By Ruby Raymundo (edited by Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz) | Ang Misyon Talim Island Satellite Director
Talim Island’s Current Situation
Naturally, the main source of living in Talim Island is fishing. About eighty percent (80%) of its people rely only on fishing itself. But what comes worse than frequent occurrences of typhoons that wreak havoc on the fish pens and cages, the lake waters become too toxic for fishing.
When the pesky green algae spreads all over the lake, it results into massive fish kill. The fishermen lose their livelihood. The most affected are the children, due to the choleric stench that spreads all over the community, causing stomach pain and asthma. Even if it’s harmful to eat the harvested fish, the community is left with no choice but to eat rather than to starve. For years, the authorities have not found a remedy to this dilemma only these poor islanders have been suffering!
Each time I come home from the Ang Misyon Talim Island satellite headquarters, I think about what had occurred throughout the day of Music lessons & classes. In a heart to heart talk with some of the Scholars, they told me that most of the time, they would sleep with an empty stomach because there was no food to eat. Sometimes an entire family would just share pieces of bread for dinner. We witness poverty & hunger face-to-face daily!
Other than fishing, the only other source of income in the island is street vendors of small time goods such as rice cakes or ‘kalamansi’ juice. The only option they have is to leave the island, in search of a job that would barely enable to feed their families. But even that is not always possible. They have to rent a room or live with a relative in the mainland that nothing is left from their miniscule earnings. Even a high school graduate could never find a high enough salary paying job to support his family back in the island. They need help, a long term livelihood program will do. The question is how and who will do these things.
Eugene and his Father’s survival
Eugene is one of Ang Misyon Talim Island satellite’s most aspiring member. He’s a fast learner and has the facility to easily interact with his ensemble. He also excels in his academic studies. He is a consistent honor student and an awardee in every academic competition held in various schools. He dreams of being a Music Teacher some day.
At the age of eight, his mother died of cancer and left her five children in the custody of the widower. His father strives to give a better life for his five kids. Left as a solo breadwinner, he grabbed every opportunity that came his way. He receives an ample amount for watching over a fish pen during night time, in addition to his daily earnings of approximately One Hundred Fifty Philippine Pesos (PhP150 = US$3.25) for the three to four kilos of varied fish he catches. His daily earnings is not enough to even buy a kilo of rice and provide the day-to-day school allowances of his children.
Eugene’s father however takes advantage of the opportunity given by Ang Misyon, with the assistance of Global Giving. He is deeply grateful that one of his children benefits from free music lessons, a free violin, as well as meal allowances, transportation, and a uniform for performances. He is so confident that Eugene will be successful in the field he will choose, and promises to support Eugene in all his endeavors, at whatever cost. With the help of Ang Misyon and Global Giving, all his dreams will be possible.
Talim Island Satellite’s Activities
Last July, led by the New York Philharmonic’s Vice President for Education Mr. Theodore Wiprud, New York Philharmonic Teaching Artists violinist Ms. Katie Kresek and trombonist Mr. Stephen Dunn, conducted workshops for Ang Misyon’s Satellites. The Talim Island kids got a chance to be a part of this memorable event. They were so proud to meet these people from whom they learned how to develop practice methods, who motivated them to conjure the confidence in playing their instruments, and who drilled further Ang Misyon’s values of discipline, accountability, teamwork, integrity, & camaraderie.
Currently, the Scholars of the Ang Misyon Talim Island satellite are preparing for the Second Annual Satellite Showdown to be held on October 17, 2015. They will present themselves as a performing ensemble and showcase what they learned for the past few months of continuous music lessons provided by Ang Misyon. They will also have the opportunity to interact with other satellites’ Scholars, which will certainly boost their confidence and knowledge in music.
Thank you very much Ang Misyon and all the Global Giving Donors for the tireless & unceasing support for the Talim Island Satellite! Without you, none of these activities will be possible!
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