GK1MB and Then Some: Pictures of New Heroism

TGK1MB volunteers came in all shapes and sizes

Heroes abound that 25th of February...and the weekends that followed at Sitio Ruby. Heroes that came in all shapes and sizes, ages and walks of life. They all shared though a common vision and goal - to help their needy brethren regain their dignity as human beings through Gawad Kalinga.

Spearheaded by SFC leaders and members from NB3 in coordination with GK leaders from all 5 phases of GK Ruby, a whole day long series of activities were planned and carried out in Sitio Ruby. GK1MB stands for Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani (GK 1 Million Heroes). On this day, different GK areas had simultaneous activities to promote nation building to every Filipino.

These activities included a medical mission on health literacy, a "freedom wall" where visitors could leave their "marks" of heroism, exposure on GK programs like Tatag (Build) and SAGIP (GK Program for young kids) and a formal program were several GK advocates like Dylan Wilk, Raul Dizon and Sherwin Nahiyal were invited to talk about love of God and country, a call to live as heroes and Nation Building, respectively.

By the end of the day, visitors were asked to commit at least four hours of their time in a month to serve in Gawad Kalinga. All those who say yes to the call will be given a GK ID that will be in turn registered to the GK1MB database.

In the past, many people had already lost their faith in this country to rise up again from its problems. Today's turnout which is similar to that of other GK areas nationwide gives much hope that there is still that bayanihan spirit in the hearts and minds of majority of our countrymen. People who are willing to share their time, talent and treasure that others may rise up from poverty.

A convocation of SFC members joined me, Joshua and

Kuya Gerry Santos (big guy at the back)

for these pictures

Sitio Ruby was bustling with GK activities

Volunteers share the "Agape" lunch

"And all of them ate and were filled..."

Like in the miracle recorded in Matthew 15:32-38, despite the big number of volunteers, there was plenty of food for everybody

North B CFC elders/GK leaders converge

There were even some Korean volunteers present during the whole day activity

(I should have asked if they had some delicious Kimchi!)

The marks of youthful heroism

The following two Saturdays (March 3 & 10) made even me, a die hard La Sallite to be proud of Ateneans grade school students. (Did i just say what i think i said! :])

You see, teachers, parents and Grade 7 students generated a total of 1.1 million pesos which will later be used for the construction of around 65-70 houses in Phase 4. Moreover, the Atenaens also wanted to physically help out in the building of houses. So practically the whole level of Grade 7 students, around 400 hundred all in all, along with their teachers and some parents came to Sitio Ruby in batches precisely to that.

Many of the students were visibly excited to break sweat and do some manual labor. By the end of each Saturday, they went home dog tired but happy knowing they contributed something to nation building.

Ateneans (wearing green shirts?) transfer sand to the build sites

The students live out their motto to be "a man for others"

OMB officemates Miles Luanzon and Edna Urriza shared their time to help out in Sitio Ruby

After two Saturdays, that huge pile of sand was completely transferred to the actual building sites not accessible by vehicle

About the same time, the house sponsored by Cheryl Cosim was on its final stages of construction. One thing about GK is that it has enabled us to meet new friends like Cheryl and her boyfriend John Alvarez who have sincere hearts in helping the poor.

Miles and Edna paint the walls of the house donated by ABS-CBN celebrity Cheryl Cosim

Cheryl herself painted part of the house's second floor

Cheryl with friends and relatives share a meal inside our GK storeroom and office

Heroes... everyone of them.

It doesn't really need a lot from a person to be one. One just has to bear in mind to do less for self and more for others. The outcome - enough for all.