Ahay Kalisud ( Oh, How Sad). Dedicated to a livelihood program in Pilar, Capiz, Philippines

I am once more back in the community helping the poorest of the poor. 

The town of Pilar in Capiz, Philippines, has been badly devastated by Yolanda, the world's strongest  typhoon. Until today, I could not personally accept that there are still survivors who are unable to receive as much help as we all could do. 

The SAVE Program through the Capiz State University initiated this livelihood project by re-purposing used candles as lights which now I am able to help them with design and product development so we can market them better. The program involves skills development, advocacy, volunteerism and empowerment. It is led by a simple frail young woman Jennifer Alba Perez Benliro. With the Department of Trade and Industry Capiz Province, we have embarked on this project, since for the past 10 years, our tandem collaboration has been consistent and productive.

I share with you all the sadness how much our rural communities still struggle. Sadness for me means I need to help more. When I am hurt of what I see, I want to give more. 

I titled this blog "Ahay Kalisud" ( How Sad), an Ilonggo folk song said to have originated from Capiz ---- a peaceful and verdant province since the Spaniards discovered it during the 16th century. 

I dedicate this song to the young children who will benefit on this endeavour. It hard for them. Below is the link of the music. Any Ilonggo will shed tears to listen to its piercing lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYpMuPhqjgo

 ( NOTE: Raymond Fuentes, a designer as well, once wrote about Ahay Kalisud as such : This beautiful but sad song. Jovita Fuentes and Manuel Roxas, both from Capiz were childhood sweethearts. Instead he chose to marry Trinidad de Leon from Bulacan. Rumors was that it politically advantageous for him. Heartbroken she composed "Ahay Kalisud" The song which is a portrait of a tragic love affair teaching us a lesson about life and love, fate and choices. Jovita wept all her life until that tragic day when Roxas died of a heat attack. She never married.)

THE STORY BOARD

 Used candles mean light and livelihood to those who have so little in life but have so much innovation...and hope.

Chalks are not only for blackboards at school but to light the life of folks many of whom were in darkness after the super typhoon Yolanda....and still is, today.

Sustainable material like soil brings reality to use resilient materials for poor Filipinos to appreciate that lean resources will never hinder creativity

 

 Used tin cans means new life to them as they will be re-purposed as candle containers which symbolize our embrace for sustainable products

 The chalk into wick, the used candle waxes filling the used sardine cans...ready to light the world of those who are deserted by conveniences of modern life.

 Lighting them is like unfolding the meaning of the saying that a Filipino becomes creative because he has so much less ( ang Filipino naging creative dahil sa kawalan).

The twinkling eyes see light as their forbearance to endure. In darkness, the will see. In making things from nothing they will understand that  life may be brighter. In embracing what some others may appreciate dearly is sharing their message to us that we are more fortune to just switch on our electric lights. 

 The line of light is a joy of life for poor people whose life is as simple as what they have created yet as touching a humanity.

Video of the skill training. 

Ahay! Kalisud, kalisud sing binayaan (Oh, what sorrow to be deserted)
Adlao gabi firme ta ikaw  gui natangisan (Night and day I lament for you)
Ahay! Inday nga walay sing kapalaran (Oh, my hopeless fate)
Walay guid walay guid
Sarang ko kalipayan (Nevermore, no more joy)

Ay cielo azul nga sa diin ka na bala (Oh, blue sky,  I wonder where you are)
Baluigui  tabangi ang nabilango sa gugma (Please embrace this prisoner of sorrow)
Mayo pa ang mamatay kun halus mamatay (It is better to die, much better to die)
Agud di ako makadumdum (So that I shall not experience)
Nga ako walay kalipay. (This unbearable sorrow)

To hear this song, link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYpMuPhqjgo  I suggest to just listen to the music while you read the lyrics for better appreciation of the beautiful melody and message of this song. 

DONORS ANYONE?

Please let me know if you can donate your used candles /waxes and some tin cans. May be some throw away ribbons or fabrics we can decorate our tin cans with. 

UP NEXT:

> Helping the rural women of Ubay, Bohol with their carabao handmade soap making at the Philippine Carabao Center in their community. 

 > Mentoring young design students at the high tech FABLAB ( Fabrication Laboratory in Bohol) with rural SMEs on making artsanal products to sell for livelihood--a pioneering project in the Philippines.

> Re-inventing Project Zero at Sooc Arevalo with an American volunteer in my wings.

Project Dimension moves on

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TEACH MEN HOW TO FISH.

The Ati Community in Boracay Island continues as we deliver their supplies and  utilities as sponsored by SMART Telecommunications Inc. The project I authored and initiated with as commissioned by the National Council for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress with donations of sewing machines from Brother International.

 The women from the community  move on to their next level of training which is pattern making and bag construction at the newly built livelihood center courtesy of Asisi Foundation.

Took my entire Nautilus PJ Aranador production staff to the island to  teach them how and they learned fast. Mary Jane Tuares of BIZFTC, a fair trade consulting firm as commissioned by SMART, handles the organization, business development and social ventures. PJ Aranador designs and does product development, brand and market development.

The livelihood will produce eco-bags made from refused textiles--ideal for environmental campaign against plastic bags in resorts and in our islands. The project accepts used textiles to be converted by the community into bags. It will launch a scheme for tourists to bring their used clothing and discarded home linen when they visit to Boracay island and these textile donations will be converted into Eco-bags. In return, the donor will get a heavy discount on bags in exchange for the donated used textiles. So next time you travel to Boracay, bring some used textiles for a purposeful holiday. 

The island you visit, may be saved both in environmental issues and livelihood for the poor.

Christmas Feeding and Gift Giving at the Village

Psalm 41:1 Blessed is he who considers the weak and the poor, the Lord will deliver him.

Feeding and gift giving the indigent children at GK Sooc Village in Arevalo, Iloilo City, Philippines last Christmas, December 25, 2013. Our sponsors are  Sabine Defant and her German friends for the cash donation which we bought food and toys. Part of their donation goes to the islands stricken by Yolanda in Estancia and Carles. 

 Rey Aranador, my brother, donated the  the books and toys sent from Canada. Cash came from my sister Roela Hilker in the USA.

 Thank you Wawa PJ Aranador staff for helping us out--instead of our Christmas party my staff offered their time to serve the community. 

God will bless all your hearts for caring for the poor. 

Our cook Taling preparing our Christmas porridge called "Linugaw" or :Ginataan" made of grounded aromatic sticky rice, fresh coconut milk, banana, sweet potato, "palawan" ( local tuber), cassava, all colors and sizes of tapioca and "muscovado" sugar and some vanilla. 

On our way to the village. Typical transport is tricycle decorated with humanity all over it. I take it too when I don't bring my vehicle. It is fun--like Mad Max. 

Entering the village. Glad it is now cemented.

Families waiting for our arrival.

Our little Wawa multicab with Wawa staff delivering the food to the village.

Time to line up. Just few kids in the beginning.

Line is getting longer as the little ones line -up properly. They are well-behaved.

The "Nanays'' ( mothers ) in the village started to serve the kids with the help of Wawa staff.

Some boys getting impatient.

Two lines, the little ones and the other the very little ones.

Giving some bread.

Pots and pots of porridge can easily go quick.

Partaking the food.

Our cook Taling taking one of the girls with her food to her mat.

A mother coaching her daughter how to line up.

It is amazing how they line up in perfect meal formation on top of the used tarpaulin. These young people impressed us with their discipline.

Attending to each kid making sure each has his share of the eats.

These kids know how to pose for the camera.

In silence, they eat.

A young boy playing with the stick bread.

Telling stories while enjoying the meal.

It seems the boys wanted to separate themselves.

A mother feeding her child amid the others.

One bog bowl for this little girl.

One of my favorite girls, Angel, enjoying her porridge.

Nanay enjoyed serving the kids.

Peace

They stopped for picture whenever they saw a camera.

Brothers sharing the food.

Awesome smile. All in red shirts to celebrate Christmas.

All gone. Finished.

There were over 60 kids to feed.

Helping the kids with extra bread.

  A baby with sister was one of our special guests.

A boy helping out the sister and baby brother.

Ready with his empty bowl was fun.

Few of the others in the village.

Oooppps. Just scraping the bowl for one for one of the last boys to come.

My staff are amused with kids.

This was the most touching. A young boy running to have his share. He was the last to arrive and my staff guided him. Luckily he had some left..

Marjorie, one of our women leaders, helping one of the last kids with his bread.

Asking me to take their photos.

Mother and child. The color pink was their theme.

Moments to capture.

Kids were so well behaved.

Parents and kids waiting for their turn for food.

Playing while eating.

The average age in the village for kids is 6-7 years old. 

Most children are not as malnourished, actually.

Happy to be with all of us today.

Background is the GK Sooc houses in the village.

Amazing how kids love books. They have few nice ones and suddenly they all read and shared the stories in the book.

"0nce upon a time...there was a princess named...". Books for Christmas. Thank you Rey Aranador for the donation of books to kids at Sooc.

He can't play with them because the car toys we brought were not enough for the so many kids in Sooc.

ANGEL--that is her name. All she can open for Christmas is a tiny gift from us today. But it does not matter. She is happy to receive one today. God provides more than what is seen and touched.

Sharing some toy cars. Doesn't matter if boys share their toys for boys with girls.

 enjoying their Christmas toys.

Boys will be boys. Trying to figure out among themselves to assemble toy puzzles

They came too late All toys and food were gone. Sob. I said sorry and promised something for them next time. She said " Wala kaso sir "( it's alright sir). Heart breaking.