DEVCOMM| VOLUNTEERISM The Fuel That Will Flame Up the Future's Torch

The Fuel That Will Flame Up the Future's Torch

Roxan D. Resuello

In a world where everyone seems too busy going about their own lives, either trying to make little progress for themselves or creating a path towards their successes, it is quite easy to assume that most people do not have the extra free time to embark on something that goes way past the borders of their chosen career of focus.

Runs Past the Filipino Veins

The Philippines, however, as per the global pandemic special report of CAF World Giving Index 2021, proved that it is possible to juggle personal and social duties, as the country ranked 28th out of 114 countries for the most time given for volunteer work.

Embedded in who we are as Filipinos are the natural sense of extending a helping hand to those who need it most. Although times have changed drastically, and we do not find it in ourselves to carry a "Bahay Kubo" from one place to another anymore, the spirit of Bayanihan's camaraderie lives on through good acts of modern volunteerism.

Doing Good to Rid the Bad; Ridding the Bad to Feel the Good

Third-year, Accountancy student Queenie Josh Leocadio frees some of her time to give service to the student body together with UPA- NG Peers Facilitators Circle (PFC). An organization that functions by addressing the students' mental health issues through webinars and providing an open line of communication to anyone who needs it. She says that her choice to volunteer as a mental health advocate was rooted in her struggles. "Maybe it was my calling to help other people not experience the same struggle as mine," Leocadio said.

Usually, you don't get a prize or a medal for standing up to volunteer. However, what you get to have is the chance to grow through the process and enjoy a lifelong fulfillment of being able to help. In Leocadio's case, her good karma came when she "[I] was able to become more aware of myself, identify my strengths and weaknesses, be aware of other people's emotions, how to respond to a person who is going through something, and be more disciplined in every action I take and words that I spit out of my mouth."

With her responsibilities as a student and an advocate for mental health, she always tries to be kinder and more sensitive in understanding other people around her. She reiterates that being a Peer requires a lot of professionalism, understanding, and patience.

It goes without saying that dedicating time for volunteer work, especially in difficult times such as what we are in at the moment, is something that takes a lot of selflessness and commitment. The act of volunteering is a broad nature of allocating a portion of your 24/7 into something that piques your interests and inner good Samaritan. It is not one size, fits all as it can be done in various ways for different reasons, depending on each person.

There are people like Queenie who would go out of their way to become a part of an organization to confront a problem and advance an awareness to trigger change. Some people, however, would rather take little steps on their own to try and contribute to something bigger than themselves.

A Bag of Blood = A Bag of Hope

For Carl Jevsen Macaraeg, a second-year Medical Laboratory Science student, donating blood is something not out of the ordinary for him. The 21-year-old Red Cross Volunteer regularly donates blood for the Philippine Red Cross every 3-4 months and to others who need it as well. His active participation in social works such as blood donation is rooted in a sensible cause. "The reason is simple, to save lives." Macaraeg expressed. It might be just a pint of blood, but he says he "always thinks of it as giving life to other people."

He relates participating in social work as simply helping the most deprived and vulnerable people in the community. "It creates an effect that inspires other people to give a hand and participate.", he says.

Volunteerism knows no bounds. Albeit more associated with doing community work under health, rescue services, and environmental conservation than others, volunteerism also reaches through the doors of politics, with most relevance this year due to the nearing National Elections.

VOLUNTEERISM - Student-volunteers hand around pamphlets and pink rosaries to children on city streets just outside the campus in light with the Leni-Kiko campaign.

Photo from Sir Jairus Sibayan

For the Nation: Political Participation

In recent months, a huge number of people, mostly the youth, have been partaking in relevant rounds of political campaigns as they voice out their sentiments and support for their Presidential bets. Volunteerism has been essentially rampant, especially in campaign activities, including rallies and unity walks where flocks of Flames have been actively participating by performing on-stage, showcasing artistic abilities through mural paintings, and diligently volunteering to go on house-to-house visits to communicate platforms and create a more educated voting population.

The Future can Still be Bright.

Flames allowing themselves to be devoted to something out of the confines of their bachelor courses is an outstandingly incredible read to ponder on. More so with the fact that they still have the time to focus on their academic lives and excel in them. Although times are becoming more difficult as days pass, knowing that some still heed each other's initiating nature gives some hope that there are people out there that are not as self-centered as this world makes us think.

With the proper support and acknowledgment, surely, getting up together and volunteering for great advocacies would lead us to greater heights. Days may be dark at the moment, but the future can still be bright. With the right amount of fire, the torch that will light out the future may still ablaze.

Photo from Sir Jairus Sibayan