When I was still a little girl, my mom would tell stories on how she would get cheap presents compared to her other cousins. My titas were from a well-to-do family, while my Mama lived in a rented apartment with my lola. 'Pag mahirap ka, pang mahirap rin ang matatanggap mong regalo'.
December is a time when all the gift baskets arrive, sometimes from strangers, politicians and corporations. I would be lying if I said I wasn't grateful for the hamon and queso de bolas, and the sardines! And yet, it makes me reflect on my mother's humble beginnings, and the less fortunate. Ang swerte naman namin, kung sino pang kayang bumili, siyang nireregaluhan ng pagkain. Ironic, isn't it.
---
Kwento lang:
Lucio Tan had two wedding invitations that fell on the same day, same time-- One from a wealthy family, the other came from simple family. Guess which one he attended?
He went to the small wedding. 'So that the ordinary person will feel important' he says.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Madre De Amor
A few weeks ago I did a story on hospice care in The Correspondents. We featured the Madre de Amor hospice in Laguna. We are so grateful to all those who allowed us to touch the hearts of Filipinos here and abroad.
I went back to the hospice to do an immersion on the life of a volunteer. In the beginning I didnt really know what to expect. Gina briefed me about the tasks. I remember a few. don't give money. dont wake up the patient. listen.
Today, my assignment was to visit tatay cresencio's house. He was a newcomer in the hospice and is suffering from lung cancer and is having difficulty moving his right arm. There were days he says when he wanted to commit suicide. The pain is sometimes unbearable.
He was in bed for the past 3 days trying to catch up with some lost sleep.
---
I also visited Duday. A 6-yr old girl with Wilm's Tumor. She looks like a malnourished pregnant child. Her arms were thin, but her stomach was bloated.
She enjoys drawing and writing on her magic board. This is where she learned to write her name. Duday does not go to school because other school kids tease her with her appearance.
---
Meanwhile, I also visited Tatay Carlos... in his wake. He was one of our case studies in the Correspondents, "Bilang na Araw". He passed away just a few days ago.
Volunteers not only prepare the dying for the inevitable but they continuously provide support to the bereaved family. Nanay still could accept his death. Tatay's dying wish, 'wag ka maglungkot, ako tanggap ko na'. He passed away in the arms of his eldest son, after he was he reassured na 'hindi pababayaan si nanay at ang kapatid ko'. He let out a dying smile. Apparently, volunteers see that often.
---
And there's Yan-Yan. He couldn't stop driving his red toy car, though he couldn't see. His father was giving him instructions to go forward, atras, kaliwa kanan...
The little red car was given by a viewer from London who watched Yanyan's story.
He also received a keyboard for a Christmas present. I dont know how he learned to play.
----
im back home and couldnt define what it is exactly i feel.
it lingers.
I went back to the hospice to do an immersion on the life of a volunteer. In the beginning I didnt really know what to expect. Gina briefed me about the tasks. I remember a few. don't give money. dont wake up the patient. listen.
Today, my assignment was to visit tatay cresencio's house. He was a newcomer in the hospice and is suffering from lung cancer and is having difficulty moving his right arm. There were days he says when he wanted to commit suicide. The pain is sometimes unbearable.
He was in bed for the past 3 days trying to catch up with some lost sleep.
---
I also visited Duday. A 6-yr old girl with Wilm's Tumor. She looks like a malnourished pregnant child. Her arms were thin, but her stomach was bloated.
She enjoys drawing and writing on her magic board. This is where she learned to write her name. Duday does not go to school because other school kids tease her with her appearance.
---
Meanwhile, I also visited Tatay Carlos... in his wake. He was one of our case studies in the Correspondents, "Bilang na Araw". He passed away just a few days ago.
Volunteers not only prepare the dying for the inevitable but they continuously provide support to the bereaved family. Nanay still could accept his death. Tatay's dying wish, 'wag ka maglungkot, ako tanggap ko na'. He passed away in the arms of his eldest son, after he was he reassured na 'hindi pababayaan si nanay at ang kapatid ko'. He let out a dying smile. Apparently, volunteers see that often.
---
And there's Yan-Yan. He couldn't stop driving his red toy car, though he couldn't see. His father was giving him instructions to go forward, atras, kaliwa kanan...
The little red car was given by a viewer from London who watched Yanyan's story.
He also received a keyboard for a Christmas present. I dont know how he learned to play.
----
im back home and couldnt define what it is exactly i feel.
it lingers.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Cotabato
It's been a while.
Our vehicle was speeding despite the bumpy road on our way to the evacuation site in Pikit, North Cotabato. This is one of the areas affected by the encounters between the miliary and MILF. Menchie, our team leader advised us to take off our seatbelts for mobility, just in case.
It's just been a few months since the news of the kidnapping of my colleague, Ces Drilon. Naturally, we were on our toes for our relief operation. I was quiet at the corner of the vehicle, praying... and texting 'habilins'. It may sound morbid, but we will never know, no matter how much precautions we take. We were after all, in MILF territory.
Residents were forced to vacate their homes leaving behind all that they had. I was told that they leave at once at the sight of soldiers, because an encounter between rebels and military is sure to take place.
For months now, 'home' to the residents is a tepee-like structure made from the leaves and branches of the coconut tree. Occasionally, they partake of relief goods for sustenence, but for most days, they have fish awashed from the Liguasan Marsh.
In partnership with the Red Cross (who also served as our safety pass), we managed to penetrate and serve the area. We moved quickly, sparing no time. Unlike most relief sites I've been to, we didn't have the liberty to chat with the residents because of safety considerations (add to the fact that I couldn't speak Tausug!) Sayang.
I realize how neglected our brothers and sisters in Mindanao are. For decades they have been deprived of a quality of life, not even a fighting chance. And here they are, again, deprived of human compassion.
Our vehicle was speeding despite the bumpy road on our way to the evacuation site in Pikit, North Cotabato. This is one of the areas affected by the encounters between the miliary and MILF. Menchie, our team leader advised us to take off our seatbelts for mobility, just in case.
It's just been a few months since the news of the kidnapping of my colleague, Ces Drilon. Naturally, we were on our toes for our relief operation. I was quiet at the corner of the vehicle, praying... and texting 'habilins'. It may sound morbid, but we will never know, no matter how much precautions we take. We were after all, in MILF territory.
Residents were forced to vacate their homes leaving behind all that they had. I was told that they leave at once at the sight of soldiers, because an encounter between rebels and military is sure to take place.
For months now, 'home' to the residents is a tepee-like structure made from the leaves and branches of the coconut tree. Occasionally, they partake of relief goods for sustenence, but for most days, they have fish awashed from the Liguasan Marsh.
In partnership with the Red Cross (who also served as our safety pass), we managed to penetrate and serve the area. We moved quickly, sparing no time. Unlike most relief sites I've been to, we didn't have the liberty to chat with the residents because of safety considerations (add to the fact that I couldn't speak Tausug!) Sayang.
I realize how neglected our brothers and sisters in Mindanao are. For decades they have been deprived of a quality of life, not even a fighting chance. And here they are, again, deprived of human compassion.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Albayanihan!
The boulders that rolled like pebbles during Reming were still there in Daraga, Albay. This was my second time to be in Albay after disastrous Reming in late 2006 . The first was for the turnover of school buildings in the town of Oas.
Just like most of us, I only saw the gravity of the typhoon on television, and if not for the boulders and the dried up lahar, it would be easy to forget this one--like other tragedies that hit our country. It was hard to imagine that beneath the ground that I passed stood houses before; that in the Aguinas University, three-storeys high, dormers were drowned in the flood because they were trapped inside. It was all painted white now, not a trace of gloom nor death. Have been they been forgotten now that it is hardly being talked about two years after the tragedy?
The kids that I met will never forget. They were smiling, sometimes laughing, while the Red Cross volunteers conducted a seminar on survival, a part of the Emergency Education for Disaster Risk Reduction camp. I asked myself, if these were victims of the typhoon? and were they taking this seriously? After all, they are still children.
The activity that followed confirmed that they knew how important preparation for disasters is. They remember everything.
Lou, still hardly in his teens, drew the sky and what appeared to be an ocean, but it was flood that covered homes and lives. He explains " there is a way from telling from the movement of the sky and the waves of the ocean when a typhoon is coming" He spoke not like the child that lost his family in Reming. In a disaster operation, time is everything. Certainly, they can't wait for the storm signal warnings on TV. Experience has taught them the hard way. Flee, evacuate and go to higher places away from the ravaging waters during the storm, and then, and again, head backk home, survive, live and conquer disasters prepared.
Just like most of us, I only saw the gravity of the typhoon on television, and if not for the boulders and the dried up lahar, it would be easy to forget this one--like other tragedies that hit our country. It was hard to imagine that beneath the ground that I passed stood houses before; that in the Aguinas University, three-storeys high, dormers were drowned in the flood because they were trapped inside. It was all painted white now, not a trace of gloom nor death. Have been they been forgotten now that it is hardly being talked about two years after the tragedy?
The kids that I met will never forget. They were smiling, sometimes laughing, while the Red Cross volunteers conducted a seminar on survival, a part of the Emergency Education for Disaster Risk Reduction camp. I asked myself, if these were victims of the typhoon? and were they taking this seriously? After all, they are still children.
The activity that followed confirmed that they knew how important preparation for disasters is. They remember everything.
Lou, still hardly in his teens, drew the sky and what appeared to be an ocean, but it was flood that covered homes and lives. He explains " there is a way from telling from the movement of the sky and the waves of the ocean when a typhoon is coming" He spoke not like the child that lost his family in Reming. In a disaster operation, time is everything. Certainly, they can't wait for the storm signal warnings on TV. Experience has taught them the hard way. Flee, evacuate and go to higher places away from the ravaging waters during the storm, and then, and again, head backk home, survive, live and conquer disasters prepared.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How to Donate
Salamat po sa mga Hulog ng Langit!
For inquiries how to donate,
You may donate through ANY Banco de Oro Branch
Account Name : afi-gabay kapamilya
Acct. No: s/a 5630050932
Bank Name: Banco de Oro Mother Ignacia Branch
Contact nos. : 4157875 and 4152272 loc 5409
Telefax: 9242644
Please look for Ms. Menchie Silvestre
These are the account numbers of our public service unit. Pls beware of solicitations or misrepresentations.
Thank you so much!!!!!!!! Will update you about baby Jorey soon.
God bless you.
Bernadette
For inquiries how to donate,
You may donate through ANY Banco de Oro Branch
Account Name : afi-gabay kapamilya
Acct. No: s/a 5630050932
Bank Name: Banco de Oro Mother Ignacia Branch
Contact nos. : 4157875 and 4152272 loc 5409
Telefax: 9242644
Please look for Ms. Menchie Silvestre
These are the account numbers of our public service unit. Pls beware of solicitations or misrepresentations.
Thank you so much!!!!!!!! Will update you about baby Jorey soon.
God bless you.
Bernadette
Monday, May 12, 2008
Saving Jorey
Two-year old Juriel passed away last week. Doctors from Tondo General Hospital said that there was very little they could do to save his young life. It was too late.
Hopefully, it may not be too late for his seven-month old brother Jorey. Because of poverty, Jorey, like Juriel, is fed with 'am' for sustenance. He looked like a normal healthy baby to me, but when our team brought Jorey to the hospital, we were told that he was already suffering from pneumornia and malnutrition... but, we have a better chance at saving his life.
Hopefully, it may not be too late for his seven-month old brother Jorey. Because of poverty, Jorey, like Juriel, is fed with 'am' for sustenance. He looked like a normal healthy baby to me, but when our team brought Jorey to the hospital, we were told that he was already suffering from pneumornia and malnutrition... but, we have a better chance at saving his life.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Juriel
We were in Dagatdagatan for Hulog ng Langit to help reunite a daughter who 'lost' her mother in a hospital. We finished our interview and I was already in the car when I saw a baby, shriveled to his bones.
Juriel is two years old, and despite his condition, his mother, not once, even bothered to bring the child to see a doctor! The mother seemed indifferent at the severity of juriel's condition! Worse, Juriel is the fourth of five children. It made no sense to me how she could bear having a fifth child!
Juriel is now in the intensive care unit of the hospital, unconscious and with a very weak heart. Doctors are skeptical that he could make it. Oh, if only for a brief moment in his young life he felt a mother's love!
Juriel is two years old, and despite his condition, his mother, not once, even bothered to bring the child to see a doctor! The mother seemed indifferent at the severity of juriel's condition! Worse, Juriel is the fourth of five children. It made no sense to me how she could bear having a fifth child!
Juriel is now in the intensive care unit of the hospital, unconscious and with a very weak heart. Doctors are skeptical that he could make it. Oh, if only for a brief moment in his young life he felt a mother's love!
Monday, April 14, 2008
It's a Monday. Haven't even written about the people last week, and here I am excited to go cover more. That remains a secret for now, but it's something that I'm sure will inspire others to go beyond one's self. Watch out for it MWF on TV Patrol. :)
Here goes my story.
- - -
The corridors of PCMC (Philippine Children's Medical Center) was breezy that day despite the warm weather (i think it was 32 degrees celsius then). I followed the attendant to the twin's room. 106. There they were sharing a common bed. Joy, the dominant of the twins, wailed from discomfort, so their mother had to shift their positions.
Joy and Joyce were born to poor and young parents from Quezon Province. The mother, Joemarie is only 19 while the father, a tricycle driver is 23 years old. Only at two months old, they had to move to Manila because of their condition: craniopagus.
(meaning, the babies connected at the head)
I was briefed about their condition before I saw them ( This was the first time I actually saw conjoined twins) They were connected at their foreheads, with only one their left eye exposed. When one baby vomits, it goes to the other baby's cheek. Eating is awkward so they are fed through a tube inserted to their nose. It is hard not to feel pity... but I look straight at their eyes, the window to one's soul. That way, I can see beyond their physical deformities. How cute they were!
There was reason to be happy, really. Because Joy and Joyce have a chance to live normal lives. An operation similar to that done to Carl and Clarence Aguirre, the conjoined twins who were successfully separated in the United States, can be done here in the Philippines. The doctors waived their professional fees, but we would still need a MILLION to cover fees such as MRI, CT SCAN, Andiogram, (after separation) facial reconstructive surgery and therapy.
I will be very frank, yes, this is a 'panawagan'. I believe there are also many who are more than willing to help, but are just waiting for the right opportunity :)
For donations, please contact
Ms Menchie Silvestre
415 7875/ 415 2272 loc 5409
Fax: 924 2644
You may deposit your donations at
Banco de Oro (any branch)
5630050932
Salamat po! Hulog po kayo ng Langit!
B
Here goes my story.
- - -
The corridors of PCMC (Philippine Children's Medical Center) was breezy that day despite the warm weather (i think it was 32 degrees celsius then). I followed the attendant to the twin's room. 106. There they were sharing a common bed. Joy, the dominant of the twins, wailed from discomfort, so their mother had to shift their positions.
Joy and Joyce were born to poor and young parents from Quezon Province. The mother, Joemarie is only 19 while the father, a tricycle driver is 23 years old. Only at two months old, they had to move to Manila because of their condition: craniopagus.
(meaning, the babies connected at the head)
I was briefed about their condition before I saw them ( This was the first time I actually saw conjoined twins) They were connected at their foreheads, with only one their left eye exposed. When one baby vomits, it goes to the other baby's cheek. Eating is awkward so they are fed through a tube inserted to their nose. It is hard not to feel pity... but I look straight at their eyes, the window to one's soul. That way, I can see beyond their physical deformities. How cute they were!
There was reason to be happy, really. Because Joy and Joyce have a chance to live normal lives. An operation similar to that done to Carl and Clarence Aguirre, the conjoined twins who were successfully separated in the United States, can be done here in the Philippines. The doctors waived their professional fees, but we would still need a MILLION to cover fees such as MRI, CT SCAN, Andiogram, (after separation) facial reconstructive surgery and therapy.
I will be very frank, yes, this is a 'panawagan'. I believe there are also many who are more than willing to help, but are just waiting for the right opportunity :)
For donations, please contact
Ms Menchie Silvestre
415 7875/ 415 2272 loc 5409
Fax: 924 2644
You may deposit your donations at
Banco de Oro (any branch)
5630050932
Salamat po! Hulog po kayo ng Langit!
B
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Hulog Ng Langit, Resurrected
Hulog ng Langit, the segment first aired in Magandang Umaga Bayan days, some time in 2004 (I think!)
Hulog ng Langit started airing again last Monday, April 7, 2008.
I had a full week covering case studies, and interviewing doctors for our stories. It can be emotionally draining, but quite fulfilling.
Will tell you more in the succeeding blogs!
B
Hulog ng Langit started airing again last Monday, April 7, 2008.
I had a full week covering case studies, and interviewing doctors for our stories. It can be emotionally draining, but quite fulfilling.
Will tell you more in the succeeding blogs!
B
Blogging again
[It's been two years during my last blog. Fact is, I cant even remember my passwords anymore. For those interested to backtrack, check out sembrano.blogspot.com. Note: the link 'hulog ng langit'. ]
Hulog ng Langit is a phrase often used by Filipinos for blessings in their lives. My involvement in public service programs exposed me to the many problems that face us, and the only real solution is a concerted effort from different sectors. A fairy godmother, which I was once perceived to be, has only limited powers...
the church is not a miracle worker
the government is not the holder of all answers.
media can only do so much
the public has to play its part.
If we want real change, and real hope, we all should strive to be a blessing to others.
Hulog ng Langit is a phrase often used by Filipinos for blessings in their lives. My involvement in public service programs exposed me to the many problems that face us, and the only real solution is a concerted effort from different sectors. A fairy godmother, which I was once perceived to be, has only limited powers...
the church is not a miracle worker
the government is not the holder of all answers.
media can only do so much
the public has to play its part.
If we want real change, and real hope, we all should strive to be a blessing to others.
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