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Gawad Kalinga celebrates
Philippine independence with Bayanihan Build
(Trece Martires, Cavite) -- It's the second day of a three-day bayanihan
build at Trece Martires in Cavite, and the energy is pulsating under the
heat of the mid-morning sun. The Philippine flags are waving at the
field in the distance. The residents here were amazed; it feels like a
fiesta, they have never seen anything quite like it.
Most people were wearing red today, though no one required them to.
"Naka-blue ako kahapon para sa kapatiran, simula sa pagka-mababa,"
shares Julius Caubat, kapitbahayan president of GK Bagong Silang who
came to build here. (I was in blue yesterday (symbolizing) brotherhood,
coming from the lowest place.) It was his way of being one with the
beneficiaries.
"Ngayon, naka-red ako dahil oras na ng paghihimagsik, kailangan ibigay
pa ng higit ang sarili," he adds as he takes a brief break from building
with his team. (I am in red because it's time for war, we need to give
more of ourselves.)
He, along with many passionate GK builders, about 50 groups came to
participate in this bayanihan build at GK Southville village, also
called "Kabayanihan" village (a place for heroes) rallying behind the
theme Kapatiran, Kalayaan sa Kahirapan (Brotherhood, Freedom from
Poverty).
The build commenced on June 12, the special day when the Philippines
commemorate its Independence as a Spanish colony. Today, Filipinos
continue to fight for their freedom from poverty.
Gracing the opening ceremonies of the Bayanihan Build, Vice President
Noli de Castro encouraged the residents and volunteers present to follow
the example of the slain heroes in Trece Martires (named after 13
Filipino heroes who died here fighting against Spanish colonizers).
"Gayahin natin ang kanilang ginawa. Mahalin natin ang ating bansa," the
vice president said. (Let us follow their example. Let us love our
country.)
The GK builders were indeed prepared to die to themselves by building
for others as they took part in the three-day Bayanihan build. About 500
GK builders from different areas in Luzon came to join.
GK Southville village is a partnership between the government, the
National Housing Authority (NHA) and Gawad Kalinga with valuable support
from the local government. The families here, about 3,700 and counting,
have been relocated from squatting along the riles (train path) in
Manila and Taguig city since January 2007.
"Huwag nating kalimutan ang mga na-relocate natin ng nakaraan," says GK
champion Tony Meloto who also came. (Let us not forget those we have
relocated in the past.) The partnership of GK with NHA seeks to give the
existing housing units that GK touch by providing color and beauty to
their environment and more importantly, to provide values formation and
build a united community.
The bayanihan build is historic not only because it is the very first
but because there is now a growing number of kapitbahayan (residents)
from other GK sites building for their fellow beneficiaries. Residents
from GK villages in Quezon, Laguna, Isabela, Brookside, Bagong Silang,
Tatalon, Hiyas ng Maynila, Villa Paraiso, West B Tagalog, South Sun Life
have come to assist among many other groups present here.
"Maluwag ang loob ko sa pagtulong dito. Hangad din naming makatulong sa
iba," says Paulino Manahan, a resident with disability from GK Research
Minante Uno village in Isabela province who came to help after traveling
for 15 hours with his team. (I came here freely with an open heart. We
also desire to be of service to others.)
"Balang araw gaganda at gaganda ang lugar nila. Ang pangarap ko po sa
kanila na gumanda na rin ang buhay nila," shares Virgie Gimota, a
resident of GK Bagong Silang, Phase 9. (One day their place will get
more and more beautiful. My dream for them is for their lives to become
beautiful too).
"Masaya akong nakakatulong sa kapwa kong mahihirap, (I am happy helping
my fellow poor)," ate Virgie says, who wants to beautify GK Southville
the way GK Bagong Silang has been blessed. "Sana hindi lang isang lugar
ang matulungan, kundi sa buong Pilipinas." (I wish that not only one
place will be helped, but the whole Philippines.)
"Kaya nandito kami, mahal namin kayo, (We are here because we love
you)," says Kuya Julius as he shared to all the residents on the first
night.
"Ang liwanag na nagsimula sa Bagong Silang dinadala namin at binabahagi
dito sa Southville, (The light that was started in Bagong Silang, we are
bringing to Southville," adds Julius as he remembers how his life
changed when GK first started its very first village in his community.
It is an amazing moment when it happens, a beneficiary becomes a
benefactor, and those who were helped, become even more passionate
helpers too.
"Ang tunay na kalayaan ay ang makapagbigay ng sarili," Kuya Julius says.
(True freedom is when we are able to give of ourselves.)
For him and the many volunteers present here, Philippine Independence
takes in a deeper meaning, knowing that we are not truly free when there
are still poor people living like second class citizens in their own
country, and so the work of nation building continues to grow.
The vision for GK Southville at Trece Martires is to transform it into a
first-class village. "Pag nandito na po kayo sa Southville, hindi na po
kayo squatter. Gagawin natin ang Southville pinakamagandang relocation
site sa Pilipinas, mas maganda pa sa Ayala Alabang," Meloto says
addressing the residents here. (When you are here in Southville , you
are no longer a squatter. We will make Southville the most beautiful
relocation site in the Philippines, more beautiful than Ayala Alabang –
a plush village).
"Mabubuo po ito sa inyong pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan," he adds. (This
will be built with your cooperation and help.) The vision of a
first-class community will be realized in partnership with the National
Housing Authority and the local government. This is the first of many
other relocation sites in Luzon that will be transformed into GK
communities, affecting the lives of approximately 40,000 residents.
"Sana magpatuloy tayo na lumaya sa isang kahapon kung saan tayo ay
kinukutya, ngayon tayo ay lumaya patungo sa kinabukasang puno ng
pag-asa," says Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi during the opening
ceremonies. (Let us continue to break free from an oppressive fast and
let us continue to grow free towards a future full of hope.) Trece
Martires Mayor Jun Sagun and Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga were also
present to express their support. It was the first time that a mayor who
sends squatting families for relocation and the mayor who receives them
in his area are working well together, for the good of all.
The spirit of bayanihan (unity and cooperation) made the historic build
successful backed with invaluable support from the local government,
NHA, the residents of Southville, Globe and over 700 GK builders who
selflessly gave their time, resources, and love into making the dream of
a first-class GK Southville a reality.
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