Maraming maraming salamat po!

In behalf of the Dumagat community of Norzagaray, Bulacan, we would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the recently-conducted medical mission in Sierra Madre. Last weekend, our team provided medical service to approximately 200 IPs from Sitio Anuling. They were also provided with medicine and food which were made available through your generous donations. In addition, a group of volunteers conducted basic art classes for the children of the community. Again, none of these would have been possible without your help.

Our special thanks go to the people who gave their time and expertise to ensure the accomplishment of our goals. We thank the doctors and nurses who carried out the medical consultations despite the weather conditions. We also thank the doctors who, regrettably, were not able to participate in the medical mission but nevertheless, provided time and knowledge when necessary during pre-event consultations. Again we thank everyone who gave donations in cash and in kind. Your generous gifts went a long way and were very much appreciated. Lastly, we wish to thank our corporate sponsors B Takeda, Bayer, and Unilab for their kind gifts of medicine that were very crucial to the success of the project.

The Dumagats are one of our many communities and there are more out there who are in need of aid and assistance. Hence, despite the many hurdles that are inevitably part of organizing community activities, we will continue sharing what we have, doing what we can, and contributing towards nation-building. And as we go along the way, we hope that we will still be able to count on your support and generosity and that you will continue to be one with us in trying to achieve our vision of a better Philippines and a better way of living for our Filipino brothers and sisters.

Maraming salamat po.

UP Outdoor Recreation Group
Philippine Science High School Class of 1996

Medical Mission for the Dumagats of Sierra Madre

The UP Outdoor Recreation Group (UP ORG), in cooperation with the Philippine Science High School Class of 1996 (Pisay 96), will be conducting a series of medical missions for this year in two indigenous communities: namely, the Dumagat tribes in Sierra Madre and the Aeta Tribes in San Jose, Tarlac.

The Dumagats and the Aetas depend greatly on nature to survive but only on meager supply. The Dumagats have to take a 2-hour banca ride (if there is banca available to them) to get to Norazagaray, Bulacan to trade yantok for rice, salt, and medicines. On the other hand, the Aetas have to wait for the truck that comes to their place once a week. This is where they get the chance to trade their charcoal with some supplies that the truck had brought like instant noodles, junk foods, canned goods, and medicines, if there’s any. Without the truck, the Aetas will travel by foot, carrying loads of charcoal and will arrive a day after at the marketplace. This trading system emanated greatly from need of food and medicines, although, their medical and health needs were being set aside because they can only barter for rice and salt as main necessity.

The first of the med missions will be held on August 16-17 to benefit the Dumagats of Sierra Madre particularly in the area of Norzagaray, Bulacan.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER DOCTORS AND KIND SOULS WHO WOULD LIKE TO DONATE OR HELP SOLICIT MEDICINE FOR THE PROJECT.

Please contact Michelle (YM: micamaldita, Mobile: 09204469728, Email: mencomienda@gmail.com) to donate, volunteer, or for any questions or concerns.

Bayanihan: A Site for Pinoy Volunteers

Link: http://pinoyvolunteers.multiply.com

Para sa mga maraming reklamo sa lipunan, gobyerno at sarili. Para sa mga naghahanap ng bago at pagbabago. Para sa mga nais tumulong. Para sa mga naghahanap ng kabuluhan. At para sa kapwa.

Ang pahinang ito ay nagbibigay ng impormasyon sa maraming oportunidad magboluntaryo sa iba’t-ibang NGO at proyekto.

“Umpisahan ang pagbabago, tara na’t magboluntaryo!”

Be the change you want to make.*

“Volunteerism is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.”**

Volunteerism refers to an act involving a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and developmental interventions that provides an enabling and empowering environment both on the part of the beneficiary receiving, and the volunteer rendering the act, undertaken for reasons arising from socio-developmental, business or corporate orientation, commitment or conviction for the attainment of the public good and where monetary and other incentives or reward are not the primary motivating factors.

In the Philippines, volunteerism is more popularly known as “Bayanihan” which translates into “getting into the act of helping, being a hero for the community.”

Bayanihan aims to serve as a collection of volunteer opportunities, links to organizations, and other resources for the interested Pinoy volunteer.

* Mahatma Gandhi
** Former US Pres. Bill Clinton
Definition of volunteerism from PNVSCA

Pisay 96 Book Drive

For more information, YM/email/text me or contact anyone from Pisay Batch 96.

Maraming salamat! :)

Isang daang pulo at isang dikya

May mga pagkakataon na hindi mo ipagpapalit sa kahit na ano pang bagay, o kahit na ano pang presyo, kahit na ilan pang kagat ng dikya ang kapalit.

Isa na ito dun.

Salamat, friends. Buo na ang taon ko. :)

Larawan kuha ni Brymac.

Call for volunteer divers

As a project staff of Conservation International - Philippines and an (inactive) EcoRescue volunteer, I’m reposting this (from the Ecorescue mailing list):

Calatagan, Batangas has a Crown of Thorns Starfish infestation. Conservation International has asked for help in providing volunteers for the removal of these starfish. EcoRescue has promised assistance to Conservation International.There are 20 slots open for this first trip. This expedition wil be an all expense paid trip. Transportation will be via carpool

Requirements:
1.  must be a scuba diver
2.  ideally you should be an advanced diver or an open water diver with a lot of dives under your belt
3.  a volunteer’s heart

The first trip will be on April 21 and 22. if you are interested to join the expedition please get in touch with Ricky Biyo at 0928-500-5542

Suceeding trips are already being planned. To know more about Crown of Thorns starfish infestation please go to these links:

http://www.cnntraveller.com/2003/spring_summer/starfish/
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/search/search-cot.html
http://www.gov.mu/portal/sites/ncb/moa/farc/amas2003/pdf/p4.pdf
http://www.tellusconsultants.com/Thread/ACANTH.HTM

Maraming salamat po.

Boy Siojo
Program Director

If interested, you may contact me via YM, text, or email.
Thanks.