Dreamland

Humbled. Relaxed. Appreciative. Serene. Life-changed.

I woke up to another typical hazy humid June morning and instead of blasting my AC higher, I took it all in. It's my last day in Manila; the Philippines; dreamland. This is the longest stay I've had in this country since I was 9-years-old.

In the 12 days I've been here, the experiences I've had have brought me down to earth. June 11 I found myself 5-hours north-west of Manila in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. It was a different stay for me because I have been to my dad's province so many times, that I feel like it's another home. Tita Elena, who I am extremely grateful for, was awaiting our arrival and was able to show us the accomplishments of the Alexander Begonia Foundation in the town. Due to the medical mission, it was unfortunate that we could not be present for the openings of the playgrounds in the schools there. I was able to see my uncle's new hotel and my old friends, who I was able to help out a bit. It's hard to see people close to your age not able to go to college because of the need to work to support the family. I told my friend Ruby to come to my house after work and so she visited with her sister. I didn't know she had to bring her entire family - cousins, mother, etc- all because they were afraid of being in the house alone in the evening. Also, the tricycle that brought them over had to wait around because it would be difficult for them to find another mode of transportation at that time. Before they left, I gave them enough money to cover the tricycle fare, wait time, and gave them the rest of our merienda pizza we had bought for her family, as well as other trinkets and clothing. It's the least I can do for a friend.

The country-side of Pangasinan is so immaculately beautiful. The blending of the rice terraces, mountainside, and glow of the sky with sunrise and sunset was breathtaking. Though the people do not have much monetarily, they have nature's priceless beauty.

Being a New Yorker and wired to be independent, fast-paced, and stressed, I was quite a bit culture-shocked during the beginning of the medical mission. Like most provinces in the Philippines, Sariaya, Quezon rarely had running water in facilities where we held the mission. I knew about manually flushing toilet bowls with tabos*, washing hands without soap, and low-pressure showers without heat...but, knowing about is certainly different than living it day-to-day. I remember taking tabo-baths and not having any of what I've listed, but that was when I was 9-years-old. I remember the first times having to do any of this, I was extremely irked and grossed-out. Fortunately, I did bring my own supply of paper towels, toilet paper, antibacterial wipes, purell, and liquid soap; it made each day a little bit better while living in those conditions.

So many things I saw really made me feel lucky for what I have. There was a baby with severe hydrocephalus - the baby's extremities were extremely small and his head was so large from the fluid build-up. The mother did not know what to do or how to care for her baby. The surgery for a V-P shunt* is way beyond what the mother could afford. These people cannot afford prescription medications, so what more with surgery. Apparently, the same child also had a congenital heart defect. There was another child with Down syndrome who was barely able to speak. That really touched my heart. Being closely related to someone with Down's syndrome, I felt so helpless. This child had no resources. The government doesn't sponsor any special needs programs, any medical programs, or anything to support it's people. I felt that they relied on medical missions and outside support too much.

Knowing that certain people in the government are corrupt, I still ask why. Why can't funds that are being pocketed by officials trickle down to local governments to sponsor local programs to benefit the people. The gap between rich and poor is so blatant. Filipinos are typically a close-knit community of people, so why is there barely any support? There are so many factors that come into play here, but the mere idea is so infuriating. I wonder why this country is so behind sometimes, and it's because of corruption. Such corruption in a religious country; I guess the religion is what holds it's poor people together. There are so many anomalies.

I know I went completely into a different topic, but it's part of the thought process that I've been having here. When I'm home in New York and stressed to the max, I barely have time to think outside the box. Life in New York becomes routine; eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, and be too tired for anything. . .



To be continued....








Next time, I would like to spend a month or more. . .