by THERESE J. CAMET
“The back-to-back storms that struck Quezon last year left us homeless and jobless,” lamented Aling Merlina, a resident of Brgy. Banglos in Gen. Nakar, Quezon, a small fishing community hard–hit by typhoons Winnie and Yoyong.
“Lives were lost as well as our hope for the future. Thank goodness for all the donors. Now, we are ready to rebuild our community and start a new life,” she enthused.
Smart Communications Inc. in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga Foundation lends support to the typhoon victims by giving them new homes — the Smart Amazing Village in Gen. Nakar, Quezon.
It took us almost three hours to finally reach Gen. Nakar, known as Anoling and Batangan (previously a barrio of Infanta, Quezon).
The 2.3-hectare Smart Amazing Village, which is expected to house 100 families, nears its completion. As of this month, 40 units have been completed courtesy of Smart employees and other volunteers.
"The response to our call of support was overwhelming. Our employees were quick to donate their time and energy to help out the homeless victims. It’s literally a ‘labor of love’ because Smart didn’t just donate money but love as well. Instead of spending time with friends and families, these people came here and helped out," said Smart public affairs head Ramon Esberto.
For 12 consecutive weeks, from Feb. 25 until May 20, Smart employees from different departments, worked hand in hand with Banglos residents in building the houses, which were designed by Gawad Kalinga (GK).
They didn’t mind staying under the sun hauling materials, laying concrete hollow blocks and doing all the construction work.
"3.6 million families in the Philippines need houses and a house would normally cost R225,000 or higher. At the village, people just need to work to have a free home. That’s what you call ‘sweat equity,’" shared DENR Undersecretary Manny de Castro.
The Amazing Village was mainly financed by Smart and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company which donated a whopping R5-million for the project.
"Smart is not only concerned with cell phones but community works and projects as well. We are proud to be part of this undertaking," noted Smart president Napoleon Nazareno.
Smart also introduced a new form of livelihood to the people of Banglos.
The mobile phone company tapped sculptor Rey Paz Contreras to train the residents to make use of driftwood and fallen logs brought down by the heavy rains in December 2004 into works of art.
Contreras along with some of the Daambakal Sculptors conducted a 10–day workshop which was participated in by some 30 villagers.
"We were hesitant to join the workshop at first. But after they’ve explained its objectives, we gave it a try," said Arnel Rebate, chairman of the Banglos Sculptors (the name given to the workshop participants).
Contreras and his team taught villagers the fundamentals of bowl making and material sourcing.
"We didn’t think that we could create an artist overnight, but these people were fast learners. After the first day, they were ready to work on their own and started carving, which was quite impressive," said Contreras who has been sculpting for 30 years.
After only two days, the novice sculptors were able to complete a six–seater bench, which motivated them to create other items such as birds, fish, squid and other sea creatures.
A simple graduation ceremony held at the Amazing Village culminated the 10-day workshop.
Ann Ritual, 22, received two awards: ‘Most Creative Student’ and ‘Most Outstanding Art Piece," for her work, "Iguana," which she completed in two days.
Arnel Rebate and Allan Tulana were given the ‘Most Patient’ award as Baby Rose Bustanera received a recognition for being the ‘Best Trouble Shooter.’
The Pujalte Family led by Mrs. Merlina Pujalte was considered the ‘Most Supportive Family" along with her daughters Mary Grace and Mezie.
On the other hand, Smart invited the Haribon Foundation to conduct a rainforestation training program for the villagers.
The training taught the participants how to propagate seedlings from wildlings, which are native seedlings from the area.
"Our goal is to rebuild a community of survivors equipped with the means to rise above the desolation brought by natural calamities. This we intend to do by building houses and engaging the residents in alternative livelihood programs," said Ramon Esberto.
"We had provided them with alternative livelihood trainings and seed fund to engage in woodcraft and wildling nursery development for tree planting purposes.
From the wood that destroyed their lives and properties, we would like to help them restore their faith and self-worth," he added.
The Banglos Sculptors, together with Rey Contreras, will showcase their works in June and August in Manila.
For inquiries visit www.smart.com.ph
