The Gift of Love: UCSD Key Players Reflect on the Essence of Giving

(Part 2)

The United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends has recently completed its third Medical and Humanitarian Mission this year. Inspired by the theme “The Gift of Love Keeps on Giving,” the week-long program from January 29 to February 3, 2024 rendered medical/dental/optical assistance and gave gifts to over 4,000 deserving recipients in 56 barangays in all 11 municipalities of Catanduanes. It also extended the same services to 74 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Virac District Jail.

This laudable achievement can be rightfully attributed to UCSD’s dynamic team. The inspiration provided by its Founder/President, Dr. Oscar Enriquez is complemented by the unwavering support and cooperation of several individuals and groups who share his humanitarian objectives – making up a dream partnership. Truly one for the books.

This post seeks to recognize the powerhouse team, the game changers, and the value creators behind The Gift of Love Humanitarian Mission.

International Donors

In every humanitarian initiative, the role of sponsors and donors in creating an enabling environment is vital. The timely and efficient conduct of the UCSD mission this year was made possible through funds donated by Catandunganons and Friends from USA and Mrs. Salvacion Olfindo Enriquez and Family. The solid backing of the Texan Friends of Catanduanes (TFC) and Standard Family Properties (LCC) merits grateful recognition. Appreciation and thanks should also be accorded to the Standard Medical Clinic of Southeast Texas, Lone Star Standard Medical Group PA, and Dr. Murlidhar Amin.

Their overwhelming support made a lot of difference for thousands of struggling lives.

Provincial Organizers and Coordinators

With proper funding in place, the sourcing of necessary supplies is initiated in the USA. Dr. Enriquez and his hospital staff spend long hours sorting out medicines and various equipment for shipment to the Philippines. The mission founder then keeps close contact with two key people in Virac, the coordination center in Catanduanes.

Virac Vice-Mayor Arlynn Arcilla, in her role as a medical doctor, is a comforting presence during the mission.

Dr. Arlynn Arcilla, by virtue of her profession as a medical doctor and as incumbent Vice Mayor of Virac, is a godsend for UCSD. She reaches out to medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and dentists, and local healthcare providers in the rural areas to solicit their participation in the week-long activity. Dr. Arcilla was present in several mission sites, doing medical consultations with utmost care and attention.

Liaison Par Excellence Biet Tabuzo Pastor with Dr. Oscar Enriquez in one of the mission sites.

The task of coordinating with the religious sector and other professional groups falls on the able shoulders of Biet Tabuzo Pastor. In a Facebook post showing her proudly wearing the official Gift of Love shirt, she said she joined the group not just because the members so generously share their hard-earned blessings with the less fortunate Catandunganons living around small parishes and mission churches, but also because she is impressed by the down-to-earth personalities of their officers and members.  In the same post, she affirmed: “Yes, I take pride in being part of their team, I love and enjoy working with them, and I’m mighty proud to wear their shirt!!” Just like Dr. Arcilla, her commitment does not end with planning and coordinating; she is also an active multitasker at mission sites.

The coordination and mobilization efforts of the humanitarian mission similarly get a helpful boost from Sonia Daag-Santos who facilitates shipments of stocks to Virac, and Manuel Romero who generously allows the use of his Virac warehouse for proper storage of goods and equipment, and his vehicles for transporting goods to designated mission areas.

Religious Sector

The cohesive structure of the religious sector in Virac has worked to the best advantage of The Gift of Love mission since Year 1. In consultation with Bishop Manolo de los Santos of the Diocese of Virac, mission churches and small parishes covering poor barangays outside the población were chosen as activity centers. The parish priests of these churches worked closely with their respective barangay officials as well as pastoral and youth councils in pre-assessing the needs of the community and identifying local residents who will benefit the most from the services of the mission. With the help of local residents and church workers, they prepare the designated venues, repack rice for distribution, and make special effort in preparing meals for the volunteers. The excess supplies that were not used on the day of the mission are left in their care for later distribution in their community.

Bishop Manolo de los Santos receives a certificate of appreciation from UCSD for getting small parishes and mission churches involved in this year’s medical mission.

Just as much as they deserve commendation for their hard work, the parishes are similarly thankful to UCSD for reaching out to the faithful in the indigent areas. In a letter to Dr. Enriquez, Fr. Boyet Gapaz of the San Alfonso Maria Fusco Parish in Lictin, San Andres wrote that they were so encouraged to see that even in the midst of uncertain times and financial inconvenience, there are generous souls that make their support felt in many ways. “We are so inspired and heartened by your generosity and spirit of solidarity to our less fortunate sector in our community,” said Fr. Gapaz in that same letter.

Medical/Dental/Optical Professionals

This is one part of the team that seems to grow in number each year. The Catanduanes Medical Society fielded 21 medical doctors to the different mission sites during the week. The Philippine Dental Association Catanduanes Chapter had 20 dentist volunteers in total.

Dr. Ferdinand Que, a Virac-based optometrist was there along with his optical clinic staff.

Dr. Ferdinand Que, providing free eyecare to those in need, one patient at a time.

[Recall that during the 2020 medical mission, Dr. Que became an accidental hero to vlogger Mike Corey, one of five popular video bloggers who call themselves Fighter Boys. While in Baras, Corey developed an eye infection and needed medical attention. The Gift of Love medical mission was going on at that time in one of the barangays and Dr. Que promptly came to the rescue.  A video posted by FinnSnow, one of the Fighter Boys, showing the chance encounter has earned over 165,000 views to date. A good number that works for UCSD as well 😊].

[Recall that during the 2020 medical mission, Dr. Que became an accidental hero to vlogger Mike Corey, one of five popular video bloggers who call themselves Fighter Boys. While in Baras, Corey developed an eye infection and needed medical attention. The Gift of Love medical mission was going on at that time in one of the barangays and Dr. Que promptly came to the rescue.  A video posted by FinnSnow, one of the Fighter Boys, showing the chance encounter has earned over 165,000 views to date. A good number that works for UCSD as well 😊].

Please click here to view FinnSnow’s video.

Working in close coordination with the doctors and nurses were staff of municipal and rural health units. The combined efforts of this group form a strong backbone for the medical mission. It’s an added value that they are all locals and speak either Bicol or Tagalog and could communicate effectively with the patients. No lost-in-translation moments there.  

Civic-oriented Groups

The smooth and orderly flow of activities at mission sites got a lot of help from the men and women members of the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority, The Fraternal Order of Eagles of the Philippines and Lady Eagles Club (through the newly chartered Catanduanes Chapter). They could be seen assisting the disabled, moving stuff and putting them in proper places, helping in different service tables, and serving hot meals to everyone. The APO volunteers put authentic meaning to their motto “Be a Leader. Be a Friend. Be of Service,” and when they take their APO hand sign to their hearts, you know that you’re in good company. The same can be said about the Philippine Eagles (fraternal and sororal), whose guiding principle is service and helping the less fortunate through community projects and other gainful activities. Some medical professionals from both organizations were seen putting their specialization to good use in appropriate consultation areas.

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Foreign and Local Volunteers

Through thick and thin, they are there – the committed and tireless volunteers who travel all the way from the US to reconnect with their province of origin and bring smiles to the faces of the less fortunate Catandunganons. They are joined by volunteers from Manila and Catanduanes in the unified act of sharing their valuable time, resources, and love to benefit the needy. Their stay may be short, but their compassion and charitable acts for the beneficiaries are for the long haul.

Franz Ham at the Meet and Greet and briefing session with UCSD guests and local partners, marking the start of the mission.

Franz Ham is a beautiful example (in many ways than just physical) of a UCSD volunteer. She used to be a constant presence in mission fundraising activities in California, but only got to join as a volunteer last year upon the invitation of Dr. Enriquez. That time she was appointed to be one of the group leaders tasked with ensuring the efficient operation of her assigned team. She reflects on this as a learning experience on being both a leader and team player – a role she played so well that this year, she was also asked to organize the Appreciation Dinner for everyone who helped in the mission. She has this to say about her involvement with the group: “Volunteering gave me a sense of achievement and purpose. As you give your time to help others, you also learn a lot of things. Doing good for others provides a natural sense of accomplishment. I got more joy from serving others. It feels great to receive, but it’s far more joyful to give.”

Many other volunteers like Franz may not be named in this post for lack of print space; but their participation in UCSD affairs will be long remembered by those who witnessed and felt their noble acts of serving and giving. Exception begs to be made in the case of the Enriquez family, a key support system of the UCSD founder in this endeavor: From the 84-year-old Tio Miniong Enriquez, to siblings Rosalie (and husband Veda Pielago); William (who chose to stay in the US this time to look after their matriarch, Tia Vacion Enriquez); Franklin and wife Tusa, and to their pretty daughter Fayanne who can be mistaken for someone just out of her teens. But make no bones about it, Fayanne is a veteran when it comes to volunteering, having been in six similar engagements in the past. My point being that serving or giving has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with LOVE.

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In the same token, gratitude should be given to those who, through their own selfless capacities, have made the 3^rd UCSD medical and humanitarian mission another tough act to follow. From the drivers who helped transport people and supplies to the mission sites, the church workers who prepared the energizing and festive food for the team members, to those who looked after the safety of everyone during the mission. Simply saying “Thanks” or “Mabalos” won’t suffice for their valuable cooperation.

Bicolanos have a more apt way of expressing gratitude. We say “Diyos Mabalos.” It translates to “God will Repay,” and this goes to everyone who contributed, in big or small ways, to The 2024 Gift of Love Medical and Humanitarian Mission.

The Gift of Love 2024: UCSD Key Players Reflect on the Essence of Giving

(Part 1)

In my blog post about the 2023 medical and humanitarian mission organized by the United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends, I detailed how my experiences as a volunteer left such feel-good memories and meaningful takeaways. That 2023 stint got me so excited at the prospect of joining the mission’s next staging in 2026, following its triennial schedule.

Then, out of left field, the news came that the next mission is happening not two years from now, but this year from January 28 to February 3. In light of this surprising turn of events, the questions “Why?” and “How?” had to be asked.

The answer to the “Why?” question turned out to be providential: The UCSD cup runneth over!

UCSD President Doctor Oscar Enriquez disclosed that the decision to conduct this year’s mission came after a close friend of his, another doctor in Texas, donated a hefty amount to the group’s cause. His generous friend had a simple message in relation to the donation: “Take care of the needy and God is with us.” The generous endowment, when added to the surplus funds from the 2023 mission, was a compelling factor in this year’s conduct of the third Gift of Love humanitarian event.

His resolve to give it a go was likewise prompted by this quote from the great essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson:

The good doctor says that he always pays heed to similar ‘birdie whispers’ (I call them spiritual tweets) that seem to pop out during serendipitous moments; and so far, they have not failed him yet. The UCSD president had the same intuitive experience in San Diego some years back, while he was trying to think of a proper catchline to go with the mission’s objectives. That light-bulb moment gave birth to the theme ‘The Gift of Love.’

As to the “How” part, the 2024 Gift of Love Medical Mission opted to use the same strategy adopted for its previous outreach programs. It will be recalled that during its first UCSD humanitarian mission in 2020, the group was restricted from conducting its activities in central Virac owing to the pandemic scare. It had to resort to a solution akin to the doctrine that says “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must come to the mountain.”  

The UCSD volunteers were divided into teams and were assigned to different mission churches representing the 11 municipalities of Catanduanes. This alternative entailed massive planning, fundraising, organization, mobilization, and collaborating with foreign and local partners, not to mention the taxing on-the-ground work during the week-long conduct. Yet, it turned out to be a course of action that yielded more beneficial results and therefore served as the model for succeeding missions.

Thus, this year, designated teams rendered services and gave gifts to pre-selected beneficiaries in all 11 municipalities of the island, in venues particularly chosen for their accessibility and convenience. Services were clustered into free medical checkup, dispensing of medicines, dental services, eye checkup, OB/GYN consultations, distribution of free reading glasses, soup kitchen, and giving gifts to both young and old beneficiaries. The mission was capped by distributing gifts, as well as providing medical and dental services to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Virac District Jail on February 3. The group likewise donated a hospital bed and a stretcher to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) to replace the damaged ones at the hospital.

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Two days before the Catanduanes mission, UCSD conducted a similar initiative in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga. The outreach program benefited 200 locals who received pails containing rice, kitchen essentials, and fresh tilapia bought from a nearby fish pond. Including fresh catch in the goodies pack was another ‘first’ in UCSD’s book of gift giving. In addition to the gifts, the Betis beneficiaries were also treated to filling snacks and drinks during the event.

Given an inspired and charismatic leader, the clear objective of serving the needs of the underprivileged sector, plus benevolent donors and sponsors, any humanitarian endeavor needs collaborators who share the same purpose and commitment to run its affairs seamlessly. In this aspect, UCSD has a distinct ace up its sleeve: the combined strengths of its hardworking team members, generous foreign and local partners, dedicated organizers/coordinators/facilitators, and the all-out support of religious, local government, and civic organizations.

Part 2 of this story will focus on these groups and their unique contributions to fostering a culture of compassion, charity, and sharing of one’s time and resources for the good of the needy — all of which represent the core values of ‘The Gift of Love.’

Happy Island Fashion Statements

Where does fashion figure in your order of priorities? Is it, like in my jaded case, somewhere near the bottom? If so, join me this once: let’s take a step back and look at it from a different perspective. Perhaps, fashion is not just a trendy and fleeting subject after all.

I visited Catanduanes, my home province in Bicol, late last month to attend to some family interests. One task led me to the provincial capitol, where I was greeted by a showcase of formal wear that turned out to be especially designed for candidates of the Ginoong Catandungan and Binibining Catandungan 2023. The two searches were among the events that highlighted the 78^th Founding Anniversary of Catanduanes, now tagged as ‘The Happy Island’ after being known as ‘Land of the Howling Winds’ for quite some time. The outfits were put together for public viewing, days prior to the hosting of the pageants on October 21 and 22, 2023.

At first blush, the array struck me as nothing short of glitz, meant to enhance the candidates’ self-esteem and confidence while dazzling the audience with all those sparkly ‘borloloys’ or embellishments. I’m glad I decided to take a closer look; each creation came with a description of the design, the name of the designer, and details covering the design inspiration.

Given a proper venue and purpose, fashion, I now agree, can bear great significance. Many of the creations on display at the lobby reflected the traditions and cultural ethos of the different municipalites of Catanduanes. They highlighted the essence of how Catandunganons want to be perceived by the outside world.

I was pressed for time and could not take photos of all the displayed pieces, but here are some of them – starting off with the stylized Barong Filipino designed for the Ginoong Catandungan contestants representing the different municipalities of the Happy Island:

This design uses the abaca pinukpok fiber produced in Baras to honor the abaca farmers of Catanduanes, which is hailed as the Abaca Capital of the Philippines.

This ‘UMASILHAG’ creation for the Gigmoto candidate is in recognition of the island’s silent heroes: the para-UMA (farmers), para-SILA (fishermen), and paraHAG-ot (abaca strippers). The carabao-inspired back accent is a tribute to their hard work and perseverance, while the loincloth is an ode to tradition and ethnicity.

This design for the San Andres (former Calolbon) contestant features an image of Our Lady of Sorrows painted at the back. The religious icon is believed to be miraculous and draws droves of visitors to the Batong Paloway chapel where it is consecrated. The stylized ‘salakot’ or ‘calo’ is a symbol of the unity that binds Calolbonganons, which is celebrated annually during the Buruniyogan sa Calo Festival in November.

The gowns for the Binibining Catandungan contestants turned out to be variations on a theme: the color purple, diamond patterns, beads and crystals, flowing lines, high slits – were variably used to depict courage, power, resilience, and similar strengths that define Catandunganon women in these challenging times.

On pageant night, team San Andres bagged the Best Designer award for this creative rendition by Calolbonganon designer Mikko Dolores for Ms. Rheana Rose Chavez.

I dare say that the inspiration for the gown – with its call for women like Rheana “to make unpopular decisions, challenge the system, and write new narratives” is a true winner!

Here’s to fashion as a celebration of creativity, substance, and relevance!

Things I learned about love (thanks to a medical mission)

The United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends is a nonprofit charitable group based in San Diego with partners, members, and avid supporters from different parts of the USA and the Philippines. Founded by Virac-born Dr. Oscar Enriquez, UCSD organizes and conducts medical and humanitarian missions to benefit remote areas of Catanduanes. Dr. Enriquez is an internal medicine specialist in the USA and owner of Standard Medical Clinic in Port Arthur, Texas. Aside from his great strides at UCSD, the benevolent doctor also unfailingly donates to other projects that reach out to the needy in Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon. 

For its outreach program in Catanduanes, which is traditionally held in the love month of February, the group has appended “Gift of Love” to its mission title.  I had the chance to volunteer in this year’s program and although I was not able to participate in all its activities, yet on those days that I did during the week-long run from February 13 to 17, I realized that the organizers couldn’t have chosen a better tag line.

Here’s sharing how I see UCSD expressing love in the context of charity, compassion, and sharing one’s blessings with the less fortunate.   

Love is contagious

Through the years, UCSD has widened its influence to include not only the family members, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Enriquez, but also his American patients. With his compelling charm, Dr. Enriquez does not have to try hard to win support from others. The group enjoys the backing of generous sponsors including Dr. Murlidhar Amin, a cardiologist from Texas; Bob Spencer and The Rotary Club of Greater Chino Hills; Waraynon Initiative Network; and friends from all over the USA. In Catanduanes, it has strong partnerships with the Diocese of Virac, medical professional groups, local government units, and the youth sector.

Other members are just as dedicated and committed, and with the circle of friends expanding, the act of contributing to a worthy cause does not need a hard sell. Love grows and glows. UCSD has got it made.

Love is persevering

UCSD medical missions operate on a three-year cycle, with the first two years dedicated to fundraising, procuring medicines, medical supplies, various essentials, and sending those goods in batches to the Philippines. The storage, sorting, packing, and related logistics including overall planning and transportation services are handled by facilitators in Catanduanes. Religious groups and local health units are instrumental in qualifying needy recipients and preparation of venues. Even before the actual start of the mission on the third year, arduous work, coordination, and mobilization had been at play in pursuing its objectives.

Love transcends all barriers

Torrential rains notwithstanding, the Gift of Love medical mission went on in several places on the island.

Catanduanes is composed of 11 municipalities, with the farthest point up north entailing more than two hours drive from the provincial capital Virac. Similar missions in the past were conducted solely in the capital town. During the onset of the pandemic three years ago, UCSD had to resort to a different strategy to reach out to all the municipalities, leaving no one behind. The same operational plan was followed this year, with teams starting out early morning to their designated activity centers. The rainy weather at this time of year on this island facing the Pacific Ocean posed some challenges on the road and on mission sites, but these did not dampen the enthusiasm of the dedicated team workers.

Love knows no age

Tio Miniong Enriquez manning the Optometry Services section.

I am no spring chicken and at times I had doubts if I could sustain the energy to go about the required tasks during the long hours. Seeing 83-year-old Tio Miniong (Herminio) Enriquez, a retired accountant, ably assisting at the Optical Services section, promptly eased my apprehensions. Nonagenarian Tio Guimoy (Guillermo) Lizaso and his wife Nelly, still sprightly despite the years, flew in from California to do their part for the mission; they are generous donors and constant supporters of UCSD.  My takeaway: When the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, think love. It works like an elixir.

Love is never perfect

Despite earnest planning and preparation, some glitches are inevitable. In one such case, one team ran short of medicines and other supplies. The closest team had to travel to the affected site for the required reinforcement. In another case, one group just got swamped with more help seekers than they could handle. The opposite scenario of having too few cases to attend to at one barangay, called for a regrouping of manpower. All these served as lessons to be considered in future missions.

Love is a commitment

The mission ended last February 17 and many of the Gift of Love advocates have flown back to the USA. Their local counterparts have sprung back from that gruelling week. Overall, around 4,000 Catandunganon residents of 60 barangays in all 11 towns benefited from the mission. The health concerns of many women and children were given due attention. Thousands of residents received free consultations and prescribed medications, dental services, food packs, hygiene kits and reading glasses, among others. The same services were extended to some Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Virac District Jail.

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  So many needing help, so little time.

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  Crowds were effectively managed.

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  Pre-listed beneficiaries were assigned numbers and referred to proper health consultants

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  Checking for vital signs prior to medical consultation

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  At the Pediatrics section

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  An Obstetrics Section volunteer attends to a patient

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  Dental Services registration

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  A volunteer dentist at work

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  A volunteer doctor issuing prescription after evaluating a patient

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  UCSD founder Dr. Oscar Enriquez looking after medicine distribution at a mission site

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  Local residents enjoying belly-warming soup on a cold, rainy day

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  Kids enjoying their soup

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  Bonding time for father and kids

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  Candies for the children

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  New slippers for the young…

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  … and the young at heart

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  Beneficiaries got food packs aside from free consultations and medicines

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  Gift packs include hygiene kits, rice, rubber slippers, among others.

But for this group, the end of one mission marks the start of the next one. The reboot is on. Soon, UCSD will be spearheading new awareness and fundraising initiatives through its various partnerships.

And the love cycle continues.

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Love, actually

February 14, 2023. Valentine’s Day.

Heart images, roses, love symbols everywhere. You know, everything that shouts out LOVE – of the romantic type, that is.

Where I chose to be and how I spent this day speaks of another type of love. I am referring to ‘agape’ which, in contrast to romantic love, extends to the love between God and men and therefore reflects one’s love of his fellow men. This is manifested in acts of charity, compassion, and unselfish love for others. Agape, without question, is the highest form of love.

I take this to be the most apt term for what the United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends, has adopted as its reason for being. UCSD is a nonprofit charitable group that organizes medical and humanitarian missions to benefit the remote areas of Catanduanes.

For five days starting February 13 this year, this group composed of US-based professionals with roots from Catanduanes, volunteers from the island province and other places, and a host of other kindred souls, gathered and organized themselves into teams to fulfill the mission of sharing the Gift of Love to all 11 municipalities of Catanduanes.

Underserved barangays outside of the población were designated as activity centers taking into account their accessibility to other nearby barrios. In close coordination with mission churches and local parishes, beneficiaries were pre-selected based on their needs, to ensure a faster and more efficient flow of activities.

Day 2, with the Sicmil team

The second day of the mission brought us to Sicmil, a barangay in the municipality of Gigmoto, while another team was posted in Mayngaway in San Andres. Getting to Sicmil from the provincial capital of Virac takes about two hours through winding roads that provide a view of rolling hills, verdant mountains, and beaches. UCSD president Dr. Oscar Enriquez, regards the travel route as something similar to Maui in Hawaii; but he quickly qualifies that the Catanduanes version is even better and more scenic. He fondly refers to the place as “his Maui.”

The UCSD mission stop in Sicmil shows the extent of preparation, attention to details, and coordination among different groups that went into the final implementation of a long and exhaustive process. It mirrors how similar teams assigned to different barangays would go about their activities for an entire day.

Pre-listed beneficiaries are given priority numbers and referred to proper section.

Patients are triaged and checked for vital signs.

Medical consultants evaluate cases and make recommendations;

patients are then sent to pharmacy services for available OTC medicines.

Volunteer dentists perform appropriate dental procedures.

Women/expectant mothers are referred to the OB-GYN section for reproductive concerns.

The Pediatrics section provides consultation and OTC medicines for children.

Optometric Services handle requests for reading glasses.

Gift packs consisting of hygiene kits, rice, slippers, and other essentials await both seniors and children.

Hot soup and sweet treats are provided for all.

OTC medicines are dispensed by licensed practitioners.

Personal Sidelights

My memories of the 2023 UCSD-Sicmil stop will always include meeting Esmeraldo Tawat, a 93-year-old resident of Tinago (some six kilometers away from Sicmil). Tang Esmeng, despite his age, is remarkably sharp; he remembers the month, day, year – and even the time of his birth! He was there to get some help regarding his vision problems. With him are some of his  children and grandchildren – three generations of a family that received gifts of love from UCSD.

Some beneficiaries who got to experience being served by the medical mission for the first time approached me to express their appreciation and thanks for the goods and services they received during the day. Amused by being addressed as ‘doctora,’ (perhaps owing to the white vest I was wearing that had the UCSD logo) I had to explain that I was a mere cog in the wheel and that appreciation should be accorded to those people who dedicated so much time, effort, resources, and love to bring the project to reality.

Lourdes Peňola, a middle-aged mom, promptly replied, “Diit man na tabang o dacula, ga-pasalamat ako sa tabang ninyo sa samuyang mga nanga-ipo.” Her words, spoken in the local dialect, pulled at my heartstrings. She said that help, whether big or small when extended to the needy, is something to be thankful for.

Standing close to her was her sister, another housewife with her youngest child in tow. She had this to say: “Ang pasalamat ko sa Diyos buda sa tabang kang mga tawong pareho ninyo.” (My thanks go to God and to the help of people like you.)

The validation sounded so good and inspiring.

Hope to experience this again in 2026.

133 years ago today

(Originally posted under Facebook Notes on August 19, 2011. Today is the 144th birth anniversary of Manuel Luis Quezon, first President of the Philippine Commonwealth).

Kaunting bato, kaunting semento – monumento. Who hasn’t heard of this playful saying before? But for truly great men and women, cement and pebbles just won’t make the grade. The Quezon Monument at the historic Perez Park in Lucena – consisting of a larger-than-life size bronze statue standing on marble base – is one beautiful symbol of greatness, not only of the person being honored, but also of the little-known heroes who helped shape the structure.

The statue was built out of one-centavo bronze coins donated by young school children all over Quezon Province. The collected coins were sent to Italy where they were melted and molded into its current form by an Italian sculptor. Conceived in 1950, the monument was finally erected in 1954 at the expansive Perez Park, a popular historical destination in Lucena. A marble wall inscribed with President Quezon’s “Message to My People” serves as a perfect backdrop.

The full text of the message follows.

Message to My People

My fellow citizens: there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is: that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines is your country, and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children, and for your children’s children, until the world is no more. You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary.

Your country is a great country. It has a great past, and a great future. The Philippines of yesterday is consecrated by the sacrifices of lives and treasure of your patriots, martyrs, and soldiers. The Philippines of today is honored by the wholehearted devotion to its cause of unselfish and courageous statesmen. The Philippines of tomorrow will be the country of plenty, of happiness, and of freedom. A Philippines with her head raised in the midst of the West Pacific, mistress of her own destiny, holding in her hand the torch of freedom and democracy. A republic of virtuous and righteous men and women all working together for a better world than the one we have at present.

                                                                                            –   Manuel L. Quezon*

*born August 19, 1878

Have a CAREWELL Christmas!

Christmas is about showing how much you care. It’s about sharing and giving gifts to celebrate your special bond with your loved ones, dear friends, and trusted associates.

This coming Christmas, allow one group known for ‘caring well’ to help spread Love and Hope – the most precious gifts ever!

Carewell (short for the Cancer Resource and Wellness Community) is a nonprofit foundation that provides support, education, and HOPE to persons with cancer. Members participate in support group meetings, informative talks, counseling, and various wellness activities – all free of charge. For over 15 years, Carewell incorporators, sponsors, volunteer healthcare professionals, office staff, and members have committed themselves to the mission of managing the challenges of cancer through holistic means. Despite the pandemic, Carewell continues to provide its activities via the virtual platform.

In its latest fundraising campaign, Carewell invites friends and supporters to help in its mission through donations in exchange for gift packages as described below.

Please consider this opportunity to help Carewell while expressing the true meaning of Christmas – making others happy – as we celebrate another season of Love.

To express your support, kindly fill out this form.

You may click here to know more about Carewell and its wellness advocacy.

‘Onwards and Upwards’ virtual event streams on August 21

What if, for a few hours, you are given a chance to leave behind uncertain and distressing thoughts and make room for fresh and creative concepts? All you need to do is watch, listen, and allow yourself to be fascinated by a group of multitalented high-achievers from across several disciplines, who will discuss topics of interest to the youth.

As it is, luck is on your side because TEDxYouth@Fitzrovia led by Nicola Allen, a student at King’s College in London, will independently host a virtual event on 21st of August 2021 allowing young people like her to participate in great conversations revolving around the theme “Onwards and Upwards.” It will livestream from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm BST in London, and from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm PHT Manila.

A senior panel of experts who draw inspiration from London’s cultural diversity and vast capacity for innovation will lead the discussions with topics ranging from filmmaking for social causes, communication coaching, business and professional ethics, and space architecture or the inevitable colonization of the planet Mars!

The carefully curated panel of speakers is an impressive composite of experts in their respective fields.

Here’s a quick view of the speakers and their chosen topics.

To know why they are uniquely qualified to speak on those subjects, check out their career backgrounds here.

The event is open to the public, but registration will be open only up to August 14.

Click here to get your tickets now at Eventbrite.

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A personal note about lead organizer Nicola Allen:

In the TEDxYouth@Fitzrovia web page, Nikki describes herself as an Activist, Brainstormer, Explorer, Performer, Student.

Well, she is all that and a lot more! Find out about her long list of other interests in this 2018 post. And, I might run the risk of being disowned 😊 if I fail to mention that she is the daughter of my friends Marites Allen, an international feng shui master, and Nicholas Allen, a British international executive. Nikki has three other siblings: Kirck, Kevin, and Shannen, who are all high-performers in their own rights.

Something to moo about in the Year of the Ox

(Banner image source: Vecteezy)

The Chinese New Year starts on Friday, February 12. As we may all know, each lunar year is associated with a zodiac animal, and 2021 is designated as the Year of the Ox. Based on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, this year’s Ox sign is also linked with the Metal element; thus, 2021 is specifically the Year of the Metal Ox.

In Chinese culture, the Ox is considered a power symbol, and an Ox year is usually seen as a more hopeful year. Just like the Gregorian New Year, the equivalent Chinese celebration should be the perfect time for us to rewire our thoughts and life intentions based on what we have learned from the previous year.

How may the Metal Ox help us pull through in uncertain times?

Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. Those born in the year of the Ox are generally known to be traditional and conservative. They may be slow to act but are very persistent and hardworking, such that once they have made certain decisions, they will hammer away despite difficulties. And given their unquestionable will power, they may be expected to almost always achieve their goals.

The Metal Ox, in particular, oozes with confidence and is strong-willed. This Ox is quite frank and may not always care about what others think or feel. But one good thing about this Ox type is that they will always deliver on what they promise to others. Although not very social in nature, they keep a circle of loyal friends who are always ready to help during difficult times. The metal element represents firmness, resistance, and clear thoughts. In relation to human nature, this symbolizes inner strength and discipline.

The Ox is also associated with the Yin energy, generally associated with feminine attributes, nurturing of family, and compassionate towards those in need. This trait will be very helpful in times when we have to rebuild emotional and spiritual strength during difficult times.

In whatever way we decide to navigate the Year of the Metal Ox, may we be inspired by the winning characteristics of its ruling animal:

• Focused and Determined — with a clear vision of the things that are really important to us and to achieve them given the resources available without doing harm to anyone.

• Stable and Persistent in executing our plans of action even when things seem impossible to overcome; and whenever difficulties arise, keeping faith that they will be resolved through hard work — and at times, with the help of family and true friends.

• And most importantly, by being Compassionate. This mindset is grounded in the principle of seeing beyond our personal needs — and perhaps placing the good of others, if not on equal terms, even higher than our own. This caring for others could be seen in many forms during the past year, and if maintained even after the pandemic, could be a true agent of change. It is, perhaps, the most critical factor in the reprogramming we need for the years ahead.

It is believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal. That should sound good for Ox-born people (like me 😊).

Let us take to heart the ideal attributes of this zodiac animal — Focused, Determined, and Compassionate. We may have different personalities and life pursuits. But it may not be such a stretch to believe that there’s a bit of an Ox in each one of us.

Happy Lunar New Year!

ON THE HORIZON

Where the sky meets earth – yes, the horizon – is a whimsical space. It evokes varying perspectives, depending on the viewer’s mindset and how he looks at what’s before his eyes.

“On the Horizon,” the first exhibit hosted by the Ocular Gallery, sets the stage for a vibrant mix of young, emerging, and established Filipino visual artists, where each one reveals his or her personal experiences with, and affection (or lack of it) for certain objects or events affecting our physical, social, and political milieu.

Expect to see varying and unique aesthetics in this maiden event curated by young art enthusiasts. The exhibit will run until November 10, 2020 at the Ocular Gallery, #240 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes Paraňaque City.

Some of the Featured Artists and their Works:

Farley del Rosario is a young contemporary artist known for his faux naïf style that exudes childlike simplicity and frankness. He has been commissioned to do cover illustrations for prestigious publications and many children’s books that have been nominated for special awards. He was named one of Nokia’s 10 Most Exciting Young Artists in 2009. Now based in Olongapo, he was instrumental in the launching of PICASO (Pro-Community Initiatives of Concerned Artists in Subic (Bay) and Olongapo). The group is involved in uplifting the local arts and culture through meaningful advocacy, such as livelihood, conservation, and community development projects.

Archie Oclos knows whereof he paints. Many of his large-scale works depict socio-political issues and the plight of farmers and indigenous people. Coming from a family of farmhands and fisherfolk and growing up in a working-class family in Catanduanes, he had seen the struggles of the underrepresented, facing issues such as land ownership and even fatal encounters with armed forces. He brings this truth to the public through street art — a free, very accessible, and very powerful medium. Archie has participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions over the last few years. He got his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in Painting from the University of the Philippines. He was a recipient of the 2018 Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The artist’s depiction of the sad plight of our farmers — that overworked and underpaid segment of our society — and local agriculture, in general.

Dex Fernandez is an artist who has successfully balanced both street and gallery art into producing socio-political mind trips. Through “Garapata,” a cartoon character inspired by a dog tick, he has showcased his art in street murals, stickers, and coffee bags – mixing deep and superficial views infused with his characteristic humor. He has participated in gallery exhibits not only in the Philippines, but also in Paris, Berlin, Taipei, and Hong Kong.

Anton Belardo, also known as Jellyfish Kisses, asserts herself as “trans” and “queer.” The self-affirming pronouncement also brings to light the numerous discriminatory issues faced by the LGBTQ community, which she represents. Creating art helped her fight depression as early as high school, with the full support of her father who indulged her interests, even for overtly girly things. Sadly, her father died when Anton was just 11.  On to adulthood, Anton felt the full impact of bullying, humiliation, and trauma related to her gender choice. Jellyfish Kisses has thus become her alter ego, to courageously project her inner self to the world – vulnerabilities and all — without fear of judgment.

View the rest of the featured artists and their works at https://www.facebook.com/oculargallery

For inquiries, call +63 956 7625 793 or e-mail oculargallery@gmail.com