Heeding a higher call.

When I was asked to give a testimonial on how CWTS has made an impact on my life, I started thinking:

ANO NGA BA? MERON NGA BA? ANO BA TALAGANG NAGING SILBI NITO SA BUHAY KO? TALAGA BANG NAKATULONG AKO O GINAWA KO LANG TALAGA DAHIL REQUIRED?

And then I realized. WALANG KWENTA PALA TALAGA ANG CWTS! Inaksaya ko lang ang oras ko na dapat ginamit ko nalang para makapaglibang ako. Sobrang alam nyo yun, nakakafrustrate pala talaga... kasi...

Walang kwenta yung CWTS kung nung natapos ako nung program ko, hindi ko naisip na pahalagahan yung mga tao sa paligid ko.

Walang kwenta yung CWTS kung nung natapos ako, nanatili pa rin akong bulag at mangmang sa mga tunay na nangyayari sa buhay ng mga kababayan natin.

Walang kwenta yung CWTS kung nung natapos ako, ang inisip ko lang ay sarili ko bago ang iba.

Walang kwenta yung CWTS kung hindi ko narealize na required ito hindi dahil sa required ako by law, pero dahil required ako dahil ginawa ako ng Diyos na taong malayang nakakaisip at nagmamahal.  

We are a privileged minority here in this country. We have been blessed to have an education that does not just seek to equip us with skills that will take us further into our careers, to earn big money and to get the highest position at a multinational.

Yes, it is true. Our parents are paying so much for us to have a Lasallian education, and it is but natural for them to tell us that after we have graduated, we have to look for jobs that will pay us well and allow us to afford a luxurious lifestyle. But being a Lasallian is so much more than that. Allow me to share my own experience.

I first set foot in DLSU, believe it or not, when I was three years old. At that time, just being here was enough to make me feel privileged. Being a Lasallian then made me feel like it was all about achieving and making me work for good enough grades so that I can enter DLSU.

I formally entered DLSU 14 years later as a college froshie, hoping to finish my degree in International Studies on time. I took CWTS because my tita wouldn’t allow me to take ROTC (and she did give the officers a stern look when they approached me to do ROTC instead of CWTS)

It was in second term when I had my C1. We were deployed at Gawad Kalinga Manolo in Valenzuela. At that time, it was only Tito Roger and Tita Mila’s house that was built and finished (and had a really nice CR) May billiards table pa! So you can imagine, all of my classmates wanted to be assigned at that place. Funny thing? Me and two of my friends, Ruthy and Regz were the privileged ones. In the course of our program, we had a facilitator who really tried to look after our needs despite having a very hectic work schedule, and so there were times that my friends and I  had to step up and make sure that everything was okay. I remember that we used to hold our tutorial classes for the kids on the first floor of one house. I remember playing cards with our host’s daughter, Lorna. Each Saturday, my friends and I took turns to sponsor lunch. And towards the end of the day, we played billiards. Tita Leling used to be the one person we went to for attendance. During our last major CWTS day, we brought all the kids to Manila Zoo for fun. 

I felt true happiness at that time. And it did really make a difference in the way that I saw things because first and foremost, I was able to build a relationship with the community and truly empathize with them.

But of course, college life had to go on. I have to be honest. Like all good things, CWTS came to an end (or so I thought it did).

I fell into the traditional cycle of seeking out positions in organizations, being active to “build my resume.” At that time, it made sense to me because I had to get into Unilever or the United Nations, whichever one had a vacancy first. And maybe if I got there, did some CSR. That was my dream. And in the process of working hard to build MY future, I’ve forgotten about the poor. Iniwan ko sila. I have left them behind. I forgot what true happiness was. I had replaced it with “pleasure”. And as Dylan Wilk, former 8th richest Bachelor in the UK turned social entrepreneur in the Philippines who sold all his BMW’s to build 700 GK homes put it: “Pleasure is different from happiness. Pleasure is a fire that needs constant fuelling with new clothes, new cars, and vacations. Happiness comes from somewhere else -- it comes from relationships and from knowing that you are fulfilling God’s purpose in your life.”

So at that time when I was really getting stressed and unhappy, I went back to what made me happy. Thankfully, I had friends who were volunteers in Gawad Kalinga and reeled me in. It started with a few activities where we had fun overnights to prepare for the event the following day. When I graduated and worked at an International Organization accredited by the UN and earned really well (see, I kind of “lived my original dream”), I always made it a point to devote my Saturdays to help GK SIGA get scholarships in DLSU. One day, I decided that once my contract ended, I will go back to those who needed me. Yes, I had to take a huge pay cut and came back to DLSU, initially to coordinate Gawad Kalinga efforts within the university. I get less than half of what I used to receive as an intern at IOM. But why is the sacrifice worth it?

After working so hard and going through the process of seeking opportunities to engage people in getting our country out of poverty by the year 2024 through my work as Gawad Kalinga coordinator of DLSU, I have come to realize that I can build my resume so much. I can get a lot of awesome credentials. When I finish my Master’s degree, I will be a somebody. But at the end of the day, the greatest credential I can ever have is  being a NATION-BUILDER. In the end, I was able to say that my Lasallian education was able to enhance and enrich my capacity to dream for my country and its people, especially the last, the lost and the least.

My CWTS experience did not end when I got my final grade. My Catholic faith does not die when I go out of the church. My Lasallian education never ended when I graduated. My being Filipino does not end when I die.

Dahil ang pagiging estudyante, Lasalyano at Pilipino natin ay hindi natatapos kapag natapos ang CWTS. Dahil paglabas natin sa DLSU, may isang baying naghahanap ng mga taong handang magmahal at magmahal dito at aako ng responsibilidad para pagandahin ito. God did not make a mistake when He made me a Filipino, so I commit myself to working hard to make my country the best it can be. 

Why stay?

I have been a GK worker in DLSU for almost two years now. Contrary to popular belief, it does not pay that much. Actually, what I get is just enough to get me through. As they all say, it's take home pay that won't take you home. I've been getting some stick for it, as a result. You see, being the only one in the community in this family makes it a struggle. Not to mention that having cousins who spend their salaries to travel everywhere causes a rift between me and everyone else here once in a while. 

It would be a lie if I've said that I had never considered leaving for another job that pays well. It has actually crossed my mind several times. Also, considering the fact that I almost got into one of the top corporations in the country makes things difficult. People know that you're capable of earning thrice as much as you're earning now. But why settle for something like GK?

1. It is a calling. When God calls you,as much as you can, do not second-guess. He has a purpose for having you do things or make unpopular choices. He has set a mission for us when we were being conceived. It is also His way of saying, just do as I tell you and everything will be okay. 
2. God gives you things that you never thought you'd get. I suppose that for the most part of my service, I was lucky enough to get either free or discounted trips elsewhere. Not to mention that He gave me people who became the instruments as to why I've even reached the places I've been to. Over the last year, I've went to Cebu, Zamboanga, Baguio, and this year, I'll be going to Palawan! And mind you, I barely had to spend my own money to take those trips. Aside from that, I got a full scholarship for my masters degree! (and that's why some of titas are cool with my job now. haha!) He has also blessed me with friends who are truly for keeps. He has brought people into my life who could share the joy in doing His work! And for that alone, I'm thankful!
3. I now have the courage to speak about the beauty of His work. I used to think that this work was for nuts. I mean, who would give a lot of things up for something like this? I've witnessed the beauty of being a Filipino through Gawad Kalinga at the time when I was not really seeing it as a blessing. But more than that, He helped me enhance my talent in writing so that I could share my experiences to you. :) 
4. It has helped me appreciate what I have. True, I may not be rich. Actually, we're just making ends meet. And it does become difficult. But when I think about it, I have more than what others have. I have a support group, the best education that money could buy, books to teach me lessons, enough money to spend on leisure, a family who's always willing to accept me for my misgivings. Everything is a blessing. (Kulang nalang, someone whom I can truly share it with for the rest of my life. Haha! But I believe that in God's perfect time, it will happen! And yes, I'm praying for that.)
5. I've got my whole life ahead of me. I could always earn more later, but right now, I want to do something crazy while I'm young. People regret not being able to do the kind of things I do when they were younger. I do not want to say that, sayang I missed a chance at rebuilding the country by the time I'm 36! In 2024, I want to say, I was part of this movement which helped the country rise from being 3rd world to 1st!

There are so many other reasons I could list down, but I suppose, these are the most important. :)

Till the next GK adventure! :)