JUNE 15, 2011

Light for Change

Many of us take electricity for granted because it is readily available in the cities where we live and work. However, according to Solar Energy Foundation (SEF), 26.4% of the Filipino population does not have access to electricity. Many of those who are not able to access this basic service are families who reside in rural, mountainous and farming areas.

SEF Philippines has launched the Ride for Light 2011 program, a 6,600-kilometer motorcycle adventure ride across the entire Philippine archipelago for 19 days within the months of April and May. The mission is to electrify all isolated villages through solar energy by distributing and donating Portable Solar Home Systems (SHS) to trusted social partners who will connect the communities to the SEF network. Approximately, 40 remote communities were selected to be beneficiaries of the program. One of the beneficiaries is the citronella plantation in Brgy. Kanapawan, Labo, Camarines Norte. This is where Human Nature obtains 100% of its citronella oil for its products. Hence, it was also referred to as the Human Nature stop in the Ride for Light program.

On the 6th day of the Ride for Light, April 23, 2011, the riders reached Brgy. Kanapawan. They held a short program and distributed portable SHS to the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC) and Kooperatiba ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Brgy. Kanapawan (KMMBK) through Human Nature. Three of the volunteer riders, Philippe Saubiere, Ibba Rasul Bernardo and Antonio Villanueva, distributed the solar lanterns (SHS) to PFEC and KMMBK. They also demonstrated the proper way of using the solar lanterns and gave the attendees an overview on the purpose and goals of Ride for Light.

To further deepen the understanding about the distributed units, the organizers conducted an open forum. Richard Villaspin and Anita Flores of KMMBK also shared their personal experiences on how difficult it had been to live in their household without electricity and how SEF can bring a great deal of change in their everyday lives.

The solar lanterns given to the farmers can contribute to their quality of life in very concrete ways. A proposed processing center for citronella oil will be situated in the center of the citronella plantation, which is 3 kilometers from the national road and where electricity is not accessible. Solar lamps can provide light to the area at night time so the farmers will be able to continue their oil extraction especially when their production and market for citronella oil increase. Also, solar power will be very useful for the famers who reside in their own farms in the mountains. Normally, they use kerosene-filled lamps in their houses and also when walking to the barangay center to charge their mobile phones. Now, the solar lanterns will be able provide the farmers an environmentally-friendly means to light their homes and charge their phones in order to be able to communicate efficiently with their colleagues.

Indeed, how the Ride for Light made a significant change in the lives of the citronella farmers in Barangay Kanapawan is truly amazing. For everybody else in the city, light has become an ordinary necessity. But for the farmers, it is more than that. It is an opportunity to improve their livelihood and the lives of their family at home.

My work in Human Nature has allowed me to witness numerous inspiring moments of change for the poor. This exposure to communities and the infectious spirit of change has encouraged me to do more during my personal time.

“Ang importante po, nagmature ako dito sa loob.”
(What’s important is that I became mature here inside the prison.)

This remark from a 20-year old convict struck me most when I visited the Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa. Cherrie Atilano, a close friend and GK volunteer, invited me to go with her during my leave to see for myself what she has been doing for the inmates inside. When we got there, security was very tight that even the employees inside had a hard time getting us in despite the passes made for us ahead of the scheduled date. Also, our digital cameras and cellular phones had to be documented and stated in the permit before we could bring them inside. But, despite all the strict procedures, we were able to explore inside the Bilibid.

Bilibid was not the typical prison I had always imagined. I was surprised to see that it was more of a community-like set-up where prisoners can roam around, swing in the playground, stay in their dorm-like cells and even go to school! Majority of the inmates seemed confident and had bright smiles, and this made it hard to distinguish the inmates from the staff of the detention center.

We went straight to meet Tita Emily Sta. Maria at her office in the Bilibid Medium Education. She had been working and volunteering inside the prison for more than 40 years already. After the chat, we transferred to another room to meet some of the prisoners. Cherrie began a discussion with them and let them report about their herb garden and how they and their fellow inmates had benefitted from it. In addition, Cherrie also talked about the things we were doing outside such as Gawad Kalinga, and social enterprises that help marginalized communities, farmers and poor Filipinos. Cherrie shared with them her social enterprise, Blue Bamboo Ventures, which seeks to create high value products from our endemic bamboo. I then shared Human Nature and The Golden Egg, both social enterprises that I’m passionate about in order to help more poor Filipinos. Cherrie and I gave them a picture that there is something positive happening outside the prison to let them feel that they can still work and reach their dreams when they are released. Moreover, presenting to them the advocacies and the reasons why we were doing such activities rekindled their hope - hope that has dimmed after having spent a lifetime away from their families.

After the discussion, we were led into the herb garden to look at the different herbs planted. Along the way, three detainees caught my attention. They looked young and innocent. I approached them and asked their ages and the sentences they serve. Still in their 20’s, two of them were detained because of drugs with 4 - 6 years left before their release. The other one named Jawo, whom I got to talk with more than any other inmates, was also in his 20’s and has been detained for homicide.

Jawo approached me and explained about the different plants that they were cultivating and how each was used to cure diseases. He also shared a little of his personal life and his plans after his release. While we were talking, I realized how blessed I am with the freedom I have; how privileged I am with the things happening in my life; and how auspicious my life is going to be if I continue to strive. Then here is Jawo, a young man who continues to dream simple dreams of his own inside Bilibid. He dreams that one day he will be free and that he has learned from his dark experience which has made him more mature. Going into Bilibid, I thought my mission was simply to give them hope and yet the optimism of the inmates has made me feel more assured of my decision to serve and more excited of our vision in Gawad Kalinga and Human Nature.

Another thing that amazed me was the talent they have shown inside. Rooms have several different paintings hanging on the walls. The paintings were amazing and all of them were made by the inmates themselves. I also learned that they have an improvised way of doing paintings; one in particular was what they call “wood burning”. I was so impressed by the quality of the paintings that I even thought of having a picture drawn for me at a very affordable price.

Most people would wonder, “Were you not afraid of going inside with all the criminals surrounding you?” Honestly, I felt more hopeful and excited rather than scared. Everyone makes mistakes, and even though they may have committed crimes to society, they are currently serving their punishment and are striving to get their lives back on track. Listening to their aspirations and testimonials of how they’ve matured reminded me of their inherent dignity and how they very much deserve our trust and care.

I signed up as an agriculturist tasked to create farming viability plans and I can truly say I’ve gained more than what I’ve bargained for. Sharing our mission and vision is always exciting, yet seeing change happen and taking part in it is an incredible experience that will change my life forever.

Walang Iwanan!

Angelo Jay (Jong) Noriel
Agriculturist, Social Enterprise Development Team
Gandang Kalikasan, Inc.