My Early Valentine

I fell in love with the people of Gloria. The town in Oriental Mindoro that was named after the late Diosdado Macapagal’s daughter, now president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Let me start by saying that the people I’ve met where ordinary heroes of the town. An elementary principal-I who choses to remain in a lowly position so as not to leave town and serves as role model to the children in the place. She is, up to our last meeting, very hospitable and a great host (never left her guest unattended even during bedtime).

With her was another equally generous lady who is the district supervisor and the deciding-factor of whether or not we are to push through with the activity since DepEd made some short notice activities that need to be prioritized. But fate has it and we did push through with the activity.

Another smallville hero was the newly elected, well-educated baranggay captain who is at par with other public servants in the country. He left his good life in the U.S. to serve town and was very accommodating all throughout. He took care of the children and the teachers that participated in our little activity. He ordered to fog the whole school with anti-mosquito spray which I think would cost quite a big amount of money. He provided lights for our night activity and carried us over (around 40 of us) for a free ride for a site visit. A number of baranggay tanods and military men also took care of us during the night. We were like royalties for a while.

On top of them is the action-0riented environmental officer who made this activity her brainchild. I was ready for battle (all PowerPoint arsenals were up and running). Only to find out later that I will be doing less of what is expected. I was literally a guest speaker for the first time in the many many activities of similar nature. They did all the dirty work and I really am thankful for that. We just started the ball rolling for conservation and they continued it with minimal supervision on our part. That felt good!

Two foreign visitors also shared the same sentiments as I do. It was an experience worth lingering .

I have nothing but praises for these people. It maybe they were just showing their best foot forward or they are simply the remains of “others before ourselves” Filipino trait which happens to be a rare find nowadays.