Faith or Fear?

by Riezyl Barbadillo

It was on one of my conversations with an old professor when I first heard of this question. At that time I thought I understood what he meant when he said this. But to my surprise, it took on a really different meaning during the three-week Zamboanga Crisis.

 “Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear puts us into hopelessness, while faith rejoices in its God. You choose Faith or fear?”

Not the usual thing I see everyday..

by Joanne Vargas

In my 22 years of existence, the Zamboanga Siege was the first war that I experienced for almost a month unlike the Cabatangan Siege in 2001 that lasted a week or less. The war that happened here in my hometown is very memorable to me and I will never forget it as long as I live because it started on a Monday of September 9, 2013, the day of my 22nd birthday.

Through the Months...

by Nurdaya Abubakar

June 2013.

Finally, the Oplan Kausaban framework has been completed. After the all the efforts and sacrifices that the team and community people have gone through, we have finally presented our OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 to the medical school during the Community Health Plan (CHP) Presentation. Implementation of our plans was just months away and we were all looking forward in making it a reality... Below is a glimpse of our Oplan Kausaban:

 

August 2013.

The team started preparing for the implementation of the Oplan Kausaban. Our calendar was already filled with scheduled activities. We were all excited to set foot once again to the place that brought the team together. We were excited to bring about change. BUT...

A Little Help

by Rothessa Reyes

 

Each semester culminates with a community immersion. During last year’s immersion, our team was able to establish rapport with the people, gather data about the barangay, conduct health teachings and formulate community health plans.  OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 was the product of the two months we spent in the community. Our team was supposed to leave for Roxas last September 28, 2013.  This time around, our goal was to start the ball rolling. It was time to put OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 into action.  Unfortunately, due to the stand-off between the security forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), classes were suspended as well as our awaited return to the community. 

Courtesy of Phil Inquirer

Every Zamboangueño was affected by the stand-off. It brought about fear and tragic experiences especially to those living in and near the area of conflict. Many lives were lost and hundreds of houses were ruined.  Everyone was left wounded. Everyone mourned for a killed soldier, father, mother or child. Many fled the city to seek safer grounds but thousands were displaced to evacuation centers where they have to endure the lack of food, water and problems with regards to health and sanitation. Day by day, the number of evacuees piled up and communicable diseases also erupted. However, the government, other Zamboangueños and other cities, extended their help. There was more food, water, clothing, medicines and temporary shelters for the evacuees. 

September 9, 2013: A date all Zamboangeños will forever remember.

by Gerard Santos

September 9, 2013. A date all Zamboangeños will forever remember.

Thousands of evacuees from the affected areas crowd the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in just a matter of days.

It was a time where the entire city stood still. Schools, offices, market places, restaurants, and even hospitals are forced to shut down. Terrified families all around the city watch the news at home and chills run through their spine with every “bang”...

Reflections...

Reflections...

by Angel Barjose  

Ever since I started medschool, my Septembers and Octobers have changed. My life has adapted with the fact that we have to go to Denoman on October and September serves as a month of preparation. But Septmeber 9, 2013 was not something that I expected, nor did something like that ever crossed my mind. It should have been just like any other ordinary day in Zamboanga City with fellow Zamboanguenos doing their daily routine. But the gunshots and bomb explosions disturbed the city’s peaceful atmosphere. A war broke out.

Everyone was hopeful that the war won’t last long. One night had passed then more nights until it reached a month. In that month, many people became homeless, many people suffered and many lives were lost. The war was indeed more severe than a virus. So severe that it ruined the city and its people physically, emotionally and mentally making this city unhealthy. 

from Google images

They say that in every bad situation, we have to find something good in it. Even though this situation is in its worst scenario, good things still happened. Just like a viral infection that needs antiviral medications, many good souls helped the severely affected people. These good souls served as the soothing medicines that made the victims felt a little better. Many donations emerged. Many kind hearted people never hesitated to help. On the other side, the armed forces served as the city’s antibodies against the rebels. They worked day and night to protect the city. – This just showed that despite the tragedy, Zamboanga City has a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016

by Nurdaya T. Abubakar

The KKK to CHANGE: Kalimpyuhan, Kalawasan, Kabuhayan

Oplan Kausaban 2016

"...because the key to change is in the hands of the community people themselves"

Pun-an Denoman believes that COMMUNITY is multifaceted. It is contingent upon various factors that when put together to work, will bring about KAUSABAN (CHANGE) -- Change that will IMPROVE the health of the people; Change that will give them a sense of EMPOWERMENT; And Change, CHANGE that will not only lead them to IMPROVEMENT but to SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT as well. 

Kalimpyuhan (Sanitation), Kalawasan (Health) & Kabuhayan (Livelihood)

Oplan Kausaban 2016 is an effort of bringing Denoman into a new perspective, where the community people themselves are the building blocks towards a healthier, cleaner and a more progressive community. This is a battle against the Barangay's unsanitary condition, poor health and poverty. And winning this battle means tapping the community, empowering and bringing out the best in them -- because the key to change is in the hands of the community themselves.

for more info on Oplan Kausaban 2016, visit http://pun-andenoman2016.blogspot.com/p/whats-hot.html

Enhancing Denoman: Now and Beyond

by Riezyl P. Barbadillo

..When we first set foot on RHU, Roxas, ZdN (October 2012)

The team left Barangay Denoman last October 2012 with hopes of returning on March 2013 with more activities for the community. True enough, the team had their calendar filled with more activities for the community for their March to April 2013 exposure.

We allotted the first two weeks to adjust, settle down and to finish surveying the households which were not covered in the last exposure. After completing our data gathering and after organizing the results, we began to implement our planned activities. We conducted a health teaching on proper hand washing at the Denoman Covered Courts which was intended to communicate to the children the method of proper hand washing and its implications to their health. Our group decided to conduct this through a role play which was patterned after the television show “Showtime”. The children enjoyed as they learn from the story portrayed in the play more so when they got their prizes from the question and answer segment of our health teaching.

Our group also conducted a weigh in for the children as part of our initial data to assess the current nutritional status of the children. The data gathered will be used as a baseline for comparison for assessment and monitoring for the next exposures of the group.

The group conducted our first Barangay General Assembly. Over 100 people from the different puroks of the barangay attended the assembly. The group started with the presentation of the results they acquired from their survey. After the data presentation, we had an open forum with the people and asked them to name their health concerns. The people were able to name nine health concerns which were then prioritized with the group. This was then followed by a small group discussion facilitated by the members of the group. Each group discussed on suggestions and plans for the named health concerns. The activity concluded with the temporary plans that the people and the group formulated together.

The group ended the exposure with a Palaro at the Barangay Covered Courts as their Culminating Activity. The registration started at 9 o’clock in the morning. The event started with a Hataw that was led by the group. It was then followed by a series of parlor games participated  by children and adults. The children also showcased their dancing talents in their intermission numbers. The activity ended with a raffle draw for four major prizes that the group prepared.

This exposure indeed marked a new beginning of a connection of the team with the people. The rapport that was established during our first exposure was even more strengthened. In the next exposures, we are looking forward to spending more time with the people. Now that we have identified the concerns of the people, the group will devise plans based on the needs of the community. Our activities will be more inclined to utilizing the resources of the community. More activities will focus on the promotion and prevention aspects of health care. We aim to conduct more health teachings to be able to enhance the people's knowledge about their misconceptions of common illnesses. We will also conduct activities so that we will instill this knowledge in them for life rather than temporary.

Le Dossier

Into Denoman: Psychedelics and Whatnots

by Elno Rae S. Estrada

"...it is not about what we can give them; it is about the determination that they can do something for themselves and for their community..."

Doc Elno, the Master of Ceremony in the Community Assemby, talks his
way to capture the heart and minds of  the  audience.

To be in a place wherein I was really tested up to the smallest anatomy of my body brought a transformation that even I myself could hardly envision. It was a challenge that I had to master; it was a challenge.

The Barangay of Denoman in the Municipality of Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte was a haven for me, amidst the nuisance of everyday life. 

The place was way too different from the environment that I grew in for the past 21 years. But it did not matter at all. Rather, it opened an opportunity for me to embrace and understand the community life. It was a realization that I was glad to have.

Although the community is somewhat progressing, there are still things that need help and changing. Like for example, misconceptions on health and their health-seeking behaviors that necessitate attention and proper enhancement of knowledge.

Their struggle with low income and their need for other sources of income are also some of the major concerns. Furthermore, the barangay has poor practices regarding solid waste management. But with correctly taught strategies and activities, I am 100% confident that they can do better with it.

After our second exposure, I can steadfastly say that the challenges we are going to face for the next three years will give me the extra push to do things that will make them grasp the whole idea of change, improvement, and sustainability.
However, they must first appreciate the potential that they have. After all, it is not about what we can give them; it is about the determination that they can do something for themselves and for their community.

A HOPEFUL DREAM

by Nazhra B. Musallam

Look at their smiles and realize that it's what we've been missing all along

"...Staying with the community people for almost a month made me realized that in spite of the adversity that we are experiencing  in the city, there are a lot more unfortunate people out there who are having more hard times than us, but it amazed me all the more that majority of the residents are contented with what they have thou some of them still wish for more. Somehow these people serve as an inspiration for me to continue with what I have started..."

INDEED not all dreams are elusive but it necessitates courage to initiate and a motivation to proceed.


A long time ago, I dared to daydream of seeing myself as a medical student in the hope that someday I will be a commendable physician practicing in our hometown.
Somehow that dream was paused  for some time and strangely enough it resumed thou in a not so perfect moment but in one way or another 
I felt that I was still blessed and  with a thought that I maybe meant to become one.

But I must confess, at my age and with my previous experiences I still find that being a student, especially a medical one, is  not always that easy.
There are times when I don’t get, not only enough sleep but with no sleep at all particularly before a scheduled examination.

Never the less, the realization that I am definitely in the medical school of Ateneo de Zamboanga University  is when I embarked on the rural transit bus and travelled more than eight hours to reach Barangay Denoman, a small barangay composed of  1,623 total population, in the Municipality of M.A.Roxas Zamboanga del Norte.

My first intention in going to the community is just to accomplish the requirements of the school, little did I know that when I reached the place, I gain a whole new perspective.
Staying with the community people for almost a month made me realized that in spite of the adversity that we are experiencing  in the city, there are a lot more unfortunate people out there who are having more hard times than us, but it amazed me all the more that majority of the residents are contented with what they have though some of them still wish for more.
Somehow these people serve as an inspiration for me to continue with what I have started.

Barangay Denoman may not be a place you can brag about but when you feel its nature’s wonder particularly the spectacular view from uphill, the fresh gush of the wind to breathe in, will release the tension and bring about tranquility in thyself. 

One will just simply realize that it’s what we have been missing all along.


Once again, I will dare to dream for Barangay Denoman - to be a place where the community people will be happy and healthy.

My Community Experience

by Mary Joanne L. Vargas

"...the smiles that you see on the faces of each person in the community is worth more than what i have sacrificed for..."

Problem based learning.. self directed learning.. learning issues..OSCE.. VOSCE.. community exposure..

We exist not for OURSELVES but for GOD and OTHERS. - Definitely YES!

These are the things that describe Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine, a unique school that engages its students to the real world, the real experience that each of us will face in the future to become a better doctor.

Among the things mentioned, the Community Exposure is both the fun and the exhausting part of the curriculum.  Each student like me, learns a thing or two in the community. I learned how to sacrifice my comfort zones like TV, internet, cellphone and most especially, my bed!

You ought to do your own laundry and deal with all the insects around.
But the smiles that you see on the faces of each person in the community is worth more than what i have sacrificed for.

The tears they have shed for us when we told them that it was time for us to go back to Zamboanga even though they know that we will come back soon, are heart breaking and priceless. The residents of Denoman is our second family, our second home. Me and my groupmates are very glad because they accepted us immediately without hesitation.