PNRC, Butuan Chapter – A whole week of Training!

(At the back holding the flag is Kier - the HEAVYgatin, Aizel in pink, Marj in blue, Ate Ivy - my partner in school works )


If you are going to ask me to describe our training at Philippine National Red Cross, Butuan Chapter, I would say, “grabeh kakapoy pero enjoy makaluya pero makatuon jud ka.”

A whole week of training at PNRC wasn’t that easy and I always have this thought on my mind, “makaya ba kaha ni nako?” whenever the instructor gave us an activity such as rescuing a victim on fire by myself, carrying or dragging a unconscious casualty, spine boarding and hell yes I almost quit. I was like caitiff when we had that kind of activity. I felt pity to myself in the sense that I really wanted to learn and of course, to help others who are in need of a first aider, yet, seems like I don’t belong to this kind of field. During our activity, the victim was unconscious and bigger than me (kier vs ako? Hell no).

After the activity, I never thought that I can do it to think that I was carrying a victim that is bigger than me but I did! I shouldn’t be a quitter, I’ve been through a lot of trials and able to pass it all so why quit? So then I realized that I should not feel pity to myself but rather to persuade and strive more to be able to help others as long as we can. I believe in the saying, “quitter never wins.”

We’re very exhausted at the end of the day when we had this training but I learned a lot and that matters most, no matter how tired I was, hungry (kay walay kwarta pampalit para snacks), and almost burn my skin (kay super init ajo), still, I carry to smile (kay daghan picture2x) and had fun with other participants. This whole thing was new to me and really helps to be prepared in the future in case there’s emergency. We gave a lot of effort on this training and worth it. Not only that we learned so many things but also met new circle of friends!

Live Life to the Fullest and Healthiest!

“Health is wealth,” I do believe in this old saying. It is one of the most precious things we can have in this imperfect world. It is like a treasure that we should always bear in our mind to protect and take good care of. However, it’s quite ironic that some of us don’t really give this adage much weight in our lives. I have a lot of friends who are abusive on their body, practicing a bad habit which affects their health. Some of them drink beer as if it’s water. I even know people who had never broken sweat over exercise for the longest time. And no, I’m not counting myself out, for I’m also guilty of a few unhealthy habits.

For a whole week of training at Manuel J. Santos Hospital, I met a hypertensive patient and have kidney problems. He has a lot of regrets for he practiced unhealthy habits and now he suffered it. If only he cared for his health then he will not be in pain. I referred this experience to myself when I met a friend who died a year ago due to a motorbike accident. He was drunk while he was driving and a very abusive to his body so that is why. He was a good friend and I know how painful it was for his family because of what happened to their son. If only their son cared for his health, responsible enough to drive then maybe he’s still alive now and enjoy life.

Being in the hospital, there are only two destinations: whether you survive or die. In life, it’s always be your choice whether you live your life to what you dreamed of, do the things that you really wanted, or just surrender when everything seems to fall apart. We must always remember that money can’t buy everything, it cannot cure an illness. We should take care of ourselves before it’s too late if we want to live long. We can live life to the fullest if we are healthy. Health is priceless!

A Reflection

How unfair life is? Until now, I am still searching for the right answer and even questioned God why.

During our training at Butuan Child Care and Therapy Center, I learned a lot more than I expected. I felt so much sadness for all the kids having deficiencies such as Down’s syndrome, learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, ADHD or Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and it was so hard not to get discouraged. So many questions running through my head: Will they always be like this? Will they have friends? Will they ever be in school with typically developing children and have fun? I know how it feels to be one of the parents or a member of the family when one of the members has one of these deficiencies.

One week training at BCCTC has taught me a very great deal. It’s not frustration that I felt but a challenge my patience and do my very best to teach them. It’s not about to scold them when they commit mistakes but to understand their behaviour, and give more attention for they needed it, of course, not to tolerate them all through the time. Though behind their smiles, still, I can’t hide my feelings on how touched I was with their stories and seems like my heart bleeds, turned into pieces. They may not acquire the skills to be productive members of society but we should fight for services as long as we can in order for them to improve, not feel regression, and ease their burden. We may be not a developmental doctor, therapist, but we can truly give care, heart, and soul.

There are times that I feel hopeless and don’t know what else to do to solve some problems of mine but beyond my failures, sacrifices, hardships, and obstacles but I can say that I am still lucky no matter how heavy it is to carry the world. I can do whatever I want in which kids at BCCTC cannot do and one major thing I realize is not to look at the big picture but to appreciate small things, see beauty and miracle in small steps.