Our "Gasa Sa Gugma" Experience!

“Gasa Sa Gugma” is a charity for the destitute elders. It is where elders who were abandoned by their family and relatives are placed. It is where elders are taken care of people who have not been part of their bloodline but dedicated their lives to them. I really appreciate these people who took care of these elders. Even if they received low salary, they still offer their services to the elders with no return.

Last February 2, 2007, the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), a Fourth Year subject, had their charity work to this foundation. 64 Fourth Year students, together with their teachers: Ms. Rodel, Mdm. Nuñeza and Mdm. Maglasang, had their service to these people who need much of our attention and care.

I was one of the 64 students who went to the charity. We brought food and prepared some entertaining performances for them. We went there about 2:00 pm and we rode in a bus where some of us felt excitement while others felt don't. We had in our minds that we will be going to deal with these people and these people will not be that interested with us. But when we went there, it was a touching moment that the elders gave us a warm welcome. There were so many elders in the foundation. These were all cases of abandonment.

There was a mass which started 3:00 pm. We brought and guided the elders to the chapel to attend the mass.

During the mass, a lot of students were outside the chapel. They had the time to talk with the elders left outside the chapel. Some students cried and became emotional because of the experiences and stories of the elders. Physically, I didn’t cried, but deep inside I also felt what they had in their hearts.

When I saw the elders, I suddenly remembered my grandmother and I was so thankful that my grandmother was still with me. I was really touched when I went there especially when I met Lola Natalia. At first, Lyndel and I approached her and she had her smile on us thinking that we were her friends. That’s why we had interesttalking to her.

Lola Natalia was so friendly to us even if she cannot hear that much. We interviewed her and she was so talkative despite the ear problem she is experiencing. We found out that her real name was Natalia Alcover. She had one daughter named Dina and one granddaughter that she didn’t remember anymore. She was from Bolinawan, Cebu. When we ask her about her family, she just said that they were in the foundation. She likes to hum and sing. When we ask her about some of the songs she knew, “Matud Nila”, “Waray-Waray” and “Inday” were her favorites. We had a great time bonding with her.

After the singing, Lola Natalia narrated her story. She suddenly cried when she remembered the things about her past and Yolike was touched by her story causing her to cry also. I really got angry with the family of Lola Natalia that very moment because they left her.

Lola Natalia is still active but she cannot walk that much and just prefer sitting because her feet is so weak. She just sings everyday while sitting on a bench.

The mass ended almost 4:00 pm that stopped our conversation with her. We had no more time to have our gathering with the elders. So, we decided to just leave our foods to them as a sign of our love and care for them.

There was a heartbreak experience when we left them. What we thought of fun was an experience and realization for us. We suddenly remembered our grandparents and we had a very good time with them.

I am thankful that I have given the chance to meet and help them even for just a short time. I hope that I can come back soon to the place called, “Gasa Sa Gugma”.