ROUGHING IT FOR A CAUSE
By Sonee Suria-Brizuela

I woke up that day at the ungodly hour of 4am. Bleary eyed and only the shock of what felt like icy cold bath water keeping me awake, I found myself less than an hour later bundled up and ready to go to the Metal Closure and Lithography Plant (MCLP) in Canlubang, Laguna for "Balik-Eskwela- Donation for a Cause" – and SMYPC and the San Miguel Foundation, Inc. project which aims to give school supplies to children who are ill afford to buy them.

We boarded one of three jeepneys tasked to transport us to Buntog Elementary School. It was exactly an hour away, we were told. And it was going to be a bumpy ride.

Buntog is right smack in the middle of Laguna´s most developed areas, Canlubang; where banners promoting the rise of high-end residential and economical enclaves are not uncommon. But the tiny purok itself feels as if it has been left far behind. Only a handful of jeepneys ply the rough route to the city proper and back. Rainy days are particularly brutal, as they tend to submerge whole sections of the path knee-deep in murky flood water.

However, we saw none of the gloom one would expect from a people used to hardship. On the contrary, the school staff, children and parents who welcomed us were all cheerful and warm. The kids here are talented, and as smart as they come. In her thank you speech, the principal talked about the many academic and talent-oriented competitions her students have won; including Math and Sudoku tournaments.

It is a testament to SMYPC´s efficiency that the food and donations were given out in record time. Thanks to the generosity of MCLP employees and staff – many of whom contributed anonymously – every single one of the kids received a gift bag filled with a T-shirt and school supplies, as well as a filling merienda of pancit, mamon, jellyace, and a bottle of Magnolia Fruit Drinks.

One thing I remember is how well-mannered the children were. They did not push or shove to be the first to receive gifts, and said "thank you" when handed their share. Looking back at how eager they were to perform for us, I forget feeling like it was the hottest day of the year, and having only a makeshift tent to shield us from the sun. As I was handing out the bags, I realized that, while I am only here for the morning, these kids are here every day. And yet they seem to be turning out to be as great, maybe even greater kids than the ones who have the luxury of a PlayStation, chauffeured car, or even, a simple thing as shoes ( most, if not all the students wore slippers).

For these children, sunshine, rain, and the difficulties that come with both are inescapable part of their lives, but from what I saw, they are making the most of it.