CHANGE · 2018. 9. 20. · Libreta already knew she was different from others so she accepted the offer of adoption from a teacher who wanted to help lessen the financial burden to

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T H E M I N D A N A O I S S U E

CHANGEMaMM

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Philippine Business for Social Progress is the largest business-led NGO at the forefront of strategic corporate citizenship and business sector leadership, contributing to sustainable development and poverty reduction. Established in 1970, PBSP remains a consultant and partner of choice of companies and donors.

PBSP scales up impact by adopting the Collective Impact strategy to solve large, complex, systemic problems. PBSP organizes Platforms for Collective Engagements (PlaCEs) to ensure alignment and sustainability of initiatives by multiple stakeholders.

Responding to the changing landscape of CSR, PBSP’s brand of corporate citizenship taps into the core business competencies of companies and promotes inclusive business as a strategy. PBSP also continues to strategically engage companies through social investment, responsible business practices, and philanthropy.

PBSP creates sustainable solutions to societal problems in its core program areas which are Health, Education, Environment, and Livelihood and Enterprise Development. It also provides off-the-shelf options for engagement of companies and their employees.

With a proven track record, PBSP provides end-to-end services in development consulting which include project and grants management, events and backroom management.

UPLIFTING LIVES.

WHAT’SINSIDE

14 BORN TO SERVE

07In a Better PlaceA visually impaired student from Agusan finds hope and comfort in kind-hearted individuals and a classroom

08Keeping FaithThrough a school head’s intervention, his rural school in Davao del Norte gets the much-needed boost in facilities

09When a Parent LeadsA PTA president brings value to a community school in Davao del Sur

04Debunking Pregnancy Myths

06Special InterventionA well-equipped classroom brings hope to a passionate teacher for students with disabilities


COVER STORY

10A Priceless LessonA teacher goes beyond her role to serve as an effective disaster coordinator in her community

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13Inner StrengthA person living with physical limitations chooses to work and inspire others

16Musings from a War-Torn City

23Courage Under FireA nurse recounts his experience when he was caught in the crossfire on Day 1 of the Marawi siege

12Breaking BarriersA social entrepreneur empowers people with disabilities by giving them a fair chance to work and life

11Turn the TideA resident benefits from local leaders’ newfound knowledge on DRR in his typhoon-ravaged town

JEROME DACLISONE D I T O R - I N - C H I E F

RACHEL BARAWIDM A N A G I N G E D I T O R

JEROME DACLISON JAYSON MANGALUSMELISSA BULAONG

RAPHAEL PUNZALAN RACHEL BARAWID

LAARNI JOCSONW R I T E R S | P H O T O G R A P H E R S

MARILYN MIRANDORENS BOGNALBALG R A P H I C A R T I S T S

COCOY SEXCIONC O V E R P H O T O

GARIBALDE ENRIQUEZ

JUVY DOMINGOADDAH RENIEDO-AGNES

RICHARD CAMPOSC O N T R I B U T O R S

Miguel “Migs” Rene Alcantara Dominguez, the new PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee Chairman, is the cover of this issue of CHANGED Magazine. From uplifting lives in Sarangani, he continues to help communities through social development work. The magazine “CHANGED” features stories of inspiring people in social development whose lives were changed either through their involvement in projects undertaken by PBSP with its member-companies, partners, and donors, or through interventions in the communities we serve. The A in “CHANGED,” is represented by the delta sign ( ) which is also a mathematical symbol for change.

A B O U T T H E C O V E R

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BE A SPONSOR!

Contact

HEAD OFFICE & LUZON REGIONAL CENTER (LRC)

PBSP Building, Magallanes corner Real Sts., Intramuros, Manila

Tel. Nos.: (632) 527.7741 to 48 | Fax No.: (632) 527.3743Email: [email protected]

VISAYAS REGIONAL CENTER (VRC)

4/f PLDT Building, Pope John Paul II Avenue (formerly J. Luna) Mabolo, Cebu City

Tel. Nos.: (032) 232-5270 / 83 | Fax No.: (032) 232-5286Email: [email protected]

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2/F Suites B203 & 204 Plaza de Luisa, 140 R. Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City

Tel. Nos.: (082) 221.2251 to 53 | Fax No.: (082) 221.7201Email: [email protected]

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The belief that eating conjoined pairs of bananas would help an expectant mother have twins is still common especially among those who lack education on reproductive health. Indeed, superstitions still surround pregnancy.

First-time mom Judy Ann Tagabunlang even considered this notion as fact, but thanks to PBSP’s Safe Motherhood Caravan, she learned that pregnancy and motherhood require a lot of work, and falling into superstitious beliefs is none of them.

For three years now, PBSP has been helping women of reproductive age like Tagabunlang become better prepared with pregnancy and childbirth through educational talks on responsible parenting, breastfeeding, health services for mothers, and family planning.

Through the support of member-companies and partners, the PBSP Safe Motherhood Caravan continues to reach out to thousands of women in various communities across the country, giving them life-saving information so they can celebrate motherhood safely and healthily.

DEBUNKING PREGNANCYMYTHS

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purpose center that can be used for research and recreation. The classroom is also being used as a resource center where PWDs can study, do assignments, and learn new skills like baking, cooking, cosmetology, and sewing.

Even a visually-impaired student of hers wasn’t oblivious to the drastic change and once asked her teacher, “Ma’am, I always overhear others say everytime they see our new room what a remarkable transformation it was, ‘from prison to palace.’ Was our old classroom so dreadful?”

With the addition of a well-furnished building, parents became eager to enroll their special needs children while elementary schools from neighboring towns recommended their graduating pupils with the same conditions to enroll there. As a result, enrollment from this group tripled, from 80 in school year 2014-2015 to 176 in 2015-2016, and this reaching 296 students.

Teacher Ivy, on the other hand, is able to properly teach her students

reach their full potential in a more conducive learning environment.

“One of our purposes in special education is to mainstream our students into the regular

system of the school to develop their socialization. We really encourage our

youth to be included in regular class with the agreement that we are going to do the follow-ups and we get constant communication with

the advisers or subject teachers,” she said.

Teacher Ivy faces more arduous, complicated tasks as more students

come in. But she soldiers on with more positive outlook than ever before, for she knows it will be another insightful, productive day ahead for her and her students, especially with a new classroom that brings hope and encouragement to fulfill their

dreams.

eing a teacher is hard enough, but being one to special needs youth—ranging from physically impaired to

mentally challenged in a place which does not even pass as a classroom – takes more than just fortitude of character to deal with daily challenges that not everyone faces.

This is the reality for Maria Veronica Ivy Mitrofanous or Teacher Ivy as she is fondly called by her students. For 21 years, she has seen the changes and developments at Agusan del Sur High School, her home away from home, where she still serves.

“I really love to teach children. My passion led me to those with special needs,” she shared.

As a Special Education (SPED) instructor, Teacher Ivy has been handling children with specific learning disabilities (dyslexics, dyscalcula, language processing disorder, etc.), with genetic disorder like Down syndrome, and other special needs (blind, deaf, mute, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), etc.) all in one class.

“Regular students outnumber the ones I am handling. But because of their distinct, limiting conditions coupled with their poor environment, it is more difficult to achieve my objectives as a mentor,” she said.

Teacher Ivy has started her SPED classes under the school’s stairs, then transferred to a corner beside a classroom, and later moved to an armory or storehouse, and finally settled in a room that “felt like a prison, it was a real room with four walls but window steel rails.”

‘FROM PRISON TO PALACE’

Luckily, Agusan del Sur High School was chosen to be a recipient of a two-

classroom school building from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The project which is in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), addressed the school’s need for additional classroom facilities.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Teacher Ivy lobbied to the school principal to allot one classroom for her SPED classes. The classrooms have structural features that are friendly to persons w i t h disabilities ( P W D s ) and a m u l t i -

A well-equipped classroom brings hope to a passionate teacher for students with disabilities

SPECIAL INTERVENTIONB

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t a young age, Lanie Rose Libreta already knew she was different from others so she accepted the offer of adoption from a teacher who

wanted to help lessen the financial burden to her struggling family.

Libreta suffers from low vision, a condition caused by eye disease, in which visual acuity is 20/70 or poorer in the better-seeing eye. This cannot be corrected or improved with regular eyeglasses. Because of this condition, she regularly uses a cane to walk around and help find her balance.

“I can faintly distinguish shape of someone’s head, a figure of a person, and sometimes color of clothes at close distance but that is it. I mainly rely on my sense of smell. I can tell, even if someone tries to pass by me either quietly or discreetly, through his/her distinctive smell,” she shared.

Libreta’s family has a history of visual impairment. Her youngest sibling was incubated for 10 days because of premature birth and is also suffering from the same affliction. She was first adopted by her former SPED teacher Merlina B. Yap (Ms. Yap) when she was in grade school. Now, she is with another teacher Analou B. Palima who is treating her like her own child.

Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). With the help of her SPED teacher, one of the classrooms was allocated to their class because of its features that are PWD-friendly.

Apart from being the only school that offers SPED classes in the area, Agusan National became an attraction to many students with disabilities because of the better learning environment. Even PWDs in neighboring towns were encouraged to enroll in the said school because of the DFAT building.

Today, Libreta gets to do more activities during her spare time. For instance, she practices for her school’s choir or catches up on her reading in the comfort of the new classroom.

“I like my new classroom. It’s better here because it’s bigger, well-ventilated, and has complete amenities like a toilet which is new,” she said.

Libreta’s ambition is to teach to students with physical disabilities how to use the computer. Inspired by the generosity of her teachers who adopted her and the recent changes in her school, she also wants to reach out to people like her and give them equal access to opportunities that will help improve their lives.

A visually impaired student from Agusan finds hopeand comfort in kind-hearted individuals and a classroom

IN A BETTER PLACE

AWhenever she has free time, Libreta also visits her first adoptive mother to whom she has also been very grateful.

NEW BUILDING, NEW HOPE

The 17-year-old Libreta is among the 296 students enrolled in Agusan National High School’s (Agusan National) Special Education (SPED) classes.

In the classroom, she uses Braille – a system of reading used by and for visually impaired individuals and consists of a code of 63 characters and JAWS (Job Access With Speech). JAWS is a screen reader developed for computer users whose vision impairment prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a computer mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on personal computer.

Compared to other students with special needs, Libreta needs an aid to dictate what is written on the chalkboard. Sometimes, some of her classmates are not as enthusiastic to help her. To make matters worse, she used to study in dingy, dilapidated makeshift classrooms.

Her sad plight ended when their school was chosen as recipient of a two-classroom school building by the

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very morning, around 100 gradeschoolers walk for hours through the ricefields to reach their two-classroom

building in Mahayahay Elementary School.

The school is located in a farming community in Purok Mahayahay, Asuncion in Davao del Norte. Its residents depend on rice and agricultural harvests as their main sources of income.

In remote areas, schools like Mahayahay face overwhelming challenges that its staff are forced to search for creative means to continue its daily operation. Established in 1996 with only one classroom, the rural school managed to get by for years.

by our sponsors and volunteers, they were very impressed. Now, they even encourage their children to enroll here. When we finally let everyone in, I immediately saw the joy in the students’ faces; their energy and enthusiasm were incredible! It was an overwhelming and unforgettable experience for all,” he recounted.

The road leading to the school was also included in the developments. The path was re-routed and constructed directly to make it more accessible for the teachers and students.

Next goal was raising the quality of education. Three more teachers who were trained in handling digital tools were hired to help achieve this.

“It’s our hope to have amenities to equip students in handling tools and apparatus, to acquire audio visual system, laptops or Personal Computers (PC) for teachers. This will enable them to do research, formulate lesson plans, and encode grades while our students will be able to learn typing and other software tools,” the school head said.While there’s a lot more to do to achieve his vision, he is willing to wait and work hard to make it happen.

“We appreciate the support of the parents, stakeholders generosity, and everyone who were involved because now our school is beautiful and functional. Our hard work in acquiring more funds for materials and other maintenance costs to sustain the school is slowly coming into fruition. Our dreams are turning into a reality, one step at a time,” Diaz said.

Through a school head’s intervention, his rural schoolin Davao del Norte gets the much-needed boost in facilities

KEEPING FAITH

EWhen Dante V. Diaz, the current school head, arrived in 2013, there were only three teachers and 62 students sharing a single classroom. But the shortage of monetary assistance to purchase supplies, utility, and general maintenance, among other concerns, did not deter Diaz from his goal to get funding for the school.

“We tried everything possible to have a budget released from the national funds of the Department of Education (DepEd) for the construction of one more building for Mahayahay. There were numerous times that I had to travel for more than two hours just to ask for monthly resources, but I didn’t give up because even a small amount could make a difference. I also went to the municipal hall to request for electricity when ours was cut off occasionally,” he said.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Things began to look better when the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in partnership with PBSP, provided a two-classroom building in Mahayahay in 2014.

It took over a year to finish the schoolbuilding but the hard work was worth it, especially

because it was completed with the help of many of the students’

parents through manual labor and some skilled workers. The spirit of

volunteerism was evident as more community members became active in helping out.

“Before this new classroom opened, many parents were hesitant to let their children study here. They preferred other schools even if it meant they

had to walk farther because of better facilities. Who could

blame them? But once they saw improvements made

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A PTA president brings value to a community school in Davao del Sur

WHEN A PARENT LEADS

B eing the president of a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) is no easy task. But for Marcelina B. Casil, balancing

duties between home and school is second nature to her.

Casil is a mother to seven children, a wife to an all-around laborer in a coconut plantation, and the ever-reliable go-to person for parents in Mahayahay Elementary School (ES) in Digos, Davao del Sur.

All her elder children who already established families of their own, graduated in Mahayahay ES. Her two youngest children are enrolled in Grades 6 and 8 at the same school.

ROLES AND RULES

Casil’s duties start as soon as the school year commences. First, she meets with the school principal to get status on current officers and makes plans for the coming school year. Second, she holds brainstorming sessions with a team of officers. Third, she delegates assignments to officers, creates yearly budget and calendar of activities.

Raising funds from parents is a challenge for her as most of them depend on their seasonal contractual jobs on ricefields, coconut and banana plantations. Hence, they usually provide meager financial contributions to the association but they make it up by being active members.

“I go from being the leader, facilitator, negotiator, helper, and everything in between. I am the spokesperson of the parents to the school principal and vice-versa. Being president, I have to spearhead projects and solve issues with our association and the school. Our PTA funds are allocated for school maintenance, redecorations and improvements in the classroom and kitchen utensils,” Casil said.

Most of the mothers are also tasked to cook healthy food for malnourished students in the school’s feeding programs. They also participate in preparations for various school activities and celebrations.

INSTRUMENTAL TO CHANGE

As a stakeholder of the school, her group had one dream that seemed impossible to happen.

“We wished for a bigger school to accommodate more children and new facilities for the students to use. But we knew the difficulty of getting sponsors from our municipality and other government organizations. I knew the lengths our school head had to go through to get funds so this remained a fantasy for parents and school staff for a long time,” Casil added.

Fortunately, the dream became a reality when Mahayahay ES became the beneficiary of a two-classroom schoolbuilding from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in May 2014. Under the facilitation of Casil, the PTA became instrumental to the building’s completion. She ensured that preparations were made for construction and that members helped in any capacity they could provide. Parents volunteered to do manual labor; some were paid for their skill.

When it was completed, everyone was full of gratitude for the partnership.

“It made a big impact to all of us. A project like this was a blessing for all,” said Casil whose effective leadership made a difference in the lives of the school community.

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henever a natural disaster strikes, San Luis National High School in Agusan del Sur transforms into

an evacuation center for affected communities.

But in spite of this regular occurrence, the school staff and municipality used to have limited knowledge in disaster preparedness. They just relied on their previous experiences and instincts which directly affected their organization and evacuation methods.

So when the opportunity to develop skills as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Coordinator was offered, the principal of the school immediately handpicked Leonida Sarteda for the position. The Grade 7 Science teacher and Boy Scouts coordinator was chosen for her experience in implementing council-led programs as well as event management and program development.

Sarteda was among other beneficiary school representatives who attended a series of trainings on Incident Command System conducted by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), with the funding support of the Spanish G o v e r n m e n t t h r o u g h F u n d a c i o n Humanismo y D e m o c ra c i a . The DRR trainings were composed of c o m m u n i t y risk assessment, contingency plan formulation, early warning and evacuation drill tabletop exercise (a tool/checklist where systems and protocols are tested if they are effective

A teacher goes beyond her role to serve as an effective disaster coordinator in her community

A PRICELESS LESSON

W or needs improvement) and actual community flood drill. The trainings aimed to help the appointed school DRR Coordinators in the preparation of a contingency plan during floods.

Complementing the trainings was a two-classroom schoolbuilding that the school received from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Apart from having complete

amenities and d i s a s t e r -

r e s i l i e n t features , t h e building was also

strategically elevated to avoid flooding.

PUT TO THE TEST

Sarteda had not even executed the community flood drill yet when disaster struck their place in January this year. Her acquired knowledge from the DRR trainings was immediately put into practical use.

“I was in the morning class when I was alerted by our school principal of the rising water and the inevitable flood. We suspended classes and held a meeting with other teachers to prepare for the influx of evacuees,” Sarteda said.

The school was able to accommodate some 150 residents in 10 classrooms.

She added: “Because of the training, San Luis was more organized and had procedural measures in place. We already knew what to do because we had guidelines to follow. We had logbooks for the entry and exit of evacuees. We had smooth coordination with the local government and town officials in the distribution of relief goods.”

Sarteda is thankful for the training which not only helped equip her with important skills but also enabled her school to be more prepared to save lives.

“The lessons I learned as DRR Coordinator were priceless. I’m also grateful for the donated building because of its various

uses and complete amenities. Everyone could feel the benefits

of these partnership programs with PBSP and its generous donors

because now we are more equipped to handle disaster situations in the future,” she said.

Sarteda hopes that more DRR coordinators in her province will be developed and trained to better respond to calamities that are predicted to hit the region more frequently.

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TURN THE TIDEA resident benefits from local leaders’ newfound knowledge on DRR in his typhoon-ravaged town

f Geronimo Monternel had a choice, he would leave Brgy. Poblacion, San Luis in Agusan del Sur – his home for

more than 20 years.

Monternel settled in this small corn plantation village along with his eight children and their families, despite being constantly battered by typhoons during the rainy season. He witnessed firsthand the devastation brought by these calamities, the most recent of which occurred just last January.

The town is vulnerable to such natural calamities because of its proximity to the Agusan River and to small streams and waterways. Once the waters overflow, the residents of Purok 3 and surrounding villages have to evacuate immediately. The lack of flood control infrastructure, close coordination of government units with communities, and limited knowledge in disaster operations contributed to the difficulties experienced during calamities.

“We expect the floods almost like clockwork each time there is heavy or relentless rains. It’s normal for us but it’s also so exasperating to always evacuate, knowing with certainty that our properties will be ruined by the storm. Some of my neighbors

neighbors sought refuge in San Luis National High School while waiting for the floodwaters to subside. He had experienced many disasters in his lifetime where he had gone back and forth from his house to evacuation centers several times; but this time around, it was different.

He saw big improvements in the way the local government and the community worked during the disaster. Having been trained on DRRM, the town and school officials were more systematic and synchronized in handling the evacuation of residents. Services were faster such as the rescue of stranded residents and distribution of relief goods.

“I wasn’t surprised by this outcome because I knew this partnership could change how we behave and operate during calamities. I’m also grateful to the school that never failed to accommodate my family,” Monternel said.

Through the DRR program as well as the interventions of PBSP and its donors, the community has gained the much-needed confidence and skills to face any disaster.

Iwho have money buy lands in other locations to escape the difficulties of evacuating and prevent future damages to their belongings. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t want to live here anymore. But I have a stable income as the barangay’s utility personnel, so it’s not that easy,” Monternel shared.

LIFE-SAVING PROGRAM

Recognizing the town’s need for disaster preparedness, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) implemented a Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) program funded by the Spanish Government through Fundacion Humanismo y Democracia. PBSP involved the community in the design and management of disaster-resilient projects, and provided assistance in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) planning and implementation.

The program also helped strengthen the relationship between residents and the local government, enabling the latter to show they cared for the community’s welfare.

These changes and the new knowledge on disaster preparedness became evident when another typhoon struck Monternel’s village. He, along with the rest of his family, relatives, and

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to establish his own company called “Virtualahan” with the help of his two siblings.

The social enterprise breaks down employment barriers for people with disabilities (PWDs), and promotes inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful employment in a workplace that is free from discrimination.

The PWDs are provided with digital skills training to enable them to become “virtual assistants” or online service providers in the outsourcing industry. “With just a laptop and internet connection, anyone can virtually work anywhere. Clients abroad don’t bother with your physical limitations. What really matters is that you can perform the tasks well. I believe anyone can have a fair chance to be productive and to be an asset to the company despite one’s medical condition,” he said.

To scale up the impact of Virtualahan, Accenture, Inc. with the help of PBSP, funded the training of 120 PWDs. The goal of the program is for at least 70% of the trainees to get employed as online virtual assistants. Currently, there are 54 beneficiaries under this program. Less than two years since it started its operations, Virtualahan already reaped accolades both locally and internationally. Gersava is now in the process of building a strong network for Virtualahan globally with the financial support of Global Good Fund. Today, the company has 76% employment rate or 107 virtual assistants earning a decent income which is even expected to increase by 30 to 40%.

“Before, my sole priority is only to achieve my own personal dream. Today, my reason for waking up in the morning is to fulfill other people’s dreams. When you stop caring what other people think and focus on your own goal and purpose in life, it will change everything.” Gersava said.

edical technologist Ryan Gersava had an impeccable performance in school

as a scholar and g r a d u a t e d

with honors, but he just c o u l d n ’ t land a job.

He had three job o f f e r s but the h i r i n g p r o ce s s

w o u l d always be

cut short w h e n

A social entrepreneur empowers people withdisabilities by giving them a fair chance to work and life

BREAKING BARRIERS

M employers see his medical certificate and learn that he has Hepatitis B.

Coming from a poor family in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat with parents who didn’t even finish high school, Gersava and his nine siblings long knew that if they wanted to have a bright future, they should work hard for it. Hence, they strived to become scholars in school and graduate with flying colors.

“We worked hard in school because there was no other way. I took Medical Technology as my undergraduate course with the goal to become a medical doctor someday,” he shared.But things didn’t turn out the way he planned.

“It was in my freshman year when I found out I had reactive Hepatitis B, an incurable disease of the liver. It could lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis if left undiagnosed and untreated. At first, I didn’t worry because I’m an inactive carrier (a rare condition) which means I carry the virus but I was never sick so I still don’t have the ability to pass the virus,” Gersava explained.

Sadly, the stigma with this type of condition is still prevalent, making him a victim of some people’s limited knowledge on his sickness.

“I got my third job offer but I wasn’t accepted again because of my medical certificate’s results. There’s a big stigma and confusion with this type of condition which is frustrating. So I had to dream another dream for myself because my original one didn’t work out. It was a very painful experience because I did my best in all those years, only to be crushed with society’s ignorance,” he lamented.

GIVING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Being a survivor with such resilience and grit, Gersava didn’t let that setback ruin his chances of having a job. Since nobody would employ him, he decided

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INNER STRENGTHA person living with physical limitations chooses to work and inspire others

customer orders online and schedule deliveries. Sometimes, I also answer technical inquiries from customers like how to put the tattoo and how long would it last. I also have a part-time job in another company as lead generator.”

De Loyola now earns a decent income and is able to shoulder half of the household expenses.

“I wasn’t coerced to shoulder some of my family’s expenses but I really wanted to help. I use my money to pay our monthly internet, electricity, and water utilities. I also buy small appliances and furniture. During paydays, I also treat my nephews,” she said.

Aside from providing financial support to her family, she also became a blessing to other persons with disabilities by referring them to Virtualahan.

“Some of them were emotional and wanted to commit suicide. But I encouraged them to look beyond our physical limitations because we can still learn and do things. We still have a purpose in life. It is not yet the end of the world,” de Loyola said.

MLIFE GOES ON

In December 2016, de Loyola inadvertently discovered Virtualahan through social media.

“I was browsing Facebook when I saw a post from Virtualahan offering training and job support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). I got interested so I sent them a message asking for a list of requirements. I really wanted to join. I explained I had DMD and had an online job before,” said the 25-year-old virtual assistant.

The next day, a representative from the social enterprise interviewed and visited de Loyola at home to assess her needs. In January, she started the six-week training on various online software tools to equip her for the online job.

Five months after, she began working for a foreign company that sells temporary tattoos worldwide.

She shared, “I am working at home as their e-mail support. I am assigned in the shipping process where I receive

ary Grace de Loyola may have been afflicted with a rare muscular disease that may take her life anytime but she refused to be a prisoner of it.

In fact, she is even working to help her family and inspire others.

De Loyola has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder where she looses body control over time due to muscle degeneration. The condition has no cure. She discovered about it four years ago.

“I cried and got depressed when I discovered it. I thought it was only polio. When I was a child, I could still write and move my fingers. Later, in my teenage years I could already feel weakness in my upper body. Now, I have difficulty moving my arms but I can still grip and type through my knuckles. Supposedly if a child grows, the body becomes strong, but in my case, I grew weaker. I got scared because I might die anytime,” she said.

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T H E M I N D A N A O I S S U ECOVER STORY

“I

From uplifting lives in Sarangani, the new PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee Chairman continues to help communities through development work

BORN TO SERVE

want to become President of the Philippines.”

This was what Miguel “Migs” Rene Alcantara Dominguez told his nanny when he was four years old, a dream inspired by his parents’

involvement in public service and development work.

At an early age, Dominguez was exposed to community programs by his father, Paul who was already active in Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) then as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and mother, Rosvida

who was President of the Philippine Red Cross chapter in Davao. Seeing his parents’ various social development initiatives, he eagerly tagged along in his father’s trips around Mindanao where he saw the gravity of poverty among his fellow Mindanaoans.

“My father would bring me along with him on his trips around Mindanao which allowed me to see the different facets of Mindanao. This exposure allowed me to

understand the culture of each place. In those trips, I saw some challenging areas where there were insurgents, and where poverty was massive.

One time, I was even brought to visit the Island of Simunul in the province of Tawi-Tawi. These experiences

helped shape my understanding towards development, especially around Mindanao,”

he shared.

Growing up, Dominguez ran for a position at the Student Council of the Ateneo de Davao University in grade school and high school thrice, but his supposedly first foray into politics didn’t push through because he lost. This made him pursue a different path. A TRUE SARANGAN

In college, he studied AB Economics at Boston College in Massachusetts, USA. When he graduated, the Philippines was among those affected economically by the Asian Financial Crisis. Dominguez could have stayed and started a career abroad but instead returned home in Alabel, Sarangani to work in the family business.

Having seen his father manage their farm of cattle and bananas when he was young, Dominguez was more than eager to share what he has learned from his

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by day and that takes a while. It’s a deliberate process – crafting messages, ensuring policies are respected, being consistent with your actions and your policies, and knowing how to rally citizens to be part of governance,” he pointed out.

Throughout his three consecutive terms in office, Dominguez was able to improve the quality of education in Sarangani, transform the province from the fourth poorest into one of the best performing in the country at rank 14, and made it into an investment and tourism haven.

Through his Quality Education for Sarangani Today Program, 113 schools received funding from the private sector. With the help of Synergeia, teachers, parents, and community leaders, they were able to raise the status of the province from being the lowest to Region 12’s best performer in the 2011 National Achievement Test for elementary and high school. “I always believe that the only way for the community to progress is to invest in human capital through education. That was one of the programs I am very proud of for the past nine years. We really elevated the quality of education in Sarangani which continue to be a model for many provinces and cities. This model of success was not founded on budget but on political capital to extract participation and equity from the citizens. We did it with only Php10 million budget every year,” he explained.

Dominguez also advocated peace in the province by reducing the number of pending cases sent to court through the Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program; involving the community in mediating and managing conflicts as well as in promoting peace in their areas; engaging rebels in peace dialogues; and seeking the support of every constituent, including indigenous peoples in making Sarangani a better place for investment. Dominguez who admires the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo’s success in Naga, also engaged in mentoring local governments to share their best practices, and help other LGUs achieve their own successes.

All these accomplishments earned for Dominguez several recognitions

American education and do his part for the family.

“When I finished in 1999, there was the Asian Financial Crisis. Many businessmen in the Philippines were depressed or struggling. There was an option to work abroad like what some of my classmates and friends did. But ever since, I really knew I would return. I want to contribute and I know a lot of businesses in the Philippines are not doing well. Maybe they can appreciate if I contribute and see how the skills I have learned in Economics can help business here,” he said.

At the Alsons Aquaculture Corporation, he worked to make their brand of smoked milkfish (bangus) dubbed “Sarangani Bay” a well-known commodity not only in the country but in international markets in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe.

“Importers were not too keen about importing Philippine bangus because of their sad experiences – buying bangus from another place na lasang lumot. It took a lot of convincing until we were able to succeed in selling it. At that time, we just started with five wives of our employees who were processing fish in a makeshift processing plant. Then, someone taught us how to smoke fish. Those were very humble beginnings,” recalled Dominguez. “Today, we are proud to say that we have already reached 20 years in serving Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.”

MAKING HIS OWN MARK

In 2004, when he was midway into his career as a businessman, the opportunity to serve in government was offered. Responding to a public clamor for change in Sarangani, Dominguez ran as governor and won, beating an incumbent official who was accused of corruption.

At 27, Dominguez became the second youngest governor in the Philippines and the youngest in Mindanao. While he had no experience in politics, he proved that he can bring Sarangani to greater heights with sweeping reforms that are matched with a transparent, bold and inclusive style of leadership.

“Leadership is not automatic. The first challenge is earning the trust and respect of the citizenry and the institutions. It has to be earned day

that include the Galing Pook Hall of Fame Award and the Seal of Good Housekeeping for Good Governance. Apart from being named one of the 2013 Ten Outstanding Young Men for Public Service and Good Governance, he also became a Dwight Eisenhower fellow on public administration. The 40-year-old Dominguez is also a 40 under 40 Awardee by Devex Manila for his exemplary contributions to government.

THE MISSION CONTINUES

Taking on the role of his father as Chairman of the PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee, Dominguez feels proud to belong to such an organization and to continue improving lives through PBSP.

“I feel proud to belong to an organization like PBSP. It’s also an opportunity to contribute especially to the next generation. I will be using and sharing the experiences I have in development, working with localities, communities and also trying to bring PBSP to the next 50 years. I’m looking at how PBSP can add value, mentor and guide member-companies,” he said.

For Dominguez, when businesses participate in social development, they commit not only to profit but to the sustainability of their communities. “These investments,” he adds, “are very important especially in Mindanao where business and development go hand-in-hand.”

This is what he intends to do for PBSP.

“I’d like to find ways for member-companies to participate in programs of PBSP or vice-versa. A lot of companies have dormant foundations that are only revived when the CEO tells them to donate a building. PBSP can really mentor these foundations to become active and functioning (corporate or family foundations). During the last meeting, we were able to share experiences, successes and failures. I think the relationship can be developed and enhanced further,” he said.

Dominguez may not be a President, but what matters to him is the opportunity he always gets in helping build a better country.

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he late Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. once said, “I believe that the Filipino will respond to the call to greatness not by coercion but by persuasion, not by intimidation but through the ways of freedom.” Referring to leadership and communicating with

the Filipino people, these words are a stark contrast to the countless volunteers working tirelessly to help those affected by the Marawi siege. They have responded to the “call to greatness” not by persuasion, not by choice, but due to violent and harrowing circumstances. They themselves being victims and evacuees, the volunteers go through the process of helping others cope and survive while dealing with their own pains, torments, and suffering.

This special feature presents a collection of soundbites from select volunteers as they reminisce that fateful day when the Marawi siege erupted. These were lifted from conversations with volunteers and during a psycho-social debriefing that provided care for the caregiver. You will also hear from a PBSP employee as he recounts that day when he was caught in the crossfire while discharging his duties as a nurse overseeing drug-resistant TB patients. He was also instrumental in kick-starting PBSP’s response not only to its Marawi-based employees but also to those affected by the Marawi conflict, in general. You will not only read about their memories of pain but will also get a glimpse of their hopes and dreams about their lives and the future of their hometown, Marawi City.

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MUSINGS FROM A WAR-TORN CITY

SPECIAL FEATURE

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I was happy because I just concluded our middle school completion ceremony and everyone was excited, happy and looking forward to celebrate with the family. It was a day filled with pride, laughter, and revelry until we heard gun fires. After a few minutes, we saw our neighbors running down the streets screaming “ISIS!” Then my younger brother came home rushing in panic, telling us that we needed to evacuate. We just had one question in our minds: Where will we go? As a family, hard as it was, we decided to stay. For three days, we were hiding in our home in terror as we would hear bomb explosions and exchange of gunfire getting louder and louder. At the end of the third day, our resources were slowly depleting. So we again discussed about fleeing or we will die from starvation. We, therefore, decided to flee, gathering what we can carry and ran from our home in Banggolo, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur to Pantar, Lanao del Norte. It was the longest and most terrifying walk we have ever made in our entire lives.

We were walking the streets, fleeing from our home along with other evacuees, when a group of men in black masks and guns halted all of us and roared like a beast, “who among you are not Maranaos?” No one was answering in sheer terror. The man in the black mask then yanked one man out of the group and instructed him to recite a Maranao prayer. When the man was not able to do as instructed, the man in the black mask pulled out his gun and shot him. Everyone screamed and dispersed in different directions to escape the horror.

When the siege started, I will never forget the horror in the

eyes of the people of Marawi. As we were fleeing our hometown, the

fear turned into worry—where will we go and what will

be waiting for us in the future? Then sadness sank in as

the thought of losing everything we have worked hard for was

gradually becoming a reality. The house, belongings and future that we built would be destroyed along

with the rubble and ruins left by this unthinkable act of violence.

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We were just finishing up in the school as part of “Brigada Eskwela,” where we, along with Grade 10 students, were cleaning and preparing for the coming school opening. We then heard gunfire and within minutes saw people running down the streets. We were even laughing that some were still “not used to” hearing gunfire. However, one of our colleagues received a phone call that we needed to evacuate as ISIS had taken over the streets of Marawi. We then rushed and fled. I was with a student then and to just be safe, we went to the nearest house not knowing that it would soon be in the middle of the exchange of gunfire between government forces and the Maute group. We stayed their overnight amid explosions. The next day, we took a chance and fled to get out of the center of gunfight. All throughout our escape, I spoke to the student who was so quiet. He then burst into tears, saying, “Teacher, I don’t want to speak because I cannot speak Maranao. People may kill me.” He continued sobbing and when we reached a safe place, he said to me, “I will never forget this, Teacher.

Especially that today is my birthday.”

My child died during the height of the siege. I may accept the loss of my house and all the material things that I have invested in, but I will never ever accept my child’s untimely death as I can do nothing to bring him back. As a volunteer, I help oth-ers be strong and stay strong. But I can’t help it that during those times I had to get up and cry at the memory of and longing for my dead child. For now, I have to continue staying strong and helping those who need help. Hopefully through them, I will be able to forget or better yet accept my loss.

My family went to the park one Sunday to just relax and spend

quality time with each other. My children were playing and

were laughing and I shared their happiness and chimed in with

laughter. Then I caught myself and stopped. I suddenly remembered the counseling session I had with

an evacuee, a mother, who lost all her children during the height

of the Marawi siege. A guilty feeling shrouded over my being

which made me ask myself, “am I allowed to laugh and be

happy?”

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“I dream that those people who were separated from their families be reunited with them soon.”

“I dream of the conflict in Marawi ending soon so we can return to our homes and start

rebuilding our lives.”

“I dream that my children will one day get to play in our hometown’s park with their friends without

fear of war.”

“I dream of Marawi City, back on its feet with all its glory.”

“I dream that Maranaos and Muslims in general are not discriminated against and referred to as “terrorists” and “the source of all conflicts.”

“I dream that Muslims and non-Muslims will embrace each other and put aside prejudices.”

“I dream that one day, we will only be referred to as Filipinos and not “categorized” based on religion.

I dream of only LOVE and PEACE.”

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P R AY E R S & DREAMS

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A nurse recounts his experience when he was caught in the crossfire on Day 1 of the Marawi siege

COURAGE UNDER FIRE

on’t worry, that’s nothing.”

These were the words spoken by Saddam Hussein Ali Derico, a nurse for the PBSP-Global Fund’s

project handling the post management of drug-resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT), when he along with his colleague heard gunshots from a distance. He is stationed at the Satellite

Treatment Center located in Amai Pakpak Medical Center (AMPC) in Marawi City. His

wife was with him that day to accompany him when they visit his grandfather confined at AMPC.

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

As the gunfire became louder and got closer and closer to their area, Derico, his wife and fellow nurse became

worried and decided to leave the clinic and transfer to AMPC. As his fellow nurse

opened the door, a scene of chaos and frenzy was revealed to them: people running

away from men in black masks who were roaming around on foot or on motorcycles,

toting guns and firing shots!

They went back into the office, locked the glass

door and moved a table to provide additional blockage should the men try to enter the clinic by smashing the glass door. They ducked at a farthest corner of the room but they could still see the silhouette of men with guns outside the glass door and could even hear them talking and shouting. Derico quietly led his wife and fellow nurse to the clinic’s restroom with concrete walls for safety just in case there would be gunfire. They stayed inside the restroom for

almost an hour, crouched and

cramped together.

When the gunfire subsided, he decided to check if it is safe for them to leave the clinic. He went to and slightly opened and peered through the glass door. Seeing that there was no one outside the clinic, they decided to seek refuge in the hospital which is just 100 meters from the clinic. They quickly ran out of the clinic to the hospital.

Upon entering the hospital, they saw patients on gurneys and wheelchairs and hospital staff busily running around to prepare for evacuation. They went to see his grandfather, coordinated with the doctor and nurses, and prepared him for evacuation. However, when it was time for them to leave, they were stunned at the sight of masked armed men (later identified as the Maute group) inside the hospital and on the hospital grounds. Stressed and terrified, they waited and when they saw that patients were being allowed by the Maute group to leave, they also approached them and asked to be granted the same permission. Once they were allowed to leave, Derico and his group got out of the hospital, went home to their residence in the MSU Compound, quickly gathered what they can, and fled from Marawi to Iligan City.

THINKING OF HIS TB PATIENTS

Despite being an evacuee, this has not stopped Derico from performing his functions as a nurse, temporarily holding office at Iligan City Hospital. After the siege in Marawi and once he was able to do so, he immediately tried to contact his patients who reside in areas around and in the outskirts of the siege’s ground zero.

“We faced a major hindrance in tracing some of our patients and for them to ensure continuous treatment since they cannot get out of Marawi City to go to Iligan due to roadblocks, impassable roads, and lack of transportation. I have been in constant coordination and discussion with the DOH region to come up with strategies to ensure that our drug-resistant TB patients are accounted for, and are able to continue their treatment.”

LIFE AS A “BAKWIT”

Derico now lives with 15 other evacuees in his relative’s house in Iligan. He recounts his first day in his new home, “The house that we now live in is a fairly new house, with basic furniture like a stove, chairs, and a bed. With 16 people in the house, there was a need for pillows, blankets, pails, and other basic utensils. Good thing that other relatives pitched in to provide us these necessities to make us comfortable in our temporary living space. Aside from these items, we also fell in line to receive relief goods whenever there’s supply from the barangay. This somehow eases the burden on the part of our host family who now has 16 people to take care of.”

As a home-based evacuee (“bakwit”), he has no choice but to continue with his day-to-day life and be strong for his wife and family. When asked about his dreams, he simply answers, “I just want to go home. Not a day passes by that we do not think of our home, if it has not been destroyed or robbed. I wish all of this will end. All I want is to rebuild our home and our life and start being optimistic about our future.”

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Documents

CHANGE · 2018. 9. 20. · Libreta already knew she was different from others so she accepted the offer of adoption from a teacher who wanted to help lessen the financial burden to