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Hidden Struggles

By: Lynsay Love Penuliar and Nyziel Remaldura

Smokey Mountain is a location in the center of Manila where a mountain of trash rises above the nearby slums. The area is home to approximately 5,000 families, including two young boys who are struggling to survive in the harsh conditions of the city's unofficial dumpsite.

Meet Francisco, a 7-year-old boy who lives with his family in a simple home made of waste materials. He spends his days searching through the trash heap for anything that could be traded for food or sell. Francisco's parents, who are also scavengers, struggle to sustain their family due to their poor financial situation.

"Kumusta, Francisco? Ilang taon ka na at sino ang nagturo sa ‘yo mamasura?"

“Tinuruan ako ng aking ama at nakakatandang kapatid kung paano magbenta at maghukay sa basurahan ng limang taong gulang pa lamang ako.” Francisco stated.

Besides being exposed to the dangers of the garbage dump, Francisco and his family are constantly at risk for contracting infections and having health issues due to living in a polluted environment. Despite the challenges he faces, Francisco is hopeful and determined about building a better life for his family. Francisco tried to talk to his father about their state in life.

Francisco's father sobbed, "Sa sobrang hirap ng buhay, wala akong mahanap na ibang trabaho para umunlad man lang ang ating buhay dahil hindi ko natapos ang aking pag-aaral noong ako’y bata pa lamang."

Juanita, a 9-year-old girl, lives on Smokey Mountain.

A girl who calls Smokey Mountain home is 9-year-old Juanita. Unlike Francisco, Juanita is an orphan and lives with his grandmother in a small, dilapidated shack. Juanita's parents died when he was young, and since then, she has been forced to fend for herself.

"Kumusta, Juanita? Sino ang kasama mo sa buhay at kung bakit ka namamasura?"

"Matanda na si lola kaya ang ginawa ko namamasura na lang ako para may pang kain kami kahit papaano. Si lola ang nag alaga at nagturo sakin kung paano mamasura, ang mga magulang ko naman hindi ko na sila na kita."

"Ayaw mo ba mag-aral Juanita?"

"Wala naman mag-papaaral sakin eh, sa sobrang hirap nang buhay namin hindi ko na iniisip yun, mas mabuting may laman ang sikmura namin ni lola."

Juanita spends the most of her days collecting used plastic bottles and scrap metal, which she sells to recyclers in exchange for money. But even his education is barely covered by her wages, let alone the cost of his grandmother's meals.

"Nanay kamusta ka po?"

"Ito nahihirapan na humanap ng pagkain namin ni Juanita"

"Pasensya na po sa maging tanong ko, Ano po palang nangyari sa mga magulang ni Juanita?"

"Ang anak ko si Juan at ang asawa nya si Nita, namatay sa sakit si Juan namatay sya sa Tuberculosis, si Nita naman sa Pneumonia. Wala kaming pera ng pang gamot sa kanila kaya ganyan ang kinalabasan"

"Pasensya na Nanay, ako po ay humihingi ng pasensya sa aking mga katanungan. Condolences po sa inyo pamilya."

Despite the challenges and setbacks that come with living in Smokey Mountain, Francisco and Juanita are determined and hopeful about the future. They imagine a time when they won't be struggling and will have access to things like food, clean water, and education.

Their trials serve as a reminder of the hardships that many families and low-income individuals in the Philippines go through. It is an appeal for help and a call to action to address the root causes of the nation's socioeconomic inequity, hunger, and poverty.

[leizyn]

Pandemic

At first it's fun because I'm not going to school anymore. Until all of my past decisions strike me, I feel like I'm drowning. At some point of the pandemic I'm very thankful because we have a bond with my Father and my two older brothers.

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Adventures in Kumintang

"Kumintang" is the ancient name of Batangas, and "Batangas" was derived from the word "batang", which is a term of the natives for the abundant logs in the Calumpang River. On March 20, 2023, we drove to Lian, Batangas, to swim and have fun. The view in Lian is breathtaking; sand, sun, and the view are impressive. We spent 2 days and 1 night.

We eat a bunch of seafoods, sang in the karaoke and got drunk.

We had fun in ocean and pool, i don't have a picture of swimming pool. Before we go home, we go to Nasugbu, Batangas to see a church.

Caleruega Church is also known as the Transfiguration Chapel. It is a beautiful church perched on top of the highest hill surrounded by panoramic breathtaking views of greenery. Its ideal location on top of the hill allows this church in Nasugbu, Batangas to reflect a highly spiritual and religious atmosphere. We toured a hanging bridge and went to the top of the hill to see a little chapel there.

I see this beautiful path way and I decided to take a picture.

And this view? its so fantastic.

We passed the hanging bridge.

After with climb into the top, we got to see a breathtaking view even its so hot that day.

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The Amazona

By Nyziel Remaldura

The origin of Nyziel has two different stories. My father forgot the title of that movie, but he remembered the girl on that movie named Nyziel and it means Amazona. Before I ask my mother where she got my name, she always says she got it from the names of my two brothers and my sister, who leaves them on a painted canvas: Niel, Nico, and Natalie. I didn't know where I should believe. My father prayed for my existence in the church for nine years because he wanted a daughter so badly.