Initiatives for Social Action (ISA)

Balik Eskwela Project, May 26 – 27, 2012

Orientation minutes (May 23, 2012)

Time Start: 7:54pm

Attendees:
 Jaypee Ortiz
 Dudj Amor
 Jason Hernandez
 Cara Tizon
 Malds Menzon
 Neri Ostonal
 Ian Nuevo
 Allan Asuncion
 *Mark Corpuz
 *Michelle Pascua

I. INTRODUCTION
a. Got to know about the project through:
 Facebook posts/promotions
 Personally contacted
b. Motivations for joining:
 Passion for development
 “Pay-it-forward” mantra
 Past exposure to similar efforts
 Upbringing
 Opportunity was available

II. ORIENTATION PROPER

a. What is ISA?
 Movement initiated by a group of friends (young professionals) to provide
avenues for development work for young professionals
 Also aims to pool the potential contribution of young professionals from
different perspectives
b. Preliminary concerns, questions and expectations
 What activities/tasks will we be doing there?
 Do’s and Don’ts in area?
 Since this Aeta community is used to getting visitors, what are their expectations
from us?
 Is it clear to the area why we’re there?
c. Area and community description
 Aetas don’t have the same consciousness of time as us; they’re more on the fly
 Since they’re used to people already, they may not interact as much thinking
that you already know what to do in the area.
 Sometimes, they have a mindset of accepting visitors because the people who
last visited them gave them a lot, so they might be expecting; it’s up to you to
divert them away from that.
 Most of the exposure: Ateneans, Korean outreach groups, catechism groups
  They’re used to having tall people.
 Kids can be dirty (“uhugin”) and some of them don’t like wearing underpants.
 Their references: kulot (co-Aetas) and unat (all non-Aetas)
 The area has a particular gender dynamic. There is a slight hierarchy in favor of
the men. Also, if you’re a guy visitor, they expect the father to talk more to you or
whoever is most proficient in Tagalog.
d. Tips and things to keep in mind during the immersion
 If they offer you food, try your best not to decline; try it first!
- To them if you have something “inside” of you from them, it forms a
certain bond.
 For the hike, it’s better to have a slow continuous pace than climbing with a fast
pace but stopping a lot for rest.
 Wear footwear that you’re comfortable with, one which you think can best
support you when climbing. It’s good to wear slippers; it helps in making the
Aetas feel more comfortable.
 If you feel the need to go to the bathroom for whatever reason, there is
technically no designated area for it. Ask your foster parents where you can go,
it actually helps in rapport building. There’s a bathroom/toilet in the area, but
there’s no water; if you want to use it, you’d have to walk down the water source
to get water and then go back up to the bathroom/toilet. Also, since they don’t
really use the toilets, expect them to be dirty.
 If you want to take a bath, you can in their water source (around 7 minutes
down the actual community area). If they ask for your cellphone numbers, it’s up
to your discretion whether you want to give it to them or not.
 Polite way of declining when they ask for something: ask why they want it, and
then make it a talking point instead (ipasok sa kwentuhan).
 Kids are kind of slow to warm up, so make extra effort to talk to them.
 Drinking with them is not encouraged. Also, don’t smoke as much as possible,
especially when there are kids around.
 A good icebreaker is to ask them to teach you their language.
 NO PROMISES.
 When asked, say you’re from ISA.
 Maging bibo! Participate in the activities and the program, and of course, engage
your foster families and the community.

III. OTHERS (details, reminders, logistical adjustments, etc.)

a. See orientation document for further details (things to bring, notes and itinerary).
b. On the way to the area, we’ll be riding a 4x4 to the foot of the mountain. On the way
back, we’ll be walking to the HSAM office instead of renting a 4x4.
c. Tentatively, shirts are to be handed out as tokens to donors aside from the kids’
artwork. Finalization of tokens to be discussed after the area visit.
d. We have 15-18 volunteers as of now.
e. Trip route: bus to Capas Tarlac, jeepney ride to HSAM office, 4x4 to the foot of the
mountain, hike up.
f. Volunteered to bring cameras during the trip: Cara Tizon and Malds Menzon

Time End: 10:40pm