Brgy. Puray with the Energizer and One Million Lights Team |
Energizer Solar Powered Light Set with 2 Solar Panels |
Last
May 26, 2012, I joined a very noble project with the PRC Inc. Team at the
ENERGIZER-ONE MILLION LIGHT event at Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal where a
distribution of solar-powered lights to 280 families, who had been living in
the dark for years, took place.
Personally,
I never thought there’s still a place in Rizal (which I really consider as part
of the Metro) where electricity is a mere distant dream but as soon as I hopped
in the PRC van and headed there, I realized I was so clueless of so many things…
the barangay is situated within mountains where the roads are still rough…
power is surely out of reach.
When
we got to Barangay Puray, people were already settled in the town’s covered
basketball court. All thanks to Governor Ynares I guess (the name’s all over
the place… but no offense to that… I think they really need a place to unwind).
But what really surprised me is that they were a lot of people there; kids were
everywhere, there were even some elderly that “WALKED” their way there just to get
those lamps.
We
had a chance to chat with some of them and they said they left their houses at
5AM and arrived at the court at 11AM. And the sad truth was, the travel was so
long, since they travelled on foot since for them any mode of transportation is
already a luxury they couldn’t afford.
I
spent the day just observing these people and I realized how spoiled I may seem
like. For them, my lifestyle would be that of how I perceive Paris Hilton's. I
feel so bad of myself for taking for granted what I thought to be just another
commodity. But for them, electricity was just another thing; it is a treasure
that they aspire to get.
I
know their local government is doing a LOT just to give their community a
chance of a better life. But with the geographical location of the place and
the fact that NOT a LOT of PRIVATE Companies are willing to help to get
electricity in the community, I think it will take a lot of effort and time to
get power into this town.
The Light-Less Barangay Hall |
Textbooks stocked at the Barangay Hall for the children of Brgy. Puray |
People of Brgy. Puray waiting for the program to begin |
I
am so glad that I joined this event. I love the fact that Energizer went out of
their way and gave out a huge donation just to make this project work. I mean,
it might seem so little of a light, but for them, these are already something
that could help them have a better life. And through ONE MILLION LIGHTS Philippines, Energizer was able to reach out to these people.
Rizal
was just one stop, and there are plenty more of places they need to get to, to
share the gift of light.
Distribution of the Solar Powered Lights |
Energizer Team explains usage and care for the Solar Powered Lights |
Did
I mention that ONE MILLION LIGHTS Philippines’ Country Manager is an 18 year old
guy named Mark Lozano? This young lad is just the boy you would be so proud to
be associated with. According to his mom, she saw early signs of his very noble
acts even when he was younger. At 10, he liked the idea of giving out his toys
to less privileged kids. At 18, he already gave out so many lights and a huge
amount of hope to so many people in the country. If this guy ran for president
in the NEAR FUTURE, this is the perfect guy. What more could he do in the years
ahead? I AM SO SURE, IT WILL BE GREATER. We have here a modern day HERO for you!
it was a real noble act from unselfish few. sana marami pa mabiyayaan ng proyektong ito.
ReplyDeletePero naisip ko lang, kung nakapagpatayo ang panlalawigang gobyerno ng covered court, bakit hindi sila mabigyan ng kuryente? Lumaki ako sa probinsya, at halos 4 na kilometro ang kailangang lakarin para makarating sa sakayan ng tricycle, then almost 45 mins ang byahe naman papunta sa sakayan ng jeep na patungo sa bayan. Imagine kung gaano kaliblib yung lugar namin, pero mula ng magkamalay ako, may kuryente na kami. Sa Rizal pa kaya? Ano ang problema?