I started this day at around 5:00am getting ready for yet another GK build with the organization, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA). Inspired by the Nescafe commercial, I literally made myself a cup of coffee (not exactly a good idea to let me do this, by the way. I take a while before i get the "right" mix which is still wrong. haha!), and yes, it was Nescafe because I just wanted to internalize the commercial, then rushed for the build as I had to be in school at 6:30. I, of course, arrived a few minutes after the call time. Don't ask why. Haha. Sorry. Haha.
Anyway, as I was travelling this morning, I was truly excited. Today marks the first time that there were so many Lasallians who came to spend time to volunteer at GK Baseco. I think that the last time I saw that many Lasallians go there was not even in person. In fact, it was in a video we unearthed thanks to Coach, and that was way back when I was just a frosh or sophomore, I think. If you have seen pictures of the past builds we had this year, you'd know that they were all held in GK Pinagsama. In so many ways, we are very thankful that GK Pinagsama hosted us when we needed to inspire organizations and volunteers who partnered with us, but there has been this longing in our hearts that always sought to find the place where God calls us to serve and use the best of our education to affect meaningful social transformation. Today, when I woke up, I felt really purposeful and happy because I knew that this day is the answer to our prayers. I knew that today will be part of a learning experience that has truly changed my life forever, and in so many ways, I hope that it would be the same for our new heroes.
GK Baseco has been home to a lot of us in GK La Salle (whether alumni or students). In fact, in the last year, there were just times when we literally went there to hang out. Call us crazy, but when you get to know the people there, you'd really feel that sense of community. They're like family. Personally, I know that like any other daughter or sister, I've had my share of misgivings to the community, and it took a while for me to figure things out. In my quest to answer the longings in my heart for the last two years, I figured that I also cannot ask people to be committed if I can't give them a concrete way to use their time, talent and treasure. Hence, this will continue to be a learning process for us, the core and volunteers, to come up with ways to see where people fit in.
I also think that when the core prayed for blessings today, God truly gave us the gift of knowing what we can and ought to do, and how we ourselves can learn in the process through the people we will serve with, that is, including the KB and SIGA of GK Baseco, as well as the challenges that we were going to face.
The day started earlier than expected. I was really happy to see the SIGA of Baseco and how they're growing. Yes, some of them are getting taller than I am. Haha. (I'm scared. Haha.) But I'm also happy that they were able to share their stories with confidence to the new volunteers. I'm also proud of the fact that they were able to tour the volunteers around the GK site and tell the story of each village with much detail. I just hope and pray that there will be more GK SIGA in Baseco in the future who will be like them. :)
Of course, since this isn't our first time, we let the new ones have all the fun and have a hand at what it takes to be a bayani. It wasn't easy because they had to transfer soil and gravel from one place to another, and according to them, it was hard yet once they'd accomplished the work, it was really fulfilling. I'm happy knowing that they were getting this warm and fuzzy feeling because that's where it all starts. I think that in some ways, these men and women who came to build will have something they can always take pride in, and hopefully, today, we've planted those seeds of faith and patriotism in their hearts.
In so many ways, I also became extra happy today because we were able to reconnect with people, starting with some of the KB. I was also happy when I saw Eman, the little boy I always play with whenever I go there. I can still remember the first time I saw him, and oh my, has he grown! (wag mo lang ako unahan, please, utang na loob! Haha!) It was fun playing with him again and his friend Janjan. I got exhausted just running around the plaza with them playing tag and carrying them! I am also happy to see the SIGA in Baseco whom I missed so dearly. I loved being able to make kumusta and catch up with them! Also, I was happy because we were able to talk to Tita Mae and started thinking of ways by which we can help in the community. Finally, I was happy seeing the GK volunteers, both new and old, trying to find their place in the movement. It all seems to fit in with our plans. I always remember Br. Mike saying, "Think big. Start small. Act now." I think that in some ways, we kind of figured how we can start small with our big plans.
I am also happy because we were able to share the vision with our fellow Lasallians in the hope that they too, will be inspired. It will be a long haul for us, but we need more bayanis to fuel the mission. It was also the first time we were able to integrate Lasallian values of faith, service, and communion, into our talks to make it relevant to the students. Sabi nga, madaling naging Lasalista pero mahirap maging Lasalyano. And hopefully, we were able to inspire them to aspire to become Lasallians in its truest essence. Thanks to the Gomez sisters for giving the talks, by the way. Kim, Fei, Donna and Cora, you guys are next in line! Haha! :)
Finally, I am happy that I got to go down GK La Salle memory lane. We've long planned to just go to Intramuros and hangout (sadly, we weren't able to find the place with the really good cheap food), but we did not know that the place had some historical significance to GK La Salle. Niki pointed out a place called Batibot with a tree on it where the BBB talks and GK La Salle itself was envisioned. We sat there for a while and I got goosebumps because I know that we still have a long way to go.
So what lies ahead after this build? Well, we seriously have to work on the Green Print 2017 now.
Okay. You may be wondering what the Green Print is. Well, I always say that it is a blueprint but it's green. Kidding. You know how blueprints are made to show the skeleton of a building? The green print is our way of really ensuring that from that strong backbone comes strong structures. How are we going to do it? By using our Lasallian education to be able to transform Baseco, initially through education and social enterprises. In the long run, we want GK Baseco to become a model community for social progress in the country. Sounds like a challenge, but through bayanihan, I think that we can make it possible. :)
Now, let me take this opportunity to thank and honor all the heroes who came and built with us. You just don't know how much you've contributed. Look forward to seeing more of Baseco in the coming weeks and months and years. Special thanks to JPIA who partnered with us again and promised us a next time. :D
(okay, I'm being told to sleep now because I haven't really rested since this morning! Haha! I'm gonna end this na!)
For now, I hope that we won't stop at doing builds. Let's get to know the community more and immerse. We hope that what we have done will be sustained developmentally. Let's move forward guided by the spirit of faith, zeal of service and communion in mission. Let us make the most out of our Lasallian education now. We are Lasallians and Filipinos now for a reason, and that is because we have a society to transform through our heroism. I also hope that we just don't do service out of a requirement that was imposed on us. In the words of one of our GK La Salle SIGA Scholars, "Ang service, ginagawa ko sya dahil tao ako." And I hope that it will be our reason. Everyone has equal worth and dignity, and I hope that we see the gem in every Filipino. :)
Finally, I am so happy to say that GK La Salle, we are finally home.
Br. Mike, allow me to quote you, as always. :D
"God be praised! Home is where the heart is and the heart of GK-La Salle is in Baseco, we have truly come home to serve where God invites us to serve. Alleluia!"
Have a great weekend everyone and WALANG IWANAN. :)
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