Experience Travel and Giving at the Same Time

The company that I work for aims to start the year 2010 right by giving back. We have done giving donations last year from Ondoy victims, Unang Hakbang Foundation kids, street children in Sampaloc, Manila to the elders of Mary Mother of Mercy. The transcription company is inspired more to do a lot of sorting and packing of goodies and in making others happy this year.

February 26, 2010 -- At first I thought it was going to be an ordinary outreach program day at a school, but it was not! This was really a one-of-a-kind charity work we have ever done at Maharlika Daycare Center in Montalban, Rizal and trekking at Rodriguez, Rizal.

First and foremost, we started unpacking the books, toys, and clothes from the package of Dr. McCormick to our office the day before.



Morning of February 26, we headed to Rodriguez, Rizal. We were wowed by the landscape scenery, saw green-spotted mountains again and white boulder rocks around.



Going up, we were welcomed by Mt. Tapusi which Lukesh, our guide, said that it is the legendary mountain moved by Bernardo Carpio. It is the one that we read on books of "alamat" or legends during childhood days.



We thought the area is near from the "bayan" but before we reached the daycare center, we passed by huge lime stones, met caves along the way, passed by a narrow bridge made up of bamboos and metals, and walked on rough roads.









But along those hardships come more amazing spots...

Wawa Dam

Old infrastructure on top of the dam

Floating Nipa Huts where you can rest and eat

"Malayo Pa Ba?" All of us were hungry and thirsty. Not prepared for this as we thought we would just give joy to kids of the daycare center. We estimated the trek around 5km to 7km. What?! Oh, yes!

And now, at last, we came to the best part, gift giving to the students of Maharlika Daycare Center. We can't believe that there's a school on top of a mountain and that far away. We were surprised because the kids prepared a song and dance number for us. Of course, we also danced with them to the tune of Nobody by Wonder Girls.





Before going back to the office, Lukesh offered us to go to their camp where youth camps were held. It is just a short walk from the school. Lukesh's group is the one maintaining the daycare center and the protected area around the camp.

Now, GOING DOWN is much more fun than GOING UP!!! The route gets narrower and more enjoyable scenes coming right through your eyes.

We also saw the cast and crew of Matanglawin of ABS-CBN having a shoot below Wawa Dam.

WE THANK OUR BOSS AND GOD FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO SOME KIDS AND TO SEE WONDERS OF THE PROVINCE OF RIZAL.

Am I right that this is not an ordinary cause? Experience this yourselves and look for Maharlika Daycare Center in Montalban, Rizal and help the children build a better future.