Masked, Unmasked

Chapter 37

"So, tell us. Kamusta ang naging trip niyo patungong Sarangani?" Jaime Lazaro asked her daughters.

Nasa harap sila ng hapag para sa kanilang hapunan.

"Nakakapagod, we had to walk for hours para lang marating iyong place. Sobrang layo kasi ng community nila dad. Yet, worth it naman lahat because the natives were ecstatic ng malamang nagkaka library na sila." Bea smiled. Hindi maitago ang sayang nadarama.

"Dennise, hija tell me na nag-enjoy ka doon sa pinuntahan ninyo!"

"I enjoyed every bit of it mom! I too had alot of realizations. You know those people, they were poor. They barely eats three times a day. Most family survives the day eating rootcrops. Money's evidently scarce. Pero maski ganoon ang sitwasyon, hindi sila nagdalawang isip na iwelcome kami ng maayos sa community. They even prepared a welcome feast for us. Nakakataba lang ng puso. I witnessed it with my own eyes kung gaano kahirap ang kanilang sitwasyon. They barely had enough to feed themselves mom, pero hindi sila nag-atubiling ishare o ibigay sa amin ang kakarampot na pagkaing meron sila."

"I too, had been a witness of such gesture a million times hija. Mostly unexpected ang mga ganyang acts of kindness. Unexpected kaya naman sobrang nakakataba ng puso!" Her mom held her hand and smiled at her.

"Kaya nga masasabi kong genuine iyong ginawa and pinakita nila sa amin mommy. Personally, masaya ako. Kasi in my own little way, nagawa kong maibalik sa kanila ang ipinakita nilang kabutihan sa akin." Wika pa ni Dennise.

"As what Ive'd told you mom, dad. Si ate ang pinagdesign ko ng library." Si Bea uli.

"Uhm Bei, what if ako nalang din ang magsponsor sa construction materials? I mean, based on estimates, I think kaya kong ishoulder ang expenses for the materials. Channel the organisation's fund somewhere else. Imbes na sa contruction materials why not isama mo sa pasahod ng mga workers. Or simply make it as a standby fund, the once na pwede mo pang magamit on your upcoming projects." Dennise suggested.

"Totoo ate? You're going to do it? Like using your own money?" Parang hindi makapaniwalang naibulalas ni Bea.

"Yes, it's for a good cause Bei. Isipin mo nalang ang napakaraming positives na maidudulot ng project na iyon sa mga taga roon. That project was basically that community's lifeline! The project will surely make a big impact sa buhay ng mga taga roon."

"Lifeline?" Noon palang muli nakapagsalita ang padre de pamilya!

"Yes dad, their lifeline. Nakalimutan kong sabihin na mostly sa mga katutubong nameet namin was no read no write. Mabibilang sa daliri ang mga magulang na marunong magbasa at magsulat. Given that scenario, ano ang maiiexpect mo? Solong pag-asa ng mga bata para matutong magbasa at magsulat is through proper education. Them going to school. Once nasa eskwelahan na sila, at nag-aaral na, doon palang natin masasabing may pag-asa silang mabago ang kanilang buhay! Pag-asang makaahon sa hirap!"

"You're that invested in helping them hija?" Ang kanilang ina, ito man ay hindi makapaniwala sa gustong mangyari ni Dennise.

"Growing up, during events, lagi kong naririnig sa ibang tao that it is Bea, na siyang nagmana sa inyo mom. Tama naman sila sa observation na iyon. It is really evident that between the two of us siya ang mas may malaking puso. Na siya niyo rin pong katangian. Iyon po bang pusong handang tumulong sa nangangailangan! Pero after ng trip na iyon, I too felt na kailangan ko ring kumilos, na kailangan ding may gawin ako para makatulong. As Ive'd said earlier, that trip made me realize a lot of things. Isa nga doon is the realization of how lucky I am. I was born a Lazaro, not to sound mayabang pero alam niyo namang our surname comes with a lot of perks. So why not use those perks in helping others. Like helping them achieve their dreams. I am not saying or doing this kasi those natives have been good to me or generally to our group, but I am doing this because I strongly believe that this is the right thing to do!" Den in all sinserity declared.