Those Red Boxes Quietly Went to Work!

Seconds after the earth shook last 06JUL2017, power was gone in all of Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), and even beyond. It did not come back fast as the main grid was badly damaged, and the aftershocks were making everything worse. As we write this story, power is not even fully restored. The region is still under rotational power outages, though the periods are getting shorter.

We thought of hopping by at some of our beneficiary communities, to see for ourselves how they are coping with the new calamitous situation - since we know, we are still way too far towards full recovery from Yolanda.

And, we found our 'quiet' hardy red boxes all seriously at work!

"Red boxes"? Ah well, that's a sobriquet we gave to the "Generator Sets" that we distributed to a number of health facilities in the Yolanda-affected corridor of Eastern Visayas! Yup, still under ADB JFPR Grant9175, Component B, implemented by DOH 8 :)

Here's a photo of one of those gensets:

Here's another photo showing the machine's size compared to people:

While some of these 'red boxes' have already gone to work as early as days after delivery (sometime 2016 until early 2017), many were put to really serious work after the July 6 earthquake. Quietly they do!

Quiet? Yes, almost even 'silent' haha! This new kind of genset has its own noise-reduction 'whatevers' built to the insides of that bright-red casing! How quiet? At about 3 meters, you can hardly hear it. Go a bit farther and you'll hear nothing of its engine whirring!

How helpful are these machines? Well, we did not really truly feel how critical a generator set would be to a rural health unit, until we went around to see and hear the health workers themselves thanking and telling us how big a problem they would have to face during these power outages without our red boxes! Nakakataba ng puso!

Here are some snippets:

In Mayorga, the machine sits at the very entrance to their RHU (eye sore?), but health personnel there say they'll soon find a place for this big little red box! A nurse told us how important power is to their many freezers and she beamingly told us: "plus, nakakanood kami ng Eat Bulaga kahit black out buong Mayorga"!

At Javier, the jolly PHN told us "sir, silent and heavy duty yan, salamat talaga sa tulong nyo, lalo na ngayon meron kaming bagong-panganak"! She invited us to see the mother and baby but we declined! Haha, the last time we were in this facility to check on the delivery of emergency and maternity kits, there was also a "bagong panganak" and they showed us they used the 'baby mitten' on the cute little new born and gave 'maternity pads' to the indigent mother!

Tunga RHU became a popular destination amongst townspeople during power outages, even with their executives! Why? Because these folks all need to have their gadgets charged, and the RHU kindly allows them to!

At the Capoocan RHU, after watching them reload fuel unto the running machine, we were told of so many things to be constantly refrigerated, (vaccines, meds, blood, etc etc), that without power, they would all go to waste.

Here are more of our observations:

At General MacArthur (Leyte), health personnel told us "its rest time for the generator sir, and the crudo has also just arrived"!

Likewise at Abuyog RHU1, their 'red box' was at rest with personnel telling us "3 to 6pm po ang brownout namin sir para makapahinga ang generator"!

Well, Jaro's red box is for 'emergency during emergency use only' laughs one of the municipal employees. Why? Because the red box that we gave is only used for the 3 or 4 hour periods in a day when the bigger yellow genset of the LGU has to rest. Yes, their big yellow thing can provide power to the whole municipal compound, including the RHU. But when it must rest, the RHU turns their red box on for continuity of power - at the RHU only!

Pastrana RHU's genset was hard at work when we visited. We were even still across the road and the nurse who saw us was already shouting her gleeful praises for the "not noisy" generator. Oh well, they have already built a nice "cage" for their unit. Nice!

When we reached Leyte, Leyte's RHU, we learned that they only use it at night... because the town was fortunate enough to already have consistent electric power during the day. At night? Ah yes, there are patients hehe, we almost forgot!

Barugo RHU had a wonderful story. Health workers there told us there's only a few gensets in the whole town. They also learned from the LGU's electrician that the power emanating from this, our 'red box', is more than what the whole RHU needs. Thus, the RHU decided to share this to the public! How? They connected some extension wires with electrical sockets spread just outside the entrance, and voila, FREE gadget charging for the whole town to take turns at! We salute you Dr. Calzita and staff!

Okay, we are going to check out other health units where we gave our silent red boxes, soon. But as of the moment, we already breathe with satisfaction... that things we gave have actually started becoming useful to our happy recipients! "We do not value the sun for its height, but for its use"! So said a journalist of long ago!

By the way, if you wanna know where these generator sets are? These can be found at:

Abuyog RHU1, Barugo RHU, Capoocan RHU, Isabel RHU, Jaro RHU, Javier RHU, Leyte RHU, Matag-ob RHU, Mayorga RHU, McArthur RHU, Merida RHU, Ormoc-Cogon District Health Center, Ormoc-Curva DHC, Ormoc-Linao DHC, Pastrana RHU, San Isidro RHU, Tabango RHU, Tacloban City Health Center, Tunga RHU, Villaba RHU - all in the province of Leyte. In Samar (Western) you can see these at Basey RHU, Hinabangan RHU, Jiabong RHU, Marabut RHU, Motiong RHU, Paranas RHU; and In Eastern Samar, we gave one each to Balangiga RHU, Guiuan RHU1, Llorente RHU, Quinapondan RHU and Salcedo RHU. Of course if you also have stories or observations on these generator sets, we'd be glad to hear from you!

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Investing in skills FOR youth

By Karen Joy Alcober, Communication Officer, Plan Int'l

“When I graduated high school in 2015, I knew I wouldn’t enter college because my mother could not afford to put me in school. I applied for a scholarship but I did not pass the exam,”
shares Victor, 19, from Samar.

Victor’s family could not afford to support his education. They lost their livelihood after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Unable to enter college, he tried to look for a job to support his brothers' and sisters’ education. But with no work experience and a high school diploma, he knew it would be difficult for him to find a decent work.

Victor’s story is the story of thousands of youth in the disaster-affected region and thousands more across the country.

untapped ASSET
According to the 2016 Labor Force Survey, the national unemployment rate is estimated at 6.1%. Of the total unemployed, half are from the age group 15 to 24 years old. Government data also shows that majority of the unemployed youth have not reached college.

It’s a challenge for disadvantaged youth to find decent work as many employers seek college graduates.

There is also a growing mismatch in the supply of graduates and the demand for skills. Many training courses are not linked to in-demand apprenticeship opportunities, resulting to trainees having lesser chances of employment. According to government data, only 10 out of 1,000 applicants are hired because they do not have the skills needed in the market.

A recent market study in Eastern Visayas commissioned by Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction shows also that high unemployment remains among youth coming from poor households.

Youth employment through skills based training
To address youth unemployment, Plan International works closely with the government through its Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote economic empowerment of the youth and communities in difficult situations and ensure their financial stability and security when crisis strikes.

In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and various funding partners, Plan International facilitated the training of more than 3,000 youth on welding, housekeeping, food and beverage servicing, food processing, computer hardware servicing, carpentry, electrical installation and maintenance, automotive and small engines servicing, and other in-demand skills. On top of that, all youth beneficiaries also received life skills trainings on financial literacy, digital literacy, family planning, safe migration, and disability inclusion awareness to enhance their employability.

Through this initiative, Victor has found employment as a mechanic.

“When I graduated high school in 2015, I never imagined I’d find myself a job a year after,” says Victor, who received training on Automotive Servicing and passed the national certification.

His training was funded by the government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

Victor’s story of finding decent work through TVET is considered a success, but many are not as fortunate as him.

Second class citizens?
“In the Philippines, TVET graduates are considered as second class citizens. Our society gives higher value to degree holders,” says Cleta Omega, regional director of TESDA in Eastern Visayas.

“We must change this. There must be a paradigm shift,” she adds.

According to Ms. Omega, there is still limited awareness and appreciation of the real value of technical skills education. Many youth still think that TVET is not a legitimate track to take, while some employers are hesitant to employ TVET graduates. Even youth with national certification for their skills still have difficulty finding decent work.

In a conference with the business sector last September, Plan International and TESDA officials talked to attendees about the stigma on TVET and called for a change of mind.

“There should be more investments in corporate citizenship, including partnership with civil society and close collaboration with government agencies working on the supply side to address employment issues moving forward,” says Peter Bellen, Plan International Asia’s Youth Employment Solutions Advisor.

“Companies and business groups should also look into unemployed youth as potential customers and clients. The youth will comprise the majority of consumers in the next 10-20 years, and if these unemployed youth get into decent wage or self-employment, they will have the resources to purchase goods and services,” he continues.

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Fishing net secures children's education

Fishing net secures children's education Every day, parents toil to secure their children's education and future. In a coastal community in Tanauan, a father leaves his family before dusk to go to the sea to fish; while, his wife repairs their remaining fishing net and attends to their children's needs. A little after sunrise the next day, he returns to shore to sell his catch of the day. He then returns home to his eager family, bringing with him his hard earned money for the day only to leave again a few hours later to fish again. This is what every day looks like for Michael Abalos, father of five. On a good day, he would return from sea with up to 15 kilos of fish, earning barely enough. But, when the waves are strong and the weather is not fine, he refrains from going to sea making it hard for Michael to earn for a living. Fishing is what he knows best, but he admits he was afraid to return to sea after Typhoon Haiyan washed away their home, fishing nets and fishing gears, leaving his family homeless and him without a livelihood. “But I had to be brave. I had to go back to the sea after the storm. Fishing is the only livelihood I know,” Michael, 34, shares. Months after Haiyan, he went back to fishing, trying to recover what he lost. Because he lost his own fishing net during the typhoon, he went fishing with a relative who still had nets to use. Their income from each catch sold at Php120 per kilo, but they had to subtract the expenses then divide the remaining amount among themselves, leaving him with barely enough for his family. With his two kids already in elementary school, those were very hard times for his family. So when Michael received his own fishing net through the grant given by the government of Japan through Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction to the Philippine government in January 2016, he knew that these were exactly what he needed. “The fishing nets are very helpful. Without them, I would still go fishing with others as a hired hand on their trips,” he shares. And a few months since then, Michael has begun to recover what he lost. His income increased. “Now that I have my own fishing nets, I don't have to share my earnings with anyone. I earn more for my family,” he continues. Fisherfolks come and sell their catch along the shoreline of Bislig, Tanauan. Aware that a fishing net only lasts for a couple of months, his wife Winifreda, 32, has begun weaving a new one. "Using the savings from having our own fishing net, we bought materials for a new one. Little by little, I am weaving one so by the time our current fishing net needs to be replaced, we have one ready," she continues. Fishing nets are invaluable for fisher folks like Michael and Winifreda. “Without fishing gears and nets, our livelihoods will be disrupted again.” Through the grant, Michael and the other fisher folks from his community also received basic Coastal Resources Management training facilitated by the Municipal Agriculturist Office of Tanauan in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The training aimed to teach fisher folks how to better protect coastal resources while securing sustainable livelihood. Only able to reach high school, Michael wishes for his children to finish theirs. “Because of the support we received, my wife and I are able to provide for our family’s needs and are able to send our children to school. I want them to finish their education,” he shares. Through the fishing nets, he did not only recover what was lost--his livelihood--but more importantly, he gained so much more. He secured his children's education.

Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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For a Father, Age Does Not Matter

"At last! We’re here. We survived!" These were the words I uttered with relief when we finally reached one of the most remote communities I’ve ever visited, Barangay Sulu-an. Being an island barangay 39.3kms away from mainland Guiuan in Eastern Samar, to reach Sulu-an is an adventure. It took our team almost four hours of travel on a medium-sized pump boat towards the open Pacific Ocean, to reach the island barangay. Amidst the big and daunting waves, we found the will and courage at the thought that when we reach our destination we would be welcomed by the hospitable people of Sulu-an.

On arrival, I immediately interviewed some of our local community partners who took part in the Cash for Work activities under the Livelihood Component funded by Asian Development Bank's Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. One person I had a chance to talk with is Tatay Melchor Badanoy, Sr.

Tatay Melchor is 58 years old. Despite his age, he is proud to say that he is still capable of working, and even lead his colleagues as they completed their Cash for Work activity. He shared, "Bisan na ako lagas, nahimo ko la gihap makipag-sabayan ngan akon pa gin tutdu-an hin sakto nga pama-agi an akon mga ig kasi cash for worker han pag limpyo ha amon barangay. Age doesn’t matter". (Even if I am old, I was still able to do what younger people could do, and I even taught my fellow cash for workers the proper way to clean our barangay. Age does not matter.)

After receiving his pay for 30 days of work, he used the money on three things, "Una, akon gin palitan hin mga gamit pan-eskwela an akon anak ngan apo sugad han mga sapatos ngan iba pa nga gamit pan-eskwela. Ikaduha, akon napa-ayad an amon pump-boat nga naguba han lumabay nga kalamidad. Ngan usa pa, kahuman mismo namon paka-karawat han akon sweldo, ako ngan han akon misis pumakadto merkado han Guiuan para mangumpra hin mga igbaraligya ha amon barangay". (First, I bought school supplies for my children and grandchildren like shoes and other school needs. Second, I had my pump boat, which was destroyed by Yolanda, repaired. Moreover, after I received my salary, me and my wife went to the market in Guiuan to buy items which we intend to sell in our barangay.) Excited to share what he has bought, he even stood up and rushed into his home to get the receipts for the goods they bought. Seeing all the receipts, it surprised me that he, indeed, was able to purchase a lot.

Furthermore, he shared that with a little bit of hard work and determination, he and his wife will be able to sustain his mini-assorted store and newly repaired pump-boat to provide for his family. "Diri ko gud sasayangan an iyo bulig ha akon ngan ha mga Sulu-anon". I will not waste the help you gave me and the Sulu-anons.)

Barangay Sulu-an, though isolated from mainland Guiuan, with meager resources, is abundant with inspiring stories of even more inspiring people like Tatay Melchor. And although travelling to the island is a challenge, to say the least, it is a place worth coming back, every time.

Jiggs Venick Garcia
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Plan International, Inc.
(Implementing Partner of ADB-JFPR Grant 9175 Project, Sub-component A.2)

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Color Matters: Colors Matter

Have a look at the following classrooms and let's talk about colors!

At Tugbong Central School in Kananga, Leyte:
Dark-green window grills; green door/window jambs; aquamarine baseline paint!

light-green wall, dark-green cabinet; green baseline-paint, mouldings, jambs;
aquamarine blackboard frame

At Cacao Elementary School also in Kananga, Leyte:

Classroom on the left has light-yellow walls with dark-yellow (well, almostbrown) mouldings, with yellow cabinets, but with a green window frame!
  Classroom on the right (an adjacent room with that one on the left) has
greens and light-greens like it is at Tugbong ES. But with red electric fans!

At San Isidro Elementary School in Hernani, Eastern Samar:

Dark Green baseline paint. Nice! But they made the railing also dark green instead of the usual "stainless"
  

Different shades of green inside classroom!

At Calsadahay Elementary School in Burauen, Leyte:
  
Its a combination of greens and yellows, but notice the baseline paint and the grills - brown! 

At Garawon Elementary School, Hernani Eastern Samar:
  Its generally the same as above, without the yellows and browns!

At Salvacion Elementary School in Dulag, Leyte: the yellows prevail!
 

Seeing the increasing number of these classrooms done under the ADB JFPR Grant 9175 fund, with what seemed like randomly selected interior colors, I approached Vince the supervising engineer (Engr. Vince Cabaluna), with my little observation. And I said: "I actually like the look and feel inside these classrooms (Salvacion Elementary School's newly built 4 classrooms), they're airy bright, even if I imagine there are 40 to 50 pupils. But why is it different in every school we have turned over? Don't we have a uniform plan on this? Don't contractors get enough paint prior to constructing these classrooms?"

The crisp answer was "ilaha man na choice, sir (that was their choice, sir)" - as he pointed to the kids.

Me: I see. When did this happen?

Vince: Just before the paint job. The CDF (community dev't facilitator) with the help of teachers gathered all classes identified to occupy these rooms. Then they conducted something like a playshop until the kids were already in the mood for an artwork activity.

Me: All four sections? Including the little ones to occupy that room at the end?

Vince: Yes. The kindergarten pupils really did identify what colors they want! They would even have their own little debates before agreeing on a color!

Me: How was the matter opened to them?

Vince: The kids were told 'if they had to choose the colors of their new classrooms, what would those colors be'? Then they were presented some 30 color patches and combinations, together with presenting them what parts of the entire room needed a color.

Me: Interesting! But, won't the DepEd scold us for this?

Vince: No. We already asked the regional offices and they told us, the donor may choose their colors, so that it'll be easy for them and DepEd to remember who gave what.

Me: Thanks. Now this is really building back better. You, our implementing partners considering the needs and wants of the direct beneficiaries themselves, that's superb.


Thus went my long curious conversation with Engr, Vince. He promised they'll ensure I witness first-hand the next "coloring session"!

Dear readers, this may seem trivial to many of us. But, imagine this: wouldn't you want to choose the colors inside your bedroom? Or even your entire house? A classroom is where these kids live for the greater part of their waking hours. So they better have a hand on how it should look and feel! It is their right, I think. And good that Plan International recognizes that! Color does matter in building back better - happier!

Alright folks, I'll let you in on my story once I get to witness the next "coloring session"!
Abangan...

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Shutting a School Down?

Yes we are!
That's the Salcedo National High School, in Salcedo, Eastern Samar.

But we'll build a new one. A better one!


What's their story? Here we go...

Built by the marshes and mangroves, the entire campus of Salcedo National High School was knee-deep in mud and debris after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). And there's no more telling up to how high the sea level rose during the height of the super typhoon. Every student, teacher or employee in this school can easily point to the watermarks near the ceilings (of the few rooms that did not vanish).

Students and teachers are now back at those that remain "usable" even if dilapidated. But others are left without anything, so they hold classes at every available space or shade like under a big tree.

Let's take a few more glances around the campus, shall we?

The principal's office is still dark, but respectably back in business, even if it is surrounded by crabs of all sizes, little fish and others from Nemo's and Dory's world, especially during high tide!

Teachers have just moved to their 'new' faculty room - a comfort room they have converted into an office, complete still with the toilet bowl! Can you see it? Look behind the chair towards the innermost part. The bowl's water closet is shiny!

So is their "Publication Office"! That is the pair.., the other comfort room, converted to become the "publication office"! Just the same, this other room serves as an extension of the "faculty room" since only a few teachers can fit in there at any given time!

Why is this so? Because, a humanitarian agency built a new comfort room just across this little rundown structure that should have already been demolished. But the teachers said "hep hep hep, hold your horses, we can still make use of it as faculty room and publication office. Oh ha?!

Now here below is the "science laboratory"... well, at least there are drawings of scientists' faces, and there is a model human skeleton inside the cabinet! But, that is it!

The library... new books, but...


And this is a Home Economics Room...


They do have a stock room...


And a "School Canteen"!

This place is in Barangay 2 of Salcedo. No humanitarian/aid/development agency would help the school, only because everything is built within the 40 meter no-build zone. Oh well, make that rule even 5 meters and the school will surely still be in that zone!

But, the ADB JFPR Team, together with our implementor (Plan International) could not close our eyes on this school and the future of all these kids.

Make the long story short. DepEd owns a property just behind the Salcedo Central Elementary School, the LGU made some checks, all authorities helped out... and voila! We are building a new Salcedo National High School Campus at Barangay 9. And the new disaster resilient building to be built by Plan International with funding from ADB JFPR Grant 9175, will not only tower over the town proper, but it will also sit beside an in-progress building being built by UNDP to become the town's evacuation center!

When done, it should look something like this:


Ground works have started...

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Moving On: No Longer 'Out of School'

In May and June this year, Plan International's Community Development Facilitators conducted one-on-one consultations and Life Skills Training to Out-of-School-Youth (OSY) beneficiaries under the ADB JFPR Grant 9175 Sub-component A2. They were given orientation of the different courses available—skills and values they will learn and possible employments after the training. Also, through life skills training, their hearts and minds were set to have the right disposition as they embark on this new chapter in their lives. Back then, the reality of finally starting their technical/vocational training seemed like a distant dream. But this dream is finally becoming a reality for 17, out of almost 200 OSY—the first batch of beneficiaries under the grant.

On that fateful rainy Monday morning of June 29, 2015, 2 OSYs from Burauen, 3 from Dulag, 2 from Kananga, 1 from Balangiga, 2 from mainland Guiuan and 7 from the islands of Suluan and Homonhon were enrolled at Kananga EDC Insitute for Technology (KeiTech) in Barangays Rizal and Hiluctugan, Kananga, Leyte. KeiTech, does not only provide skills training but also values and discipline formation through rigid military-style training.

Arriving in two batches, one from Leyte and the other from Eastern Samar, they were accompanied by Plan International's Community Development Facilitators assigned in their barangays. The Leyte team arrived at 11 o’clock and were surprised to see that the induction for the training had already started. But still, the OSY and Plan Staff were welcomed warmly by the KeiTech staff and administration. Eagerly they listened to the orientation and promised to do well in the training.

It was a different story for the Eastern Samar team. 7 OSY had to travel from the islands of Suluan and Guiuan a day prior because they had to leave Eastern Samar at 6:00 o'clock in the morning. While on their long travel to Kananga, Leyte, there were a few mishaps. Maybe it was the excitement of finally starting the training or maybe it was the long travel, but the van had to stop a few times because some of the OSY were not feeling well. Instead of arriving at the venue by noon, they arrived in the afternoon. Still, despite the long and arduous travel, their excitement did not falter. No amount of rain nor long travel can stop them from fulfilling their desire to start their skills training and to settle to a more stable employment.

As they enter KeiTech with excitement and eagerness, many more are excited for them -- their families, fellow community members, Plan International staff, ADB consultants and other partners. On this fateful day of June 29, 2015, they are no longer Out of School Youth. And in the coming months, equipped with skills, values and discipline, they shall embark on an even more exciting chapter in their lives - employment.

Karen Joy C. Alcober
Plan International Communications Officer- ADB/JFPR Project

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CFW: Productive Fun... and Paid!

Cansumangkay is a community (barangay) in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. Many of the residents (young and old alike) in this community recognize me, even from afar. Even when I come around not wearing my ADB-EMY/JFPR shirt! Ah, for having been around this place a number of times, I am now a common face.

Earlier today, we just attended a very simple but memorable "soft-handover" of some classrooms at their elementary school that we had repaired via DSWD Kalahi.

As I was already in the area (before heading to the far capital city of Borongan to attend a DP/DRR meeting), I roamed around nearby places to have a peep at the on-going CFW (Cash For Work) activities sponsored by Plan International with funding from ADB JFPR Grant 9175.

Can't hide, can't be incognito! Even from afar, I admit I do disturb these folks, because 100% of the time they'll stop and drop everything they're doing just to smilingly wave at me or greet me a good day. And in two of the two encounters I did this morning, the tables seemed to have turned on me! This time, I was the one receiving questions instead of my usual "kumusta po kayo" spiels! How?

Well, as I neared the canal (yes, a drainage canal) that circles the Cansumangkay Elementary School, a CFW recipient was first to greet me and first to pepper me with a barrage of questions and comments. Personal at that! Like? Like this...

Hi sir, kumusta ka (how are you), thank you pala han school building (thank you for the school building), ngan thank you hini nga am cash-for-work (and thanks for this cash-for-work program for us). I was just about tryng to utter a reply to the "kumusta ka" portion of everything she said, but she was so fast to follow it with "kumaon ka na sir" (have you had breakfast sir)? Kaaga daw niyo yana sir ginpirit gud niyo mahiabot han flag ceremony (you're too early today sir, you must have forced yourselves to catch the flag ceremony). Harayo baya it Tacloban, ma-tulo ada ka-oras (Tacloban is far, it probably takes 3 hours coming here). Adto didto an amon iba nga grupo (over there are our other groups). Sir ano ito picture kon video, pakitaa gad kami ha FB (sir, what is that you're taking, pictures or videos, please let us see them on FB). Agi sir, dida ka la, ayaw na ngadi kay malagay (gosh sir, please stop there, don't come nearer as it is muddy).

With all that, all I was able to manage was a smile and a bow.

And yes, I was taking pictures - to which they always wanted to make a pose. Yeah, it's ultra hard to take a candid photo of them at work, as they would really literally want to pose (not pause, mind you) once they sense that you are aiming with a camera! Haaay, but I do get to manage aiming for a wider shot where others farther away may not be aware am taking pcitures or videos! The rigors of photographing live friendly subjects in action. Hey, is this part of my TOR? Well, whatever, I love the challenge just the same!

At this group of volunteers, I was (at least) able to banter with them and ask "if their activity was worthwhile enough and useful enough for their community". Argh! I was barraged with a lot of answers in a bevy of synonimity to "they're not only enjoying the canal work, but they are happier their output will ensure the school where their children are will never get flooded anymore, ever" or something like that! There, I got many a heartfelt answer! Nagtanong pa kasi ako hahaha!

Then I walked a block away (further out to residences at the back side of the school) and just as the other group told me, I stumbled upon another CFW group, also digging another drainage canal - a bigger, longer and winding one. I was already taking shots with my camera as I approached.

Suddenly, a giggly lola shrieked "sir, ayaw anay, mag-u-uniform kami" (wait sir, we'll wear our uniforms) and she like commanded to those not wearing their blue uniforms to immediately wear them. Fun to realize that everyone had theirs just nearby, in plastic bags or hung at tree branches. One jolly manong was even saying, "facebook facebook whacky-whacky"! I asked why some uniforms were just brought but not worn. And, just as I expected, a very Filipino trait, the reply was: "kay bag-o sir, puydi ini i-singba, sayang maghuhugaw" (because they're new sir, we can still wear these to church, we don't want them dirtied here).

I kept going around, but somewhere by the muddier areas one had to stop me saying I was not wearing rubber boots and was offering to lend me his. I said no need, and another man joked saying I may not proceed as I was not wearing proper working attire. That made all of us laugh. And the banter ensued! Like someone joked: "call these Plan people and ensure to give proper attire to visitors"; or "no uniform, no pay"; or "accident prone area, where is your helmet" and many many more, including one guy who told me my driver might speed away leaving me with them, if he saw that my shoes were muddied! I could sense they were having fun even in the mud!

When the stomach-wrenching laughter subsided, I posed my usual question still in a joke mode asking if at all their activity was worthwhile enough to the barangay. Awr, it was almost a chorus - that this activity they were doing would ensure the barangay won't any more get flooded, as the excess rain water from the fields would freely flow out into the river far behind their village.

I believed them, this is not a so-so size/depth/length of a canal they were digging. This is a "real" thing. And I loudly wondered if they'd ever get to finish that length. The 'chorus', a bit serious this time, was again in one tune saying... they have to, it's not just for them but for all residents in the community, and the rainy season is nearing fast. Yeah, I believed them.

As we were already in a friendly banter, I dared ask them why they all seemed to be in quite a jolly mood, with some even singing songs from time-to-time, yet they were seriously digging a pesky canal. And I liked their answer: that they're just like having fun on a picnic (but near their homes) yet they know they're collectively doing something to help their very own community. And one woman holding a shovel exclaimed "and we even get paid for this"! To which I heard a lot of exhuberant yeses!

I do believe them, and I like them!

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