This was the trip I (Thai) had been waiting for after Church camp this summer in Palawan. I brought the whole family with me back then, but this time I went solo. It was mixed emotions for me; I was very excited for another tribal adventure yet scared to be doing this all over again. After all it has been ten years since I last visited a tribe in Davao. I was faster & younger then but now I feel the old age just kicked in. Our team, headed by Dr. Welthy Espina Villanueva*(Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino 2010 & Dangal ng Bayan Awardee 2012) went to a place called Kalakwasan. It is on the North part of Palawan, between Puerto Princesa and Roxas. A two hour bus ride from the city and another 2 hour hike(depends on your speed) & 10 rivers to cross to get there. We started the hike around 6 pm and we got there past 8pm on December 2nd. I was very thankful that one of my new buddies brought her flashlight with her(not sure why I intentionally left mine in Manila) otherwise both of us would be lost since we were the only ones who haven't been to this tribe. Dr. Welthy aka "Wingky" invited me to celebrate this 3-day event with the whole Batak** community. She also invited Pastors, Church workers and volunteers, Barangay Kagawad's and other neighboring tribes. The first day was the Sportsfest and Parlor Games. They divided the whole tribe into 2 teams; Team Tugas and Team Nara. Each team had representatives for kids' basketball tournament, Moms and Dads played as well. There were also parlor games like relays, balloon popping contest & drinking contest. Some parents who didn't participate in the games busied themselves in the kitchen. They cooked lunch for everybody. Before the day came to an end, I was given the privilege of sharing Gods word to them. I shared from the book of Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 &2 and then the challenge of Paul in Philippians 3:13 & 14 and Ephesians 3:20. Team Nara beat Team Tugas with few points. The latter displayed extra ordinary gesture by congratulating the winning team with their happy faces oblivious to the competition itself but just as happy they all had a great day. The second day was the Closing Ceremony of ABC's of ACE(kindergarten) Heaven's Eyes Tribal Mission Academy. Twelve students earned a certificate of accomplishments for the school year 2012-2013. They received numerous awards such as: good behavior, creative, industrious, perfect attendance, etc and 3rd, 2nd and 1st honors. Third day, we celebrated three different occasions: First was the Dedication of the School Building, Second was their Community Christmas Party and last but not the least, we celebrated Dr. Wingky's 40th Birthday. It was also her way of thanking the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness in her life. It was her 10th year surviving cancer and 10th year in Tribal Education Ministry. During this event, many groups rendered songs and testimonies of God's faithfulness in their lives and community. The Chieftain shared how they started praying to "Ama" (Father) for a school, how they heard about Dr. Wingky's work in Tagnipa, Palawan and how they started to approach her with this dream. It took four years for their prayers to be answered. But God answered indeed! It also took men and women of faith to get this work started. Dr. Wingky sent out prayers and developed good prayer warriors among friends. When I first got a glimpse of their community and saw the school was built in the middle of it, I couldn't help myself but praise the Lord for being part of this ministry. Their school served as a reminder that GOD is truly faithful. W.O.W. presented a solar light to Heaven's Eyes Tribal Mission Academy as a gift to light up the school at night and also help teachers charge their cellphones (it is a NEED) everytime they need charging. W.O.W and Heaven's Eyes are partnering together with Convoy of Hope in Kalakwasan, Palawan to feed the children daily while at school. BUS Ride and HIKE Sportsfest & Parlor Games Closing Ceremony of Heaven's Eyes Tribal Mission Academy School Dedication, Christmas Program/Gift Giving and Wingky's Birthday I've learned so much about the Batak Tribe when I was in Kalakwasan. Their culture is very pure and they tried their best to preserve it. Some of the pictures I took were of women without their top on. I know it's crazy!!! I myself felt a little embarrassed whenever I see them walk around naked, but I was reminded that it is their culture and lifestyle, I need to understand and accept it. So please when you go to the picture gallery, be open minded. ***Please click on this link to check Kalakwasan Photo Gallery on Photobucket. http://s246.photobucket.com/user/iaht_73/library/KALAKWASAN%20TRIP%20Dec%201-8%202013 The Bataks are very shy people...at the same time they are very helpful, kind and honest. They offer help anytime they can. Actually, during the time we were there, the community would come back and forth the school to ask if they can do something for us. They do NOT expect something in return. They would shy away if we offer them food or candy in exchange to their labor. They do not want gifts or any kind of payment in return to their kindness. There was an incident when we asked the kids to sweep, four of them came over but three only did the task. The other one(the smallest) just watched and talked to the other three. After sweeping, we called them back and handed them one candy each. As expected they said they didn't want anything..but we insisted. The fourth kid, firmly said, "I am not going to accept that because I didn't help. I just talked to them the whole time." Man! That is some honesty!!! The teachers learned this kind of attitude early on the school year so they devised a plan on how to divert their thinking. At school they have what they call a "Merit Store." A Merit store has some items for girls and boys like toys, school supplies, stuff for girls and boys, toiletries etc. and each of the item has corresponding points. When children do something good, for themselves, their friends, teachers and/or community that is NOT told, they will get points. If they spot an item they like, they would do a lot of "good works," save their points and wait to get the prize. They all compete in doing good because they know they will get POINTS. Sometimes, they would get earrings for their little sister or their mothers and cars for their brothers. One of the things I felt sad about was the reality that these tribes sometimes go a day without food in their stomach. The Bataks are hunters, and if they don't get anything at the end of the day, they don't get to eat also. They eat root crops, but they will have to travel far to get vegetables. I remember, majority of the people I talked to after the 3-day event said, "we're all full...up to the brim." They couldn't imagine the food that was served everyday for 3 days straight. Some of them even packed some to take home. And whenever we see them walk by we would call them to eat the left over food with us. They would run away, they said they don't have space in their tummies for another food. Living in Kalakwasan is like living in Baguio City. It is super cold at night. I had to wear at least 2 layers, long socks on, long pj's and covered with blanket. One night I put my jacket on and covered my head with the hood so the only flesh out was my face but after 2 nights, I noticed a "Tuko" (Big Lizard like Iguana haha) "Too-koo-ing" right above me. I was afraid the Tuko would decide to jump or poop or pee on me without any notice so I decided to cover even my face at night. I have so many things to say about the children and my experience in the tribe. I felt changed, I felt recharged. I can only pray for them and hope that one day we will see each other again. I am actually praying for a specific project for the school next year. Lord willing raise the amount before June(2014) so that myself and the rest of the Beaver's will go to Kalakwasan and do it as our family project. So please continue to pray for the Batak Community, Heaven's Eyes Academy, the teachers and staff and their needs and also for the said project. I will keep you all posted as the plan progress...till then thank you all and God Bless! * Dr. Welthy Espina Villanueva
http://heavenseyes.weebly.com/7/category/dr%20welthy%20e%20villanueva/1.html http://blog.eriksantos.com.ph/2011/01/07/gawad-geny-lopez-jr-bayaning-pilipino-awards-on-sundays-best/ ** Batak http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batak_(Philippines)
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AuthorThai and I came to the Philippines in August of 2012 to work with the kids here. Archives
October 2017
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