Fancy Flying Like A Bird

As a kid, like any other, I've always wanted to fly. I don't remember when and why exactly I dreamed of such but I suspect the picture hanging on the wall near my dad's drafting table did it. http://leefoster.photoshelter.com/image/I0000t88UO0OrPmw It was a simple picture of a colorful hang-glider soaring the sky and a man hanging and balancing himself. But I didn't just see a glider and a gliding man, I saw freedom. I felt the gust of wind on my face, the exhilarating joy and exuberance of flying like a bird. Every time, I'd look at the photo, I can't help but smile. I told myself, one day...when I grow up... Thus started my fascination on flying. That and watching birds soar the skies. Later, I changed my mind. I didn't think I can ever fly that hang-glider. Looking at the photo, I also felt a tinge of fear. I didn't think I could maneuver the thing, it was enormous for my frail body. And it's not exactly safe, I think. But it's the closest thing to flying like a bird. Maybe if I grew some muscles...  Then there was bungee jumping and later, sky diving. I never fancied free falling like a log with my feet tied to a rope to hold me back. I have this crazy idea in my head that if I do, I'd puke my intestines out. Although my lungs and heart might go first before my intestines.  But, the idea of jumping out of a plane thrilled me. And some ten years ago, with some friends, we talked about it no end. There was supposedly this short course program that will teach you the basics in the morning and let you jump in the afternoon. Then we were all pumped up and ready, the program was stopped for safety concerns. So, to this day, none of us have done it yet. Losers.   Good thing man invented planes. It's not as thrilling as the others but soaring the skies just the same, in a secured and comfy seat with movies, music and in-flight service.

#Tindog Tacloban

When Yolanda struck in November 2013, I gathered some old clothes, wrote a check and walked to my neighbor, GMA Kapuso Foundation. I handed over my and my family's donation to the victims. But giving cash and in kind wasn't enough, with my sisters at the Light of Jesus Family, we went to Kapamilya Foundation to help in packing relief goods for our fellowmen in Leyte and Samar.

But I wanted to do more. I wanted to fly to Tacloban, to join the victims and help out in whatever way I can. I wanted to be there with them, to comfort them somehow, to pray with them, to reassure them of God's love. Thanks to World Vision's volunteer program, I got to go last April 11-13.

Together with 18 other volunteers and staff, we flew to Tacloban City.  Unfortunately, we were welcomed by bad weather. It was raining when we landed. The dark cloudy sky and light rain added to the gloomy mood of the place.

At least,  the place is green now. I heard back in November, the place only had 2 depressing colors - black and gray.

The airport was still in bad shape but the porters were in high spirits as they greeted the airline passengers with a cheer. Too bad I didn't get to video their ala-SM clap and cheer.

The devastation wrought by the typhoon is still very visible. Everywhere I looked showed ruins and marks of the fury that came to pass.

The Palo Metropolitan Cathedral was not spared. But repairs are on-going.

Palm Sunday Mass held inside the church

We went to 2 schools -

where we helped repaint classrooms and did some gardening work.

And Amandangan Primary School, also in Tabontabon,

Tent classrooms

where we met Kyla, Aisa, Chirstian and about a hundred kids, all sponsored by World Vision. They came to attend our simple program of storytelling, singing and a lot of singing.

It was heartwarming to see these kids receptive and even volunteering to perform.

Hope I can do more.