SMB Mountaineers SMILE Project

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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!

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!

From 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.

Children competed for the best cheer

FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE

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

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

 

 

Arrival at the school, meeting the Abelling children

 

Lunch time!

 

 Continuation of the program

 

 

The Presentation

 

 

Distribution of school supplies and toys

 

Group Picture

 

 

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… 🙂

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 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.

 

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 ).

The BIG OUTREACH Day

Saturday morning on the 30^th 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.

 L U N C H    B R E A K  !!!

 

 

CAMP AT THE LAKE

 

CLIMB TO MT. TANGISAN

 

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!