Have you ever heard the word "BAYANIHAN"? It is a Filipino term which refers to the Filipino culture of a community helping each other in achieving a particular goal. It's one of the positive things about the Philippines that I am proud of. Well, there are also some Filipino habits or culture that I must say aren't good, but what's important is to continue doing the good things.
In my past posts, I shared some of the signages that I volunteered to do for our small community. We're trying to renovate our "purok" - in this case, a small structure where we hold meetings and the like in our area.
Here's how it looks like now. <3
Look at how cute and attractive it is now. But it's far from this look a few days back. Let me tell you a story of how we came up with this project.
Last year, we already have a small structure but it wasn't very strong and its construction was very disorganized. Nobody ever used it and it was just there to comply with the barangay requirement. We didn't really care about it.
A few weeks ago, my parents asked our community leader if we could somehow clean the place. It's beside our house, and it doesn't look very pleasing anymore. After we asked it, some our neighbors even mentioned that there were some insects and even a small snake that one time. And because of this, we decided to renovate the place and make it useable.
Papa decided to supervise the construction. We also provided most of the materials for the renovation, but some member of the community also contributed to buy additional things that are needed. And everyone helped each other to complete this project.
Look at the "purok"'s state before the renovation. I went there with papa to document the project. He was talking with another neighbor who will lead the renovation. On the first day, the kids and other people in the community helped in cleaning the area, getting rid of garbage and other stuff that was stored in the "purok".
And during lunch time, some of the women in our community cooked something for everyone, especially for those who will help in reconstructing the place.
In the afternoon, mama prepared their snacks while I completed the first signage I volunteered to make. I usually wake up at noon, so I missed helping in the cleaning part which most of the kids and mothers in our community did. haha So, I just did what I can. :)
These young guys from our community together with papa and Kuya Rolly did most of the renovation. They all volunteered to do it, especially on weekends. The pictures above were taken during the first day of renovation. We weren't able to do a lot because we lack the materials and it was Sunday the next day, so they continued on Monday.
I took some time off from work on Monday to continue working on the signages while the members of our community continued with the renovation. Mama and the other mothers in our area took care of food, especially food for lunch and snacks in the afternoon. And as for the younger members, they took care of the cleaning. It's nice because everyone has a role to do in this project.
Some of the male officers constructed the fence while the female ones took out some plants from their own gardens to put in the "purok".
Since the kids and some people in our community pray the rosary every afternoon, we decided to put an altar inside the "purok", so they can do it there. Mama and I went out together with my best friend's help in order to buy an image of the child Jesus that we're going to put inside the "purok"
Last Friday, the renovation and beautification was finally finished. <3
We're planning to plant some veggies like tomatoes and other stuff in the vacant lot insed the purok's fence. There's also another area in our community which we plan on cultivating and perhaps planting more plants there.
The "purok" is beside our house, so we provide light to it every night. Also, mama's plants in front of our house have grown really well, so I couldn't stop from taking a picture. Our place has become so beautiful. It's as beautiful as the kids in our place.
These are the lovely kids in our place... and they're also the cleaning squad. In the morning, they call my papa to borrow some cleaning materials... they also do it in the afternoon after they finish playing. The area in front of our house has become their playground but they do their best to keep it clean. :)
Also, last Friday, we shared food with the whole community. Mama cooked some humba and bought lechon manok (roasted chicken) while the other members cooked some bihon *(a kind of Philippine noodle).
We shared it with everyone. We all had a great time and it was so fulfilling to finish the project with everyone.
The "purok" is open every day. Everyone can use it. Kids can do their modules, community leaders can hold their meetings, young adults can stay there to jam like playing music. However, no one is allowed to have a drinking session inside. haha Also, everyone who uses it is obliged to clean afterwards.
Every 6PM, some members of the community visit the "purok" and pray. After the prayer, the "purok" is closed or locked. It will be opened again the next morning when the assigned people clean the place and water the plants. <3
It's overwhelmingly good to see nice changes in the community, but it's extra better when everyone plays a role in making this change. :)
