| Christmas Immersion | for everyone |
Immersion at Don Matias in Burgos Pangasinan
A few years ago, Lee and some busloads of schoolmates were taken to a remote town in western Pangasinan called Burgos into the little village of Don Matias (Guiang), as some sort of charity expedition nowadays grandly referred to as “immersion.” Perhaps it may have been the good Sisters’ (of Charity) idea of showing how some of our so-called “less fortunate” brethren live; thereby hopefully imbuing on these “colegialas” the basic Christian values of simplicity, modesty and unworldliness; and, more importantly, introducing them to the evangelical virtues of charity and compassion.
Burgos town is as remote (read that as “poor”) as any impoverished town you can imagine in the Philippines. Located on the western side of Pangasinan and facing the China Sea, it’s the second to the last town before reaching the northwestern boundary of the Province of Zambales at Dasol, Pangasinan. Instead of turning right (or eastward) at Alaminos to Lucap and the Hundred Islands where most tourists go, you go west southwest to Mabini, toward the foothills of Zambales. The terrain is quite interesting, offering a mountain view of China Sea and endless rolling hills of wilderness. Which also explains why towns like Burgos are also rather poor and virtually deserted, sandwiched between the sea and untillable mountains. What is worse, as in many places in the Philippines with a feudal history, most people are dirt-poor, many of them informal tenants tilling little patches of land usually owned by the last vestiges of “haciendero” families who are now mostly settled and ensconced comfortably in Manila.
Our Lee was introduced to one such impoverished family in Brgy. Don Matias. And so began a relationship which can only be described as made by heaven. Of the few hundreds of students who visited, only Lee decided to come back once or twice a year since then. Lee has since adopted or been adopted as part of that “Don Matias” family, consisting of about a dozen siblings and cousins, including a “special” autistic girl. Much of Lee’s personal savings have since been spent sharing with this family with some of the little things she could spare and they badly need or want, e.g., slippers, school supplies, used clothing, canned goods, candies, chips, etc.
It’s not all giving of course. Life is really a matter of give and take. We take something even as we give. Lee has since learned to think about others and not just herself. She has learned to appreciate what she has instead of what she lacks. She seems to have realized that she has more than enough or has more than she needs.
After Christmas (Dec. 27-29) this year, we’re going back there as we did last summer and the year before. Believe me, it’s always a fun trip. You might like to join us sometime.
We’re trying to collect some of Christmas leftovers. Maybe you could spare some. Thanks. And may the spirit and mystery of Christmas which surpasseth all understanding fill you and yours with the gifts of the Magi. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Bro. James
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Kuya, I have been reviewing some of your articles on this blogsite. These are always written with wisdom and wit, which only experience can give. Sa ayaw mo't hindi, Kuya, ikaw ang idol naming mga junior seniors and outright juniors. Seguro we want to be like you, so we can also pinch the ladies and receive a smile, instead of a slap!
Lee is doing something remarkable ... may her tribe increase. If there are more people like her, there is still hope for the Philippines! |
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