Have a blissful day Hivers! I hope you have.
The Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week has been part of the teachers’ service since 2003. Teachers' schedules are so busy during this week, a week or two weeks before the opening of classes. Right, teacher Hivers? It is a program of the Department of Education (DepEd) nationwide that has the purpose of strengthening the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos.
The Filipinos being referred aside from the teachers are the stakeholders of the school especially the parents, individuals in the communities, and other organizations whether government or non-government who purely volunteer their time, service, and skills to respond to the needs of the school. As far as I observed these factors are what the school need during this one-week program namely: manpower, skills, cooperation, and even donations like paints, brooms, etc. These factors are very essential in helping the teachers cleaning and beautifying their rooms in preparation for the opening of classes. Gladly, it is being fulfilled.
Going to School
Last August 14, 2023, was the Brigada Eskwela, or the National Schools Maintenance Week Kick-Off. Since all teachers are requested to join the program, I woke up at 4:43 dawn to take a bath and prepare myself. The water was so cold. Hahaha! Our home is quite far from the city and our call time is 6:00 a.m., too early. My partner drove me and it was always a treasured moment between us. Every time he drove me to school early, I always have a conversation with him to not feel so quiet and bored. Hehehe! The main reason was I'm afraid that he might feel sleepy while driving. The best time to travel is around 5:00-6:00 a.m. before sunrise. We were not caught up by the traffic.
After forty minutes of travel, we decided to have our breakfast at Jollibee on V. Rama Avenue, Guadalupe Cebu City, just near my workplace. I ordered C1 (chicken with rice) and coffee and my partner ordered a hotdog with cheese and a hot choco. Jollibee is the most popular must-go fast food. Its chicken is juicylicious! Hehehe!
After our 20 minutes breakfast, it was quite long because his order took ten minutes. Hahaha! We continued and he dropped me at the school gate. Of course, there are always comforting words like 'drive safely and take care'.
The Program
The tarpaulin with the Brigada Theme 2023 and balloons decorations in the façade of the school welcomed everyone who joined the parade and the program in the Gabaldon area where the program was held.
It started at 7: o'clock. The DLC members were ready to show their performance to give life and sound to the program.
The vehicles are all set for the parade.
The ambiance of the school was vibrant, vigorous, and exhilarating again. How much more if classes resume? It will be more than. Though I felt short for the vacation, I'm excited about another school year-round. Acceptance is the cue. Hahaha!
The Brigada
After the launching of the Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week at around 8:00 a.m. and beyond, parents are gradually coming in, cleaning the surroundings in their respective grade level, enrolling their children, and going home after. We were also busy printing and doing photocopies of the enrollment papers. It ended at around 4:00 p.m.
Going Home
After the one-day National Schools Maintenance Kick-Off, I went home immediately. I'm patiently waiting 06H jeep which routes from Guadalupe to SM Cebu City, where the North Bus Terminal is located. Twenty minutes passed by but there was none. So, I decided to take two rides. I rode a 06B jeep which routes from Guadalupe to Colon. I stopped at Colon and rode 01K in going to SM Cebu City.
I arrived there with an estimated time of a quarter to five. It was a rushed hour already and my stomach starved so I decided to have a dinner in one of the SM food stalls which was in the Siomai King. I ordered Hongkong Siomai which cost 53 PHP for 5 pieces and five pieces of hanging rice which cost 20 PHP, a total of 73 PHP for my dinner.
It's worth it and I'm full because I knew I got stuck by the traffic later on. Taking the last ride going home, I always took a bus in the North Bus Terminal which is located in front of the Bayfront Hotel.
During this time, I rode the minibus going to Danao because the fare was cheaper than the airconditioned Ceres Bus Liner that was ready to go as well.
As expected traffic was already part of commuters' daily life. It became a routine. Every day the sidewalks are bustling with people from work and waiting for vehicles going to their destinations. It made us whine with inappropriate words to burst out our feelings but it was just up to that. Bumper to bumper situation worsens in Consolacion City due to some areas that are under road construction. Almost one hour or even worse two was being consumed in this place when travelling. So pathetic! When will it be done? As soon as possible, I hope. This is to lessen the burden of every commuter like me who is working hard to provide for the family's basic needs. After almost three hours of travel from Cebu City to Compostela, I arrived home.
Reality speaks that life is hard. Even if we are sucked by destitute situations in life, we should still be grateful for the things we have no matter how small and big it is- the work, our families, our friends, and our existence. We need to get up every day and hustle for survival because some are needing it but haven't been granted the opportunity and some are asking for it but haven't had the chance anymore. Let's keep moving forward, be persistent and live life with all the capacity we had.
That’s all for my blog today. My sincerest thanks for taking the time to read and support my blog, until next time. See you!
XOXO ~ @ancrafts