ACDA Members Commemorate Anti-Poverty Day with Victims of Fire in Catmon, Malabon
It was half past one in the afternoon when we arrived in Barangay Catmon. The venue was the multi-purpose covered social hall of the barangay. It was a village government complex of sorts. The courtyard where we were to hold the event was surrounded by a pink building, which they say, was the Early Childhood Development Center. Beside was the health center and right across, was the barangay hall. We came in color-coded shirts just so we would know which sector we will be joining—red for youth groups, blue for children’s groups and green for adults.
We were welcomed with an electrical power interruption, a minor hitch which we forgot to factor in during 
planning. What saved the day was the presence of the youth from Lilok, ACDA’s newest member organization. These bunch of energetic young people started inviting kids to play. What a warm up for facilitators and participants!
This afternoon event was ACDA members’ way of commemorating the global anti-poverty campaign. The Alliance of Christian Development Agencies (ACDA) and its member organizations spearheaded the local campaign in Catmon, Malabon as a commitment of solidarity with the 1,000 families affected by a massive fire last August. Almost two months after the devastating fire, hundreds of families in this community still live in makeshift 
houses made from salvaged materials.
Dubbed as “Kaisa sa Pag-asa”, this solidarity event became an afternoon of community singing, dancing and dialogues with the community on their aspirations and hopes for change. The program started with the Onesimo Band singing a Gloc9 song, Upuan. This is a contemporary pop song with a social theme. The Band was joined in by Jonelyn Adanza of Lilok. The lyrics echoed the reality of poverty and helplessness in the midst of an unjust power structure. As the chorus of the song was sung, the crowd couldn’t help but join the band in singing…
Kayo po na naka upo, Subukan nyo namang tumayo At baka matanaw, at baka matanaw na nyo Ang tunay na kalagayan ko.
(You who are sitting down, try standing up and maybe you’ll see, and maybe you’ll see my true situation)
Pinakulong tubig sa lumang takuring uling-uling Gamit lang panggatong na inanod lamang sa istero Na nagsisilbing kusina sa umaga’y aming banyo Ang aking inay ay may kayamanang isang kaldero Na nagagamit lang pag ang aking ama ay sumisweldo… ang singkwenta pesos sa maghapo’y pagkakasyahin …
(Water boiled from an old charred kettle using drift wood that floats along the canal that serves as kitchen and toilet during early mornings.
My mother’s only treasure is an old cooking pot that is used only when my father takes home his pay.. fifty pesos ($1) is stretched to meet the day’s expenses.)
But how real is poverty in the case of the people of Sitio Gulayan and Pilapil?
There were about 200 children, youth and adult women and men who participated in the event. They were only a handful compared to the total number of families and individuals in the said sitios of Catmon. In reality, at least 1,000 families were affected by the fire. But a year ago, it was not just fire but massive flooding that uprooted these same families from their homes. They were severely affected by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy). Not only did they lose their shelters but their means of livelihood as well. According to Ms. Debbie Toribio, CEO of Food for the Hungry, before the devastating flood in September last year, they introduced livelihood projects to help augment the income of some of the families in the said villages. Some obtained sewing machines to jumpstart their rug making or sewing business. Their investments were not spared during the massive flood. The sewing machines and all the inputs that went with it were inundated. When asked how these people cope with these disasters, Ms. Debbie commented, “This highly-vulnerable people just learned to adapt to the changes brought about by disasters.” They do not seem to have much choice given their very limited financial resources.
This community faces hazards daily with the fact that they live in a flood-prone area. This is also a community of informal settlers with little possibility of on-site relocation with the lands they are occupying mostly owned by private individuals. The local government of Malabon is also planning to relocate the current city jail into this site. The living conditions are very much like what the song depicts.
For indeed,Sitios Gulayan and Pilapil lie along the banks of a waterway making them vulnerable to the changes in water tide. Most men and some women work outside the community as construction workers, household help and other menial labor, and people survive with the very irregular and intermittent income from these livelihoods. Right now, families live in makeshift houses and tents made from scrap sacks and used tarpaulin sheets.
Their hopes and dreams
As the title of the event hinted, this gathering was not so much about poverty as it was about hope. We do not just remember the poor, we come with hope for after all, it is only when people lose hope that we can say that they have succumbed to utter poverty. Participants were clustered in groups of around 10-12 members. Mothers and fathers had their own group while children and youth were also grouped separately. The children’s eyes glowed when they saw tarpaulins being spread out to serve as sitting mats while they talk and work on their group project. Christian artist, Fred Liongoren came to encourage participants to work on their obras creatively. More than just form, he encouraged people to work together. The proverbial tingting (broomstick) was used as an object lesson inspiring each of the groups to work on their project with all honesty and diligence given the limited time. This reinforced the community song, Pananagutan, which the crowd sang earlier. 
After 30 minutes of laboring on their collage project, each of the groups where asked to present their art work and explain their meaning.
These are some of the dreams of the children and youth…
About their future:
- Makaahon sa kahirapan (overcome poverty)
- Makapagtapos ng pag-aaral (finish studies)
- Maging chef, doctor, nurse, teacher, pulis, public administrator, engineer, piloto, accountant, sundalo, doctor na naniningil, artista, dancer
- Maging mayaman at makatulong sa iba
- (Be well-off and be able to help others)
These were not very far from the hopes and dreams of their parents. Their dreams can be summed up as follows:
Mapatapos sa pag-aaral ang mga anak at apo (to see their children and grandchildren finish their studies)
Maging malusog ang pamilya (have healthy family)
Magkaroon ng sariling bahay at lupa (have their own house and lot)
One child even mentioned during the presentation, “alam kong nagsimula nang matupad ang pangarap ko dahil nai-drawing ko ito at nasabi sa inyo.” (I know my dream has started to come true because I was able to draw it and express it before you.) What happened in this event was not just presenting a collage, it was helping them image the future and providing a venue where their dreams can be affirmed.
Rolando Cucio, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social Welfa
re and Development (DSWD) graced the occasion. He heard some of the groups of children, youth and mothers presenting their obras of collages made from paper-cut-outs. He was present to listen to them and he responded by sharing the national government’s program in addressing poverty. He encouraged people of Sitio Gulayan and Pilapil to organize and work for unity. In summary, he mentioned that Government can work better with communities when they are organized. It is not just cliché but it is true that there is strength when people are united.
The sharing and exchange was concluded with a community dance of blessing. In layers of three circles, the children were requested to form the innermost circle. The youth formed the middle circle and the finally, the adults were at the outermost layer. To the tune of ‘Niggun Attiq’ (an old Jewish melody), young and old, men and women, danced and clapped their hands and gave gestures of blessings to each one.
When others find treasure on things we throw away
It was getting late and dark. Some mothers had to go back home to prepare dinner for their family while many chose to stay on. People were still in high spirits when Jun Casanova of World Vision started announcing the raffle for the old tarpaulins and laminated sacks. As each of the names was called, they joyously cheered and received what could be a roof or a wall of their makeshift houses. Grace Domingo of Share an Opportunity (SAO) commented that it was as though they were winning the lottery every time a name was called out.
These used tarpaulins were collected from members of ACDA. Ariel of SAO Laguna went from college to college at the UP Los Baños to collect used tarpaulins.
The effort was all worth it for heavy rains poured out again a few days after the event. In a radio interview over DZAS a few days before the event, the hosts of the radio program commented that, if we (as a Body of Christ) are capable of giving more to improve the housing conditions of this community, why then, are we settling with just collecting and distributing used tarpaulins? It was a difficult question to answer. It was unthinkable to even consider people with tarpaulins as roofing or walls for a 
house. And surely, we can do more. However, housing development is a complex issue and neither World Vision nor Food for the Hungry, both working with the said community, is dealing with the issue at the moment.
Somehow, the question continues to echo in our minds. During the post activity evaluation five days later, we were back struggling with the same question, what can we still do better together? We came up with some initial list of possibilities—a list “do-ables” which we can readily do. The participation of Alliance Graduate School Christian Education students was greatly appreciated and both World Vision and Food for the Hungry expressed willingness to explore the possibility of partnership with AGS for volunteers. Lilok also offered to send trainees. Lastly, the Far Eastern Broadcasting Network, who offered to do medical mission and radio distribution, can still be tapped for future activities.
Some Afterthought: (feedback from all who participated)
The response of the community was inspiring. Nakita ng mga participants ang pag-asa sa buhay nila (The participants saw hope in their lives). Everyone was excited to share about their hopes and dreams. We realized that everyone have dreams. Children dream of helping their parents someday while parents dream of giving their children a good life.
Not to be selfish about it, but, we all realized that we actually benefitted more from the experience of working together. Mary Grace Edejer of World Vision shared that, “it was a huge event and there were many details to be worked out but as it turned out, when many people contribute, the burden really becomes lighter.”
Kudos to all who contributed to the meaningful commemoration of the Anti-Poverty Day.
Thanks to:
Muzz Shearer and Servants for their contribution in the program and for the leading the community dancing;
Hazel Sarol , the Onesimo Band and Onesimo for leading the program and for providing the lively singing;
Lilok, Ms. Anne Ardina and AGS students, SAO Philippines, Samaritana for helping drawing out the dreams and hopes of the community;
REACH, Inc. for journeying with us and especially to Kuya Fred Liongoren for his artistic and inspiring presence;
ISACC for helping in the facilitation, media liaison, food preparation and documentation;
Ina-inakay for helping out in packaging the food;
SAO, Philippine Leprosy Mission and CCT Group of Ministries for contributing tarpaulins;
Operation Compassion for helping us invite and follow-up Pastor Dong Cucio and to Pastor Dong Cucio for inspiring the community with his presence;
World Vision for all the coordination work;
Food for the Hungry, especially to Donnie, for all the work that was put in the preparations and Chill for connecting us to this community; and
Thank you for all the time, talents and resources freely given to make the event a reality
We give back all the glory to God for leading our team and for teaching us valuable lessons in Compassion and Unity!
About ACDA
As a network of development agencies, ACDA heeds the call of the President for collaboration among government, civil societies and business as a strategy to address poverty holistically.
ACDA is a nationwide network of faith-based NGOs with community development programs in poor grassroots communities. Two of its member organizations – Food for the Hungry Philippines and World Vision Development Foundation— are implementing child sponsorship and child-focused community development projects in the communities of Sitio Gulayan and Pilapil in the said barangay.
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