MABUHAY!
I was working for La Luna Enterprises when my wife Leila, who is also working with me as a marketing officer, received a phone call from an American (sorry, I lost his business card and I already forgot his name) working for Habitat for Humanity. He sends me through the fax machine the detailed description of what they need- a design and build construction of a community center building at Maragondon, Cavite. He told me I have 1 (one) week to submit our technical and cost proposal at the Ramon Magsaysay building on Roxas Blvd. A week later, I went to their office to submit our proposal. I met this white American guy, around 40 years old, very nice and accommodating, and he requested that I explain our bid. He told me to give him another week to decide and prepare the purchase order.
While waiting for his response, on November 17, 1998, my wife and I purchased our very first cell phone. It was a Nokia 909, I think it was made in Finland. I remember that time when my cell phone rings if I am in public transportation like a bus or jeepney, they usually turn off their radio or slow down a bit as a courtesy to the phone user.
 |
| NOKIA 909 Model |
 |
| The original certificate of the cell phone |
Last week of November, Habitat for Humanity called us again and told us that they will award the project to us. After preparing the necessary paperwork and securing the down payment, I organize a crew of workers- welders, carpenters, and laborers that will compose the project team. By the way, our design was a steel structure. In the first week of December 1998, my crew and I headed off to Maragondon, Cavite, to mobilize. We were greeted by the American project manager, the barangay official, and some local workers. We set up some tents to serve as our sleeping quarters.
 |
| My wife visited me in my tent.
This housing project is for the Jimmy Carter Work Project 1999, which targets more than 200 Filipino families as beneficiaries in that locality. The job site was near the foot of the mountain of Maragondon, where our hero, Andres Bonifacio, was supposedly tried and executed for rebellion by soldiers of then-President Emilio Aguinaldo. It was also a pastureland for cows due to its lush grass.
 |
That first night in my tent was a little chilly, with light raindrops keeping the grass damp. I was just about to drift off to sleep when I heard a strange commotion outside. Curious and a bit uneasy, I peeked out to see what was making the sound. In the darkness, I caught sight of moving silhouettes—too shadowy to identify. I assumed they were cows from a nearby pasture.
But as one of the figures drew closer, the shape began to take form—a man holding a rifle. My pulse quickened. He stopped near my tent, introduced himself, and assured me there was no need to be afraid. He explained that he and his companions were soldiers from a nearby camp, conducting their routine night patrol in the area.
What a wave of relief washed over me. I lay back down, grateful that the only danger that night had been my imagination.
 |
| The hanging bridge connecting the town proper to our job site |
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Nature Tripping at Bataan National Park
In the morning, my crew and I walked around 2 kilometers from the job site, trekking a narrow dusty road to Maragondon Market to purchase our one (1) week's supply of food and some materials. I remember walking on a hanging bridge from Barangay Pinagsanhan, crossing the Maragondon River towards the market.
 |
| Maragondon public market |
We bought 2 big sizes of tulingan fish, a relative of tuna, and just roasted them on an open fire. It was our lunch.
Our construction went full blast, completing the building in February 1999. During our construction, most of the time, we were visited by local and foreign volunteers from Habitat for Humanity who were helping the community build the housing projects.
 |
| Welders fabricating the steel trusses |
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Construction of Villa Celine Resort
 |
| The carpenter is setting up the batter boards for the concreting of the pedestal |
 |
| Our simple break-time snack |
 |
| All aboard! Going home to Manila to spend our weekends |
In March 1999, former President Jimmy Carter of the United States of America (USA) and his wife visited the Maragondon Housing project. Recently, I checked Google Maps, and this place is now called Isaiah Ville.
 |
| The project site shows the completed community center building in the center
CLICK the LINK to READ the related article: Construction of a Happy Kitchen
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment