A Tick on My Bucket List

Angelica Caliwan

Libmanan, Camarines Sur is now responsible for the new check marks in my personal “bucket list” – a list of all the things that I want to do before I die. Here are some of the things that I never thought I would accomplish this summer:

Writing for community development was something I have never done before. As this is my first time, it scares the hell out of me. I used to write for academic and personal purposes, so the only pressures I got were from my professors. Knowing that I have to write it well because a lot of people (whom I consider now as my friends) are expecting a great deal from my articles. I am pleased, knowing that they believe in me, yet nervous at the same time because I really want to meet, if not exceed, their expectations. Writing for community development is not easy because there is a responsibility to understand the situation well and put the right words in our works, because what we write could actually affect the community’s image.

Going to a community that you have never been to before and not knowing anyone there was really exciting, but also intimidating. I am used to being in a new community all by myself since I stayed in Los Baños for three years, where I didn’t know anyone at first. At least in this case, it made me feel better knowing that Rok, my co-volunteer, was there with me. Luckily for me, I can understand the local dialect; but I was a bit worried for Rok though, because she cannot understand Bicolano. Nevertheless, she handled this problem well by trying her best to communicate with the residents using Tagalog.

Our experience in Libmanan was very fun because the people there were so accommodating. By the second day, I already realized that staying in Libmanan for one week wasn’t so scary after all.

Meeting new people and hearing their stories are always the best treats for a writer. We met Father Dawe Pitapit, our volunteer coordinator in CDL (Caritas Diocese of Libmanan); Nanay Hilda, our cook in CDL; Mr. Benito Prago, a land owner in Barangay Tarum; the staff of RPC (Rice Processing Complex); Ate Lidel and Ate Joy, CRM (Coastal Resource Management) staff; Father Cocoy Francisco, a priest in Barangay Bahao; some fisherfolks in Barangay Salvacion; Mr. Manuel Luzentales and Mr. Teresito Arcilla, farmers in Barangay Malbogon; and some Librate members. They all shared their stories to us and it was nice listening to them. Sometimes, the best stories are kept by unexpected people.

To be assigned to write for an NGO like Caritas Diocese of Libmanan has been a blessing for me. Meeting Father Dawe in Libmanan was one of the greatest things that happened to us. He took care of us, made sure that we would have everything that we need for our articles, and let us have fun. He was a really awesome priest. He also oriented us about CDL and its programs. We were exposed in some places where their programs were practiced – which helped us a lot in understanding what we were going to write about. Their programs were really made for the development of Libmanan and its people.

It was my first time in Camarines Sur, yet I found myself instantly falling in love with the place. It’s really beautiful and the people were so nice to us. There are also many activities to enjoy. It was my first time to drive a combined harvester, snorkle at the beach, ride a river cruise, see Mt. Mayon, have some strangely flavored ice cream (pili, baileys, tinutong, and sili ice cream), and go wakeboarding with my new friends. I will definitely go back to Camarines Sur, especially in Libmanan.

I am very thankful for CODE-NGO for giving me the opportunity to experience all these things. I met great people and became friends with them. I learned a lot from my experience in Libmanan, which gave me different perspectives in life. It made me see how important NGO works are in the development of a community, especially for those who seem to have been forgotten by their local government.

I have accomplished so many things in such a short period of time. It’s time to add more things to do in my bucketlist— and this time, add things which could also benefit others.

Angel is currently a student of BA Communication Arts in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her passion leans toward the art of theatre, painting, and writing. She is looking forward to go back to the golden fields and crystal clear waters of Libmanan, Camarines Sur.