“Are you ready to drop everything for an adventure?”

Team Bacuyong with Dr. Jemuel Cristo

This was one of the many questions that came across our minds as soon as we found out our destined locations for the community exposure. Everyone asked questions about the community only waiting to hear the answer: “It’s for you to find out”.

Days before our trip, all of us were thinking, “What to pack?”, “What would we expect?”, “How many underwear should we bring?”, “Is there even water there?”, All the possible things we could think of in going to a foreign location outside the comforts of home.

Our team was composed of 8 members, 3 boys and 5 girls, each having unique qualities in his/her own special way. Some were experienced travelers, while others were not. What’s an adventure without the great backpacking stories?

It was a mixture of emotions during the travelling day. Maybe say stress (from the examination) and excitement for a new adventure enveloped the mood of the group during the entire course of the trip. It was a jaunt trip. We were headed to the municipality of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte. The road was smooth and the driver was very careful and responsible in his driving for it was raining during our travel. Upon our arrival in Piñan, we drove straight to the Piñan District Hospital where Dr. Jemuel Cristobal, his wife and his little girl welcomed us. We were introduced to the staff of the hospital and the people were very welcoming with beaming faces. Out of the 22 barangays in the municipality of Piñan, our team was assigned in Barangay Bacuyong.

The barangay had a beautiful location - everything was literally clean and green. The people, with their warm and welcoming smiles, waking up to the beautiful sunrise, it’s just too beautiful to miss. The roosters which served as our alarm clock at 4:00 in the morning, its just, we don’t know, no words can describe the roosters of Bacuyong. The company of strangers was just as comforting as the company of the people close to you. Cellphones can be turned off and be forgotten about. Being thankful for all the food, the adventures of getting lost, the importance of clean drinking water, and being comfortable by being uncomfortable. Experiencing the bugs at night before going to bed, when taking a bath became so luxurious, and the feeling of being blessed for having an indoor plumbing. When you laugh at yourself for falling down. When you realize that having good physical health is very important. Listening to people who are older than you, their advice is usually right. Where there is peace in silence, watching the world around you, and expecting the unexpected. You can be completely happy with only few material possessions and never be afraid to try new things even if they’re outside your comfort zone. Lastly, keeping your eyes forward. Only looking back to what you have accomplished.

Even though this was our first community experience, wherein people would feel worried, anxious and scared, we felt the complete opposite of it. The community made us feel safe and they made us fall in love with them on the first day. Their kindness, generosity and hospitability made us want to come back again and again. We didn’t realize though, that the one-month exposure taught us way more than just medical work. The community taught us the value of maturity, independence, friendship and responsibility.