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pagpipinta sa pulo: lights on the water

May 2008 Newsletter by Tara C. Alverson

Early on in the month of May I had the opportunity to take some clothing to the center in Under the Bridge, Cebu. The clothing was donated by many of my family members. Thanks. The underwear went quick, along with the kids who grabbed it from the bag, ... I hope they fit. I also visited little Blazela, the one year old girl with the hole in her heart. She’s not doing so well. Her mother and father had to take her out off the hospital over a month and a half ago because they could not pay for the expenses. The heart surgery could cost more then 1 million pesos, or over 26,000 US dollars. Health Insurance only exists for the wealthy, and overnight stays can cost often too much for families with minimal income. But thanks to you guys we were able to give a small amount to cover Blazela’s Thyroid Medication and New Born Screen. It came to 3,200 pesos, or about 75 US dollars. It will give her the chance to gain some weight, which is what she needs right now more then anything else. You also gave passage to a pastor to travel back to his home in Mindanao. His name is Jade. Whenever I would go to the center in Cebu Jade would travel with me and take me to the squatting areas where the poorest of the poor live. He is only 27, but has a church and ministry with the tribal people in Banga, Mindanao. He had been stuck in Cebu helping at the center with Sharon for more then 8 months with no pay and no way of getting back home. Many people get stranded from Island to Island if they cannot afford the cost of the transportation. Including the boat fair, bus transportation and food, it cost about 1,500 pesos (30 US $) to get Jade home. From Cebu to Banga Mindanao it’s about two days travel. It’s relatively a safe region to travel in, if you know where you are going. However at night is a different story. ‘Nighttime is not safe for anyone, especially a foreigner, at night the rebels come out from the mountains.’ Jade tells me about his life in Mindanao. ‘I know the rebels, they respect what I am doing for the people, and have even entrusted their sons to me, so that they can help me in my ministry.’ The rebels he speaks of are the government rebels, the NPA (New Peoples Army), they are terrorists. There are bombings in Mindanao almost every month. Three of the rebel son’s are living in Dumaguete with the ICM, we play basketball together every night. I would have never known. Jade might be young but he has ambition to do what
he does. I figured I owed Jade his passage home, as he had helped me get around Cebu. So, I, you, we sent him home to Banga. He’s been home over a week now and still texts me thanking me for his passage home. He wanted to tell you, ‘Oh, Ate Tara, please tell your family and friends back home, I thank them so much, they helped me go home to my people and I am with my family, thank you.’ Sharon who is now the past president of I.C.M., might be angry with me, but it was the right thing to do. After Cebu I hopped onto the ferry and traveled South to Bohol for a few days leave. I got the chance to tour the island and see the I.C.M. office there, located in Tagbilaran City. If you ever find yourself with the same opportunity, I suggest you take it. It’s one of the most central Islands of the Visaya’s, loaded with some of the best tourist attractions, including dive spots. A few wonders to list; the Chocolate Hills located in Carmen, the smallest monkeys in the world, called Tarsiers, and the Loboc River Cruise. You’ll be serenaded by the local villagers with their well used guitars and the local village children will dive from the tops of coconut trees into the river for pesos. I staid in one of the national types of houses called a nipa-hut, made of bamboo and palm leaves. It cost me $10 bucks a night. Between the huge-ish spiders, rusty fan and the hermit crab outside my room it was a great experience. Each evening I watched the sun fall across the water off Alona beach. As dusk approached fishermen would make their way to their boats down at the shore-side readying them for the long night ahead. And right off the beach you could see the scattered lanterns on the water as fishermen dove looking for their catch of sleeping fish and shell creatures. The thunder clouds would gather off in the distance over Cebu and the flash of lightening would light the horizon. And for a moment you could see the lanterns tied to the edge of the boat as the fishermen went on about their work. The next day you could go to the local market and see what they had found to sell. Amongst the fish you could find sea urchins, tropical shell fish, squid cooked in its own ink, along with squid balls, which is not anything like ‘rocky mountain oysters.’ The people where friendly and the island had so much to offer. It would seem that no troubles could reach this island of many wonders. And, yet, beyond the white sandy beaches and the hottest tourist spots, you can find them. The street children running in and out of small ally ways, begging in front of the large Catholic Churches, mothers with their naked toddlers, hands that grazed your side. You may not notice them at first, lost amongst the crowds of market sellers and tall foreigners. But once you pick them out and see their small hands outstretched toward you, the stained faces, and tattered clothes, it’s hard to walk on by without shedding some compassion, or wondering what’s their story. Back home, in the states I’m used to beggars, and the homeless panhandling, but these are not old and grey-bearded men. They are kids, some as young as three. I always think to myself, that’s the age of my little nephew, Kollin. The hard reality is that some of these kid’s don’t have anywhere else to go. Sure, most may have homes, but the abuse some of them receive there is worse then the neglect they receive on the streets. It’s sad. Many poor families suffer alcoholic abuse, and it’s the kids that it affects the most. Street kids as young as three are no stranger to physical, mental, nor sexual abuse, whether in their own home, or on the streets. I see them in Dumaguete all the time. I have to say walking by them everyday is one of the hardest things I’ve done while being here. I earnestly would like to do something with the street kids of Dumaguete before I leave in October. If you have any ideas please let me know. I will fly to Manila in a few weeks to have some small repairs done to my camera, I plan to take some pictures of the street children. I am designing some shirts for the ICM staff and band, painting a few things for them and staying busy. School starts for the 9 ICM Preschools in Negros Oriental this next week and I will go around and begin doing some art and craft lessons with the kids. It should be a lot of fun. I ate balut and pinoy (google it), not bad. I have to say Bohol was a great place to experience, the ICM staff is dedicated to their work and the recipients they reach out to. I know you would love it there so I included a few photos for you guys. Please enjoy the Tarsier, I named one Gizmo and another Smeagol. Pagpipinta Sa Pulo: Lights on the Water T.C. Artworks / Tara C. Alverson 31 . May . 2008
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pagpipinta sa pulo Newsletter is copyright Tara C. Alverson. Reprinted with permission.

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