Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

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TIKUG MATS STARTED MY ADVOCACY IN MANILA

Posted on Friday, 29 May 2020

“Tikug” Mats Started My Advocacy in Manila
But Nurtured as a Student in NDTC
By Apolinario Villalobos
After my stint in Tablas station (Romblon) with an initial job as Ticket/Freight Clerk of Philippine Airlines in early ‘80s, I was transferred to the Tours and Promotions Division in Manila. For practical and economic reasons, I stayed in a boarding house along Airport Road in Baclaran, as our office was at the old Domestic Airport (today, Terminal 4). During the time, what is now as ASEANA City, was yet, a body of water – Manila Bay, from the seawall of which the famed sunset could be clearly viewed. From late afternoon to early evening, I and some of my co-boarders would spend time at the seawall killing time. We would observe some people dragging their belongings in plastic and tattered shoulder bags while strolling along the boulevard, some were with their family. Before we would go back to the boarding house, we observed them spreading blankets on the grassy ground on which they rested for the night.
The scenes of elderly people and children sleeping on the ground without mat made me restless for several days. When I went back alone one early evening at around 6pm, I strolled up to the portion of the boulevard in front of the Aristocrat Restaurant in Ermita. I saw the same scenes – people lying on spread cloths and blankets on the grass.
When Boy Loquias, a new PAL recruit who was undergoing training at the PAL Training Center at the Gate 1 of Nichols Air Base joined us at the boarding house, I was glad upon learning that he was from Bohol which afforded me the opportunity to speak in Cebuano more often. When I brought him to the then, Dewey Boulevard, he was amazed to find the boulevard sleepers. Jokingly, he said that we better join them rather than spend for the boarding house. Honestly, however, he confided that something must be done to help them and asked, “asa ang SWA?” (“where is SWA?”, for which he meant Department of Social Welfare or DSW). When I mentioned giving them cheap “tikug” mat from Mindanao, he agreed. During the time, a piece of said mat was priced between 40-50pesos at the Islamic Center in Quiapo, unlike today that a single-sized costs between 120-150pesos. “Tikug” mats which are colorfully dyed are made in Cotabato.
From then on, I scrimped on my personal needs to save for mats. When Boy Loquias learned about my plan, he gave me part of his training allowance. Another co-boarder, Sammy, who was a member of the combo that performed at the Ugnayan Beer House, across our boarding house, also contributed. Initially, we were able to purchase 2 dozens of mats for which I was able to get a discount. It was not enough. I raised another amount from my saved per diem allowance, as my job then, required me to travel a lot. I also refused to accept the contribution of Boy whose allowance was just enough for his needs, especially, from Sammy who had two kids left with his wife in Naga City.
My visits to the Islamic Center in Quiapo for purchases of “tikug” mats led to my side trips to “Avenida” known for prostitutes who could be seen prowling the avenue for prospective customers, from early afternoon to early morning, the following day. I was staggered by what I observed and experienced at the Avenida. Daringly-dressed women openly made proposals while holding my hand but which I gently refused. On early mornings, not yet 7AM, thickly-rouged and obviously ageing prostitutes would ask an amount for a cup of coffee in exchange for sexual favor. From such encounters, I was able to strike friendship with many of them that developed into trust which became my passport to their dwellings in the slum along the banks of Reina Regente River. There, I met snatchers, swindlers, sex peddlers and their families. As pre-planned, I did not give them my real identity for my own safety. What they knew was that I was a job-seeker from the province and my thick Cebuano accent helped a lot, as many of them were also Bisaya.
Events oozing with colorful adventures made my curiosity stronger that led me farther to Arranque, Divisoria, Pritil, Malabon, Bagong Bayan (Dasmariἧas, Cavite), Tala Leprosarium, and Baseco Compound where I was able let out my pent up desire to share. It also led me to three other guys who had the same desire and with whom blessings were shared with those dwelling along the bank of Pasig River and Recto yearly, from the last week of November to the first week of December.
My advocacy was nurtured while I was a student of Notre Dame of Tacurong (NDTC) and nobody, even my family and closest friends knew about it, not even my colleagues in PAL later on, except Boy Loquias who was assigned at Tablas after his training, and where he raised his family. It was only when I shared my “adventures” on facebook due to the prodding of some friends, though with much hesitation, that they came to know about them. I just consoled myself with the thought that my sharing such adventures would, hopefully, make others realize that one need not be rich to be able to share blessings with others...and, that they can do the same, if they wish.

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See with Our Heart, Feel with Our Kindness

Posted on Sunday, 29 October 2017

See with Our Heart,
Feel with Our 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!


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The Faceless Angels of Charity and their Big Heart

Posted on Sunday, 12 February 2017

The Faceless Angels of Charity
And Their Big Heart
By Apolinario Villalobos

These faceless angels of charity are friends and strangers who, without hesitance extended their hand to others, and whose stories they learned through my blogs. Despite my disclaimer that my blogs about the needy are not meant to solicit but just to inform and share my encounters, thereby, encourage others to do the same, some still try their best to find ways and made alibis about their reason for helping.

A donor who lives in London sent her hard-earned savings and insisted that I accept it for the sake of our being town mates. One said it’s her first time to “really” share while another said that he got no time to go out and actually do the sharing, so he asked a favor that I do it for him. A single mom consistently shares whatever she could afford, although I know that she is also doing her own kind of random sharing. A businesswoman, a good friend, gives me an envelope every time we meet.

Two widows from America send either cash or balikbayan boxes, although, I asked one of them to stop sending her donations until I found an established institution to which she could directly send her boxes. A just-widowed friend sent the belongings of her late husband such as shirts, shoes, health supplements, etc. The shoes went to the students who deserve them, and for me to find out, I had to standby at Recto to make the right choice. The rest of the things went to the beneficiaries in Baseco (Tondo).

A Chinese student, who sought my help for his thesis via the internet, and son of a businessman, regularly shared his allowance for my projects, until I introduced him to the student to whom his money went. I lost contact with the Chinese student who I learned is now in mainland China and the poor student who graduated last year is now working in a BPO (call center). A former prostitute in Avenida who benefited from the shares of my friends has put up a small stall for pre-used clothing and silver jewelry, and has become a regular donor of tarpaulin sheets used as roof for makeshift huts and pushcarts.

A newly-ordained priest from Bulacan regularly meets with me to hand over an envelope. The envelope contains saved extra amount after his purchase of personal necessities for which the money that comes from his parents is intended. He does not want to keep the money due to his vows so he opted to share them with the needy after reading my blog about the pushcarts and the children in Divisoria who collected re-salable vegetables, though “reject” vegetables at dawn.

Four friends in PAL also send their shares through the local remittance outlets. They told me that although they do not make comments or “like” my blogs, they regularly follow them, especially, those that are about sharing. One of them expressed his desire to be part of our small of group of four, soonest as he has retired.


Stories of friends and strangers who have become part of my effort could fill pages….stories that I consider my priceless treasure for they have become my strength and inspiration to go on. These are stories that prove the assurance that, God will provide at the right moment for the right cause. These are stories that give me great relief as I have to admit that I could have been helpless without them due to my meager irregular income from home-based editorial job. These are stories of faceless angels and their big heart!

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Don't Despair if You Cannot Share Blessings the Way Others Do

Posted on Wednesday, 28 December 2016

DON’T DESPAIR IF YOU CANNOT SHARE BLESSINGS
THE WAY OTHERS DO
By Apolinario Villalobos

If you come across stories in the internet about people sharing blessings, do not wish that you could do exactly the same. Just absorb the message of the story and transpose it into what is applicable in your community and capability that you can possibly and sincerely do. There are many stories in the internet with some made more interesting by accompanying photos but, what you should do is profusely thank the Most Powerful for giving life to these unknown altruistic souls who reached out to others during unguarded moments and at unexpected places. What should be given notice is their immediate unselfish act that need not be copied, but instead, used as guidance and inspiration.

If you exert so much effort in imitating others, the act would not be realistic.  Try to be original. Unconsciously, that could be the reason why I did not attempt to read the book that I won as a prize and donated by our school Director, Fr. Robert Sullivan, during an extemporaneous writing in English when I was in high school. As a provinciano, I did not know that the book was very popular, then and today…the title on the cover was “Imitations of Christ”. The word “imitation” turned me off. I gave it to a boyhood buddy who is now with the Lord (hopefully) in exchange for a paperback that contained Khalil Gibran poems that he gave me, but which unfortunately, did not impress me, so I passed it on to another friend, too. I am not saying here that I do not like Jesus, but, since childhood, I had been guided by the Golden Rule, and of course, love of the Most Powerful.

Filipinos living in Europe and America who come across stories about altruism in the Philippines should consider the vast differences as regards living condition and other factors. In countries where they are, working hard for their families in the Philippines, every penny counts a lot. Taxes in the country where they are, are high and budgeting is to the last cent. Although, they may have a few dollars set aside for the “rainy days”, they also need to hold on to such savings, as they have nobody to turn to in time of emergency.

On the other hand, Filipinos in the Philippines have friends and relatives to turn to in case of emergency, making them “bold” enough to share their “extras” with strangers.  My point here is, if ever fellowmen abroad who come across situations about the Philippines in the internet that picture want or poverty in various angles, they should offer prayers, rather than force themselves, to part with their hard-earned money which they may need later.

Altruism does not manifest in the form of material objects alone, but in things that only the heart can define with sincerity….and they include prayers. If this attitude can be maintained, the setting in of despair or feeling of remorse can be prevented. Be charitable in your own affordable and doable way.


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Ang King David Basketball Clinic (KDVC) ng Imus City (Cavite)...at si Pastor Ariel Hernandez

Posted on Sunday, 6 November 2016

ANG KING DAVID BASKETBALL CLINIC (KDVC)
NG IMUS CITY…at, si Pastor Ariel Hernandez
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang King David Basketball Clinic (KDVC) ay matatagpuan sa Camella Homes na nasa Barangay Bayang Luma 3 sa Imus City. Naging tanyag ang KDVC dahil sa mga basketball clinic o pagsanay sa mga kabataan mula pa noong 2006. Subalit ang pagtatag ng pundasyon nito ay ginawa ni Pastor Ariel Hernandez nang magsimulang manirahan ang kanyang pamilya sa subdivision noong 1989. Nagsimula namang mabuo ang covered basketball court noong kapanahunan nina Barangay Chairmen, Boy Santiagel at Tonying Tagle at sa tulong pa rin ni Emmanuel Maliksi na noon ay Vice-Mayor pa lang ng Imus City. Ngayon, ay lalo pang naging aktibo ang proyekto sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang presidente ng Camella Homeowners’ Association na si Obet Arambulo. Si Emmanuel Maliksi naman na mayor na ngayon Imus City ay patuloy pa ring tumutulong.

Ayon kay Pastor Ariel, ang orihinal na pangalang “King David Basketball Camp” ay binuo ng mga unang miyembro na sina Jerson Canaynay at James Ryan Enriquez. Ito agad ang pumasok sa kanilang isip dahil, ang pinakapundasyon ng nasabing grupo ay ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Ayon sa Bibliya, si David na anak ni Solomon ay naging hari sa batang gulang at sa kapanahunan niya nabuo ang Templo ng Herusalem. Symbolic ang pangalang ito dahil ang pakay ng Basketbll Clinic ay mailayo sa bisyo ang mga kabataan ng Imus City, at ang adhikaing yan ay nakasandal naman kay Pastor Ariel na isa sa mga ministro ng Word for the World. Sumabay ang pormal na pagbuo ng KDVC sa masidhing pagnanais ni Pastor Ariel na mabago ang kanyang buhay noon. Nagsimula ang pagsisikap niya sa pamamagitan ng regular na Bible study sa maliit na garahe ng kanilang bahay, hanggang humantong sa pag-aral niya upang maging ganap na pastor sa tulong ni Pastor Eli Famorcan ng Word for the World Christian Fellowship (Imus). Sa pagsisikap niya ay hindi rin siya pinabayaan ng asawang si Precy na laging sumusuporta sa kanya.

Nakatulong ng malaki ang basketbol sa pagmi-ministro ni Pastor Ariel dahil ito ang larong madaling makaakit ng kabataan. Nang makilala siya, marami ang nahikayat na sumali sa kanilang basketball clinic na pinasigla ni mayor Emmanuel Maliksi. Nakakatuwang malaman na ang ibang nagsasanay ay naggagaling pa sa malalayong bayan ng Cavite at pati na sa Mandaluyong na nasa Maynila. Nasaksihan ko ang pagdatingan ng mga kabataang ang gulang ay pang-Midget class hanggang Junior class ng basketbol nang umagang pasyalan ko si Pastor Ariel. Mataman din niyang inoobserbahan ang mga manlalaro upang matandaan ang mga may potential na maging sports scholar ng mga eskwelahang nilapitan na niya.

Nagulat ako nang malaman kong marami pala ang nagbo-volunteer na mag-coach sa kanilang clinic, at ang isa ay Amerikanong darating sa susunod na taon. Ang iba naman ay mga naging kilalang coach at basketbolista ng mga koponang nasyonal. Ang malaking tulong ay naipapaabot naman ni Joe Lipa, Consultant ng Mahindra-Kia, dahil ito ang nagsisilbing tulay upang makahanap si Pastor Ariel ng mga eskwelahang mapapasukan ng mga sinanay nila upang magkaroon ng scholarship. Ang regular namang nagko-coach ay sina Jun Hernandez former Varsitarian ng Letran at Adamson na dumarating sa basketball court nang wala pang ala-siyete ng umaga. Kapag maaga namang dumating si Arlord Marcial na ama ng isang nagsasanay ay malugod din siyang nagboboluntaryo sa pagko-coach upang makatulong ni Jun Hernandez. Maliban sa mga lalaki ay marami ring mga babaeng sinasanay ang KDVC.

Ang basketball clinic ng KDVC ay lalong naging tanyag dahil sa regular sa tulong ni Imus City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi, isang pagpapakita ng seryosong pag-akay sa mga kabataan tungo sa Tamang Landas. Tuwing makatapos ng training session, nagkakaroon ng maikling pep talk si Pastor Ariel upang paalalahanan ang mga manlalaro tungkol sa pag-iwas sa mga bisyo. Natutukuran ang KDVC ng ispiritwal na katatagan dahil sa pinapairal na pagdasal pagkatapos ng pep talk. Nalaman kong bawal ang pagmumura at paggamit ng mga abubot sa katawan tulad ng hikaw. Sa pep talk ay may mga paalala rin tungkol sa iskedyul ng Bible Study.

 Nabanggit rin ni Pastor Ariel na maraming naakay pabalik sa Tamang Landas ang KDVC…mga kabataang, mismong mga magulang ang nagdadala sa kanya. Ang iba sa mga napabago niya ay matagumpay sa napili nilang propesyon bilang manager, at iba ay mga propesyonal sa ibang bansa. Nadadarama rin sa grupo nila ang pagtutulungan dahil ilang beses na silang nag-ambag ng tulong para sa mga nangangailangang miyembro. Maluwag din ang kamay niya sa paghugot ng pambili man lang ng pagkain ng ilan sa kanila, o mabigyan ng pamasahe….mga kakapusang hindi naging hadlang sa mga kabataang matuto ng maayos na paglaro ng basketbol.

Ang pangarap ni Pastor Ariel ay maging isang uri ng Sports Foundation ang KDVC na ang mga adhikaing pilit na pinamamahagi sa pamamagitan ng basketball clinic ay “Empower, Lead, Motivate”. Ang mga adhikaing nabanggit ay ibinahagi ni Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi na wala ring patid ang pagtulong sa abot ng kahit personal niyang kakayahan.


May mga kuwento si Pastor Ariel na nagpapatunay na pinupunan ng Diyos ang kakulangan sa ano mang pagsisikap ng tao ayon sa kasabihang, “nasa Diyos ang awa, pero nasa tao ang gawa”. Maraming pagkakataong basta na lang daw dumarating ang biyaya sa kanyang buhay upang maipagpatuloy ang adbokasiyang ispiritwal at pakikibahagi ng kaalaman sa basketbol upang maiwas ang mga kabataan sa bisyo. Dumadating ang mga biyaya sa panahong halos lahat ay ginawa na niya subalit may kakapusan pa rin. Dahil diyan, napakarami niyang dapat ipagpasalamat sa Diyos lalo pa at ang pagsikap niya noong marating at matahak ang Tamang Landas ay natupad at nakakaakay pa siya ng iba.










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See with our Heart...Feel with our Kindness

Posted on Saturday, 29 October 2016

See with Our Heart,
Feel with Our 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!


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Ang "Perpetual Mother" ng Southern Mindanao

Posted on Thursday, 4 August 2016

ANG “PERPETUAL MOTHER” NG SOUTHERN MINDANAO
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung ang mga deboto ng Mahal na Birhen ay mayroong “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, sa southern Mindanao ay mayroon namang “Perpetual Mother”. Isa siyang ordinaryong babae subalit may busilak na puso, matulungin hindi lang sa mga ka-pamilya kundi maski sa ibang tao. Sa halip na makibarkada sa iba ay sa mga pari siya nakikipagtulungan para sa mga proyekto nila, lalo na sa “feeding program”.

Panganay siya sa kanilang magkakapatid kaya nang mamatay ang kanilang tatay, siya na ang umalalay sa kanilang nanay upang mangasiwa sa mga kapakanan ng kanyang mga kapatid. Mula noong siya ay estudyante pa, hindi niya nadanasan ang mga ini-enjoy ng mga kabataan ngayon. Nang makapag-asawa ay minalas naman naman magkasakit ito kaya nadagdag sa kanyang mga pasanin na hindi naman niya iniinda. Kahit may pamilya pa siya ay hindi tumigil ang pagtulong niya sa kanyang nanay at mga kapatid.

Ngayong maysakit na ang kanilang nanay, gumawa siya ng iskedyul nila kung paano sila makapag-ambag ng panahon sa pagbantay. Sa gabi, kasama ang isa niyang anak ay sila ang nagbabantay pero hapon pa lan ay sinisiguro na niyang malinis ang nanay nila bago magpahinga. Kinabukasan ay pinapalitan siya ng kapatid na kasama naman ang anak nito. Kung panahon ng check up o emergency na pagtakbo sa ospital, lahat sila ay kumikilos. Maganda rin ang nangyari dahil sa pang-unawa ng mga asawa ng kanyang mga kapatid, pati ang asawa niya, sa kanilang ginagawa para sa nanay nila.

Hindi bumibili ng damit sa mall o department store ang “Perpetual Mother” na tinutukoy ko pati ang kanyang mga kapatid. Ang mga damit nila ay sa ukayan nabili. May maliit silang negosyo na pinagtutulungan nilang asikasuhin at lahat sila ay may suweldo kahit sila ang may-ari. Ang suweldo ng bunsong kapatid ay naitutulong din niya sa kanyang mga pamangkin na umabot yata sa sampu. Wala naman itong reklamo dahil masaya siya sa kanyang ginagawa.

Nang huli kaming mag-usap ay nabanggit ng “Perpetual Mother” na nag-iipon rin pala siya para maipantulong sa mga proyekto ng mga kaibigan niyang pari. Ang iniipon niya ay galing sa kanyang suweldo bilang “empleyado” ng kanilang negosyo. Nalaman ko rin na silang magkapatid ay walang luho sa lahat ng bagay kahit sa pagkain dahil sanay sila sa gulay. Kadalasan, ang tira sa almusal ay siya rin nilang pagkain sa tanghalian at kung suwertehin ay umaabot pa sa hapunan. Hindi pagtitipid ang ginagawa nila kundi talagang “lifestyle” na nila na binabatay sa kaya lang ng kanilang kinikita bilang mga suwelduhang empleyado ng kanilang negosyo.


Walang luho sa katawan ang tinutukoy ko maliban sa pagpapalinis ng mga kuko. Hindi rin siya nagmi-make up at walang alahas. Para sa kanya, sa halip na gastusin ang kinikita sa mga bagay na nabanggit ay nilalaan na lang niya sa mga kabataang tinutulungan ng mga pari. Ayon sa kanya, ang luho ay panandalian lamang at ang yaman ay hindi madadala pagdating ng araw na ang isang tao ay bibiyahe tungo sa kabilang buhay.

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Angels are Just Around

Posted on Sunday, 31 July 2016

ANGELS ARE JUST AROUND
By Apolinario Villalobos


Yes, angels are just around. I have encountered many of them who in their subtle way extend a hand to others, or to put it simply, unselfishly share the blessings they earned the fair way. While some do not hesitate to share with others what they also need to survive to the point of sacrifice or deprivation, others share their excess but still given with sincerity.

The latest angel I encountered surprised me with an amount that she easily pulled out of her purse when we met. She had been reading my blogs about children who do errands to earn, the latest of whom were “Pango” and “Macmac”. The money she handed to me was for them and the rest of children whom I have been regularly visiting.

She vehemently asked me not to write about what she did but I insisted that what I would be sharing with viewers is her “good act”, with a firm promise that her name will not be mentioned, though I added that I would refer to her as “Ms. Di”. I explained that she and the late British princess Princess Diana had a profound similarity in character. Just like Princess Di, the angel I just met also has a strong character, an almost flawless face that stands out in a crowd. Like Princess Di, she also has a penetrating and soulful stare.

My new angel, as found out, also has scholars, for whom she found part-time jobs. She told me that she has done her best in helping her siblings and that, it is now time for her to focus on the plight of others who are deserving of her help for as long she can afford it. Aside from the working students, she has also been helping unfortunate families. Not only is her heart full of soft spots for others, but she also speaks with softness that can put even a stranger at ease to which I can attest. Before we parted ways, all she asked me are prayers to keep her going…

From what “Ms. Di” gave, both Macmac and Pango got 2 new sets of school uniform, several pairs of underwear, and a folding umbrella each. As both are also saving money in their “piggy bank”, they also were given a little cash. The rest of the money was spent for the purchase of folding umbrellas to be given to other kids due to the onset of the rainy season.

A Filipina in America also sent two boxes of children’s wear, food items, shoes, medicines, several new clinical instruments, and 6 New American Standard (NAS) Bible.  The medicines, food supplements and clinical instruments are for a patient. The boxes arrived several weeks after “Perla” sent several boxes, too, which contained reading materials, food items and clothes. A Filipina in London and another in Canada sent money for the boat fare of a family back to their province in Cagayan de Oro when their shack got demolished, with the excess amount to be used as a seed money for their business so that they would never think of going back to Manila. Many others are extending help and though I cannot mention them here, in the future, definitely I will, as an update on my RAS (random acts of sharing).


I do not encourage the giving of donations by my viewers. Those who have been sending help are old-time friends who I trust and who trust me. I am sharing this information so that others will know what we are doing for which I ask for their prayers….

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Talagang Mabait ang Diyos...

Posted on Monday, 2 May 2016

Talagang Mabait ang Diyos…
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Noon ay may nai-blog akong tin-edyer na nagpo-prosti sa Avenida upang makapag-aral, at nang malaman ng kaibigan kong mag-asawang retirado ay inampon nila upang pag-aralin. Katatanggap ko lang ng email mula sa lalaking asawa na foster father ng bata upang ibalita na tuluyang nawala ang lumalaking bukol niya sa colon. Ang prostrate naman niya ay nabawasan ang pamamaga at nakawala na siya sa warning para magkaroon ng cancer kaya hindi na itinuloy ang operasyon na dapat sana ay noong nakaraang buwan. Nawala naman ang panginginig ng kanang kamay ng kanyang misis na inakala nilang dala ng katandaan. Nakakahawak na daw ito ng mga bagay at hindi nahuhulog. Itinuturing nilang ang mga ito ang kapalit sa kabutihang ginawa nilang pag-ampon sa batang prosti.

Ang isa pang mag-asawang nai-blog ko rin at inabandona na ng mga sariling anak kaya hirap sa pagbili ng mga gamot na pang-maintenance ay nagbalita naman na unti-unting bumabalik ang loob ng mga anak nila sa kanila. Tuwing Linggo ay pinapasyalan na sila ng mga anak at apo nila upang mag-bonding sa tanghalian. Masama ang loob ng mga anak nila noon nang mag-ampon ang mag-asawa ng isang batang namumulot ng junk sa kanilang subdivision. Kung bakit daw nag-ampon pa kahit wala nang pera, kaya tinikis sila ng mga anak nila. Masipag ang bata at nakatulong pa sa mag-asawa dahil nagtanim ito ng mga gulay sa mga bakanteng lote upang makapagtinda ng talbos sa Zapote market. Dahil nakitaan ng magandang ugali ang bata ay pinangakuan siya ng tulong ng mga anak ng mag-asawa para sa kanyang pag-aaral. Noon, kahit hirap ang mag-asawa sa pera ay hindi nila pinabayaan ang bata na bandang huli ay nakatulong pa sa kanila dahil nagpatuloy pa rin ito sa pamumulot ng junks at nagtinda rin ng mga gulay mula sa kanyang mga garden.

Ang nabiyayaan naman ng maliit na halaga upang madagdagan ang niluluto niya sa maliit niyang karinderya sa Luneta, si Myrna, ay nag-ampon rin ng batang gala (street child) na pakalat-kalat sa Luneta. Sa pasukan ay magi-enroll ang bata sa isang elementary school sa Paco, sa tulong ng nakilala niyang titser dahil walang birth certificate ang bata. Samantala, pilit pa ring hinahanap ang mga magulang ng bata na hanggang ngayon ay nagsasabing ayaw nang umuwi sa kanila dahil sinasaktan siya palagi ng tatay niyang lasenggo at ng kabit nito. Ang nanay naaman daw niya ay may iba na ring asawa.

Si Imelda naman, ang babaeng “barker” sa Lawton na natagpuan ng mga kamag-anak dahil sa ginawa kong blog, ay nakatulong sa isang istambay sa lugar na yon, na gustong umuwi sa Masbate. Nilapitan ni Imelda ang isang kaibigan na taga-Masbate at pinakiusapang baka pwedeng isabay ang istambay sa pag-uwi at pumayag naman.

Ang mga nabanggit ay ilan lang sa mga patunay na hindi bulag ang Diyos…na Siya ay mabait.



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Just Keep Quiet and Pray

Posted on Monday, 21 March 2016

Just Keep Quiet and Pray
By Apolinario Villalobos

If you cannot part with your coins as your neighbor does who reaches out to others with gladness in their heart…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

If you cannot speak for the sake of others, though you know you can, but still refuse, while others do with boldness in their heart…jut keep quiet and for them…pray.

If you cannot afford to open your heart to others so that you may feel for them with compassion, as others do without hesitance…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

If you cannot stand for Jesus’ words, and Whose legacy is a bunch of virtues that can be lived so that they may prosper while emulated and shared…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

Don’t hold others back as they move on while waving the standard of charity, for if you don’t want to join the throng…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

Don’t utter discouragements in an effort to douse the enthusiasm of others who want to brighten up the gloomy world with love…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

Don’t taunt the courage of others in treading on strange paths that lead to where the neglected are huddled, for if you cannot do it…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

Don’ jeer at the sympathy that others show to the less privileged because for you, it’s none of their business…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

You can help others who want to make the world a pleasant place to live in…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

May the Lord bless you a million fold…this for you, I pray!


Amen!

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The "Funny Money" that Goes a Long, Long Way

Posted on Monday, 22 February 2016

The “Funny Money” that Goes A Long, Long Way
By Apolinario Villalobos

The “funny money” comes from “Perla”, a kind-hearted Filipina benefactor based in America. She earns the money from her translation “sideline”, as she is on a regular call to interpret for Filipinos with cases being heard in court, and who have difficulty in speaking English. The “funny” is her lingual concoction for the job that she did not seek, but in a way, accidentally came her way. She has been consistently supporting my RAS (random acts of sharing) which started when she learned of my RAS from my blogs about such advocacy.

What is really funny is the reaction of friends who keep on asking where some of my fund comes from, as if suspecting me to push drugs just to earn extra. They just cannot believe that somebody would send money for total strangers who are in dire need for help. When I add that there was also a time when another friend in London sent money, and still another in America sent a “blessing” through her “balikbayan” sister, their eyes get bigger in disbelief. In exasperation, I just tell them that it is very difficult for somebody to understand the sharing that others are doing if he or she does not have the same advocacy in life….or if he or she does not extend a hand to others as a habit. As expected, these fence-sitting friends fail to get what I mean. The problem with some people is that, they are used to seeing “charitable acts” done only by people who wear t-shirts emblazoned with their mission.

Perla drives or commutes to courts or hospitals where her service as translator is needed. Her benevolence sometimes bothers me, as I would imagine that she could be left with a little amount or nothing for her own needs. Every time I remind her about that, she would send me a message with typed laughter with an assurance that what she sends me is “funny money” earned accidentally from the job that she has somehow learned to like.

The unselfish sharing of Perla always reminds me of the comment of my two “balikbayan” friends who tried to treat me to a lunch. On our way to the restaurant inside a mall, I saw an emaciated mother and her child who was holding on to a black garbage bag half-filled with empty plastic bottles. Both were staring at the customers eating fried chicken at a lunch counter near the aircon van terminal. When I told my friends to go ahead and that I would just follow in a few minutes, as I would like to buy packed lunch for the mother and her child, they told me not to bother, as “we can just pack our left- over for them after our lunch inside the mall”….they meant “doggie bag”. What they said made me adamant and which also made me decide not to join them anymore despite their pleading. When they left, I bought three packed lunch for the three of us – I, the mother and her child, and enjoyed it in the farthest corner of the terminal where we slumped on the floor. That lunch made my day….and, for which was spent part of Perla’s “funny money”.



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Evelyn Borromeo: Buhay at Sigla ng mga Pagtitipon

Posted on Thursday, 31 December 2015

Evelyn Borromeo: Buhay at Sigla ng mga Pagtitipon
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Belen ang palayaw niya at kilala siya sa subdivision nila dahil sa likas na ugaling matulungin. May marinig lang siyang kuwento tungkol sa isang taong hirap sa pag-submit ng mga papeles sa ano mang ahensiya ng gobyerno, siya na mismo ang nagkukusa ng kanyang tulong. Kung mayaman ang nagpapatulong, binibigyan siya ng pamasahe at pang-miryenda, pero kung kapos sa pera, tinatanggihan niya ang inaabot sa kanya. Nakakarating siya sa Quezon City, Cubao, Pasay, Maynila, Trece Martirez at humaharap din sa Mayor ng Bacoor City o kung sino pang opisyal ng lungsod kung kailangan. Kung hindi nga lang siya anemic ay baka regular din siyang nagdo-donate ng dugo sa mga nangangailangan.

Kahit babae siya, pinagkatiwala sa kanya ng Perpetual Village 5 Homeowners’ Association ang pag-asikaso sa basketball court at mga palaruang pambata sa magkabilang dulo nito. Officially, siya ang Administrator ng area na yon ng subdivision, kaya kapag may gagamit ng ilaw sa gabi sa paglaro ng basketball court, siya ang nilalapitan. Dahil saklaw din niya ang “cluster” na sumasakop sa tatlong kalyeng nakapalibot sa basketball court, kung may gulo, siya pa rin ang tinatawag. Matapang siya at walang pinangingilagan, palibhasa ay dating “batang Pasay”. Tawag ng iba sa kanya sa lugar nila ay “amasona”…subalit ibang pagka-amasona, dahil ang tapang niya ay ginagamit niya para sa kapakanan ng iba. Hindi siya ang tipong matapang na bara-bara ang dating.

Naging presidente din siya ng subdivision nila at noong kanyang kapanuhanan ay marami siyang nagawa upang mapaganda pa ang kanilang lugar. May mga nag-uudyok sa kanyang tumakbo sa Barangay, pero ang mga malalapit sa kanya ay nagpayo na huwag na dahil baka magkasakit lang siya lalo pa at inaasikaso din niya ang kanyang asawang si Nelson na nagpapagaling sa ‘stroke”. Sa totoo lang siguro, ayaw nilang mawala si Belen sa kanilang subdivision bilang Administrator ng basketball court at Cluster Leader.

Tuwing umaga, ang unang ginagawa niya ay i-check kung saan nagwo-walking upang mag-exercise ang kanyang asawa, na malimit ay sa basketball court lang naman. Pagkatapos ay bibili na siya ng pan de sal at sopas para sa mahal niyang asawa. Sinusubuan din niya ito, subalit hindi niya pinapakita sa iba (nahuli ko lang siya minsan), dahil hindi siya “showy” o pakitang-tao sa kanyang pagmamahal dito. Kahit nakakapagtiyaga siya sa mga simpleng ulam lalo na gulay, pino-problema pa rin niya ang uulamin ng mga kasama niya sa bahay kaya kung minsan ay napapahiwalay ang ulam niya mapagbigyan lang iba na ang gusto ay karne.

Maganda ang pagkahubog ng pagkatao ni Belen dahil ang mga magulang niya ay huwaran sa sipag at pagpapasensiya. Lumaki siya sa palengke ng Pasay (Libertad market) kaya batak ang katawan niya sa hirap. Noong nag-aaral pa siya, maaga siyang gumigising upang makatulong muna sa paglatag ng paninda nila bago siya papasok sa eskwela. Pagkagaling naman sa eskwela diretso uli siya sa puwesto nila upang tumulong sa pagtinda. Magaling sa diskarte at sales talk si Belen…madali siyang paniwalaan. Kung nagkataong nakatapos siya ng pag-aaral, malamang ay maski hanggang puwestong Vice-President sa isang kumpanya ay kaya niyang pangatawanan. Subalit dahil sa kakapusan ng pera, nauwi siya sa maagang pag-asawa…kaya parang naka-jackpot ang asawa niya sa kanya.

Buhay at sigla si Belen sa mga pagtitipon dahil kapag nahalata niyang medyo nagkakahiyaan sa pagsayaw ay pinapangunahan niya at may halo pang pa-kenkoy na sayaw upang makapagsimula lang ng kasiyahan. Hindi rin siya maramot dahil ang mga tanim niya sa bakuran ay libre para sa lahat na makagusto – may kalamansi, kung minsan ay talong at ampalayang ligaw. Magaling din siyang magluto ng mga kakanin lalo na ng maja blanca at piche-piche, kaya kung may okasyon sa lugar nila, sa kanya umoorder ng mga ganito.

Tatlo ang anak ni Belen. Ang panganay na babae ay nasa Gitnang Silangan kasama ang kanyang asawa at tatlong anak. Ang pangalawang lalaki naman ay nasa bahay lang at nangangasiwa ng home-based internet shopping, at ang bunso ay magtatapos na ilang taon na lang mula ngayon.

Wala nang hinihiling pa si Belen sa Diyos dahil ayon sa kanya, halos lahat ng pangangailangan niya ay ibinigay na sa kanya….at ayaw na rin niyang humiling pa para mabigyan naman daw ng pagkakataon ang iba.


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PLEASE DONATE TO CARITAS THROUGH SEGUNDA MANA

Posted on Wednesday, 30 December 2015

PLEASE DONATE TO CARITAS THROUGH SEGUNDA MANA

Caritas is a charitable institution that, for decades, has been involved in sharing. You may donate usable pre-owned things that just eat up space in your closet. The stores and factories can donate some of their slow and non-moving inventories that can be sold at SEGUNDA MANA outlets.

Contacts:
Email                   :segundamana@caritasmanila.org.ph

Numbers    : landlines - 5620020-25/ 5640205/ 5639311
                     Cellphones – 0905 4285001/ 0929 8343857/ 0999 7943455

Follow them:   twitter/ @SegundaMana
                          Facebook/ SegundaMana


Quick search: www.caritas.org.ph

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Ang Malaking Puso ni Baby Eugenio...may karinderya sa Fort Santiago (Intramuros, Manila)

Ang Malaking Puso ni Baby Eugenio
…may karinderya sa Fort Santiago (Intramuros)
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sa unang tingin, aakalaing suplada si Baby dahil tisayin ang mukha at halos hindi ngumingiti, subalit kapag nakausap na ay saka pa lang makikita ang tunay niyang pagkatao – malumanay magsalita at hindi man ngumingiti ng todo ay madadama sa kanyang pananalita ang kababaan ng loob.

Nang umagang napasyal ako sa Fort Santiago, napadaan muna ako sa kanyang karinderya sa gate ng parking lot at habang nagkakape ako ay biglang napunta ang usapan namin tungkol sa buhay, lalo na ang kanyang mga karanasan sa pagpalipat-lipat ng puwesto. Ayon sa kanya, dati ay isa siyang typical na sidewalk vendor dahil nagtitinda siya sa mga maluluwag na puwesto tulad ng nasa likod ng Immigration Bureau, Ancar Building, gilid ng Jollibee at UPL Building, hanggang sa natiyempuhan niya ang puwesto sa gate ng parking lot ng Fort Santiago. Nalula ako nang sabihin niyang 46,000 pesos ang upa niya sa isang buwan sa puwesto. Upang makahabol sa bayarin, maliban sa pagluluto ng mga ulam, tsitserya, kape, soft drinks, at biscuit, ay pinangasiwaan na rin niya ang pag-asikaso sa parking lot.

Habang tinutulungan siya ng hipag niyang si Bing sa pagluluto at pagsisilbi sa mga customer, tumutulong naman si Arbi na anak ni Bing sa pag-asikaso sa parking lot. Pero kapag kasagsagan na ng pagsilbi ng pagkain at iba pang mga gawain sa karinderya ay saka naglalabasan ang iba pang umaalalay kay Baby.

Mabuti na lang at medyo nakuha ko ang kalooban at tiwala ni Baby kaya maluwag siyang nagkuwento tungkol sa buhay niya. Ang asawa na dati ay nagtatrabaho sa National Treasury, ngayon ay nagpapahinga na lang sa bahay dahil humina ang katawan at nagpapa-dialysis isang beses isang linggo. Sa kabuuhan, dalawampu’t apat ang nasa kalinga ni Baby – mga tinutulungan niya at bilang ganti ay tumutulong din sa kanya. Anim dati ang anak niya, subalit namatay ang panganay na kambal, kaya ang natira ay apat.

Labing-siyam na taong gulang si Baby ng mag-asawa. Tubong Masantol, Pampanga, siya ay nakipagsapalaran sa Maynila hanggang sa magkaroon ng pamilya. Ang nakakabilib ay ang ibinahagi niya sa aking kuwento tungkol sa mga taga-ibang probinsiyang nakipagsapalaran sa Maynila na ang iba ay mga seafarer na umistambay habang naghihintay ng tawag mula sa inaaplayang manning agency para sumakay sa barko, at kanyang kinalinga. Sa Intramuros ay marami ang ganitong mga nakikipagsapalaran sa Maynila dahil hindi kalayuan sa Fort Santiago ay ang opisina ng union nila. Marami ring mga manning agencies ng seafarers sa loob ng Intramuros. Upang makalibre sa tirahan at pagkain ay tumutulong-tulong sila sa karinderya, hanggang sa sila ay makasakay ng barko. Ang ibang seafarers na galing sa probinsiya ay napansin kong umiistambay naman sa Luneta o di kaya ay sa isang lugar na itinalaga sa kanila, sa labas ng National Library of the Philippines.

Ano pa nga ba at ang karinderya ni Baby ay mistulang “halfway home” o “bahay-kalinga” ng mga probinsiyanong seafarers. Hindi na maalala ni Baby kung ilan na ang kanyang natulungan na ang ibang nakakaalala sa kanyang kabutihan ay bumabalik upang magpasalamat, subalit ang iba naman ay tuluyang nakalimot sa minsan ay tinirhan nilang karinderya sa Fort Santiago. Nangyari ang ganitong pagkakawanggawa sa loob ng limang taon hanggang ngayon, sapul nang siya ay mapapuwesto sa bukana ng Fort Santiago.

Para kay Baby, na ngayon ay 58 taong gulang, pangkaraniwan na sa kanya ang pag-alalay sa kapwa o maging maluwag sa kanilang pangangailangan. Napatunayan ko ito nang biglang may lumapit sa kanya upang magtanong kung pwede silang kumain sa karinderya subalit hindi bibili ng pagkain dahil may baon sila. Walang patumpik-tumpik na pumayag si Baby, kahit pa sinabi ng nagpaalam na dalawampu sila. Ibig sabihin ay gagamitin nila lahat ng mesa at silya, kaya walang magagamit ang mga kostumer. Pero bale-wala kay Baby ang lahat…okey pa rin sa kanya. Mabuti na lang at napansin ng hipag niya na ang porma ng grupo ay parang sasali sa programa para kay Jose Rizal dahil nang araw na yon, December 30, ay paggunita ng kanyang kamatayan, kaya iminungkahi niya sa lider ng grupo na upang hindi sila mahirapan ay sa piknikan, sa loob na mismo ng Fort Santiago sila kumain dahil mas presko at marami ring mesa at upuan, at ang lalong mahalaga ay ilang hakbang na lang sila sa lugar na pagdadausan ng programa kung saan sila ay kasali.


Ibinahagi ni Baby na hindi man siya mayaman sa pera, ay mayaman naman siya sa pakisama. Natutuwa na siya sa sitwasyon niyang ganoon. Mahalaga sa kanya ang pagtulong sa kapwa bilang pasasalamat sa Diyos dahil sa ibinigay sa kanyang mga biyaya. Nakapagpundar na silang mag-asawa ng isang bahay na katamtaman lang ang laki sa Molino, Bacoor City (Cavite). 


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What Makes Us Share...till it hurts

Posted on Wednesday, 16 December 2015

What Makes Us Share…till it hurts
(I and my group)
By Apolinario Villalobos

The “us” in the title refers to the four of us in the group. The two are based in the United States, but come home every second week of November for our sharing project that commences every third week of November and strictly ends on the first week of December. On the other hand, I and the other one are locally- based.

Many of those who know us still don’t understand why we “meddle” with the lives of others by helping them. One of my friends even went to the extent of sending me a message last year when he read my blogs about Baseco Compound in Tondo. His message read, “hayaan mo na sila, kasalanan nila kung bakit sila naghihirap…mamumulubi ka lang sa ginagawa mo”.  I did not bother to reply to that message…but from then on, he seems to have detached himself from me. The other member of the group who is based locally, too, had a misunderstanding with his wife until their eldest son interfered…in his favor, so from then, his wife sort of just supported him. The two others, who are based abroad are lucky because aside from being supported by their families, they are also able to collect donations from friends who came to know about our projects.

My opinion is that it is difficult for others to really understand how it feels to be impoverished because, either, they have not been through such, or refused to admit that they were poor once, out of pride. I do not know if some of you experienced the pang of hunger for having not taken breakfast and lunch while attending classes. I do not know if some of you have experienced wearing underwear twice your size – being hand-me-downs from rich relatives. I do not know if some of you have experienced catching ice cubes thrown by a friend, instead of being handed even a sandwich by him during his birthday. I do not know if some of you have experienced making toys out of milk cans from the garbage dump, etc. etc.etc. I have experienced those when I was young.

My other colleague in the group and who is based in Manila, admitted to have been a scavenger when he was young. He also shared how every morning before going to school, he stood by carinderias and ate the leftover food on the plates of customers. As a scavenger, he and his brothers cooked “batchoy” out of the food they scavenged from the garbage bins of Chinese restaurants. He also unabashedly admitted to having worked as a call boy when their father got sick to earn quick money to support his two younger brothers and one sister (they were left by their mother). He got lucky when he landed a job as a messenger/sales clerk of a big hardware store in Sta. Cruz (a district in Manila City). Good fortune smiled at him, when the daughter of his employer fell in love with him, which made him part of the family business.

The third in our group, a doctor is the luckiest because at an early age he got adopted by a rich and kind couple who were US Green Card holders. But while growing up in Pasay, he was close to the less fortunate in their neighborhood. He is married to the daughter of their laundrywoman who is now operating a small catering business in the States.
The fourth in our group found his way toward us through the doctor, as he was the latter’s neighbor in the States. He shared that he grew up in a farm in Bicol and also experienced difficulties in life, as he and his siblings would cross a shallow river and hiked two kilometers to reach their school. He was introduced to our “operations” when he got curious, so he joined us in 2009, after promising to abide by our rules – no photo taking, wearing only slippers, t-shirt and shorts when on the road to share, and no giving of true name or divulging of real identity to the beneficiaries, as well as, willingness to partake of what our friends in slums eat.

What makes us click together is that, as if on cue, we practically forget who we really are every time we start hitting the road just before sunrise, to share.  We would sometimes call each other unconsciously, by our assumed names…but we do not consider such slip as a joke, because we are those names every time we mingle with our friends to share. For those who insist on knowing us,  we ask them to just remember us by our acts, and not by our face and name.





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Kung Pangkaraniwang Tao...Weird, Pero Kung Sikat na Tao...Kahanga-hanga!

Posted on Sunday, 6 December 2015

Kung Pangkaraniwang Tao…Weird,
Pero Kung Sikat na Tao…Kahanga-hanga!
ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung ordinaryong tao ang magsuot ng damit na may butas at kupas, sinasabi ng iba na weird siya at hindi marunong mag-ayos, pero kung sikat na tao ang gumawa nito, siya ay kahanga-hanga at dapat tularan. Kung isang ordinaryong tao ang gagamit ng mga herbal alternative medicines na hindi ginagawa ng iba, ang turing sa kanya ay weird kaya hindi ginagaya, pero kung artista o sino mang sikat ang gagawa nito, mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro kung sila ay gayahin.

Kung ang isang pangkaraniwang tao ay naglalakad patungo sa opisina o eskwela, sinasabi ng iba na poor kasi, walang pamasahe, kawawa naman, pero kung sikat na tao ang gagawa nito…good for the health daw kaya tinutularan. Kung ordinaryong misis ang magsasalita tungkol sa buhay niya o di kaya ay tungkol sa buhay ng iba, ang tawag sa kanya ay tsismosa, pero kung kilalang tao, lalo na si Kris Aquino ang gagawa nito, tawag sa kanya ay “taklesa” o walang preno o careless lang.

Ganyan ang ugali ng KARAMIHANG tao, tumitingin sa panlabas na anyo ng kapwa. Para bang sinasabi nila na kung hindi simpleng shorts at t-shirt lang ang suot ay ayaw na halos pagkatiwalaan. At kadalasan din na kung walang alahas na suot, etsa puwera na siya dahil walang class. At ang pinakamatindi ay ikinahihiya pa ng mga kaanak!

Sa isang sosyal na kainang napuntahan ko, ang nagpa-party ay nagtalaga ng mga professional receptionists na kasama sa package ng caterer. May nakasabay akong babaeng may edad na at napaka-ordinaryo ang suot, simple lang din ang ayos, yon nga lang ay nakasapatos ng lumang klase na kulay itim, pero wala rin maski mumurahing hikaw man lang. Nagpakilala siya sa receptionist pero ang apelyido niyang binanggit ay hindi kapareho ng nagpa-party kaya may pinuntahan sa di-kalayuan, may kinausap na isang babae, sabay turo sa matandang babae, na nilapitan naman ng kinausap ng receptionist. Narinig kong tinawag na “auntie” ng lumapit ang matandang babae at halos inakay  palabas ng venue, pinaupo sa isang sofa. Nang umalis ang tumawag ng “auntie”, nilapitan ko ang matandang babae at tinanong ko kung kaanu-ano niya ang nagpa- party. Ang sagot niya ay pamangkin daw, anak ng kapatid niya, at inalagaan daw niya hanggang makaalis  papuntang Amerika noong tin-edyer pa lang. Matagal na daw silang hindi nagkita kaya nang malaman niyang nasa Maynila ito ay lumuwas pa mula sa Lemery, Batangas!

Bisita lang din ako sa binanggit kong party, pinilit lang akong isama ng kaibigan ko upang ipakilala sa nagpa-party at sabi sa akin ay may ipapa-edit daw na blueprint ng librong isinulat niya sa States. Hindi pa ako nakilala ng nagpa-party dahil hinintay ko pa ang kaibigan kong kaibigan niya. Naisip kong pagkakataon ko na sanang kumita ng perang pandagdag ko sa pondong iniipon ng maliit naming grupo para pambili ng mga regalo sa mga natutulog sa mga bangketa bago magpasko, kaya kahit umiiwas ako sa mga party ay pinagbigyan ko ang kaibigan ko.

Dahil sa pangyayari, hindi ko na lang hinintay ang kaibigan ko. Ang matandang babae naman ay nalulungkot at nahalata kong namumutla kaya tinanong ko kung kumain bago umalis ng Lemery. Sabi niya ay hindi pa…at sa oras na yon na halos ay alas dose na, talaga namang mamumutla siya. Sinubukan kong imbitahing kumain sa isang karinderyang nadaanan ko nang pumunta ako sa venue ng party, at pumayag naman siya. Sa karinderya ay sinabihan ko siya na unawain na lang ang pamangkin na talagang busy lang.  Pagkatapos naming kumain, tinanong ko siya kung may balak  pa siyang magpakita sa pamangkin niya….sabi niya ay wala na. Dahil mag-aalas dos na ng hapon, tinanong ko siya kung okey lang na ihatid ko siya sa Lemery…bahala daw ako. Dahil sa sinabi niya, dali-dali kaming kumuha ng taksi na maghahatid sa amin sa isang bus terminal sa Pasay na may mga bus na biyaheng Lemery.


Nasa terminal na kami ng bus sa Pasay nang tumawag ang kaibigan ko upang tanungin kung nasaan na ako. Sabi ko sa kanya, saka ko na lang siya kakausapin uli para magpaliwanag, dagdag ko pa, kausapin niya ang kaibigan niya at baka nalulungkot. Pero, sa pagkakataong yon, nagdesisyon na akong hindi ko na kakausapin ang kaibigan ng kaibigan ko na pamangkin ng babaeng bago kong kaibigan. Goodbye na lang sa kikitain sana!

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See With Our Heart, Feel with Kindness

Posted on Wednesday, 25 November 2015

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!



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"Work Hard in Your Youth"...a Wise Reminder from Manny Relova, PAL's Hardworking "Salesman"

Posted on Tuesday, 3 November 2015

“Work Hard in Your Youth”…a Wise Reminder
From Manny Relova, PAL’s Hardworking “Salesman”
By Apolinario Villalobos

This blog is about a guy who propelled his way to success by working hard since his younger days. The name may not be familiar with other viewers, especially, those who were not connected with Philippine Airlines. What I would like to impart here, however, is his philosophy in life which is worthy of emulation, in the face of the prevailing attitude of today’s youth.

Manny Relova worked his way up the corporate ladder of Philippine Airlines which he joined after leaving his job at the Elizalde Publications, as Circulation Manager. The said company was known for their Evening News and Bulaklak Magazine. The job honed his expertise in operation and handling of people, a responsibility that he held as a young man and which became useful when he joined the country’s flag carrier.

In 1970, he joined the Marketing and Sales- International Department of Philippine Airlines which brought him to Sydney where he had a stint for two years, followed by a three-year assignment in Honululu, and one year in Bangkok. He was later recalled back to Manila to head the Sales Force, located at the S and L Building Extension Office, along Roxas Boulevard, which was considered as the “flagship” for sales of Philippine Airlines. The “S&L”, as what travel agents, corporate accounts and government offices, referred to, was so strategically located, being within the tourist belt, as well as the community of travel agents.

When Manny Relova set foot on “S&L”, he could have felt the opportunity offered by such location that he immediately embarked on the enhancement of the various services of the PAL offices at the said site. In the process, special desks were set up to serve the specific needs of the various segments of PAL’s clientele, through its “retailers” – the travel agents, as well as, the government agencies.

Aside from the regular domestic and international ticketing offices, other service outlets were Government Travel Ticket Office (GTTO), the desk for Middle East market, and, Special Services Unit (SSU) which was tasked with the computation of special fares that involved connecting flights with other international airlines. These “special sales desks” were the important sinew or muscle that made the Sales Force formidable, in the face of cutthroat competition from other foreign airlines that had the temerity of offering “bargain fares”, to undermine the effort of Philippine Airlines.

Discipline was instilled in the mind of the Sales Force, composed of young Account Officers who were trained to persuade even the most inflexible travel agents to allow their clients to savor the PAL hospitality, this despite the almost give-away fares offered by other airlines.  The exquisite PAL service that speaks of Filipino hospitality has always been the selling point of the “flagship” at S&L, and which stiff competitors and trying times failed to erode.

During the incumbency of Manny Relova, PAL enjoyed the “golden years” of international sales and marketing, such that, many thought that the office along Roxas Boulevard where the Sales Office was located, was the entire PAL itself. Those years brought to fore personalities who became synonymous with “PAL sales”, such as Rene Ocampo, Archie Lacson, Dave Lim, Danny Lim, Harry Inoferio, Elsie Enriquez, Noel Abad, Millie Braganza, Dichay Gonzales, Ruby Precila, Tesi Ona, Ginny Gotamco, Ging Ledesma, Lou Bengzon, Mona Pecson, and Jaime Lucas.

The legacy of hard work was passed on to Rene Ocampo when Manny Relova was assigned to San Francisco and London. The tradition of discipline was so instilled among the young Account Officers that it strengthened their salesmanship in the airline industry. A few years later, most of them have been promoted to higher positions such as managers and vice-presidents. 

Hard work tempered with discipline can really do wonders, especially, if they are instilled at a young age….as it can steer dreams towards reality. This, however, is possible on the “leader of the pack”, whose diligence is beyond question, if one belongs to a group.

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Ang Eat Bulaga Magpapatayo ng mga Aldub Library sa Buong Bansa...pero ang Gobyerno ay Hindi, Hinayaan pang "Mababoy" ang mga Textbook

Posted on Saturday, 24 October 2015

Ang Eat Bulaga Magpapatayo ng Mga Aldub Library sa Buong Bansa
…pero ang Gobyerno ay Hindi,  Hinayaan pang  “Mababoy” ang mga Textbook
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nagsimula ang adbokasiya ng Eat Bulaga sa pagtulong sa mga estudyante at mga paaralan nang magsagawa sila ng “basura para sa silya”, isang proyekto na tungkol sa pag-ipon nila ng mga plastic na bote mula sa mga komunidad na sumasali sa mga pakontes. Ang napagbentahan naman ay ibinibili nila ng mga armchair para sa mga estudyante. Sinundan ang proyektong ito ng isang nakakagulat na kalye seryeng “Aldub”, dahil makalipas lamang ang ilang linggo ay nanguna na sa viewership at bilang ng twits na umaabot ng milyones – sa buong mundo.

At marami uli ang nagulat nang ang climax series ng kalye seryeng tinagurian “Sa Tamang Panahon” ay ginawa sa Philippine Arena, Oktubre 24, 2015, at ang nalikom na pera ay ipagpapatayo ng mga library para sa maliliit na paaralan lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar, subalit babahaginan din ang mga nasalanta ng hagupit ng bagyong Lando. Mula sa puso ng mga fans ang bawat sentimong ibinahagi nila para sa proyekto, sila na tinaguriang “Aldub Nation”.

Simple lang naman ang gagawin ng Eat Bulaga – magpapatayo ng mga library at lalagyan ng mga ido-donate na mga libro. Kung hahatiin ang mahigit ng konti sa sampung milyon na nasabi nang naipon,  marami na ring library ang maipapagawa kung tatantiyahen ang isang gusaling magkakahalaga ng hindi bababa sa Php300,000 – labor at materyales. Sa liit ng halagang kailangan, bakit hindi ito magawa ng gobyerno? Samantala, naglalaan pa ito ng milyones para sa mga proyektong drowing lang pala, dahil ang inilaang badyet ay hinayaan lang na manakaw.

Nakita ng Eat Bulaga ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon kaya gumawa ito ng proyektong makakatulong ng malaki sa mga estudyante, lalo na ang mga nasa liblib na lugar – mga library na paglalagakan ng mga librong napakahalaga upang makalinang ng dunong ang isang bata. Ang nakita naman ng mga tiwali sa gobyerno ay oportunidad na makapagnakaw sa mga proyekto kahit na ito’y sobrang pangangailangan ng mamamayan.  Hinayaan pa ng gobyernong mababoy ang mga textbook na ginawang negosyo ng mga nagsabwatang publishers at mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na may kinalaman sa edukasyon. Kung ano-anong mga libro ang mga pilit na pinapagamit sa mga bata, kaya kung pumasok ang mga ito ay animo magbabakasyon sa malayong lugar dahil halos malita na ang hila-hila sa pagpasok.

At ang masakit, pagkalipas ng isang school term, lipas na rin ang kahalagahan ng mga librong ginawang “workbooks” dahil ang mga tanong sa mga bandang hulihan ng mga tsapter ay pinagsasagot ng mga gumamit na esudyante, kaya hindi na maaaring gamitin ng nakakabatang kapatid o ibang walang kayang bumili ng mga libro.


Talagang bantad o walang hiya na ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno dahil sa kabila ng nakikitang mga kaganapan na maaari nitong tularan tulad ng mga proyekto ng Eat Bulaga ay dedma lang sila… na para bang nagsasabi pa ng “pakialam namin sa inyo”. Kungsabagay, bakit pa ba sila mamumrublema kung namumutok na sa pera ang kanilang bulsa?

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Nang Mapahiya ang isang "Donor"

Posted on Monday, 19 October 2015

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.