Volunteerism is in the Heart of my Neighbors, Angie and Hector Garcia
Posted on Monday, 21 December 2015
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.
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