Most of the
parents taught their children to study well to get a brighter future, agree? To
make them happy, I studied well resulting to excellent grades. The time I
accepted my diploma and medals, I witnessed how my parents became emotional on
stage. May Mom was smiling but there are tears on her eyes. I don’t have
children yet but I know that for parent’s perspective, seeing their children on
a graduation is such a rewarding moment that gives them real happiness.
I started
working for a BPO company two months after graduation. Like what a usual
working individual does: work, receive paychecks, and spend it for something. With
my career improving, I was thinking that happiness
is already at this stage but I kept asking myself for something that is
missing. To balance my work and social life I go into mountaineering and
backpacking.
Photo taken in 2013
I created an
event for an island hopping, for our summer getaway, in Quezon Province where I
met a girl and a boy. We were having our breakfast when they passed by our
tents, playing “pass the ball” using
a coconut as their ball. They were both wearing dirty clothes and their skin
looks the same. We invited them to join us, and they did, and had a short
conversation.
Photo taken in 2015
The girl (seven years old) talks very
good, according to her, she needs to ride in a boat from the island to the
mainland and then walk an hour to school. Their parents can’t sustain her
financial needs daily, so she lives at her auntie house as a school girl, at a very young age. After two
years, I went back to the island with another set of friends. This time, I
brought few pieces of school supplies and printed photos taken when we first
met. My first statement was: “may ibibigay ako sa inyo,” and I handed it to
them. Before saying thank you, they hugged me like I am their older brother. There
was a unique feeling that I couldn’t explain but my happy hormones were alive. That
moment I easily thought: “that’s what I
am missing – to help others!”
Children in North Uyao, Oriental Mindoro
Eventually,
I started joining outreach programs, created by some mountaineering groups and
private individuals giving out slippers and school supplies to some tribe
members on the mountains. After joining several programs and giving out
something to others, I told to myself: “Joining
an event is good thing but creating my own event to help others is much better!”
Then with the support from my friends, I created Lamyerda Outreach. This
group is a bridge that connects people to reach out less fortunate.
Every time I
hear the words: “Salamat” and “Thank you,” the joy that I am feeling
is unexplainable and extraordinary. One of the most unforgettable experiences
was when we’re giving out school supplies to the Aetas in Zambales. A mother with
three children approached me and said: “maraming
salamat” while her tears rolling down her face. It happened for few seconds
but I can’t explain the emotion.
The
hardest but the happiest decision that I made was donating my long and gorgeous
hair to a Progeria patient, as a wig for her 18th Birthday. Progeria
is an extremely rare a genetic disorder in which symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at very young age. Just few weeks ago, I heard that she already
passed away. Sad news but I know that she already fulfilled her duty as an inspiration
to others even for a short period of time. Every time I am seeing this single
photo (photo above) it reminds me of
her amazing smile and how happy she was when I met her.
According
to Booker T. Washington: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for
others.”
Change is coming!
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