Indian Youth in the Philippines : Shared Reflections on Selected Experiences

As you may have read in the article titled A Philippines - India Cultural Exchange for the Wizkids Winners!, the four young winners of the Wizkids final contest enjoyed a very interesting and pleasant trip to the Philippines. Among the visits and experiences, they have selected the ones that most moved them to share their feelings.

Aeta Community
Aeta is a simple indigenous village in Botolan, Zambales province, which is north of the Philippines. Aetas were the first people in the Philippines. They settled in the Philippines during the time of the land bridges, walking their way here before the Philippines became an archipelago. They are underserved and underrepresented, thus they remain poor.

Deepika Easwaran: What I remember most is the amazing dance and the bath. Even the old people were so active which was so good. I learnt that people should be satisfied with what they’ve got. The people in the Aeta community were so poor and lived in such small houses and lead a tough life. I became surprised to see the hospitality shown by them. They did not know who we were and offered a place to stay in the middle of the night. I certainly enjoyed my stay in the community – it was very good.

Anupama Kumar Cochin: I remember most our little solidarity night. I enjoyed the hospitality and the plain clean fun we had (snorkeling too. But I’m not sure if it counts). I learnt about the issues rural people and indigenous communities face at home in India and in the Philippines. I became more appreciative of people’s hospitality and more willing to let my hair down. I will be more hospitable in the future, like Rona and Albert.

Sudhir Selvaraj: I remember the evening the most. The animal dance and the courtship dance which the children and elderly performed was fantastic. It was especially memorable because these groups of people from different backgrounds joined together and had a very productive and enjoyable evening. I learnt most that Philippines and Inida are not very different. The problems faced by the Aetas were very similar to the ones faced by the indigenous people of India. I became very humbled after the experience. A community like the Aetas, despite having so little were willing to share whatever they had. It is something that you do not often see. They also opened up their homes to us which made us feel all the more welcomed. It would have been better if we got to spend a little more time with the children of our age. If the entire trip had been a little longer, I think we would have learnt a little more from there.

Kislay Kishan: The thing I remember the most is the traditional Aeta dance. The people still remembered their culture. The people were really hospitable. I learned that we should respect each other’s culture and work for the poor and the needy. I learned that the people need to pay attention towards their culture. I became a person who is hospitable and I will always try to fit in any condition I am in. The visit could have been better if we would have learnt more about their traditions.

Payatas and Sitio Mendez
These are urban poor communities located in Quezon City, which is at the heart of Metropolitan Manila. The people live in shanties. Payatas is the new Smokey Mountain of the Philippines - a community in the midst of a dumpsite. Sitio Mendez is a community built upon the struggle of people. The people lived in land owned by a private person. Through negotiations and struggle, the people won the right to buy out the land. They are now amortizing the land.

Kislay Kishan: The thing I remember most in Payatas when I saw the number of people who died in the landslide of garbage. I really felt bad for them. I learned that living is the most important thing. Challenges will come in your life. You have to face it. I became a person who would now be helping people and trying to be hospitable. The visit would have been better if we would have been of any help to them.

Anupama Kumar Cochin: I remember the overwhelming hospitality and willingness to open up of everyone we met despite the poverty all around us. I also remember that the homes we visited were spick and span. I learnt of the people my age working for the community, of their resolve and commitment. I became more grateful for all the opportunities God has given me, and more determined to use them sensibly. The experience would have been better if we had had more time to meet more people.

Deepika Easwaran: In the Payatas, what I remember most were the young children who were struggling to go to school because of poverty, in which I hope I can make a change. I learnt that you should utilize the things you have got, nicely, and should not have a desire for things you do not have and do not need. I became shocked when I heard about the garbage landslide, to which many families fell victims. I enjoyed the little time I spent there very much.

Center for Positive Futures (CPF)
A school for economically disadvantaged children, where the cost of education is low and families can pay in kind, in terms of service or in cash depending on their cash flow.

Deepika Easwaran: I remember how the CPF students invited us to dance along with them the most. I learnt that we should be kind and considerate to everyone. The children were so kind to us. I became quite surprised to see the kindness shown to us by them. I loved CPF, the children, and will never forget this experience.

Kislay Kishan: The thing I remember the most is when all of us danced in their traditional song. The cultural exchange really provided me a lot of information. I learned that education plays a very important role in every human’s life, whether one is rich or poor. I became a person who would pay attention towards my studies. The visit could have been better if we could have been able to know the problems faced by them.

Sudhir Selvaraj: I remember most the Filipino dance which the students performed, and the laughter that came along with the bollywood dance. I learned most that age, language, economic, etc. barriers can easily be broken down when both parties are open and willing. We made a lot of new friends and learnt a lot from there and I hope that they learnt as well from us. I became a little more comfortable and free-willed. They invited us to dance with them and that really made me feel comfortable and welcome. It would have been better if we had a little more time, and especially if there was more time for one-on-one interaction with the kids.

Anupama Kumar Cochin: I remember all the amazing performances we saw. I learnt to let my hair down and dance! I became more expressive, more friendly and more grateful for all God has given me. The experience would have been better if we had had more time to interact with the students at CPF.

Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
A national NGO affiliated with the International Rural Reconstruction Movement. It has been serving the country’s rural poor since 1954.

Anupama Kumar Cochin: I remember Mr. Gani Serrano’s simplicity and willingness to take time off to be with us. I learnt that rural reconstruction is a lot more than government policies. I became more appreciative of struggles of the people, and strengthened in my resolve not to join a big corporation – instead, I am more determined to study environmental law.

Sudhir Selvaraj: I remember most the film that Mr. Gani Serrano showed. I learnt most that there are people in this world who are genuinely interested in making their country a better place, even if it means going to jail. I became more aware of the Filipino past and realized the similarity between the Inidan and Filipino past. It would have been better if it was a little less formal. Also the film was too long. It would have been easier if Gani just spoke to us and told us stories.

Kishlay Kishan: The thing I remember most is the documentary. I learned the history of PRRM and learned some ways to help the poor and the needy. I also learned that dignity is more important than earning money. I became a person who would grow up to be a social worker and a helper to the poor, needy and illiterate.

Deepika Easwaran: What I remember most in PRRM was the film which was about the history of PRRM and the way PRRM helped the people. I learnt we should never give up in life and must always have will-power. I became quite confident in myself when I saw how much PRRM had done and I began to think that I too could do it when I grow up. I liked my experience in PRRM.