Carolinian Connections
A collaborative project of Christian Life Formation, Philosophy and Empowerment Technology
Give a description of the sitio where your respondent resides. Base it on your observations of the place and the sharing made by the respondent.
A. Description of the Sitio
From our group's observations, it was clear that the area was not particularly fortunate. Dirty streets, cramped homes, and small, cramped streets all demonstrate it. It's a little worrisome since, from what we've observed, the community there is highly vulnerable to catastrophes like fires and floods because of their living circumstances. From the testimony of our respondents, it is evident that there is a lack of government attention and interference, since they are also experiencing significant safety and security issues as a result of illicit activities in the area. On the social front, though, it is quite heartwarming that residents there appear to be extremely optimistic individuals in spite of their circumstances. It is really moving to see their strong faith and everlasting trust in God, which shows that no matter how difficult life becomes, faith will provide hope and comfort.
B. Summary of Information Gathered
Mention the name of your respondent and summarize what you have discussed with him/her. Focus on the responses to the guide questions that were provided for the interview for Philo 01.
Marcelina M. Lisondra
Marcelina discussed the importance of aligning actions with God's path, seeking forgiveness, realizing mistakes, and engaging in virtuous deeds. She shared their family dynamic and their role in guiding their daughter. However, she reflected on the lack of significant change in their community, disappointment in political promises, government lies, and a sense of neglect. The rising cost of jeepney fares and the escalating prices of essential commodities, particularly food, were also discussed. Her daughter's dispute with a driver due to an unexpected fare increase serves as a microcosm of broader issues. She also joked about running for president, highlighting the absurd reliance on authorities that contributes to the community's hardships. The conversation paints a nuanced picture of a wife and a mother navigating life, faith, and societal challenges, with a poignant commentary on the struggles of trusting and relying on government structures for positive change.
Filomena Villaplaza
Filomena has lived in the area for a decade because that is where her husband works. She shared a sense of stagnation and unresolved issues within her community. The rising cost of living, particularly groceries prices, added to her daily struggles. She shared her mother's experiences in her hometown particularly in education with her siblings. In the area she lives she deals with frequent floods especially in the rainy season. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the importance of faith and resilience, emphasizing the need to seek forgiveness and seek forgiveness when needed. Her personal nature and the interconnectedness within their community emphasized the importance of seeking forgiveness and staying within God's path.
Neliza Tanceoan
On our interview with Nanay Neliza Tanceoan that they live there for 28 years and they chose that place or community because it’s near to a school and the church and for her the biggest problem that their community is facing, is the lack of quality education for the kids and she hopes that the government will provide more quality education cause for her education is the ticket out of poverty, and she also wants to improve the security system of the community.
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She also stated that the parents must give more attention and educate their children more about the importance of education. She also shared about the illegal activities happening in the community, and she wanted the government and the police to take action in this for the sake of the people, especially for the kids who love to go outside late at night. We concluded that for her the main problem in the community is more in education, status and financial problems in the lock of security in the location. not just with the help of the government, but also in God, she trusts soon there will be a change and that change is for the better.
Rashel Sostia
Ate Rashel Sostia was interviewed by us. We posed five questions to her. She replied that she had lived in the sitio for 14 years when we first asked how long. She informed us that she moved here for employment, but she was originally from Camotes. She moved here permanently with her husband after that, raising their three kids here. In addition, Ate Rashel told us that the work of her husband is very close to the sitio. What alterations have taken place in the community was the second question. She claimed that nothing had changed when it came to the people who were living in that community, however, she told us that when it came to the infrastructure of the sitio there were a lot of changes there were much bigger buildings around and a lot of job opportunity as well since it is really close in there home.
In response to our third and fourth questions, she revealed to us the two issues the neighborhood has been dealing with for a very long time: drugs and flooding brought on by malfunctioning garbage disposal. She informed us that the locals wouldn't pay attention even if the government took action. Because they are aware of the tanods' wandering schedule, drug users are already aware of when to hide. She also said to us that there were some activities that the barangay made in order to prevent clogging in the drainage but it's always the residents who are hard-headed and won't bother to participate and help the community solve the problem. Instead of complaining to those residents, they were the ones who were having a hard time adjusting so no conflicts would happen in the future. She said people who are living there are scared because they might pose a threat to their families. When we asked her what she wanted most for their community, she said that all she wanted was for her children to grow up in a calm environment free from future chaos and solve those problems that their community is facing. In short, she wants everyone to work together to create a safe place for everyone to live in.
Nanay Felipa is a true blooded basakanon. Her entire life, she has resided in the sitio. It is her birthplace, where she grew up, and the place she is currently spending her senior years. Because she was raised there, knew the area well, and wanted to live close to where her parents also resided, she made the decision to live there permanently. Additionally, she disclosed that she was a widow and only relied on her four children, all of whom had jobs nearby that made their home's location more practical. She concurred with her fellow respondent, Ate Rachel, that the buildings that were constructed around them, or, to put it another way, the modernization and commercialization of the community, were the causes of the changes in their community. She views these developments favorably because they have given the residents jobs that have allowed them to support their families and themselves. She brought up the issue of incorrect garbage disposal and how, as a result, clogged drainage systems have made their neighborhood particularly vulnerable to flooding. She said that floodwater would even enter inside of their houses, weakening the foundations.
She also highlighted how tough it would be for her to get their house fixed because they couldn't afford it. When we asked if the government had done anything to alleviate this problem, it was sad to hear that there was nothing they did. It demonstrates the lack of initiative on the part of the local administration that the inhabitants have to send a request to the barangay in order to have their drainage and areas cleaned. She mentioned that one of their worries was safety as well. How the illegal drug use in their community has made the environment unsafe for residents, especially for families. The environment is dangerous, she said, and residents have to watch out for one another. Drug addicts are known to commit crimes because their vices drive them to act out of control, and because of their sheer number, it can be difficult for the residents to keep track of them. They also run the risk of theft and arson. The barangay hasn't really addressed the issue on a large scale; they only act when someone speaks up and reports it, which is problematic in and of itself because the residents are so afraid to bring up the subject because they have families and children, and by doing so, they run the risk of inciting the wrath of the criminals, who might harm them in retaliation. She struggled to come up with ideas for how she could personally contribute to the community's success, though, because she felt that the problem of illegal drugs was too complex for the average person to handle without running the risk of facing danger and the wrath of the addicts themselves.
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And that these people won't listen to them even if they tell them to stop. That she would prefer to protect her own family than play the hero, since the violent retaliation of the aforementioned addicts is guaranteed if she is found out or blamed for reporting to the barangay. The best course of action, according to her, is to hope for the best and let the government deal with these unlawful activities. Additionally, everyone in the community will do their utmost to ensure one another's safety. She stated that it is the responsibility of the community's residents to pursue change with regard to the garbage issue. Because of the large number of people and problems in their barangay, nobody can guarantee that the government will act quickly if they just sit back and wait for the problems to be solved. Therefore, everyone in the community must work with one another to find solutions. She concluded by saying that the greatest thing they can do is to just pray that by the grace of God these problems will go away because it has been really difficult for anyone to address these deeply rooted issues in their community.
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Felipa Navares
C. Integrating the Experience with the Lessons in Philo 01
Connect the activity and your experience to the lessons taken up in class.
Point out specific concepts that have relevance to the activity.
The main concept relevant to the activity is intersubjectivity, which refers to the shared understanding or common ground that individuals have with one another. It was essential to our parish immersion because it made it possible for us and the participants to establish more meaningful connections. It wasn't just about us interacting with them for the sake of our grades; it was also about us growing in compassion and empathy for the struggles and life experiences of the less fortunate. It allowed us to create a safe space for them to freely respond to our questions without feeling judged and in turn, it opened our eyes to the harsh truths of reality that many people today are facing, which most of us do not know of due to our privilege. Exchanging life experiences and struggles with one another made us look at life from new perspectives and made us reflect on our own perspectives as well. The activity awoke the humanitarian inside of us. We are deeply saddened to learn about the difficulties they encounter, so we really feel for them and want to support them in any way we can.
We were able to let go of any preconceived notions about people from different socioeconomic backgrounds by developing intersubjectivity during the immersion. These people are just like us—humans with aspirations for a better life—and are neither crude nor ignorant. Hence, regardless of a person's social standing, gender identity, ethnic background, or anything else, we should always treat them with equal and sincere respect, compassion, and kindness because we are all just human beings trying to survive in this harsh world. Us. especially, should always strive for authentic intersubjectivity while remaining true to our promise of being one with the Carolinian mission of being devoted to the upliftment of our community. We must learn how to feel our presence with one another, and be able to have the sensitivity and the selflessness to be there for our fellow man and make sacrifices for the greater good of the vulnerable.
D. Personal Reflections
Each member will share his insights especially on how the activity led to an understanding of himself and others as human persons.
Sophi Denise Cabigas
I am immensely grateful that I got to participate in the immersion activity since it drove me to reflect on both today's society and myself. Although I've always been aware of the obvious problems that less fortunate communities face, hearing directly from the locals confirmed my belief that life is unfair and that some people shouldn't have to endure such hardships. It made me realize how privileged I am and that, despite my own issues, I should always be grateful for that.
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Still, I find it frustrating that these families must endure these hardships, primarily as a result of the government's lack of action. It helped me realize that, as humans, we ought to become sensitive to the suffering and cries of those around us. If we can only learn to empathize, then we will be able to gradually move toward a society where people are more empowered. People in positions of power or influence should not ignore the pain of those who are less fortunate; instead, they should take the initiative to do what they can to lessen human suffering.
Personally, this experience has strengthened the resolve I’ve had within myself to make a change, to be a person who can contribute to the community, to be someone who actually does something about the issues we face today. It has dawned upon me that as a person with privilege, I have the ability to protect the lives and dignity of those who can’t do it for themselves. Therefore, I truly pledge that in whichever way I can I will do my absolute greatest to uplift the most vulnerable and speak up for the voices that are not being heard.
Christina Vinez Diaz
The immersion taught me that I am a very privileged person. Those individuals have limited privileges but can nevertheless thank the Lord for them, but I am not satisfied with what I have. I discovered that having a lot of advantages is already enough for me to live. My immersion experience taught me to appreciate the simple things, treasure exceptional moments, and live a prosperous life. I discovered that all I needed to live life was love, family, and my community. They demonstrated to me, via immersion, that you can truly enjoy life with them.
I discovered that the locals there are assisting one another to create a tranquil atmosphere. Still, some locals don't give an inch about other people's opinions or feelings. Therefore, in order to prevent arguments in the future, it is the others who are making accommodations for that individual. It also taught me that they all have each other's backs. One of the people we spoke with, for instance, mentioned that they would ask their neighbors for help taking care of their house or kids if one of them was gone, which illustrates the presence of people in society. It clarifies that they cohabit and that they should cooperate since they are all related.
Participating in this immersion program has changed my knowledge of myself and given me a deeper understanding of the humanity of others. Similar to the interviewee's emphasis on how comprehensible and deeply resonated the frustration with the government's perceived unfairness is, it has allowed me to reflect on my own journey and the interconnectedness of our collective humanity. It made me face the privilege I unknowingly possess. It highlights the disturbing fact that not everyone has the same privileges and forces me to reflect on how privilege has shaped my own story.
This awareness embraces a larger comprehension of myself and other people as human beings, going beyond emotional connections. It increases sensitivity to the difficulties faced by others who are less fortunate and cultivates empathy. It becomes a rallying cry that strengthens the resolve to push for a more equitable and just system. In the end, the injustice that the government upholds acts as a push for my own development, encouraging me to reflect, research, and take action to create a society that is more just. It emphasizes how interconnected the human experience is and how important it is to work toward a society in which privilege does not dictate one's possibilities or well-being.
Experiencing the activity showed me that there are more people who are having a hard time than me and how privileged we are that we can go to the school able to eat three times a day and also our parents who always there to support us give us all attention and love for us and also how we have a secured roof above our heads and despite of the challenges there are facing they still smile and enjoy life to the fullest and even though they don’t have that much they are still grateful for what they have and by trusting in God everything will be alright.
In essence, this experience not only prompted self-reflection but also deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness of human experiences. It underscored the importance of acknowledging and empathizing with the diverse journeys people embark upon. Through this lens of intersubjectivity, I gained a richer appreciation for the intricate tapestry of humanity, woven with threads of struggle, resilience, gratitude, and faith.
Jarren Margarette
Delos Reyes
Mary Angela Nepangue
