Leaving Unexpectedly

by: Neil Ryan Marcos

It was an ordinary night. The smell of coffee and sound flipping papers enveloped the house. It was getting late. We were tallying our survey sheets as fatigue and sleepiness were weighing down upon us. Then amidst this array of tedious workload, the sound of a ringing phone suddenly broke in. It was from our classmate, who was having her community exposure in the same municipality. She informed us about the impending security crisis at hand, and advised us to start packing to be prepared for the worst. Upon hearing such news, I can’t help but leap for joy. The thought of going home filled my mind and awoke the exhausted spirit in me. But to make things even more brilliant, it was decided later on that we would leave tomorrow, as early as possible. I immediately went to our room and started packing and fixing my things. The thought of home with its chore-free life and clean toilet bowl made me ecstatic! As a result of my excitement, I was the first one to finish packing. After doing so, I sat down and started staring at everyone and at everything. The air was filled with noises of packing tape, stuff being put in boxes and people asking about all the stuff we had to leave behind and stuff we had to bring back to Zamboanga. It was then that I realized how self-absorbed I was. I forgot that I have responsibilities to my group mates as well. Hence, I started helping out by cleaning the living room. I was amazed at how much stuff we had lying around. It was very natural for us to build clutter everywhere. But even though our living room can be such a mess sometimes, we would spend most of our time there. It is where we shared some of our hardest laughter and funniest memories together.

Luggage strewn all over our living room.

Doing some last minute checking.

After the kitchen, I headed back and saw our calendar of activities on our wall. We placed our schedule in a big Manila paper and taped it in the middle of our house for everyone to see. We would mark each day as it passes. We would carefully weigh our tasks and plan them accordingly. The decreasing number of days would tantalize our dreams of being home again. But after thinking about it, I realized something: Throughout our survey adventures and buying sprees, we would always say at the end of the day, “uwi na tayo.” Then we would journey home to our little bungalow. This was the place we yearn to go home to after a tiring day of work. This was our solace. In a span of a few weeks, this place became a home for us. Then it hit me: I am really going to miss my friends and our home.

After a few hours, we had a meeting about the implications of leaving early. But more importantly we discussed how we would break the news to the people who were so kind and hospitable to us. We felt really bad that we would leave like this, after everything they did for us. We decided to make a letter for them. We made one in English, and another one in Bisaya.


The morning of our departure came. We barely had a few hours of sleep and everyone was in low spirits. We made our last arrangements and started saying goodbye to our neighbours. We went to our Barangay Captain and told him what had happened. His face grew sad as we told him about our predicament. But he also affirmed that it might be for the best given the situation. He also said he would be happy to drive us to the bus terminal with his truck.

Leaving with a heavy heart.

Getting off at the Regional Health Unit to wait for the bus. 

After a few minutes, the truck was ready. We loaded our luggage to the truck and boarded at the back. As the engine starts to rumble and the vehicle started to wobble, we stared at our little bungalow – how humble and sweet she is. All the memories started to build up tears in our eyes. Shortly, after traveling a few meters away, our neighbor saw us from his window. He quickly ran towards the road. I thought we might have forgotten something, or maybe something was up. But as he reached the road, he quickly raised his arms and waved us a big good bye. Upon seeing this, I can’t help but smile and be proud of myself. Surely, I may have done something genuinely good for this man to go out of his way just to see us off. But it wasn’t just that! As we pass along the neighborhood, people would stop just to wave us goodbye. It was simply an overwhelming feeling. I was happy that somehow I know I was able to touch their lives, but I was also sad to leave them. As our vehicle reached the national road and left the paradise we fell in love with, one thought kept residing in my mind – I WILL BE BACK, I’LL SURELY BE BACK.

MD - Mirangan Doctors

by: Felimon Mailig, Jr. 

MEDICAL STUDENT: the very idea of my own name attached with these two words gives me a rush of adrenaline. It is the road to my childhood dream and the mere fact that I have started my first step to the bridge of that dream makes me anxious and excited at the same time. Nervous, in the sense, that the bridge may not be strong enough, it may not be steady at some point and eventually, I might fall. I’m excited even when the bridge may be moving back and forth, I could still see great view both sides. But the BEST VIEW, which I could not see yet, is the one waiting for me on the other side. The thoughts of being ALMOST A DOCTOR make me ecstatic, and yet, the fears of the unknown as well as the weight of the responsibilities that lie ahead, pull me back.

But nothing is as easy as it seems. I’m back to being a student again. After 12 years of schooling, I decided to take up medicine, not knowing that things are not the same as the previous 12 years in school. Studying medicine is far more difficult than I have expected. There are a lot of things that I need to familiarize myself with and to be accustomed to for the rest of my years in medical school and beyond.

Getting the weight of children below 5 years old. 

First is the problem-based learning (PBL) type of curriculum. Since elementary until college, I was familiar with the traditional chalk and blackboard and the lecture type of teaching. But with PBL, I learned to look for answers on my own. After sometime, I learned to be a scavenger. I hunt for my food and learned not to wait for someone else to feed it to me. Not only was the type of learning hard, but the lessons and topics as well. The topics in each module became more difficult as days passed. This is one reality that I must accept and I must overcome these struggles instead of complaining. I must always have this idea written in my mind: “Being a doctor is tough, but you’ll never see what lies ahead if you’ll stop moving forward.”

We had our first community exposure in Barangay Mirangan, in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, on October 2011. I needed to prepare myself to become a community student doctor for 1 month. The immersion gave me a lot to think about and had me realizing certain aspects of my life. Being away from our families mean that we need to depend on ourselves, that we need to move on our own. For instance, we are accustomed to waking up and our meals are already served on the table. In the community, you need to wake up earlier than usual so that you could prepare your own meal.

Student doctors at work.

As a student doctor, our mission to the community we are in is not focused on treating the health problems of the individuals there but to take also into consideration and provide solutions the different aspects that affect the health of the people in the community. For us to do this, we need to adapt ourselves to the community, as well as to the group (student doctors) so that we could come up with solutions for the betterment of our community.

As I got to know the people, I have realized that I could be a catalyst of change. In my own ways, I know I have changed them. At the same time, they have also changed me. I was amazed of how simple their life is and still they are very happy and contented.

Even though I was away from my family, I never felt alone. I found an extension, my new family: Mirangan family a.k.a. Baldemorts family. I am not a student doctor and I could not call myself a student doctor without them, my Mirangan family and the rest of the Mirangan community. Hopefully, with them, not only will I become the best doctor in the future but a better person as well.

Uncovering the Problems

by: Peter James Vitug

When we first set our feet on Mirangan, a sense of pride dawned upon me. Though I was a bit nervous during our first day of community exposure, I know that I’m one step closer in my desire to help transform not only an individual's life, but an entire community.

As we were trudging our way, we have come to a conclusion that indeed, this hidden paradise is faced with different problems that can surely affect the health status of its members.

First and foremost, through our tedious survey, we have found out that the people living in the barangay have poor health-seeking behavior. For them, being sick is just a normal episode in their lives. Majority of them believe that by self-medication, by drinking herbal decoctions, and employing the services of a hilot, their ailments will simply be cured. A small percentage of the population visit the health center for certain reasons like distance, time and the perceived necessity to go for a check-up. We also found out that they have this certain notion that sickness can’t pull them down and that they need to stress themselves to work hard even if they are still sick just to have income for their families.

Next, the environmental sanitation poses a health threat to its constituents too. Based on the exhausted data, we have found out that there is no garbage collecting scheme within their vicinity. The people also have a little knowledge on waste segregation. Toilet facilities were determined to be unsanitary too. Almost 70% of the population are still using *buho* and some of them throw their “waste” anywhere. It is somehow alarming for the spread of diseases are very certain because of these practices.

A squat-type toilet made of planks of wood.

Water potability and accessibility, I for one, would like to raise it as a top problem that this Barangay is currently facing. At first, I was really shocked that this community is getting water from a shallow well popularly called “Tabay” and at times, if luck comes their way, rain would pour just to feed their needs. Almost all of the population is practicing filtration as their method in making the water “potable” for them to use in their daily needs. Plus the accessibility of the tabay is another problem since they have to traverse difficult routes making them more susceptible to accidents.

The people of Mirangan get water for their daily needs in this shallow well,
known to the locals as tabay.

Last, but not the least, the community’s problem on malnutrition. After doing the initial height and weight recording of children below 5 years old, we have found out that 50% of them are undernourished. And only 24% of the family perceived lack of food as a health hazard. We also found out from a RHU data, Mirangan ranked 5th in terms of Malnutrition. With these alarming data, it poses the danger to paralyze the future of Mirangan.

Accordingly, he is seven years old. His weight is that of a five year old.

With these problems identified, we hope that we can come up with an appropriate comprehensive health plan to solve them. We are hoping to hear from the residents on what might be the contributing factors of these problems. Hopefully, the people will cooperate and share their ideas in solving these problems. I believe that a solid partnership with the community would be a good starting point for this.

Our goal to have a healthy community is indeed a challenge. But I still believe that the passion and cooperation of both our group and the members of the community, with the guidance of our Almighty Father, we can truly achieve a Mauswagong Mirangan by 2015 and beyond!

Survey Time

by: Leo John Siaotong

“Those were days filled with contrasts: dread and excitement, lowlights and highlights, tears and laughter.” These are just some of the things I mention when I was asked to talk about my first month of immersion in Mirangan, Siay. This lovely haven is the venue for the countless of experiences, both good and bad, that I didn’t expect to be experiencing as a medical student. 

WDS stands for Whole Day Survey.

One of the highlights of my stay in Mirangan was the start of our survey. The purpose of the survey is two-fold – first is to acquire baseline information regarding the people’s living conditions. Second is to build rapport with the community. The night before we were to embark on our first survey day, I was quite disturbed and my mind was clouded with uncertainties on what I would be expecting for tomorrow’s journey. My mind was filled with worry and before resting myself to sleep I prayed for guidance and strength for the obstacles that my group mates and I were about to face.

The morning of our first survey day came and for most of my group mates, it was a morning filled with excitement and eager hearts. They were thrilled about the idea of climbing mountains, crossing narrow, makeshift bridges & traversing difficult terrains. They saw it as an adventure, like we were on Survivor or this new TV show, “Off the Map.” I, on the other hand, dreaded all of them: I fear the sight of high mountains and even more so, the climbing that goes with it. I was anxious of the possibility of crossing a narrow bridge because it might break. I was terrified of the idea of crossing muddy paths and rice fields because I might get stuck or worse, get injured.

Before leaving, my group mates were all so busy preparing the things we needed for survey such as the survey tools, packed lunches and the necessary medical equipment, which I think must be their way of coping their own fears and anxieties. We divided our group into four teams with the following criteria in mind: 1. Each team must have a male group member. 2. Each team must have at least one Bisaya speaker. 3. Each team must have a team name. (Please refer to the album of the same title for photos):

Team Changaw:

The Changaws are composed of the trio, Ritz, Maj and Mon. The origin of the team name came from the distinct smell of the Changaw, a rice pest abundant in rice fields and paddies. They were the ones always plagued by the smell it emits and at times the insect is even caught sitting pretty on their shoulders (usually Mon’s). *Update: Ritz transferred to Team Bang during the second exposure. 

Team VWT (Vitug Was There):

Team VWT is composed of the dynamic duo, Jam and Neil. The origin of the team name was due to their experience of taking the road less travelled (read: dangerous and steep) to survey a house on top of a hill. After many minutes of a difficult climb, they finally reached the house. But lo and behold, “Vitug was there!” Imagine the expressions these two had after Peter (Vitug) told them he incidentally took the safer route (composed of stepping stones) found on the other side of the hill and went ahead to survey the household assigned for Neil and Jam. 

Team PR:

Team PR is composed of Peter and Kah Shern, the PR masters of the group. They usually get detailed interviews and can build rapport with their interviewees in a matter of minutes. 

Team Bang:

Team Bang is composed of the tandem, Ting-Ting and myself. We were assigned to record weight and height measurements for children under the age of 6. Hence, the name “Team Bang” (pun obviously intended). 

Fortunately enough, we were escorted by one of the kind-hearted and passionate barangay councilors of Mirangan, Mr. Ariel “Nonong” Oroc. We first went to Purok 5, the purok he is assigned in. It is also the farthest and the poorest purok in the entire barangay. As we were making way to the purok, I realized that I was not wrong with my qualms regarding our trip. I had my endless falls & slips in attempting to climb mountains. I sank countlessly in the soft paddies of the rice fields. I was so embarrassed. I felt sorry for myself, to the point of giving up my dream to become a doctor someday. I’m beginning to believe what a group mate of mine said about ADZU-SOM being one of the hardest medical schools in the country. I was on the verge of quitting, but I thought, hey, maybe I’m seeing only the negative aspect of it all. I should look at these experiences as a whole. Eventually, I realized that these experiences make me stronger in all aspects. These challenges would make you a doctor who sees his patients not as cases to be solved, but as human beings in need of compassion and humane treatment; that you’re not there to cure just one aspect of his illness, but to have a more holistic approach; not only are you called to treat an individual but to treat an entire community. Yes, we are faced with quite a challenge, but when we hold the community’s best interests at heart and act on them, that’s when you know you’ve made a difference. I have my group mates to thank for helping me realize all these things. They are indeed blessings from God; my family away from home. 

All smiles! 

Day 1 of our survey with Mr. Ariel Oroc.

The outcome of our survey? Apart from the endless slips and falls, I must say it went fairly well for our first major survey day. We went through all the questions quite thoroughly and got a lot of information that would comprise a portion of Mirangan’s community profile. I can’t express how eye opening this experience has been for me, how the school’s emphasis of being a “catalyst” for change would start on the first semester of my first year in medical school and after seeing the whole picture, how hungry we are to make that change for Mirangan happen. And I know we WILL make that happen. Very soon. 

Meet the Baldemorts

by: Jermae Rubares 

Life is full of beginnings, and most of the beginnings are difficult. Nobody said entering medical school would be easy. Nobody said community exposure would be a breeze as well. Sometimes you just need that extra push, an additional motivation or supplemental inspiration to keep you going. Sometimes I wish perseverance would just come in a capsule, or sometimes I hope patience could come in a pill. Maybe little extra dose of a tablet with gazillion milligrams of understanding would be available in the market too.


Why?
It’s because life is not that simple. Let’s face it, in a world where complex personalities rise, we somehow have to find that common ground in order for us to achieve a symbiotic relationship. Yes, we are all different people. We all have different personalities, yet we share a common goal. A goal which masks the differences we have. 

What is that goal? 
Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” We want to have a worthwhile life and we can achieve that by serving others, and by helping our community. Armed with the knowledge we have as medical students, we are determined to be the catalyst in the change that we aspire for barangay Mirangan. Yes, it is this common goal which keeps our group strong and solid. It is the same desire that keeps us grounded as a group. With the help of each other we know that we are fearless.

It took us some time to get to where we are now. Before we became a family, we were merely classmates. We shared the same dream, went through the same battles and struggles in med school. However, we never expected community exposure to be this life changing. The experience we had was priceless. What made every single day special was the company of each other. Every ordinary day was made extraordinary because we spent it with each other, from the early ‘good morning greetings, down to the night long tallying. Yes, the bickering and ranting were inevitable, but we managed to make it through. Fights were constant, misunderstandings were present but we never allowed it to get the best of us. Every struggle that we’ve experienced seemed to be better and lighter because we had each other’s backs, figuratively and literally. The endless walks we had, making our way through muddy and slippery routes were not only exhausting but life threatening. The falls and slips we had along the way were countless. But with every fall, accompanied by loud giggles (in the sidelines, of course), comes a helping hand. Yes, we had our fair share of “putik” and “Sadako” moments in the rice fields, our “pseudo-quicksand” experiences and countless others. But instead of whining and crying, we end up laughing at and with each other. It was the best therapy, especially after such a tiring day. It was like every survey day, and every lengthy walk we had, all we needed was that dose of laughter, and everything feels okay. It may sound mean to others, laughing at the expense of others and all, but for us, it is just merely another way of saying, “hey, when I slip, I won’t worry; I’ll just laugh my heart out because I know you’ve got my back no matter what.”


In life, falls are inevitable. We can never stand on top all the time, but when we do fall, it is nice to know that you’ve got this family who’ll lend you a hand and pick you up. Even if you’re covered in mud, even if helping you entails a delay in the journey, they won’t mind. In Mirangan “Baldemorts” family, nobody gets left behind.

________________

*A brief history of our name, Baldemorts:

"Baldemort means family. Family means nobody gets left behind." (inspired by the Disney movie, "Lilo & Stitch") The origin of our group name came from a groupmate's question about the well-known villain from the Harry Potter franchise. It is also a reference to the bucket or "balde." Like a balde is to water, my Baldemorts family kept me from spilling or wasting my true potential. They shaped my perspectives, goals and dreams for Mirangan, like how a balde gives shape to water. Having at least one balde per household is a necessity given the water conditions of the barangay. Just the same, all the shared experiences ultimately became a driving force for us to become something we all needed. We became each other's balde, strong and united despite the number of challenges we face each day. 

Connecting with the Area

by: Ma. Monique Theresita Soliven

In a geographical sense, it is not enough to describe a place as just a specific point or area with definite boundaries. To some, it is a characteristic that one place may have and some may not. Others charge it to a feeling, a perception or an experience that may make the place unique or special. A place, unlike time, is something you can go back to, either to preserve a memory or to make new ones. Such human connection is important for a place to become significant.

Our daily view. 

Like meeting a person for the first time, you can’t help but feel guarded after taking the first glimpse of a place you have never been to. The first thing you notice are the physical aspects: the predominant green and brown landscapes, the nipa houses, the farm animals, the modes of transportation and the residents. It was a refreshing change from all the gray concrete and smoke that I had grown accustomed to. Feeling the perfect combination of the cool breeze and the warm sunlight while on our way to our rented house eased my apprehensions, just like when the person you just met gave you a warm and sincere smile.

A place, like a person, can be loaded with complexities. In every aspect, there is a story to be told. It may have changed over the years or have retained its original plot. During the subsequent days, we were determined to get to know the story of Mirangan. Admittedly, it took us a few days to get settled and to adapt to the unfamiliar environment. Building a good relationship with the residents there were our first step to get to know the community. We wanted to know their culture and traditions, and most especially their goals and ideals. Of course, words alone wouldn’t suffice. You must walk the talk.

As doctors, we must walk the talk. 

And walk we did. Every step we took as we go from one purok to another is a symbol of our goal to become intimate with the community. Barry Lopez once said: “If you're intimate with a place, a place with whose history you're familiar, and you establish an ethical conversation with it, the implication that follows is this: the place knows you're there. It feels you. You will not be forgotten, cut off, abandoned. How can a person obtain this? How can you occupy a place and also have it occupy you? How can you find such a reciprocity? The key, I think, is to become vulnerable to a place. If you open yourself up, you can build intimacy. Out of such intimacy may come a sense of belonging, a sense of not being isolated in the universe.”


This openness and vulnerability exhibited by both Mirangan and ourselves, account for the harmonious relationship that we have established thus far. Opening ourselves to the simplicity and beauty of our community is well reciprocated as they too, opened themselves to us in a way families do. We became part of the place’s history, and they, in turn, have changed ours.

Interacting with the mothers of Mirangan. 

Meet and Greet with the Barangay Officials

by: Farhana Paber

I can still vividly remember the very first day we took our first promising step in a paradise called Mirangan. My heart is still floating in waves, dancing to a melody in the mention of our second home. We were a bit guarded and yet ecstatic with hope clearly seen in our eyes.

As we went through our journey, we saw how people usually spent their day. I can never forget the excitement I felt the first time I laid my hands on the produce that they cultivated and considered their treasure. My teammates joined me in celebrating such a great feeling.

As our eyes feasted on the fresh green and brown scenery around us, we were welcomed by the leaders (headed by Brgy. Captain William Tanael) of this small community. I can still remember how they prepared their welcome salo-salo for us. Apprehensions and uneasiness were suddenly replaced with smiles and greetings and later on, with laughter. At that instant, I know that such spark shall emerge into a strong bond. I said to myself, "This is it...We belong."

Establishing a solid link between strangers requires a lot of processes, but with us, I'm proud to say, it was all natural. It was like complementing each other, black and white. Ebony and Ivory. In a span of one month, the acquaintances we’ve encountered solidified into friendship.

We are always invited to join the barangay council meetings, held every 2nd and last Monday of the month at 9 o’ clock in the morning. During the first and succeeding sessions, I observed that each of them possess unique leadership characteristics which are essential in serving Miranganians. Passion is indeed their driving force, Service is their vessel and Welfare is their goal. I felt ecstatic knowing that my group will be working with these people. I was hopeful that during the implementation of our programs, it would sail smoothly due to the willingness of these leaders to see change in their community. The agenda of the meeting included important issues that needed immediate attention. Some were directly related to health such as issues on maternal and child health. Some raised the matter of the barangay’s budget and project allocations. The interactions among the leaders were spontaneous and most provided points on the subject. Debates were frequent, which really allowed us to see how they come to terms with the issues at hand. For me, it was one of the things that would help us find common ground with the leaders and the members of the community. It dawned on me that we need this type of people. I admire their dedication to the community and the their innovative ideas. But the big issue here is the proper implementation of these ideas. I remember what our community preceptor had told us before we arrived in Mirangan. She advised that once we identified the problems, we need to dig deeper and identify the root causes of these problems. This is an essential step since the barangay is known for being passive when it comes to solving important issues especially on health.

Attending our first barangay council meeting.

Perhaps a missing puzzle is yet to be revealed. Mirangan is blessed to have these type of leaders. But what hinders them to progress? That's an important question we hope to answer with continuous interactions in the future.

As of now, I'm happy that I was placed in this family, and more blessed to share my skills and talents with the different leaders of this community, all for the service of our beloved Miranganians.

From Left:
Hon. Helen Dofeliz, Hon. Josephine Lumocso, Mr. Antonio Bangcong, Hon. Romulo Fuentes, Hon. Ariel Oroc, Brgy. Capt. William Tanael, Hon. Randy Mendio, Mrs. Elianita Castillo (Treasurer), Mrs. Rosamei Fresco (Secretary) Hon. Pablito Selga.

First Impressions

by: Shernalynne Tahir

How could I forget the word COMMUNITY in our curriculum at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University-School of Medicine? At the beginning of it all, I thought it would be just like an adventure, being able to see new places and new faces or at the most, it would be a month-long medical mission to a community in need of health care services. However, on the day of our orientation, we were faced with a whole lot of responsibilities and tasks that made me realize that I had the wrong idea of what community-based medicine really is about. That was the day we came to realize that what we are about to take is such a big task not just for us as medical students or as being members of a group but most especially as a part of a whole system responsible for the community people who will be expecting services from us. It would have been easier if that was the only thing that we needed to do but what made it difficult was the thought that we needed to let them participate in our health programs. It was not about just helping them by giving them something out of our own pockets, nor having to implement the plans and decisions we make on our own, but the task was to find out how we were going to encourage them to participate in the overall planning and decision making, after all, they know what they really needed and wanted in their community. It is their home town and they should be the "boss". The medical students will just be there to guide them, showing them how to make it possible. But did you know that this was the biggest dilemma, especially for me? Since I for one do not know how to convince people. But I know I needed to face my fear. I needed to face it especially because we only had a few more days before our community immersion would start. Please don't get me wrong, I never said I was no longer excited after knowing all these things. I was still excited, at least now I know my role, my task, my duty. 

Our group's first meeting.

 From left: Shern Tahir (me), Neil Marcos, Maj Arriola, Moritz Soliven,
 Ting-Ting Paber, Jermae Rubares & Mon-Mon Mailig (not in photo: Peter Vitug & Leo Siaotong)

Accomplishing our first task as a group by doing problem and solution trees. 

 Second from left: Peter Vitug 

Photo by: Leo Siaotong (not in photo) 

First shopping spree at Jermae's favorite store, Novo.

The orientation day was over, the preparation followed. As I was preparing, I knew I had to decide on what things to bring and that I also had to compose myself. What do I need to bring? My favorite clothes, food, medicines and oops before I forget, my cosmetics. Whew! Do I really need to take all these with me? I was having a hard time prioritizing which things to bring with me and those that I should forget about. But then I thought: isn't it the reason we'll have this immersion in the first place, to know what their real life is? And so how would I know the real life in Mirangan if I would be taking all the comforts that I have in our house with me. Finally, I started to remove the rest of the things that I think is not that essential or basic for me.

As I finished packing, I thought everything was ready except for… Me. Again I thought about other things like: what if my group mates won't like me? How am I going to adjust to them, what am I going to do? To whom am I going to approach in times I'd be feeling bad. But then again, there was no turning back. How will I know if I won't let myself experience it? I needed, at least, to give it a try. Who knows, everything will turn out to be okay.

And again, I said to myself, this is it! We're almost there. After reaching our designated place, my heart started to beat so fast. It's because I got so amazed with the surrounding. I never expected that there was still some place like this in Mindanao. So green, you could even smell the trees and everything is nice with a little bit of challenge in terms of the safety of the road and supply of water.

"Trucking" our way to Mirangan. It was one bumpy ride! 

We were given a warm welcome by these lovely ladies.
From left, BNS Rhadiza Silao, Midwife Ruby Limbaga & BHW Evangeline Sulla

And lastly, I realized I was wrong about my apprehensions, after seeing our community Mirangan, meeting the people and most especially after knowing my group mates. I thought I was so lucky to be in this group. I didn't just find another HOME, but I also got a NEW family, my group mates, My BALDEMORTS family. I also got new MOM and DAD in the presence of our barangay captain and his loving wife. New Aunties and Uncles( kagawads, midwife,BHWs), Siblings in the presence of the teenagers out there, LOLOs and LOLAs, and nephews and nieces. In short, we found a new HOME and a new FAMILY. What else could I ask for?

My great thanks To Allah for giving me a chance to be part of this Journey...TO OUR DEAR MIRANGAN.....