Last August 25, 2012 with the help of TRails to Empower Kids [T.R.E.K], I had one of the most meaningful and most memorable climbs of my life thus far.
Thanks to the invitation of Ms. Kelly Austria, the sister of a good friend and one of the founding members of TREK, I was given the opportunity to be part of this worthy adventure.
It was very humbling to be with this group of adventurous people who came from all walks of life and gathers together at least twice a year just to share and extend their blessing to students from the most remote of places.
When I signed up for TREK Quirino, I was completely clueless as to the scale of their outreach program. That was until I saw the boxes of goods being unloaded from the bus, the transportation which in turn delivered us right at the doorstep of Nagtipunan Councilor, Keith Coronado (who generously prepared breakfast and lunch for the group).
I was surprised to see the goods loaded into a truck and was even more overwhelmed when the boxes consumed every nook and cranny that no space was left for the members and volunteers to sit on.
Days before the climb, I had been wondering how the goods would be transported from the foot of the mountain up to the Kakidugen and Tamsi Primary school.
For the nth time that day, I was taken aback when I saw the answer to my silly question. Waiting for us were the locals, with their carabaos and carts, who went down to help carry the goods with smile and excitement on their faces.
Seeing everyone in action, I couldn't help but feel diminished as I compared my modest contribution with the amount of work, time and dedication poured in by all the members in organizing the climb in support of their cause.
It gave me goose bumps just thinking about how they prepared for and completed Trek Quirino.
From visiting the schools, to coordinating with the locals and the local government units, to soliciting donations, to buying and packing the provisions up to that day when the other volunteers and I stood and moved amongst these unsung heroes.
I know they've been doing this for five years already and I've seen photos of their other climbs and being there in person gave me a sense of pride and a reason to smile.
After a short prayer from Atty. Jong (another founding member), the exodus began.
And as we started trudging our way up I couldn't imagine how the animals carrying the heavy loads will get pass through the rivers and the rocky and steep stretches.
As for me and my fellow volunteers, the five-minute interval between trek and rest, the photo-ops, the fruit picking on the side and the friendly chit-chat with members, old timers and founders made the climb not only bearable but ultimately enjoyable.
Despite the physical exhaustion from the 4-hour trek everybody was in high spirits the following day.
The members and founders who stayed up until the wee hours of the morning preparing the food for the locals went about their chores as if they've had a full 8 hours sleep in a comfortable bed.
The mood was festive and there was laughter anywhere you went.
Before the children started arriving with their parents, the slippers and rain boots were arranged on the school grounds, forming the name of the group inside a heart. The books, school supplies, loot bags and t-shirts from the generous donors had been arranged inside the classroom ready for distribution.
Once the children started lining up in the glare of the morning sun the surroundings became brighter than ever, illuminated by their grins as they receive their presents.
Their faces was painted with pure joy and excitement as they compared their loot with each other and as they showed it off to their families.
The school ground was a picture of heartwarming chaos as the children with their mothers and fathers ran around looking for the perfect pair of slippers and boots that would fit them and with TREK's ates and kuyas helping them try every pairs on.
After the gift giving and a couple of games, the parade of food, lovingly prepared by the food committee headed by the resident cook (and another founding member) of the group known to us volunteers as Boy C, followed shortly.
This time the children lined up with their families to get their share of spaghetti, sopas, chickecn tinola, chicken afritada and rice.
After a sumptuous lunch, we all gathered to take pictures with the children to officially end the program. This while the others demonstrated the use of the solar panel, another donation from TREK.
The solar panel will provide electricity to the school which incidentally, also serves as the residential quarters of the two devoted teachers who stay the whole week there for their students.
The moment the crowd started leaving we also began packing our stuff and in no time we were all marching down headed to our next stop, the Kakidugen Primary school.
Once again, we found ourselves surrounded by the children's faces lighted with their sunny grins and curious gazes but before long our smiles were sunnier than theirs once the gift giving commenced.
Witnessing these acts of sharing never fails to make me feel as blessed as the ones receiving the gift of love.
This heartwarming experience left me wanting for more and I am looking forward to climbing new mountains with these big-hearted people as they continue with their commitment to empower more kids and as I strive to give back in my own little way.
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Photos are from Marz Luciano, Kelly Austria, Khnowell Dulay, Ponga Saracho, Judy May Jadulco, Myrla and Mon Corpuz - most them I just grabbed from their FB accounts =)
Thanks to my friend Nina Galang for the edits and Pia Tagaro =)
