http://rpcvphilippines.org/images/Fall2007BalitaanRevised.pdf

Balitaan Newsletter 45, Fall 2007 www.rpcvphilippines.org PO Box 100114, Arlington, VA 22210
Special scholarships
PCAFPD has a number
of special and memorial
sponsorships to which
donors can contribute.
Some provide $1,000
per year to cover
scholars’ costs.
. Page 11
RPCVs remember
Philippine Peace Corps
groups, from one to 231,
mark their days abroad
in reunions around the
U.S. Page 6
News from scholars
Excerpts from essays by
current scholars telling
of their highs and lows,
with one giving a
harrowing account of a
syper typhoon that hit
the Bicol region.
Page 3
Visiting Visayas State
A former Volunteer and
staff member looks at
the PCAFPD pact with
the college. Page 7.
Most get degrees
A look at scholar
graduation rates shows
that nearly three-fourths
of all PCAFPD scholars
gain a degree, while the
graduation rate for
government scholars is
much lower..
Page 12
Archiving the PC
Former volunteers
working with the John
F. Kennedy Library are
seeking material from
early volunteers. Page 2
Foundation
adds nine
scholars
Nine new scholars have been added to the
PCAFPD roster. We asked them for a few
words about their backgrounds and got these
responses. They'll have an opportunity later to
talk about their experiences at greater length
in essays the scholars submit each semester.
Sitti Rasheka T. Sajile
I am 18, from Sirawan Beach, Toril, Davao
City. I am studying at the University of Mindanao,
working for a Bachelor of Science
degree in Criminology. I am an only child. I
was born on May 27, 1989, in Toril, Davao
City.
My mother, Rebecca T. Sajile, 41, attended
college and now is a businesswoman, because
we have a small sari-sari store. My father,
Morced S. Sajile, 46, is a security guard. I am
so very lucky
beacuse I have
parents who
are understanding
and loving.
I am very close
to my family,
especially to
my mother.
I finished my
secondary course in Toril National High
School at Sirawan Beach, and received a second
honorable mention. I decided to go to the
University of Mindanao because I believed
that they offer a great education that will definitely
help me to achieve my goals.
I'm studying criminology because I am preparing
to be in law enforcement someday. I
don’t have a doubt about this career, so the
important thing is that I have the capability,
physically and mentally, to do this kind of
work.
Vanessa Esquivias
I come from a poor but happy family, in the
sense of closeness and contentment of what
we have. We share some chicken adobo once
a month, a very special meal for a poor family
like us; our everyday meal is just smoked
fish and sometimes an egg. To have education
is more important to us than any material
thing. When I was 12 my father passed away.
That was the most unforgettable moment in
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Continued from Page 1
my life. Why did my father die? That question
was instilled in me at my young age. But now
I realize that such
trials are just the
beginning of a
journey toward a
successful life;
although I'm not
yet successful, I
feel blessed.
The Gubat Campus
of Bicol University is
the school I chose; it is not so far from home
so I have no need to board and can spent my
allowance on other projects. I am taking Elementary
Education, since education is so very
important. I hope that I can finish it.
Ricardo Ervin R. Duldoco
I am 17, from Calala, Hamtic, Antique. I am
the second child out of four of Jose Rene J.
Duldoco and Irene Rondez. My parents are
both government employees. My father is a
consultant to the governor. My sister and I are
studying at the University of the Philippines
(UP). She is at the Visayas campus while I am
at Diliman, the main campus. We still have
two sisters who are both in St. Anthony's College
(SAC), San Jose, Antique, were I attended
my elementary and high schools.
When I was in
elementary school, I
was one of the Ten
Outstanding Pupils and
Students (TOPS) of
Antique. I am still a
member of the organization..
I graduated as
the class salutatorian
and had first honorable mention and received
the President's Award for Outstanding Performance
in Athletics.
I want to have a career in business and to
work as an executive in a business firm. Later
I want to have my very own business and to
be successful..
Karl Vincent C. Soriano
I was born in the small but progressive town
of Maddela, Quirino. I have two older sisters
and one younger. My parents are both secondary
education teachers -- my father teaches
English and my mother mathematics. At home
we are all trained to stand on our own feet and
be good leaders. I finished my secondary education
at Maddela Comprehensive High
School.
Because I'd like to be an inventor of electronic
devices, I
took up Electronics
and Communications
Engineering at
Saint Mary’s University
(SMU),
Bayombong, Nueva
Vizcaya. I enrolled
in SMU because I
firmly believe that it
will equip me with the right knowledge, skills
and training to become an efficient engineer.
Mary Ann C. Escañan
I was born In the town of Gubat, Sorsogon,
to Maria Bella Capsa Escañan. She and my
father, Melchor, raised their two children to
be healthy, respectful and optimistic in life
whatever struggle comes their way. My
brother, Melvin, and I graduated from Gubat
National High School.
Due to insufficient financial support, my
parents decided to send
their youngest child to
college, instead of the
eldest one. They felt
that I might be good
and responsible enough
in my studies because I
had shown promise in
school.
The opportunity brought by the PCAFPD
has enabled me to study at the Computer
Communication Development Institute, working
for a Bachelor of Science in Infomation
Management.
This is the first stage toward a better future,
to find a good job, become professional and
have a successful business. I also want to help
my family out of poverty and to become a
productive citizen
Beverly Lelis
I was born July 27, 1990, in Sangat, Gubat,
Sorsogon. I'm the youngest daughter of
Antonio E. and Nenita Laudin Lelis. My father
is a farmer who works everyday in order
to meet our needs. My mother is a housewife
who sometimes sells fish. I have four sisters
and two brothers, almost all of whom have
their own families.
After elementary graduation, I took the entrance
examination for Gubat National High
School and was lucky to be in the first section
out of 15. During high school, I entered journalism
competitions and essay writing contests.
Now I am working for a bachelor's degree
at Bicol University College of Education.
I chose Elementary Education as my course
not only to help my parents but also to contribute
to the progress of our country by helping
to educate Filipinos.
Other new scholars, whose biographical
comments were not received in time for this
issue, include Ronald L. Amada of Palawan,
studying agricultural business at Western
Philippines University; Sancho Flores of
Negros Oriental, a student in accountancy at
Foundation University; and Millicent Villarroya
of Sorsogon, a computer science student
at Bicol University.
RPCV Archive Project
seeks material from
early Volunteers
By Bob Klein
The Archival Project is an informal network
of RPCVs who work directly with the John F.
Kennedy Library at the University of Massachusetts
in Boston to preserve the Peace
Corps' legacy through oral history interviews
and the collection of archival materials from
those who served as volunteers in the field. In
the five years of its existence, more than 40
RPCV interviewers have completed about 300
interviews. The project's basic resource is and
will continue to be the unpaid voluntary efforts
of those RPCVs who've participated,
operating mainly through NPCA affiliate
groups.
Now, as we approach the Peace Corps' 50th
anniversary, the project plans a renewed effort
(before it's too late) to seek out those who
were the pioneers of the Peace Corps, volunteers
from the 1960s. We again appeal to
those RPCVs willing to serve as
interviewers. The Project Guide is under revision
and, along with the required forms, will
be available via e-mail PDF.
A modest goal for this renewed archival effort
is to add 3,000 1950s interviews to the
RPCV Collection before the year 2011 -- that
would be about 10% of those who served during
that period. Will you join me?
RPCVArchivalProj@att.net
-- -- Bob Klein, organizer of the RPCV Archive
Project, was a Ghana 1 Volunteer.
B A L I T A A N
2
“I have experienced the worst
natural disaster in my life.”
Arwin Esperanzate is studying geothermal
engineering at Bicol University in Sorsogon.
Here I am again narrating my experiences
on my latest semester. It feels like years
have passed because of so many events.
But only two prominent ones that have
really affected me. The first is that I am
nearly finished with my studies. Two semesters
left and I will be attending my
graduation rites next summer. And after
that I have to find work so that I can help
my family..
Last year I experienced the worst natural
disaster in my life. In November we were
hit by a super typhoon called Reming
[know internationally as Durian], barely
three months after super typhoon Milenyo
struck.
We were caught less prepared because we
anticipated the
typhoon would
hit north in Camarines
Sur. As
a result, a lot of
people died
from the mud
flow from the
slopes of Mt.
Mayon. Pyroclastics that have accumulated
from last year’s eruption mixed with
heavy rain ran down the mountain and
buried houses, roads and residents around
the volcano. Some bodies were not found,
and some were taken by the sudden surge
can carried by the river into the sea.
The most disturbing thing was seeing
dead people packed up in dump trucks and
brought into the basketball court to be
identified. I hadn’t really expected that it
would end up that way. It was a bad scene.
Their faces reflected the pain they have
suffered when death came.
When I was listening to a batteryoperated
radio just days after that fateful
day, a mother was interviewed,crying because
two of her daughters were buried
alive in their collapsed boarding house.
She told the reporter that one of them texted
her that the water jammed the door and
there were trapped. That was the last word
before they died. .
Reming brought greater destruction.
Twisting electric towers and poles, destroying
houses, bridges and roads. We
were engulfed in darkness. A foul smell of
death persisted for weeks. Some barangays
were partially or totally wiped out,
leaving empty stretches of land. The army
was quickly mobilized to assist in recovery
and cleaning the roads so that badly
needed aid from Manila could be delivered
to the victims.
Thankfully my boarding house was situated
in a much safer and higher area. We
only experienced knee-high floods and a
few broken windows. A day passed before
I went home, expecting that Sorsogon was
hit badly, but thankfully it was spared.
Only a little damage, and our house was
intact.
“I was crying as I drew. Maybe
it was childish but I just couldn't
stop.”
Erika Rachelle O. Lopez of Batangas
is a civil engineering student at
the University of the Philippines,
Diliman
Three semesters are over, seven more left
before I finally have that diploma in my
hands. My last two weeks at UP have been
very long for me. And I could say that they
were my “hell weeks” for this semester.
Lots of requirements, long exams, projects
and reports have to be met and I am very
glad that I finally got past it.
I completed 18 units this semester, 55 in
all including my first two semesters. My
unforgettable subjects this semester included
Speech Communication. At first, I
really had a hard time liking my speech
class because I don’t like public speaking
and I have stage fright. Luckily, I was
placed in a section with a very creative and
talented instructor, Dennis Guppa, who
knew how to lessen stage fright by having
workshops. When he speaks, he actually
gets the attention of the people he’s speaking
to.
The next subject really memorable to me
was Engineering Graphics. We had a project
where we had to draw the top view,
right side view, front view and the isometric
of a flashlight and all of its parts. We
had a problem with our group mates because
we were supposed to be five but
three did not take part. We did not sleep a
wink on the night before the submission
deadline. And because the deadline was
the same day of my fifth long math exam, I
was not able to review my lessons. I was
feeling really
bad when I got
out of the classroom
after taking
the exam. It
should have
been easy if I'd
had time to
study. After the
exam, I went to the apartment of my group
mate to finish the project and I was crying
as I drew. Maybe it was childish but I just
couldn't stop. I lost a lot of points because
of our irresponsible group mates.
I am not satisfied with my performance
overall because of those kinds of reasons
and family problems. It’s just really hard
to concentrate on my studies when I have
problems torturing my mind. I am glad
because I still got good grades and I have
made up my mind that I will do all my best
to have better grades because I know there
is still something in me that I have to show
the world.
“I’ve learned that there are many
ways to make dreams come
true.”
Vanessa Cruda of Bohol is working
toward a secondary education degree
at Visayas State University
“What have you learned during the term?
What new insights, challenges or things
have come to the fore which you can apply
to development activities later?”
A college education
is one of the
tools that I will
need for a bright
future. It will also
serve as a weapon
for my combat
through the trying
years in my life in
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Updates from the Foundation’s current scholars
B A L I T A A N
3
Scholars update
Continued from Page 3
second year in college is preparing me
toward that goal.
Thinking back over my past term at Visayas
State University, I’ve come to realize
that I’ve learned many things and faced
many challenges while expanding my understanding
of the meanings of life. This
will help me in the process to become a
well-rounded individual prepared to face
the outside world.
From simple calculations to more complicated
ones in math, to understanding the
social and emotional aspects of man I
learned in our general psychology sessions;
from the importance of physical
fitness to learning various steps in dancing
that can be compared to human life that’s
full of steps needing to be balanced; from
the history of how our ancestors struggled
for our peace and freedom to peace we
enjoy today -- all these things imparted by
our mentors to help me become a good
student and citizen of this country.
Furthermore, I’ve learned that there are
many ways to make dreams come true. I
learned to be more determined to pursue
my studies and more courageous in facing
difficulties in life. The coming years of
college will bring more battles. But at the
end of the day, my education will prepare
me for these struggles.
“I can see how happy this
scholarship makes my mom,
so that is my bonus.”
Treisha Jill Jusayan of Western
Samar is majoring in English and
working toward a bachelor's degree
in secondary education at the
University of Santo Thomas.
St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of
Opus Dei, said “ Don’t let your life be
sterile, be useful. Blaze a trail.” I’ve
learned this saying while volunteering at a
nongovernmental and nonprofit organization
at the Iraya Study Center under their
program Acquiring Ready Assistance to
Learning (ARAL).
True, I should give back to others as early
as now because of the blessing I have received.
I should use my skills to help others
and train myself to be an effective
mentor in the future. Because I started
early, I can make these good deeds into a
habit.
Every Saturday I go to a public elementary
school and teach young girls Catechism,
English and mathematics. It’s really
a fulfilling task. Whenever I arrive there
I’m greeted with glowing faces that are
very excited to learn. Because of those
students I felt happiness and peace within
me. My community
service truly
helps me learn
more about my
chosen profession
and every time I
go there I gain
respect and compassion
for the job
I’ll be doing soon. I’m really motivated in
going and teaching every Saturday because
I believe that education is still the
best weapon against all the predicaments
our country faces.
I was also chosen to be one of the team
leaders for the National Service Training
Program (NSTP) under the Literacy Training
Service (LTS). This program aims to
train college students to help their community
through teaching.
I know that through my exposure to different
activities I will gain experiences and
knowledge and I’ll become an effective
mentor.
With my extracurricular activities, rest
assured that I'll always do my best in my
academics. I have never accepted mediocrity
and I know that education is the main
reason why I’m studying. And I can see
how happy this scholarship makes my
mom, so that is my bonus.
“My extracurricular activities
are taking much of my energy. I
have to be very strong to fulfill
my dreams.”
Karl Vincent C. Soriano of Quirino
is studying electronics and
communication engineering at St.
Mary's University, Nueva Vizcaya
As classes started for the current school
year, I was very nervous and excited about
the new things that will happen in my life.
I have this hypothesis that it will be a
tough semester for me because of my active
involvement in many organizations in
the university. Well, that hypothesis is being
proved. There are many activities lined
up for us to organize and attend to. Since I
was elected as an officer in our Student
Central Council, I have to represent the
university in some activities -- in September
I was sent to Subic for a National Environmental
Camp. During the camp my
leadership skills were hastened and my
goal of helping transform the nation was
strengthened.
After that long week's activity I went to
Malolos for a contest. It was the Fifth
Search for the 10 Accomplished Youth
Organizations. I presented our project,
which was submitted last summer. It was a
very great opportunity for me and the organization
because we were able to learn
many things from others and also we were
in the Luzon top 10. In addition, I organized
a volunteer formation program for
students, especially freshmen who have
leadership potential
and want to
be a volunteer to
help us work in
building the nation.
My greatest
dream of becoming
an engineer
was not set aside. I always give time for
my academics, although my extracurricular
activities are taking much of my energy.
I have to be very strong to fulfill my
dreams. Although my grade in engineering
physics doesn’t speak so well of my efforts,
I know that I really gave my best to
pass it. While it was a setback, my grades
in other subjects encourage me to push
trough with my chosen career.
My goal of being a good leader and a
fulfilled engineer will someday become a
reality
Are some of you there?
.
The word boondocks, now common in
English, comes from the Tagalog