Teach Classical Music to poor kids of Talim Island

A FAVORABLE DECISION

In June 2016, the Philippines elected a new President of the Republic. President Rodrigo Duterte is widely known as a maverick leader, an anti-corruption czar, and an expert in peace & order. Immediately after assuming the office, he was determined to demolish all the fishpen structures owned by several fishing magnates in favor of the small time fishermen who rely only on lake products. The latter have been given the priority to utilize the vast of Laguna Lake.  

The President also enunciated that no permit will be granted full proprietorship of hectare by hectare fishpens. He vigorously pointed out the high-ranking government officials and big-time businessmen as the sole operators of these fishpens.

Although Laguna Lake supplies Metro Manila 70 tons of tilapya and bangus (milkfish) and 30 tons of bighead carps weekly, according to Agricultural statistics, these have to be fully controlled to benefit the low income families living in the island of Talim. But then again, treatment of water waste around the lake should also be strictly monitored, since such treatment is the lake’s number one cause of fish kills.

NATIONWIDE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

There has been a drug problem that has plagued the nation for decades. Unfortunately, previous governments simply ignored them. President Duterte has mandated to sweep the country off of this problem, even in small communities such as Talim Island. There was a reported shabu (methamphetamine) laboratory found in one of the barangays (barrios or districts) in Talim Island, which was allegedly owned by a Mayor. Instead of imprisoning the Mayor, he was forced to leave the country.

In addition, the Chairman of each barangay was obliged to surrender over 500 drug pushers & addicts identified in their drug watch lists, to the Municipality of Cardona & Binangonan Police Station. There have also been reported cases of drug incidents involving elementary & high school students.

Ang Misyon believes that we can help in this anti-drug campaign by taking the youth off the streets. Aside from receiving free Music education - which has the power to rehabilitate those with this addiction - and instruments, the Talim Island satellite has also been receiving books to occupy the kids’ minds with knowledge, as well as clothing which otherwise their families do not have the budget for.

JOMARI, A PROMISING VIOLINIST

Thirteen-year-old Jomari is the fifth of six siblings. His mother has been struggling to support them ever since his father left them two years ago for another family. His elder brothers and sisters managed to rent a small room in the neighboring town of Angono. His two sisters are still studying in college, taking advantage of the scholarship grants provided by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). His two brothers found their luck in a factory to support their daily needs, likewise, to be able to send an ample amount for their mother back in Talim Island. Not enough to cope with daily necessities, Jomari’s mother does the laundry of some neighbors, and housekeeping as well. A cause of concern drives me to include Jomari as a recipient of Philippine Asia Assistance Foundation Inc. (PAAFI) and Ang Misyon’s academic support. It‘s all worth it because Jomari excels in academics and is a consistent honor student. In fact, he won the first prize in a recent Math Quiz Bee. He battled with students from different schools in mainland Cardona.

From my point of view, Jomari is one of the promising violinists of the Orchestra of the Talim Island Youth. He plays 2nd violin and is ready to be assessed for a promotion to Ang Misyon’s flagship junior ensemble The Young Filipinos’ Orchestra (YFO).

THE PREPARATION

Upon the announcement of Ang Misyon’s upcoming Satellite Showdown, the Orchestra of the Talim Island Youth started to rehearse their piece for their presentation. The kids have a strong desire to show their grown up talents to other satellites, and of course to Ang Misyon, where they owe their knowledge in Classical Music.

All satellites will gather on November 30, 2016 at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab in Pasig City, showcasing about 600 young musicians around the Philippines. The annual scenario motivates these kids as young disciplined musicians showing the power of music that have changed their lives, freeing them from hunger, poverty, & illiteracy, thru the long-term support of Ang Misyon and the much-needed aid of Global Giving.

Links:

• Come Join The Mission

• Project Report for Global Giving October 2016 (PDF)