“KALIPAY SA KAHAYAG PROJECT”

Bringing Back Hope And Faith Through A Symbolic Light

By: Michael T. Ang, Fuap, and James G. Jao,Fuap

Whenever we are faced with uncertainties and hopelessness in life, we look for that proverbial silver lining. A flicker of light that will restore our confidence and faith telling us that all will be well. Quoting Rachel Skatvold, “A ray of light made a rainbow through the mist”, we are reminded that the path to the universal symbol of hope, the rainbow, will start with just a spark of light.

The two years of living dangerously in a world of pandemic engulfed us with fear, despair, and sadness. Accustomed to a pre-pandemic world of being free to move around, to watch movies, and to enjoy the simple joys of bonding with friends, colleagues, and relatives, it was really a big challenge to be suddenly confined in the four walls of our abode, restricted and deprived of the freedom to move around by a vicious virus that is even invisible to the naked eye.

The situation opened our eyes to the vulnerability of life and the realization that our comfort zone may be taken away in just a snap of a finger. This was what happened when the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a global pandemic last March 11, 2020. Suddenly everything changed. Work, school, shops, and recreational modes all changed to something virtual, which is an environment that is new and strange to the majority of us. This is especially true to the elderlies, the members of the College of Fellows (COF) included. Many of us have to cope with the situation of being isolated from family members and friends, rendering everyone in a depressed mood.

However, thanks to the technology of virtual platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, MS teams, and the simplest of all, the Facebook messenger, the COF continued to reconnect with the members, to bring a semblance of fellowship albeit virtually. We have witnessed the eagerness and joy of each member in the virtual platform greeting each other with words of encouragement and wishing everyone good health and safety became the most common greetings. Slowly we became accustomed to a virtual social life. We continue to share life experiences, celebrate milestones with colleagues and friends, console with grieving members who have lost a loved one, learn of new knowledge through webinars, and even share food virtually.

Few may have opted to keep away from the virtual crowd, but the majority still continue to look forward to our monthly fellowship. The camaraderie between the members of the COF was sustained. What was even more inspiring is that kindness and generosity despite the difficult situation prevailed among the members. Our sense of community was still intact. We continue to perform our corporate social responsibility even in our own small way. The COF was challenged last December 2021 when part of the Visayas and Mindanao was hard hit by a natural disaster.

Cebu experienced a catastrophic tropical cyclone, category five hurricane last December 16, 2021. The two hundred sixty kilometers per hour gustiness left a lot of people in the mountain villages or Barangays homeless. Their houses, which were made of light tropical materials, were devastated. Many have to endure life without water and electricity for more than a month.

Immediately, the COF officers headed by Chancellor Ar. Michael Ang, together with the immediate past Chancellor Ar. Pamela Amador, decided to donate for the people of Cebu who badly needed help. Vice Chancellor Ar. James Jao, being based in Cebu assessed the situation and recommended giving hand held solar powered lamps as donations to affected mountain barangays, to help them navigate at night and do their household chores. Many COF members responded to the call for donations.

On December 30,2021, the 350 units of Solar hand-held lamps arrived in Mactan Airport in Cebu. Immediately Vice Chancellor Ar. James Jao, in behalf of the COF, travelled to personally deliver the lamps to the mountain Barangay of Sudlon-1, Cebu . With the assistance of Barangay Captain Dante Tabucal and his officials, 250 units were distributed to their constituents.

On January 01, 2022, a follow up distribution was conducted by the Vice Chancellor through the assistance of Barangay Captain Bienvenido Lauronilla. Another 100 units of hand-held solar lamps were distributed to the constituents of Barangay Valencia in Carcar City, Province of Cebu.

The project may be a simple one, but the impact of providing sources of light to the displaced families in their darkest hour brought hope, faith, and confidence to these families. It sends the signal that all will be well and life will continue to move on for as long as there are people who care and would be willing to share a part of their blessings to the less unfortunate ones. The monetary value may not be much, but it made a difference. The project was aptly named “ Kalipay sa Kahayag” literally translated to “Happiness in the midst of Brightness”. Truly the project brought smiles to 350 affected families of typhoon Odette.

The COF shall continue to endeavor to pursue projects that would uplift the image of the Filipino architects as among the more socially responsive professionals in the country.