2nd Core Group Assembly

by: Felimon Mailig, Jr. 

12th day of April, 2012- It was around 12:30 in the afternoon when we started to set up the chapel for the second Core Group Assembly. Everyone was in a fuss. Each one is busy and most are already in the state of panic, it was as if there is only one minute left before “December 21, 2012” (end of the world). Everyone was doing their specific task such as carrying chairs and tables, preparing the blackboard, pens and papers for the core group members, ventilation and lighting, dialogue, and the snacks. And I was also checking the camera because I was assigned to document the said gathering. Looking outside the chapel, I can see the heat waves coming from the solar dryer. The sun was blaring hot and I tend to close my eyes for some time because of the combination of humidity and heat and at the same time, I kept thinking that maybe only a few people could attend the assembly.

With all the things that we were doing, plus the combined humidity and warmth of that day, adding the panic and stress we were feeling at the same time, our sweat pores begin to open and we started to sweat a lot. We were not looking our best for the assembly. We allotted most of our time in preparation for the assembly that we forgot ourselves

By 1 o’clock in the afternoon, everything was ready. The place was already waiting for the visitors. We were looking quite prepared as well minus the makeup and the wax. The snacks were ready to be served. But to our dismay, there is one important thing lacking, the ones we needed much in order for the assembly to start: the members of the core group.

I could not help but think of the same thoughts during the time we were preparing, that maybe because of that day’s weather, the people opted to stay home and sleep. Another reason is because they already attended the assemblies we organized twice: first was the 1st core group assembly and second, the community assembly.

As seconds turned into minutes, I could feel my hope for the assembly shrinking and shattering into pieces. Five minutes after one in the afternoon, there were still no members. Ten minutes after, we were the only ones (medical students) inside the chapel, no members still. After 20 minutes, there were about less than five members and my hopes are almost gone. But by about 1:30 in the afternoon, it was as if a miracle has happened, all the members were there except for those who were not in Mirangan that time.
With all the things that we were doing, plus the combined humidity and warmth of that day, adding the panic and stress we were feeling at the same time, our sweat pores begin to open and we started to sweat a lot. We were not looking our best for the assembly. We allotted most of our time in preparation for the assembly that we forgot ourselves

Peter Vitug writing down the agenda for our 2nd core group assembly.

The tone of the meeting was serious at first. But the group eventually became comfortable with each other.

I could definitely sense their full support towards us. The meeting started in a round table manner and like our PBL, most of the time they did all the talking while the medical students served as the facilitators.
We came up with the final vision and mission, as well as our objectives and goals. Tasks were disseminated. We gave and informed them about the list of activities for our next exposure. Everyone is cooperating and at the end of the session, they told us that they were quite hopeful for our return. What they did made us all teary-eyed and all I can say during that moment is “pwede ma-TEAR here?” which is our group’s expression. We were definitely excited to see those faces again and so much for the fuss awhile ago that we forgot the main reason why we were there in the first place, not to please them by the materials we could bring but because we were there for them and they could feel the sincerity we have towards them.