An Encounter with Nanay Nita: For All Filipinos and for the Philippines

                    Yesterday, I went to UP Manila to submit my official NMAT result as part of their major requirements. The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was actually packed with folks in queue seeking for free medciations I think. I thought of going inside to see the setting in this government hospital but time constraints and the number of people seemed to suggest not to. My next stop should be UERM (University of the East) (for the same reason) near SM Sta. Mesa but the bus that is suppose to bring me directly to the school will be coming from Ayala Boulevard and I was that time along Taft Ave. in Pedro Gil MRT station. I asked the traffic enforcer then which among the public utility vehicles will fetch me to UE and he said in reply, “Sakay ka ng Recto iho tapos sakay ka ulet ng pa-Cubao naman [Take a jeepney to Recto then ride another one to Cubao]” telling me in short, I have to cut trips. I was as much as possible saving money so I decided to push through the one-ride option near PNU (Philippine Normal University). I strode across streets under the scourging heat of the midday sun as I was hoping to reach UE before lunch break until I heard someone softly uttered, “Iho (Son)”. I stopped right then for I knew it must be me (no one’s walking that time except for an old woman I got ahead of and left behind). “Po?” “Bakit po ‘Nay?” I inquired. She asked me in reply, “Ser, baka naman pwedeng makahingi ng tatlong (3) piso para makabuo ako ng siyete (7) [Sir, can you give me 3 pesos to complete my 7 peso-fare]”. She’s too old so I chose to escort her. She was using her decrepit umbrella to support herself as she struggles to go to the next jeepney stop. My worries on the long walk waned as I accompany this weak woman who seemed too strong to endure the striking heat above us. We passed by a food stand so I bought her a biscuit and distilled water. Her name’s Nita. She came from Bicol, couldn’t remember exactly where. She’s actually staying with her two nieces in Blumentritt but they weren’t able to come with her since both have their own matters to deal with. I got so interested with her so I asked her where had she been before we met. Much to my surprise when she lead my eyes to a big exposed wound on her left leg. She’s diabetic and she just got from the PGH for her check-up. She recounted, “Mag-isa na lang talaga ako, matagal na wala akong asawa [I am actually living by myself, I’ve been a widow for long]”. She added, “Bumiyahe lang ako dito sa Maynila para ipasuri ung mga nararamdaman ko kahit wala akong trabaho [I travelled here in Manila to have my condition checked even though I don’t have any source of income]. “Wala na rin kasing mga doctor sa amin [We’re lacking doctors as well]. I was actually filled with awe on her courageous character to travel with her old age and feeble condition until I felt much more significance on the real state of medical profession and services in the rural regions. I pondered on her last statement not knowing I wasn’t attending to her question until she patted me and said, “Ikaw, saan ka nanggaling? Taga-saan ka? [And you, where are you from?]”. I told her I just got from UP PGH too and that I am an aspiring medical student of the said institution. I have had my interview scheduled and that I am so excited to pursue medicine. I didn’t know at first if that impressed her when she said, “E di maigi yan, Iho [Good for you, boy]” until she added, “Maganda yun! Pupunta ka dito sa siyudad o kaya sa Amerika para yumaman ka! [That would be great! You’ll go here in the city or in America and get rich!]”. I said immediately with no hesitations, “Hindi po! Dito lang po ako sa Pilipinas magsisilbi, mas maraming nangagailangan sa akin dito, may doctor naman sila doon [No, I’ll be serving the Philippines, they need me more here. Besides, the city or abroad has their own doctors]”. She stared at me for a while, until she uttered these inspiring words worth keeping, “Sana ganyan na lang (mag-isip) lahat ng doktor [I hope that all doctors will be like you]”. We’re actually a few steps to the traffic light so I said, “Pangako po [I promise]”. I accompanied her to a jeepney and told her to take good care of herself. She just made a simple glimpse and smiled in return.

                    It was a great encounter for me and I haven’t imagined such. My encounter was an actual call for the present and future doctors to serve our fellow Filipinos not because we vowed to but because we ourselves see and feel the need to (Well, I hope we do and we respond to it too). I am not that sure if she actually practiced stereotyping when I told her I wanna be a doctor as she replied I’ll be working overseas or in the city but if ever that’s the case, for sure, that oversimplified category originated because it’s the actual scenario in the Philippines (and that she herself has observed that doctors migrate to the high-paying areas). My experience further strengthened my will to stay and serve the locals. A simple conversation with Nanay Nita opened my eyes to the true situation of the underprovided. I am really inspired to change this stereotype among professionals of all areas. I saw in her eyes and smile great hopes for me and for everybody who will know our simple encounter. I’ve learned a lot from her; things only our hearts can understand.

                    I wrote this blog not only for the medical professionals but for all Filipinos striving to have better lives. We don’t need to search for greener pastures; we have our own so why not nourish it ourselves so it will eventually turn green itself. Our fellow Filipinos are in dire need of our help. It may not be fashionable to profess love for our country nowadays but the pinnacle of every profession is to work for the benefits of our fellow Filipinos.

For the Philippines,
John Mark Katindig Torres
 
 
I got the image from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgyRGZNPEJGTeq2wNvFf88ty2g-ux88bldFYA0mIlB8FykG7hks-QBpQgJa6hyphenhyphenoYS7MnQcJTIuvjxPtaxfcqFuOeEgj40Ofj_nW83NWNMlsvCiLJwEC7KWb3auktOZCv9pdO5Oy0W1l0/s400/the_doctor_is_out.gif and edited it.

Life's Trainee

I still consider myself a student, with no other aspects concerned or vague and deep interpretations included, at least for this semester even if had already received my college diploma last April, ‘cause I am still indeed a student. I think there exists a driving force in me motivating me to study further, to learn more things life has to offer, exploring any possible stuff I haven’t yet encountered. I feel so eager to improve myself in many ways; all of which I always remind myself to pay attention to, to become a holistic individual. Right now and in the next six years of my life, I’ll be investing a lot for the fulfilment of my greatest dream; one thing I could barely imagine would be possible. To pursue a medical career has always been a dream of mine but things would not be that easy to get. Reality most of the time suggests that sometimes we should be satisfied with what we have or to the extent of what we can acquire but I do not in particular stick to it. I firmly believe that in one way or another we can still have what we dream of and be what we aspire to be, just in time we didn’t expect it to happen, even when odds do not permit it and sternly persisting against our plans.

Four years had gone so fast and it took me a while to face the fact that my status as a student now faces its end. It made me then wonder how did it happen and to whom do I owe the inspirations I had in pursuing the last four years of my student life. April 24 marks the last commencement exercise I will be attending but it does not signify that I should stop striving for my improvement as a person. The idea that I will soon be graduating even welcomes me to a new phase of my life, a stage far different from what I used to have in the past 20 years of my life. I could still remember, when I was in second year high school, I was wishing of being a working man, earning for the family with no other concerns, but now, it seems like I’m craving for more years as a student, afraid of losing dependence from the older ones. But this is life, the changes occurring are irresistible. Only by complying with these changes that we will find ourselves caught in another set of opportunities and challenges life offers for further growth and development. I always keep in mind what Stephen Covey said about our capabilities; that it needs kaizen or continuous improvement. For me, my life is like a recipe. The main ingredients of my character have already been identified yet the seasonings that will add up more taste and twist to me as a holistic individual are not yet discovered. Well, I believe that I am not fully equipped to deal with the challenges that I may encounter but the inspirations and perseverance to achieve those residing in my soul serve the source of my strength to pursue things. A never-ending road awaits for us to take.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Endeavours For a Worthwhile Sacrifice: Unveil the Significance of the Course

I enrolled myself in Literacy Training Service 2 on my last semester in 3rd year (2008-2009). It was in response to the required National Service Training Program units before I finish college. That experience made me realize the importance of including the said course in our curriculum. I got this archive from my folders when I was arranging my files. Hope you’ll end with some realizations or awareness of the true situation of the primary education in the Philippines.

                    My first encounter with the Sta. Isabel Elementary School revolved around three points: the room where the class is being held and will be held unfortunately throughout the semester, my students of different backgrounds and characters, and the teacher who appeared to be so idle (that’s I guess the way I can describe her). First to deal with, though I am used to see old rooms and facilities in institutions like that, I was still surprised by the condition of the room. I used to wonder then how will our voices be heard well in the said room with outworn walls which are incapable of confining sounds. Luckily, I was still able to find some facilities like fans working well and the comfort room which is I believe an important portion too. With regards to the students, I may appear prejudicial but I do believe that they are truly friendly and approachable. Most of them as I have observed form groups and I think it might be because they really knew one another and that it is really the nature of kids. Boys form their own groups as well as the girls. Concerning my encounter with the teacher, meeting her, honestly, made me feel secured from the fact that the students are definitely dealing with a very good mentor during the course. The manner in which she delivered her ideas, experiences and perceptions was really convincing (at least that moment I asked her about the conditions of the students). The gestures she made contributed big points as she imparted every little thing she knew making her in the end (of our short conversation) very efficient in conveying her insights on the characters and performances of her students (academically and on behavioural aspect).

                    The students like any other kids of their age are very playful. Every time we facilitators allow them to take a break, they always proceed to the school yard and play vigorous games. Luksong baka I think was the game the boys used to play and which scared the hell out of me. During their recess, we facilitators still used to guide and watch them play and find their activity not safe for them. I have never been like that when I was still a kid, but no regrets because I chose not to. Anyway, I used to watch the girls too. It appeared that they tend to compete with the boys’ energy and activeness by playing similar games within their group. They were indeed very energetic. It’s as if that will be the last game of their lives. Oftentimes, they shout at each other, say bad words I didn’t expect those kids can utter. I wasn’t surprised yet knowing that those students have different backgrounds.

                    At first I appeared in front of the students as if I was just forced to do some “outreach” works in turn to pass the course but I realized then how important it is to attend to the needs of those students. Hard as it may seem and benefits from our works might be vague, the internal satisfaction of helping children understand things (academic matters) better is what I had learned to develop along the way. I also realized that it a part of returning what the Lord had given me, something that I can give in return to the kindness and the blessings our Lord showed, gave and made me feel.

                    I remember then the times where I used to wake up early in the morning to prepare for their class, to plan how the activity will be interesting and how can I make their day fruitful and worthwhile. That was indeed a worthwhile sacrifice. Honestly, it wasn’t easy to travel for about an hour to stay and teach the students, students I don’t even know after all, students I’m not familiar with. It had been a sacrifice both for our time and the money we spent for the trips’ fare, a sacrifice I realized that was very sensible.

                    I now understand the essence of life and the significance and purpose of my existence better than the way I have used to perceive it. I learned that I am not living in this world, that I am not here to be served but to serve my fellows. I realized that our country badly needs volunteers to conduct free services in teaching, livelihood and outreach programs and the like. We, who are able to acquire and enjoy lots of privileges, should give back in return the blessings, the luck and good opportunities we received and continuously receiving.

                    We can’t live alone and that’s a fact we should live with. Many of us want an ideal community but how can we reach that dream if we, who are capable of making changes in the society will not take the first step, show some initiatives that we are concern with such. Dreams will remain dreams for as long as we are not doing anything, for as long as we depend with one another’s presence, nothing good will happen. Our country can’t wait and it badly needs kind-hearted Filipinos who do not only recognize the country’s needs but also take response and actions for it.

                    In the course of our lives, there will come a time when we are to deal with people of different culture, outlooks and perceptions of life. The bottom line of these things is that there are many things we need to explore and understand in this world and that our lives should not revolve only in our chosen fields for life’s lessons (as I have experienced during the literary service) are best learned through socialization, acquaintances, experiences and offerings. I offered my time, a commitment I will never forget, a bond with people I didn’t even know in the first place, to the Grade 3 students of Sta. Isabel whom I learned to love, everything was worth it.

                    I am 20 years old and I know my country depends on me. I promise to do then my responsibilities as its citizen. Many of us then tend to lag behind the ideas of life and sacrifice and so I will promise myself not to be like those people who after had reached and touched their goals in life will not look back anymore to where they had been before. I will not let my country down and so will I for my fellow Filipinos. To understand what our country underwent through in time would be the very first thing we should develop. What follows then would be our response to the needs it has silently proclaiming for years.

                    The nature of human beings goes like this; one will not do something innovative, something that will induce changes unless someone who is prominent will take initiative. We barely depend on orders and laws that we believe can respond to the needs of our country but how long will it take for a proposal to be accepted, for an idea to be relatively put into an effective action? We need to resign ourselves and get submitted to the needs of Filipinos. After all, who can help our fellows but only we who have been taught of what can sacrifice and offerings do.

                    The magnitude of offering does not dwell only in physical manifestations. It can be thoroughly observed in the changes we can induce to the people we used to mingle and helped go along with their lives. The idea that we can lend a hand for them gives them hope and faith in their capabilities, to what an ordinary individual can do for the betterment of his surroundings, of himself. We are in this world to co-create with God by extending, by spreading His love for us. Life spent for any other purpose is meaningless. We must abandon a thought system based on fears that we are to do for our fellows will not do anything good to us for the joy it brings definitely boundless, implying the magnitude of its power that is on the hearts and minds of the people we can help. It is a way of leaving a good mark in this world full of doubts, fears and hopelessness. Let us bring hope, love and care by offering ourselves to the Filipinos, to the Philippines who badly need our assistance, who definitely after our sacrifices, who really need our attention, to build a strong sense of being a unified country that by all means will help one another achieve the goals of a wonderful and meaningful life. Let us take the first step towards the success of non-evanescent outcomes of our sacrifices and unveil the world with love for one another. Our life will be meaningless unless we take part of and touch the lives of other people. By affirming that we love our fellow Filipinos in every situation, we actualize then the power of sacrifice and offering. Let us make people feel love in their lives even though the world has become a rather loveless place.

John Mark Katindig Torres