Our SMILE continues……..

Hi everyone. We have been very busy with our schedules and we were unable to bring you updates. You can check out what’s happening HERE

We had a blast last summer when we did our SMILE in Marawi. We are currently looking at possible places where we can do our SMILE next. If you have suggestions please feel free to send us a message here or in our FB page.

To all who have given their full support in making our SMILE’s possible, we give our deepest thanks.

See you in our next SMILE 🙂

God bless!

Keep on SMILE-ing!!!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/smbmountaineers/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1856856397971503

It’s been a while since we posted an update. We have been quite busy and SMILE has been going on eversince our Tingloy Outreach.

This coming November-December, we will be having an outreach in Bakun Benguet. We will post updates as soon as we can.

Thank you for your support 🙂

God bless!

Malasya-Uyungan (Two part SMILE) – SMILE 2015

We conducted an ocular last June 6, 2015 to see the condition of the school as well as the road and trail that we were to take come SMILE day. We had a bit of surprise when we visited the place. The road from Mascap to Puray was very steep that only all wheel drive vehicles or motorcycles can manage to climb. We were very blessed that it was not raining else our experience would have gone from exciting to extreme. Fortunately our vehicle was capable enough and we were able to reach Malasya-Uyungan Elementary School safe and sound.

PART 1

Last October 17, we proceeded to Calawis. We had to take another route because the road in Puray was badly damaged due to past typhoons. When we arrived in Calawis, the weather was turning but still we wanted to push since the children were waiting for us. According to Teacher Aldrine, the trail going to the school was still manageable. Me, Carlo, Dorothy and Teacher Aldrine went ahead via pickup to Apiya with some of the gifts. We had to assess the situation since safety was our priority. We had too many close calls on our way to Apiya. The road was already muddy with deep canals and potholes which were difficult to manage due to the rain. When we arrived in the first store in Apiya, we were advised by the locals not to proceed anymore even by foot. According to them there are several water crossings and will be difficult (not to mention dangerous) to cross when the rain gets stronger. We decided to endorse the gifts to Teacher Aldrine. We agreed to return to complete the outreach.

PART 2 – OUTREACH A SUCCESS!!!

We kept our commitment to complete the SMILE. Last Nov. 28, we hiked from Calawis to Malasya-Uyungan with high hopes that we will complete the SMILE at last. It was almost a 4 hour hike with several river crossings and steep climbs. When we reached the school, the children were already there eagerly waiting. We had a fun time with them. We were able to setup the school’s request for a solar generator so that they will have light during the rainy days. Thank God we were blessed with great weather so we were able to complete the SMILE at last 🙂

We would like to thank our sponsors and to all who supported this SMILE. We would not have accomplished this without you.

Praise and thanks be to God for everything.

‘Till our next SMILE. God bless!

Capturing Moments – SMILE 2015

Photos from the recently concluded SMILE in Alibihaban Elementary School, Alibijaban Island, San Andres Quezon. SMB Mountaineers and Friends shared gifts to 300 plus children.

Our deepest thanks to our sponsors, members and friends who made this event a reality. We cannot express our sincerest gratitude for your continuous support. We hope that what you see here will bring SMILEs to you and your family.

More SMILEs to come!!!

God bless!

Title and Photo Credits: Rheign Samson

Christmas SMILE 2014 in Benguet

BenguetFrom our friends in Alfredo P Chanao via email. Thanks to Mam Genia Epe for assisting us (specially in the prepararion of the food) so that we can celebrate our SMILE in this humble school.

Thank you very much to everyone who gave their assistance, who offered prayers and provided monetary and in kind donations 🙂 You make the SMILE program possible 🙂

God bless.

Our long trip to Tacloban was rewarded with SMILE’s – THANK YOU!

To all our sponsors, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your compassionate support for our SMILE outreach program which was held last May 31, 2014 at Lucio Vivero Memorial School, New Kawayan, Tacloban City. We truly appreciate it. Your financial donations significantly helped us continue our mission and brought uplifting smiles and genuine sense of hope to three hundred kids.
There is no way to fully express our gratitude and we are continually inspired by the generosity of donors like you who answer the call to help and give. We hope that you will continue to support us in our philanthropic commitment to bring and spread more smiles to our fellowmen from far flung areas in hope to lead them to a happier and fruitful life.

Again, with all our SMILE’s, THANK YOU!

God bless!

SMB Mountaineers SMILE Tacloban002 Tacloban003 Tacloban004 Tacloban005 Tacloban006

Another SMILE that made Smiles :)

Last June 15, 2013 the group went to Pola Oriental Mindoro to visit school children and a community to give them gifts. It was a heartwarming event topped by presentations from the children and community folks. This is also the first SMILE that we experienced FOOD OVERLOAD!!! From Mam Odhie’s place, to the school, to the mountain community, to the beach camp and back to Mam Odhie’s place, food was not a problem 🙂

I wish I could share more of the details but the photos will speak for themselves. We hope to be back in Pola again for the Christmas SMILE we are planning this year.

Thanks to everyone who shared their blessings. Let us continue to put SMILE’s on the faces of our brothers and sisters.

God bless!!!

More PHOTOS HERE

TARLAC SMILE…..One More Time!

Lovelier the second time around..a sweet come back. The party and smile part two  happened last Janurary 26, 2012  at Sitio San Pedro Elementary School in San Jose Tarlac. Participated by almost 300 kids from day care to grade six, teachers, parents and smberks. Similar to the first visit, the group distributed school supplies and toys for the kids and for the school – they got reference books, dictionaries, tarp, globe, basketball and volleyball, etc. A special lunch was served to make the party complete! The excitement rose up when the games and performances from different grade levels started.  

Whatta fun!!!

 

Going to Barangay Iba

 

Jimmar registered the group at Tarlac Police Provincial Office.
Jimmar registered the group at Tarlac Police Provincial Office.
The mighty jeep we used to get to the school.  It was a roller coaster ride and we had fun!
The mighty jeep we used to get to the school. It was a roller coaster ride and we had fun!

 

Arrival at the school, meeting the Abelling children

The covered hall was jam-packed by excited students of Sitio San Pedro Elementary School. Delighted for the surprises in store for them just like the first visit.
The covered hall was jam-packed by excited students of Sitio San Pedro Elementary School. Delighted for the surprises in store for them just like the first visit.
Riz giving a short talk to get the kids attention before the program starts.
Smb principal once again welcome the Abelling Tribe community to Smile 2013
Smb principal once again welcome the Abelling Tribe community to Smile 2013

 

Lunch time!

Day care kids with their parents and kuya rhian giving out fruit juices.
Day care kids with their parents and kuya rhian giving out fruit juices.
Lanie, Joanne & Dottie serving grade four.
grade two in line (with april, riz, rr & odhie)
grade two in line (with april, riz, rr & odhie)
Billy, AC & Jayson assisting grade three
Billy, AC & Jayson assisting grade three
Happy servers Andrea, Tine, Gab, Gen and Rheign for grade one
Happy servers Andrea, Tine, Gab, Gen and Rheign for grade one
Tita Ethel, the food committee head with AC and Tito Ed.
Tita Ethel, the food committee head with AC and Tito Ed.
Delicious lunch!
Delicious lunch!
Want some more?!
Want some more?!
Full and charged!
Full and charged!
(with SSPES teachers) It has been a tradition in every smb community outreach to eat after the kids are through and eat the same food.
(with SSPES teachers)
It has been a tradition in every smb community outreach to eat after the kids are through and eat the same food.

 

 Continuation of the program

 

After eating and few minutes rest, everybody got ready for the remainder of the program. Dottie here, leading grade four pupils from school to their place in the open ground court.
After eating and few minutes rest, everybody got ready for the remainder of the program.
Dottie here, leading grade four pupils from school to their place in the open ground court.
Billy and AC entertaining the kids while waiting for the other grades coming from school..children behave!

 

The Presentation

 

The second part of the program started with a bang! Stop dance contest!
The second part of the program started with a bang! Stop dance contest!
“ako’y may alaga asong mataba!...” an ode from grade one level.  The program host Ronaldrei, as if like interviewing a little miss Philippines contestant
“ako’y may alaga asong mataba!…” an ode from grade one level.
The program host Ronaldrei, as if like interviewing a little miss Philippines contestant
A dance number from grade two.
A dance number from grade two.
An interpretative dance from grade three..Smberks biritera odhie & dottie sang Isang Lahi…impromptu!!!
An interpretative dance from grade three..Smberks biritera odhie & dottie sang Isang Lahi…impromptu!!!
Acoustic song number from grade four and Jim :)
Acoustic song number from grade four and Jim 🙂
Grade five, together with their adviser danced a Jennifer Lopez hit Dance Again.
Grade five, together with their adviser danced a Jennifer Lopez hit Dance Again.
…That’s what makes you beautiful grade six!

do25 do26

Hataw smb!!! Ehh sexy lady! Op op op op oppan gangnam style! Whoa! The kids (and smb too) went wild as the phenomenal song of Psy played on as the finale of the program. It made the whole sitio san pedro dance!
Hataw smb!!!
Ehh sexy lady! Op op op op oppan gangnam style! Whoa! The kids (and smb too) went wild as the phenomenal song of Psy played on as the finale of the program. It made the whole sitio san pedro dance!

 

Distribution of school supplies and toys

Odhie : keep quiet kids>>> day care kids getting their stuff.
Odhie : keep quiet kids>>> day care kids getting their stuff.
Thanks for the day care school supplies - with April and Dewi
Thanks for the day care school supplies – with April and Dewi
With kuya Roland
With kuya Roland
Happy faces holding their school supplies. But wait! There’s more!!!
Happy faces holding their school supplies. But wait! There’s more!!!
Cute dolls, snake and ladders, yoyos were given to kids before the program ends.
Cute dolls, snake and ladders, yoyos were given to kids before the program ends.
Looking for something girls?!
Looking for something girls?!
Believe that children are our future..let them play!

 

Group Picture

 

 

GRADE ONE
GRADE ONE
Grade two
GRADE TWO
GRADE THREE
GRADE THREE
GRADE FOUR
GRADE FOUR
DAYCARE KIDS
DAYCARE KIDS
SMB with teachers. Goodbye Sitio San Pedro Elementary School!
SMB with teachers. Goodbye Sitio San Pedro Elementary School!
Counter melody to above verse: Can you hear and do you care? and can’t you see we must be free To teach your children what you believe in Make a world that we can live in. -CSNY
Counter melody to above verse:
Can you hear and do you care? and can’t you see we must be free
To teach your children what you believe in
Make a world that we can live in.
-CSNY

Everyone enjoyed the outreach. The lack of rest and sleep never stopped the group from making the activity arrive at a high level of energy. The proactive smb  new friends, though first time in joining the SMILE made the kids and the whole program in soaring spirits and memorable to all. Such a humble experience to share and give back! It’s fulfilling seeing the kids and their families appreciate the simple gifts given to them. Well, it’s really the thought that counts, right? The value of giving is priceless. Lastly, It’s a pleasure and honor to serve less fortunate people and communities such as the Abelling Tribe. So proud to be part of this worthy activity of SMB. 

Till next smile… 🙂

Tarlac SMILE 2012

Pre-outreach

It started with a trip to my dad’s province. Then an invitation to go to the much loved tourist spot of Tarlac…the Monasterio de Tarlac…fascinated with Mounts Tangisan, Bungkol Baka and other mountains, the green rice fields, the great view on the way to the monasterio, it was also the time that I realized, San Jose could be a good place for smb’s annual smile – Lakbay Aral Project..then TarLakbay-Aral  popped in my head.. Through the help of a friend residing near San Jose and TMC (Tarlac Mountaineering Club) officers, the idea of holding an outreach to the place Sitio San Pedro in Barangay Iba, was conceived. Passed through smb’s criteria for a smile prospect, Sir Jim, my co-organizer to this project together with smb smile heads Odhie & Riz made our way to  San Jose, Tarlac for the ocular. Jim headed the meeting. TMC prepared a super delicious native chicken tinola for us…the rest is history..

The 30-foot high statue of the Risen Christ in monasterio, much like the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.
The 30-foot high statue of the Risen Christ in monasterio, much like the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.

 

The Second Visit

Squeezing ourselves at the back seat of sir Jim’s pick-up, we’re again excited to our second visit to Sitio San Pedro, in  San Jose, this time with Doc Lenzi & Leo.

 

Mother, mother I am sick! Call doc lenzi very quick! Free check up for the kids of Abelling Tribe. Thanks Doctor Lenzi.
Mother, mother I am sick! Call doc lenzi very quick! Free check up for the kids of Abelling Tribe. Thanks Doctor Lenzi.

The weather is good. After the meeting, Jim handed the cash budget for food to teacher Vangie. And now the exciting part of our second visit to Sitio San Pedro…the climb to Mount Tangisan! Took us two hours trek going up, including take 5s, photo ops, and chikahan. I could rate the mountain as number 3/9 in difficulty level.. Manong Johnny, Abelling Tribe’s vice chieftain and UGAT (United Guide Abelling Tribe) head steered the climb. Thanks to his wonderful stories about Tangisan and other mountains of Tarlac and their tribe’s background. Our pictures will tell the beauty of the mountain (Tangisan name – derived from the place’ endemic tree ).

A spectacular view awaits us at the top.
A spectacular view awaits us at the top.
With Manong Johnny & Ugat member, at the other side of the peak
 S M B ! ! !
S M B ! ! !
 ..and we climb & climb and at the top we fly…. (thanks reo speedwagon for your song IN MY DREAMS).
..and we climb & climb and at the top we fly…. (thanks reo speedwagon for your song IN MY DREAMS).

The BIG OUTREACH Day

Saturday morning on the 30th of June, 22 smberks travelled all the way from manila to north. Ready to take another life changing experience with one goal in mind…to make the kids of Abelling tribe full and happy.

Sir Jim, (welcome remarks) amazed the students through his fluency in speaking Ilocano.
Sir Jim, (welcome remarks) amazed the students through his fluency in speaking Ilocano.
Sir Aljie, leading the prayer…
Sir Aljie, leading the prayer…
The students, anxious and excited at the same time
The students, anxious and excited at the same time
Its game time!!!  Undeniably and absolutely fun not only for the kids but for smberks to
Its game time!!! Undeniably and absolutely fun not only for the kids but for smberks to
Rons & Rizzie, enjoying the game to
Rons & Rizzie, enjoying the game to
Sir MB (Ricky) getting the kids ready
Sir MB (Ricky) getting the kids ready
The game hosts (Sheryl, Joanne & Jayson) talking to contestant number ???. The prizes given to winners were also provided by them.
The game hosts (Sheryl, Joanne & Jayson) talking to contestant number ???. The prizes given to winners were also provided by them.
Sipol contest
Sipol contest

 L U N C H    B R E A K  !!!

 

Lunch under the tree with Grade 5 pupils. Happy and satisfied even without a room.
Lunch under the tree with Grade 5 pupils. Happy and satisfied even without a room.
Happy lunch kids! Is SHE your president, the girl in blue shirt?!
Abelling kids and smb
Abelling kids and smb

Giving of school supplies

Giving of school supplies

 

Simple things yet appreciated much by the kids and parents
SMBerks, happy to serve!!!
SMBerks, happy to serve!!!
Thank you Ate Odhie!!!
Thank you Ate Odhie!!!
Closing Remarks  The kids approached me because they knew am going to give something. “Mag-aral kayong mabuti mga bata upang marami pang grupo ang pumunta dito at magbigay ng saya at tulong sa inyo.” That’s what they’ve got, a piece of advice…and eraser :)
Closing Remarks
The kids approached me because they knew am going to give something. “Mag-aral kayong mabuti mga bata upang marami pang grupo ang pumunta dito at magbigay ng saya at tulong sa inyo.” That’s what they’ve got, a piece of advice…and eraser 🙂

CAMP AT THE LAKE

Enjoying the view while waiting.......
Enjoying the view while waiting…….

 

CLIMB TO MT. TANGISAN

 

Easy climb berks?
Easy climb berks?
Omg joanne! You’re so long! Nice pose girl.
Your visit to San Jose will never be complete without climbing at least one of their enthralling mountains, right jayson, rheign & rhian?
Your visit to San Jose will never be complete without climbing at least one of their enthralling mountains, right jayson, rheign & rhian?
Balay Outdoor Equipment gifted UGAT  12 guide tshirts. Advance Merry Christmas!
Balay Outdoor Equipment gifted UGAT 12 guide tshirts. Advance Merry Christmas!

I want to take this opportunity to thank SMB family and everyone who shared themselves in one way or another for the success of this Tarlakbay-Aral Project. For believing in me that this community needs love and care. To my tarlakenyo dad. Life is full of constant struggle and challenges but this half day with Abelling tribe kids made me think that life is also w-rock, light and easy.  I’m sure each one of us left with a big smile in our hearts coz we know kids went home with a SMILE 🙂

Intun-no maminsan nga panagkikita (till we see each other again.)

Salamat ngarud Sitio San Pedro!

A Meaningful Start for the Year 2012!!!

We miss the year 2011 and we expect a lot of things this year 2012. Helping our brothers and sisters is a great way of starting the year and we just did that. Last January 14, 2012 we visited Lakes Pandin and Yambo in San Pablo Laguna for our very first SMILE this year.

This was a different SMILE compared to the past ones that we did wherein we visited schools. This time we focused on two families who were living near the lakes/mountainside. The group had a first hand experience in the ways these families spent their daily life. It was simple yet filled with abundance of what nature can offer them. The first family primarily relied on planting and making charcoal. They sell what their produce by hiring a horse and going down to the town. The second family were caretakers of the land owned by a certain doctor. They were making a hundred pesos per day. They care for the owners goats and made sure that the land was safe and clean. We asked them if they had plans to live in the town but they preferred to stay where they are. According to them they don’t need money where they are now and everything is provided for them by the land. They say life in the town is too complicated and expensive…………

It was a grand feeling to see the smiles of the children when we were there. We gave them food, toys, school supplies, clothes, groceries and medicines. We did our best to make the event fun and our resident host/comedian (is she really a comedian???) Riz wowed us with her skills hehehe. We had our moments, laughing, listening to the stories of the families and of course taking lots of pictures.

First Family we visited

Second Family we visited

Aljie, one of the pioneer members told me that he was thinking……………….. can we do more next time??? I think we will. WIth the help of everyone, YES WE CAN DO MORE!!!

After the SMILE we camped in Lake Pandin and as usual we had a fun-filled socials in the evening. We had the chance to know more about the new members. It rained but it did not stop us from having a grand time.

We would like to thank everyone who supported this event. The SMILE won’t be a successful one without your help and with God’s grace we were able to deliver and make the families happy.

‘Till our next SMILE……………. and climb…………….. and trip………………… and activity……………… and SMILE………………….. and so on……………

GO SMB Mountaineers!!! GOD BLESS!!!

CLICK HERE for more pictures!!!