(By: Cherrie N. Paniamogan, PhDEL Student)
It is known to almost everybody that Mindanao was hit by a string of strong earthquakes in the latter part of 2019, displacing tens of thousands of locals as their houses collapsed, their villages showing huge cracks; and landslides were almost everywhere.
One of those who fell victims to said string of strong earthquakes is known to PhD Candidates (then and now) of the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC): Dr. Rex T. Linao, the remaining pioneering professor of the PhD in Educational Leadership program. Dr. Linao hails from Batasan, Makilala, Cotabato, ground zero of October 31’s 6.5 earthquake. All houses in the barangay were totally damaged, saved for a few that remained standing though needing repairs. When the Barangay Captain died and several locals injured as caused by collapsed Barangay Hall and Barangay Gym and with the collapsing mountains threatening to bury the area; locals hurriedly left, leaving a ghost barangay.
With his parents and immediate family members safely evacuated, Dr. Linao embarked into organizing relief and medical missions. He reckoned that doing the same is in itself a coping mechanism for the loss that they suffered. Several individuals and organizations responded to Dr. Linao’s call, allowing him to organize several relief and medical missions. One of those who responded positively were UIC PhD Candidates under Dr. Linao’s care. Dr. Linao was telling the class that he (and his organization, the Foundation for the Development of Agusanons, Inc.) would organize a Christmas Party for Elementary and High School Students and he needed sponsors for gifts and foods. So on December 20, 2019; a group of almost 100 educators travelled to Batasan, Makilala, Cotabato. With us were gifts, foods & drinks, and the desire to bring happiness and good will to the weary and traumatized children.
What have I gained from this experience?
It is said that one of the simplest ways to gain satisfaction from life is dedicating some of our time to a cause that we feel passionate about. Community service, in particular offers numerous opportunities for us to utilize our talents to aid those in need of guidance and extra help. We discovered that serving others is an enjoyable experience especially that this facilitates the philanthropists in us. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone in his or her time of need out of the goodness of our hearts.
Also, the activity offered us the opportunity to reinforce our talents specially in facilitating games and programs to the children. Additionally, the activity taught us lessons on responsibility, flexibility, and patience, and it made the experience more unique, allowing us to meet people and children of various age groups.
Further, the activity helped us to learn to work as a team. It helped us to be an understanding person as one can never know what people are truly going through. It helped us realize the importance of selflessness and caring about others, that we do not have to do things in life just to get something back for our own benefit. Just knowing that we are helping someone in their time of need is rewarding enough, and we just want to do things to help others as much as we can. Community service is important not only to benefit the community, but also to teach the individual valuable life lessons.
The prime-movers. 5th from left is the author; 5th from right is Dr. Linao
Goods and gifts were readied. There were more than enough for every learner, included in the budget were the teachers and barangay officials who were victims themselves.
A pose after the party…
(n.b. This article was originally written for UIC Graduate School Newsletter. Ms. Cherrie is Director of Brokenshire College Toril)
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