5 things I learned while I was in my 3rd year outreach…

an inside report

It must be hard. To see the world in a different light.

To see it as if you were never part of it. A world where you existed and suddenly vanished out of thin air. A world where you are forced to see everything differently and view issues without anyone caring about your opinion. Where you are forced to be part of the lower ground and almost no one cares about you.

It must definitely be hard. But that’s what we experienced when we went for an outreach program in Muntinlupa City.

Technically, everyone thought the place itself was unsafe. More so the people inside it but fortunately, most of us were permitted to go.

A number of smiles greeted us as we entered the facility. Especially when they saw the merchandise that we were bringing in the compound. It must be like Christmas here I thought to myself as we walked pass them and we, as we liked it or not, were the little elves that Santa had sent to render a feeling of relief.

As we presented to them a number of songs and dances, I kept thinking that we were the ones on top. That we were the ones who would give a lot and receive nothing in return especially when we saw their faces full of desires…full of hopes and dreams. Although I did not expect it, my notion was quickly corrected.

We received more from them.


Power of Prayer

When one is troubled, they say that prayer is the best way to find the light to your troubles. This is true. I got the chance to interview someone that got closer to God just because he was thrown into prison. Praying helps them survive the trials that God has put in their path and even makes them overcome it like it never happened.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can break hearts.

Words, sometimes, can be more harmful than a round inside a boxing ring. No one can ever see what their words mean to other people unless they are the ones who are being talked about. I learned from this trip that sometimes it is necessary to keep silent and listen with a patient heart. The comforting words may have an effect but the words that are unsaid may bring more than what comfort can offer.

“Please give me one more try for the sake of your love”

Taken from a love song, this serves as the perfect line and lesson they want us to learn. Sure, they made a mistake. A crime, to be exact but nevertheless, they are still human beings too. You, don’t you make mistakes too? Many of them, once they get out, are being driven away like they have an infectious and fatal disease. Almost everyone remembers the days you have spent in prison but only a few people see pass that and remember the days before you went into prison. Let’s give them a fresh start, shall we?

Desire drives us but regret is just a step behind it.

You may be more familiar with this saying in Tagalog. “Nasa huli palagi ang pagsisisi.” It may be fun to break the rules once or twice but always bear in mind that every decision you make brings about a certain consequence that you would have to pay sometime in the future. Nothing goes without a price whether the deed you did is good or bad, there is always a thing called karma that lurks around us. It’s like the print on the t-shirts. “Do what you want. Pay later.”

“You may paint a dragon’s skin easily but you can never paint a dragon’s heart in a moment.”

A Chinese proverb. From the world’s greatest philosopher, Confucius to be exact. What if we change the word dragon to human? You may see a person based on his looks, what he wears but you can never tell if he is kind-hearted or another one of those “Great-Pretenders”. It takes time to know a person especially his personality which he can hide under the layers of his skin and barely show anyone. Besides, not everything you hear and see is what it seems. Would you believe that some of them there are actually innocent and are just being framed up? We must not judge a person by what he has done or what he has not. Rather we should see what he is doing and what he plans to do. No one can change the past but we can certainly learn from it.

Especially from our brothers in Muntinlupa who see the world in a new light.