the group...free buko was offered to us as we cruise on Mekong Delta.

a woman on the boat trying to earn a living despite the rain...

had a taste of the country's battlegrounds in the Cu Chi Tunnel...hmmm...it was not easy at all to hide in a place like this...

I tried to explore the 15 meters underground tunnel......wahhh....kakapagod din...yung kasyang kasya ka lang talaga sa tunnel...it was really worth the experience

it was nice having a picture with these soldiers...hmmmm....

exploring the battlefields of Vietnam during the war...amazing...

                                                  LUNCH with FRIENDS...

a pose at the facade of Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica...

Picture Picture again...

WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM....

                                          a Picture taken inside the stall

Cruisin' with friends in Vietnam

on board Tau Saigon for a dinner cruise...had a great time here because of the live band...

                                     Mekong Delta...Hmmm...after the  boat trip...

                                                           with the Group...

A picture inside the coaster...

        A Vietnamese woman selling stuffs on the street wearing the CLASSIC CONICAL HAT

a shoemaker in Cu Chi Tunnel...his way of life...

a buko vendor trying to pose for my cam...COOL...

Motorbikes and scooters...the main mode of transportation in Vietnam, ridden by men and women of all ages and from all walks of life...

The Vietnam tour I had will always be something for me to remember....Hmmm...It was really a great experience visiting a country with diverse culture and with amazing countryside, a place with great food (I love their organic DURIAN and the morning glory a.k.a. KANGKONG) and its great people...It was nice talking to a Vietnamese who knows a little of English.  

I will never forget the underground tunnel experience...it was great crawling underground...I wonder how the Vietnamese managed themselves during the war?...

The DINNER while we are on cruise...I LOVE IT,  although it was a little PRICEY...the dinner was sumptuous...i had a great time watching the live entertainment with firedance....good food and great show!

I love our Tour Leader too...he was very accommodating with our questions and very nice to all of us.  

Well, I can say that my trip was really an AWESOME and a FANTASTIC one!

TARA Lets sa VIGAN...

TARA LETS SA VIGAN...

I love Calle Crisologo especially at night...I love the lights...

Burgos Museum...the ancestral house of martyr-priest Father Jose Burgos.

Burnayan in Vigan...It was nice trying to mold a pot....really awesome experience...I remembered a scene from the movie GHOST with this pic...

BOHOL Getaway

Bohol Getaway...

      One of the blessings I have in life is to travel...locally and sometimes naman 

  pag may luck and ok yung finances .... I get to visit some Asean countries...

       I love to explore and appreciate places...ang sarap lang pag nasa  ibang lugar

   ka....you get to unwind....de stress yourself, taste ibat ibang foods, buy ng

   kahit anong pasalubong for friends and of course immerse yourself in the culture 

   of people in the place.

        Sometimes my Inner Journey in life happens in the different places I visit...I get 

    to commune with nature,  experience solitude...serenity...which leads me 

    to deep journeying with myself throughout the darkest recesses of my soul...

    sort of Introspection... just being with myself ...masaya at masarap lang ang feeling...

  

        Well, here are some of the memories captured by my cam.... I just want to 

    share these with you po...

Finally I have reached Bohol...I thought it will forever just be a dream...hmmmm...I had a great time exploring the City...taking a tricycle ride was one of the experiences I would love to remember...

I at the back ride, I love it...hehe...THE BACK RIDE GURL...

Gayle, Pey and I had a sumptuous dinner at Chicken Ati-atihan...love the taste of their chicken...with matching calamansi, patis and chili peppers (siling labuyo)

Had a taste of night life in Tagbilaran when I bought "balot" from street vendors near the pier...hmmm...yummy....

The experience I had with the tarsiers is another memorable one for me....I was amazed with these little creatures...they are one of the highlights of our tour ...the beautiful tarsiers have made my visit to Bohol awesome...

And of course, the most daring experience I had with the Iguana...ha ha...I was able to conquer my fear...so there...the Iguana as my headdress...Only in Bohol can I do that! Kalokaaa...

I love crossing the Sipatan River through the hanging bridge...I like it when it sways and bounces a little bit as I take a step...hehe...it was like walking on a treadmill...nice...

The awesome Chocolate Hills is I believe Bohol's most famoust tourist attraction...I was amazed of God's creation...

A beautful scenery indeed...pictures I used to see have become a reality...WONDERFUL...

                    feeling rich....kalokaaa.... stay in Bohol Beach Club....

                                    I love the white sand...in Bohol Beach Club....

                         of course, the hammock was a nice place to relax...

                                     the water in the beach was inviting..

                                            love the water in the pool...so cool...

                                         my breakfast in Bohol Beach Club....

The Bohol Beach Club is impressive...I love the powdery sand, the hammocks, the food, the pool...everything...nice place to make moments with friends.....

the meeting I had with Chona, my former classmate whom I have not seen for more than 35 years tops in all my Bohol experiences...It was really nice reconnecting with a former classmate and friend...thanks for the warm welcome Chon...was happy to see you...

I just love the place....I hope I will get the chance to see it again one of these days....dami pa kasing di namin na explore na places....