LAC Community Feeding Program and Slippers Donation Activities

It’ s early in the morning 4am me and my best friend already prepared even if we have lack of sleep in a past  few days. It’s actually the day of being part of LAC community conducting a feeding program and they will give and share slippers for young kids and conducting some game activities. The location was actually a country side where you can find simple people living thru agricultural like rice farming.

It takes us 4 hours getting to our destination Santa Clara Norte, Pila Laguna.  We stay in cover court the moment we arrived, which is near in a small health center made for the people live in this place for any health community service. They also have small play ground for kids where they can play and have fun. My fellow volunteer was doing their own duties and some of them started to cook that will served for kids as part of feeding program.

   

For the meantime while waiting for the food to cook, I and my fellow volunteer were having a chance to play with kids. We do some a little bit of fun, sat down and sing along with them. We do some traditional childhood games like Chinese garter, limbo rack and running around while playing a big group with handkerchief drop game. Joking, laughing and hearing these kids giggle are like melodies of innocence.

On the other hand the head founder of LAC Community group Mr. John Medina segregate the slippers by sizes to prepare and organize items that will give to the kids later on and he is coordinating to some of the officials of Santa Clara Norte Pila, Laguna.

It was really fun being part of this activity and appreciate what exactly the meaning of teamwork. And it was so nice to be part of this wonderful purpose to help and spend time to these young kids even a few hours. Some kids are not asking for money, expensive things, gadgets or even a luxury life. Most of them who doesn’t have mother and father, a broken family, abuse by their parents, ignore and unloved are only asked for a simple and few time to play and escape their young struggles in life. Be an ears to listen, make time to share smile and laughter’s for them and most of all let them feel that they can be loved in many ways.

   

Now the macaroni soup is ready to serve we lead the kids to fall in line so we can give them one by one to enjoy their hot soup. We give time for them to enjoy their meal and prepare some few games and preparing for slippers giving.

   

I feel so grateful spending my time with them and even if in a very small thing like this you will feel the presence how thankful they are having a simple meal for their starving stomach while wearing big smile on their faces.

Their innocent mind is truly adorable and the way they sharing some stories about life are inspiring.

This part of my journey really make sense for me it really taught me a lot of lesson and eye opening appreciation regards reality that poverty is truly visible but then we can still find happiness. Especially to those isolated place.

My time being here was not actually a waste but a gain for me that we should need to keep in our mind those small things is really a matter for those who need help and understand how it feels of being nothing. And this kind of activity is truly a good tool to understand different way of living of each kid in their different lifestyle.

Thank you so much LAC Community for this amazing experience it’s truly a pleasure to be part of your great activity. I’m sending my gratitude of appreciation to Mr. John Medina as the head founder of this community.

At this point I guess my heart; mind and soul travel in a place where I witness the compassion, kindness and love for these young kids.  Make some time to be part of activities that help community and share your stories.

Love

JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL

St. Padre Pio Shrine, Quezon City Manila

I just came early from the exact time for my interview located in Quezon City Manila, participating for Academicals Case Studies of UE students.

After that my plan is to visit the Shrine of Padre Pio located at Libis Quezon City. After an hour’s participating the case study and having fun being part of it.

We just drop quickly in a free admission Art Exhibit Gallery located at 5th floor gateway Tower. To explore and just to see amazing art works related about Philippine History. Now it’s time to go to my target place.

I was really intrigued about Padre Pio Shrine located in Libis, Quezon City Manila. But I heard there is also another one located at Santo Tomas Batangas. (I never been yet there but anyway I will share you my experience visiting the Libis, Quezon City Manila Shrine)

Its lunch time and hot afternoon were about to walk a few distance to reach the public terminal to ride a jeepney that bring us to the target destination.  We ride a jeepney that route going to Rosario and Libis Quezon that cost us 10 pesos only.

Now we already off to jeepney and need to walk few steps to the over pass bridge and reach the Petron Gasoline Station where the Shrine is nearby.

While entering the place you will feel that the place is very solemn. Based on my observation the structure of the church place it’s not too far from the Padre Pio shrine in San Giovanni Rotonda Italy. It’s really a replica style and you will feel bless surrounded by nice statue of saints and beautiful ambiance like fountains, arc and lots of stone sculpture of angels.

I find it that it’s so very angelic and relaxing.

Beside of enjoying the place the main purpose of visiting is to send our prayers. Be thankful for all the blessing and keep the faith in our heart doing good things. And I did send my prayers being thankful for everything, appreciation of feeding my spirit and soul of gratitude’s, asking wishes and some personal sentiment.  It’s really ideal place for prayer and meditation.

I give myself time to down my knee, feel the silence, pray and show some respect in this holy place. My heart was really feel delighted being here and meets Padre Pio as a Saint and being a roman catholic its part of our spirit life to pray and talk to our god based on our belief.

The church was actually sacred and practicing a strict dress code policy in terms of proper attire. Before entering the church you need to wear a piece of fabric that can cover your legs if you are wearing shorts or skirt above knee for woman. 

To show some respect and it’s also a significance culture of visiting the church in conservative formal way. Since I wear short dresses I need to follow the policy so I can enter the sacred place and I really do understand practicing nice ethical way of dressing policy.

After a minutes of offering prayers and cherish my moment in this cozy church that makes you feel spiritually home and chill because of fully air-conditioned ambience that makes you forgot the humidity outside. It’s time to go around, explore and enjoy some other space.

Getting around is lovely you will actually find the place is spiritually inviting because of many angel sculptured spread around, Images of Jesus Christ and Mama Mary, candle place where you could do your personal devotion or prayer intention, there’s a place where you can hang and put your own rosary to side corner of life size image of Padre Pio, they also have small chapel where you can pray silently and also offer flowers and some donation, enjoying the garden, having fun seeing pigeons around freely flying and feed by caretakers. The place is really impressive and makes you feel solace.

There is so much to do and see, but the most interesting view point when you get here is to really know more the life, works and story who exactly Padre Pio as a Saint for many Filipino devotees.

Here’s brief information about Padre Pio

Pio of Pietrelcina (25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968) was a Capuchin priest from Italy who is venerated as a saint, having been canonized by Pope John Paul II. He was born Francesco Forgione, and given the name Pio when he joined the Capuchins; he was popularly known as Padre Pio after his ordination to priesthood. He became famous for his stigmata - bodily marks, pain, and bleeding in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon continued for fifty years, until the end of his life.

Padre Pio believed that the love of God was inseparable from suffering and that suffering all things for the sake of God was the way for the soul to reach God. "After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death" - he was once quoted. True enough, he is known to grant the wishes and prayerful "intentions" of the faithful. He further said, “If God refuses no one, how can I refuse those seeking my help!”

The Shrine is maintained by Mr. Ramon Rodriguez a businessman and his wife Ms. Didi Cloribel Rodriguez as their property located at Bagumbayan Quezon City. They were also recipients of God’s grace through a miracle.

According to a story Mr. Ramon experienced Padre Pio Miracle in 1979. At that time he was suffered in high blood pressure that causes blindness in his right eye and blurred vision in his left eye. Then a concern friend gave him a novena prayer to Padre Pio, he picked up and read the novena to know who Padre Pio was. Unconsciously he was reading the novena prayer and wondered why he was able to read it clearly. And the miracle happens when his Ophthalmologist told him that is cured and could see clearly his vision. After that miraculous happen he dedicates his faith, always pray and venerates Padre Pio for this unforgettable miracle happen in his life.

And I was so bless that I have chances and my friend visit this place for spiritual purpose and having a great time.  Don’t underestimate the power of prayer and we all know that every different religion have their different belief and all we can do is to RESPECT. And always keep to our mind to share the act of kindness with all our heart.

I recommend you to make a time for yourself to go there to pray and enjoy the place. Don’t forget as well to share your story.

Love

JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL

Even a HEART can TRAVEL

 

It’s a hectic Tuesday morning. My hometown is busy and for sure what else the Capital City Manila? This is the day I’m waiting for. The Philippine Foundation conduct “Art Boats Project”, I was actually voluntary offer my day, being part of this inspiring and great project to meet and to have a great time to kids who are cancer patient. It was supposed to be last July 10, 2015. Due to unpredictable weather and experiencing typhoon it was cancelled and reschedules this Day July 21, 2015.

It’s early in the morning prepared and ready to travel the City, I was so excited and feels like it’s another best day for me to be part of it.

It’s very crowded and heavy traffic in my place, due to unexpected check point of transportation group to conduct a big license checking for public drivers. It really causes a huge heavy traffic.  I’m only a commuter and depending only for public transportation.  Even I have the early time to travel, this thing waste my time and affects my travel duration to get in the capital city Manila.

I was feel so bad wasting my hour and feel so impatient for what happen, now I need to transfer for another jeepney that will bring me to south manila where I can able to ride on the Bus terminal going to the Main Capital. Another issue is filling up the jeepney with passenger, it really takes a long time, and I feel bad luck today, my time is running and lot of time is wasting.

Because I don’t want to feel disappointed for what’s happening I’ll take my time reading a book I have on my bag. While traveling I focus reading so I forget time wasting cause by traffic.

I kept running and feel in hurry when I’m taking off and now ready to transfer and ride on a bus heading up the main city Manila.

And then I thought I’m already safe and escape from being stuck for slow flow of traffic. Why even sky express way is also experiencing this, (Is it because of over population of people who have their own vehicle? Problems in drivers discipline? Or maybe we need more road widening?) It’s really makes me feel so embarrass  that even I have more time estimation adjustment  for this day to travel, my time consume for this waste issue.

I reach the point that I was really late for almost 2 hours, I reach the train station and I don’t have a choice because this will be the best way to reach the station near to the hospital venue for activities.

I was feeling so upset being so late, what happen to my beloved Philippines, even buying ticket for train is slow and time wasting.

I was so disappointed, but I still believe myself that I dedicate this day to see the kids and my willingness to participate. I have still this flaming hope that I should keep going, reputation and commitment is so important. And it’s better to keep going and being there than to give up.

I finally reach the final station and need to ride 1 more jeepney to reach the Philippine Children’s Hospital. Glad it takes me 15mins to get there and few walk to enter the final destination.

The event is located at the lobby of the Hospital near in open ground.  I arrived and wearing my smile and feel happy despite of disappointing time travel issue. I sat down in some area while looking up these kids. They actually enjoy the Magic show of 2 entertaining clowns. And I saw Ms. Pilar Tuazon (well known Photographer/Sony ambassador) she is one of the people behind this great charity event, I greet her and ask for my sincere apology being so late and I feel ashamed. And still she smile, warmly welcome me and told me to hang around with kids even I wasn’t able to do the expected duty given to me. (Thank you so much Ms. Pilar Tuazon I adore your kindness).

I’m supposed to be the one of the artist that will lead the kids to hang around with them and joining them to draw, sadly I arrived and the drawing session is done.

But then what else I can do? To play with kids, assist and talk with them even I only have few hours left. Sitting around and talks in a few parents and kids is amazing. Every individual case I heard is truly facing difficulty in cancer.

I’m just late at its just a minor problem compare to serious thing they fighting for. My disappointment relieved and I feel glad witnessing this great event. I am enjoying talking with those parents sharing their sympathy while listening to their stories. Having fun playing and talking with kids and enjoying assisting them with our fellow friend Mr. Clown giving balloons for each and every one.

They are genuinely showing their happiness at the moment, the smile they had is truly pure and lovely. The way they laugh and giggles is like a harmony of their strength and sign of tools which is called braveness.

Now I feel I was surrounded by good perception, they are also inspiration to us; normal people that even they have disorder, illnesses and disable, they keep on fighting to live as a normal as we are. They try their best facing medication process and have the faith and courage to defeat cancer.

In this atmosphere you will feel the mix emotion of appreciation, sadness, happiness and courage seeing and hearing them. I really adore their spirit and persona.

Being a cancer patient is not easy, the struggles is always there and even the feeling of being so hopeless. At very young age feels like their life is just only borrow and any time their life can be stolen. I feel sad and teary thinking about the sad part. Their innocent was bringing us hope the moment they smile and show us the feeling that things are normal even if, its not. I always wonder why these kids deserve to be in this situation while there’s a lot of bad people are doing bad things and deserve to be in their place as karma.

 Now I guess there are an angel, angel that teaching us to understand the power of kindness and giving. To appreciate exactly what is love all about while we are living. How we should value our LIFE being fortunate. There are truly great reminders of positivity for good change. In every cancer patient died a day there’s another 5 that comes. Sad to hear but it’s true.

We are actually not aware so much how this disease is prone and visible. Because many of us are too busy spending our time in different way. Many of us ignore and feel like its ok because we felt safe for being out of these cases.

I’m so very glad and thankful for this memorable experience, my awareness gain knowledge, my heart was filled of love and inspiration. My time is not a waste dedicating in this activity. It such an honor and feel so thankful witnessing and being part of it.

I’m sending my gratitude to Ms. Pilar Tuazon for being so nice, polite and calm woman, she is really adorable woman and artist. I really idolize her not only in Photography field but also sharing and giving us the opportunity to remind us kindness. She is a wonderful and truly inspiration. Thank you so much.

And for those kids that I been played and hang around they are such an inspiration too, an angel and reminders of a good instrument for us and for me, being a good figure of braveness and hope.

I wish I have more time to spend with them and I have no doubt to extend my moment with them. This experience is truly a treasure and I considered this as part of my journey.

How and why?

Because my heart travel to expand love, my mind understand more and my soul is like dancing while listening their laughter and giggles. It makes me smile seeing them escaping for a while with their serious combat in cancer. And I cherish this moment.

Thank you as well Philippine Foundation for this enormous eye opening activities, to all sponsor, crew and my fellow volunteers I also being thankful to work with you all even a short time. My heart feels so great and wonderful.

Let’s always keep our heart travel the world with kindness.

All Photos owned by JazzrellRio Photography

Love

JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL