Fiesta at Town and Country Executive Village

The Philippines boasts an abundance of culture which were passed on to us by many influences (East and West colonization). It also encompasses a wide range of topics like food, language, values, fashion, and festival, to name a few.

Last month, our community had a weeklong fiesta celebration. Fiesta is defined by Merriam-Webster as: festival, a saint's day celebrated in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines with processions and dances. The Pahiyas Festival I witnessed years ago in Lucban, Quezon is altogether a unique manner of the townsfolks' gratitude to their patron saint for a bountiful harvest (you can view the story from here and here).

I am not a Catholic. Neither did I join in the procession . However, as a member of the TCEV PWD group, I had to be present for the picture taking (at least). This is quite necessary, as explained by our Chairman, to show that we exist, especially after being recognized by our local government last December 2024. 

The procession 

The festival was well attended. I was happy to witness the labor of those individuals who brainstormed, organized, and exerted so much effort to make the event successful. There were kind and generous souls too who donated food. These were served for breakfast after the early procession. 

The palaro or traditional games is one the most awaited event. These were played and enjoyed many decades ago, when life was simpler, minus the presence of gadgets. I enjoyed watching the video, "Huliin ang Biik ni Tonio" the most. The mechanics is simple - to catch the piglet. It seems like an easy game but tedious for the participants who were blindfolded. I'm sure the piglet was stressed too from the manipulative hands who wanted to win. 

There were many other traditional games too like the Pabitin. Here, the contestant, while blindfolded tries to hit the pot with a wooden long stick. Inside the pot are coins and candies. Akyat, Tonyo, Akyat is a bamboo pole where one attempts to  climb to the top. Limbo rock aims the player to pass through a stick without falling. I'm sure the kids of this generation, even the kids-at-heart were delighted to witness such games again.

Video of Huliin ang Biik ni Tonio

Fun Run

More than the fun, excitement, and camaraderie it brought to the entire community, I realized that being involved is vital. It promotes belongingness and togetherness. It also fosters open lines of communication. If these values are applied not only when an occasion happens,  serious problems the community poses (like the unpaid dues and utilities) can be resolved if the majority cooperates and participates. The newly elected board of directors play a significant role in the execution of many projects to maintain order (and fun) within our village.

Videos and photos from the FB Page of TCEV PWD Association

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A PWD Group in our Village

"Ang PWD group sa ating community ay nabuo dahil sa pagibig ng isang ina sa kanyang anak na may kapansanan. Dahil din sa kanyang intrinsic persistence, effort at optimism, ang imposible ay naging posible.

Tayong mga PWDs ay social creatures din kagaya ng nakararami who are collectively called able bodied. We also long for meaningful connections and a nurturing environment. Kaya maraming salamat po Ms. Racquel Alma Jose Singson for this initiative. Maraming salamat din po Chairman Percival Garcia sa inyong suporta."

These were the words I shared to the audience when I, together with the rest of the TCEV PWD Adhoc Committee had our oath taking ceremony. It was done during the Christmas party of the senior citizens and the PWDs within our village last December 27, 2024.

The adhoc committee members are mostly PWDs (with psoriasis, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, lupus, depression, hydrocephalus, and dialysis ), including the parent of someone with disability. 

The group was formed because of a mother's love for her child who has special needs - downe syndrome. She spent many hours with the directors of the community's homeowners association (HOA) and requested for their support. Her initiation and countless effort is the result of our group.

During the event, two councilors from our local government were present. Five HOA directors graced the occasion. We were given a certificate recognized by the Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in Antipolo City after submitting all the requirements like the names of the adhoc committee, guiding rules and regulations, minutes of meetings, and our identification cards. 

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There were birth pains along the way. However, we are grateful that our Father allowed this to happen. This is just the beginning. We are hopeful for the numerous plans we have in the future to make us have "meaningful connections and a nurturing environment. "

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Coffee

The aroma, soothing and invigorating. Addicting? Definitely. Sugar level preference - little to none. With milk or creamer? Yes. Cold? Absolutely!

My current beverage supply: coffee, green tea and ginger tea. 

Through the years though, I've had a love-hate relationship with coffee. When I learned to drink and enjoy it, I always opted to have it with sugar and milk or creamer. The convenient 3-in-1 was my go-to. I tried all the local brands available in the supermarket and even some imported ones, too. To my disgust, some were on the verge of making my insulin level high. So, I mark this brand with an "X" (sorry) and try another.

 

My very first driving experience on an expressway as a PWD, using a hand control vehicle (the reason for that facial expression). Whew! I did it. And my first time to get coffee via drive thru. May 28, 2024.

Habitually drinking it either for breakfast, while having lunch, or when I'm working can sometimes be a difficult pattern to break. And I am amazed to have learned that others can instantaneously go to dreamland even after consuming a cup of caffeine!

Another cup via drive thru from a different branch. November 14, 2024

There are also a number of methods to make coffee. From time to time, getting it straight from a barista gives me the instant gratification to release my happy hormones. There are many times too when I get satisfaction when ordering cold coffee from a fast food chain. 

How do you like yours? 

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An Unexpectedly Heart-warming Gesture

My heart is full. I was taken aback by the warm gesture of my 10-year old Vietnamese student (initiated by his mom) whom I am teaching English. I received a message from him this morning that  read: 

November 20, 2024 is Teacher's Day in Vietnam. I shared the screenshot of my student's message to my employer and she responded encouragingly saying, "Yes, it's alright to receive their gift." I also learned that the Vietnamese have high regard to their teachers. Gift giving is their way of expressing their gratitude. In the Philippines, the same act of appreciation is also extended to the teachers by their students. When I was still in school, I remembered giving  tokens to my advisers. The entire school would also prepare a short program to honor them.

In the previous company I worked for, every English as Second Language (ESL) tutor was not allowed to receive any gift (whether cash or in kind) from his or her students. They have stricter rules we needed to follow in accordance to its Data Privacy Policy. I had several offers then, but I had to politely decline. One student even wanted to send money for an e-scooter after he found out about my disability. "For gratuity and your convenience," he insisted. Another sent a souvenir from Tokyo Disneyland, when her entire family enjoyed a short trip there. This I gladly accepted. It was then sent to my home address. 

Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs in the industry. Some may find it outlandish. However, I find fulfilment especially when I see the student's growth - no matter how slowly. In the process, I feel proud that I was partly responsible for the abilities he or she has gained in the course of time. It requires a great deal of labor, persistence and patience that emanates from the desire to be better.

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Generation Catch Up

I was in awe when my 15-year-old niece explained to me the difference between a mechanical and membrane keyboard!

She was studying in the dining room, complete with her books, notebooks, laptop and wireless keyboard in front of her. Out of curiosity, I checked her wireless keyboard by touch-typing, lifting, and observing it's physical features (since the one I use is longer and lighter, a membrane; while hers is the mechanical type - shorter and the keys light once you click it). I was dumbstrucked with the difference!

I never thought there were several variations. When I visit a regular computer parts shop, the choice of a wireless keyboard is limited and is often the membrane. Or perhaps, I am not as updated as she is, haha! It was indeed fun learning something new, in fact it was one of those "ohhhhh" moments for me.

A mechanical wireless keyboard is heavier, thicker, and can withstand millions of clicks. It's multiple connection (wired, a USB port, and bluetooth) will allow you to work on anything. After further researching from the Internet, I was all the more amazed as my not-so-techie brain cells tried to understand and absorb the new information. In the meantime, I convince myself that what I have is fairly a good buy! 

 

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