Remembering GK Laura by Ferdinand Dela Rosa

Some say that if you serve in Gawad Kalinga your prayers will be granted. I never thought that it would become a reality for me. To start with, I was given the opportunity to have joined Singles for Christ in 2010. I was already in my late 40s and being part of such a notable catholic organization would be awkward for me because I have already failed the age requirement of at least 40 years old. I know that everything happens for a reason and I decided to be part of the apprenticeship for the Christian Life Program (CLP) in February 2010 which lasted until June 2010. I am proud to say that I have completed the required topics for the CLP. I was deeply honored and privileged to be given the perfect attendance award by fellow brothers and sisters during the Christmas party last December 2010.

I was given the opportunity to be part of a cluster group under the guidance of Sir Joey and Madame Jao. We usually meet once a week in order to discuss pertinent topics that embody the Catholic Moral Values. After one (1) year of service, I was recommended by the honorable members of SFC to be a household leader. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Ben Cabigas for giving me the opportunity to be a household leader. It was truly a blessing for me. The requirement would entail serving the CLP for the next batch who will be part of my prospective group upon completion of the aforementioned program. The experience taught me to be patient and to elicit empathy among members of my group. As part of the requirement of being a household leader, you are required to attend an upper household meeting which is composed of brothers and sisters who are assigned as household leaders in their respective domain. The activity revolves on discussing pertinent topics on Catholic faith vis-a-vis the complexities of life.

As I became comfortable with the upper HH group, I was enthralled by the experience by our unit leader Sir Irvin Bautista with reference to serving in GK Laura. He was one of the most respected HH leaders in SFC Makati. From my own perspective, he truly exemplifies the values expounded by SFC Makati. I was already invited on several occasions but I was not yet ready to serve in GK in view of my hectic schedule. After contemplating on such a worthy endeavor, I finally realized that maybe it would be a great experience of serving the young kids in GK Laura and to instill values of hard work and perseverance.

As I started joining the GK Laura, I was totally mesmerized by the experience of serving the young kids who have shown exuberance and enthusiasm on certain occasions. The process entails an opening prayer and then followed by the members of SFC Makati who will undertake the task of teaching various topics on Family Core Values and Catholic Faith. The other activities entail singing and dance programs duly supervised by the dedicated brothers and sisters in SFC Makati. The experience allowed me to be an inspiration among our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are still in the process of finding their true self despite certain obstacles and problems in life.

The experience has allowed me to bond with my fellow brothers and sisters in SFC and I have learned valuable lessons on topics pertaining to family, love and friendship. The culmination of the activity would entail group fostering on various occasions.

As I continue to serve GK Laura on an alternate shift basis, I have finally realized that we have the obligation to provide guidance among young kids and to extend goodness without expecting anything in return as exemplified by the Ateneo motto "Man for Others". The key objective would entail expounding on the essence of education, livelihood training, and housing which would restore the dignity among indigents living within the specified area.

The experience taught me that we are thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us by the Almighty God and to view life on a more positive approach despite all trials and obstacles that might come our way.

I was fortunate to be part of GK Laura even in a shorter period of time. God has showered with so many blessings, namely a very supportive family, a great career in a banking institution, academic environment, family construction business and has been given the opportunity to have so many pretty friends, who has served as an inspiration for me to continue my journey in life.