CARCIL 2010

The magic number was 375 inmates. There were 69 calls made by the bakasyonistas to their relatives and friends last December 25, 2010 from 9AM to 12NN hence a mere 18% calling rate. What’s good to note is that there were still prisoners who wanted to talk to their loved ones however time was up and we had to pack up. Here’s some interesting statistics and verbatim gathered this year.

FREE CALL DEMOGRAPHICS Dec 2010

Total Calls Made is 69.

Who they called?
(a) wife 26%,
(b) sis/bro 23%,
(c) son/daughter 19%,
(d) friend 9%,
(e) cousin 9%,
(f) aunt 6%,
(g) mother 4%,
(h) in-law 3%,
(i) father 1%.

Interesting text received this year:
"Nung snang atsu k keni at emu gewa yn d sna makasaup kng s2ling panulo ng ima, mgsustento kya,eku sna mgobra ing ald0ng makanini,,kya eka dpat s2bing mknyan,at eka manyumbat mknyan,kc ala kng blu keng malilyari keng kilwal mu."
TRANSLATION: If only you where here and you didn’t commit that dastardly act, then you could be helping us with mother’s medicine and supporting her and I should not be working on a Christmas day! You shouldn’t be taking it against me because you really don’t know what’s happening outside (the prison).

Ouch! That hurt…

Kaizen sa Karsil

December 25, 2008

Kaizen sa Karsil
December 25 morning. It’s the Soliman family’s annual outreach. It is relatively an odd outreach as we “reach out” to people who are perceived as misfits of society – the prisoners. They are human beings like all of us it’s just that they made a grave mistake and they have to pay for their actions. I’ve had previous entries about the Tarlac Penal Colony and this entry will focus on how to introduce continuous improvement during the activity. Here goes:

Pre-work:
1. Check the number of prisoners and the prison staff
2. Raffle should be pre-drawn based on their prison identification
3. Free call list
4. Who is the Jail Warden? Assistant Warden?
5. Who is the Prison Mayor? Vice Mayor?
6. Food should be there by 630AM
7. List of 60 inmates who can avail of the free call
8. There should be a committee to handle: Food, Mass, Games, Raffle & Hosting.

Program Outline:
7:30 to 8:30 - Eucharistic Celebration
8:30 to 9:30 - Breakfast
9:30 to 12:00 – Start of Program
9:30 to 9:40 – Opening Remarks 1 by AGS or MSD
9:40 to 9:50 – Opening Remarks 2 by Prison Mayor
9:50 to 10:00 – Orientation of Activities by host
10:00 to 11:40 - Games
11:40 to 11:50 – Closing Remarks 1 by Jail Warden
11:50 to 12:00 – Closing Remarks 2 by CSL or LST or TGS or TSG

Notes:
1. Free Calls with a duration of 3 minutes each will be given to 60 inmates.
2. A priest will be available for confession from 10 to 12nn.
3. A third generation family member (pamangkin) will handle the emcee chores
4. The activity should be over by 12noon.

The value of Japanese Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) may be applied in the simplest of activities.

Cherry Cute Cute

(September 12, 2008)

Imagine going around Tarlac City on a cute front wheel drive 3 banger that definitely contains melamine but won't pose as a hazard to the passengers. Today we bought a booklet of tickets at the local parish raffle were the grand prize is a 2008 Cherry QQ subcompact car. The cute China made car retails for P318,000.

I read a book in college which says if you really, really want something, you should plan as if you already have it. So if we win this car, we'd sell the Chinese made auto, keep our Jap made auto, invest the amount is stocks or mutual funds - 30% allot for MC's college education, 30% for B5's education, 20% for the family travel next year and the balance goes back to the church.

If we don't win, at the very least we were able to help the church with their projects. It's a win win situation and that gives us more reasons to buy more tickets.

Package Delivered

"One man's thrash is another one's treasure."

As promised, I gave my gift to the angels of Children's Joy Foundation today (March 19) which qualifies for within the month timeline. It's difficult to describe the delight of the children after seeing the present a.k.a. a balikbayan box neatly wrapped with a birthday theme. It was a labor of love because I packed and wrapped it myself. As pledged, the box contained used and new toys, used and new clothes, used books, new slippers and old but new premium items. I had mixed emotions; sad to see their current state, babies and toddler left by their parents because they can't take care of them; felt blessed because we are the ones helping and not the other way around and happy because this is my first birthday were I was the one who gave a surprise. I love the feeling, let’s have more of these!

Happy Birthday to me!

I’m celebrating my 35th birthday today. I want my birthday this year to be extra special! My plan is that I’ll give a gift to the angels of Children’s Joy Foundation (CJF) located in Calamba City, Laguna. Just a brief profile, CJF Laguna branch is a sub-branch of a better funded CJF in Metro Manila. They have about 30 less fortunate children. The youngest is just a baby while the eldest is about 15 years old. During our last visit to them in January this year, I told them that I’ll pool my personal resources and give them a gift this year. The gift will contain used children’s clothes, new and used toys, new and used school items and new slippers for everybody. I’ll wrap the box, place my note which you’ll find below and personally deliver it within the month. I hope this will make them happy…

Dear Angels of Children’s Joy Foundation,

It's my birthday today. I'm turning 35 years. I'm pretty sure that is more than double your age. When I was about your age, I used to look at 30+ year old people as very old. I now realize that I'm just halfway to an expected lifespan of a Filipino.

When you grow older, a birthday just becomes a regular day in your life. To make my 35th birthday special, instead of 'receiving,' I shall be 'giving' a gift to you. Like any present, it is neatly wrapped complete with a birthday card. I hope this will truly surprise you and you find the things useful.

My five wishes for you on my birthday are: 1- that you be able to finish your studies, 2- you find a job you enjoy doing, 3- earn to live comfortably, 4- be responsible citizens of our society and 5- help the less fortunate in your own little way.

My only request is that you pray for me especially my health, that I'd live long enough to see my children (aged 9 and 3 years old) graduate from college and be able to help more people.

Happy Birthday to me!

Kuya DSL

Back 2 Back

Pinoy Dream Academy grand champ Yeng Constantino won P75,000.00 in last January 18's Deal or no Deal show. The prize money went to CHILDREN'S JOY FOUNDATION (CJF). What a coincidence. Last January 15, the South Luzon Wireless Center team went to CJF in Calamba, Laguna to fulfill our promise. The promise to CJF underprivileged children is that we'll visit them as long as we win the model region award.

When we won the award in Y2004, part of the prize money went to CJF. That plus donation from the team summed up to P14,000.00. We also donated a used but in perfect condition refrigerator. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, our team won the award in Y2005 so we kept our promise and visited them again. This time we donated tiles and materials that can be used to renovate their 3 comfort rooms and some used toys and books.

What a fitting end to a stellar year. We renewed our promise to visit them if we win the model region award in Y2006. Maybe the secret of the South Luzon team lies in the CJF
angels that they are able to help.

I made a mistake so please give me a break!

If only the bakasyonistas at the Tarlac Provincial Jail can say this line to their accusers then at least one problem is solved - prison overcrowding. This December, on the list is 246 inmates; 80% male, 12% female and the balance, well they haven't decided yet. Age range is from 18 to 73 yrs. A great majority belong to the lower income bracket. Top reasons for incarceration include rape, murder & drug pushing. Now here's the clincher, majority of them claim to be innocent. The plea: Not guilty, your honor!

Escape from Baras Baras.

"Yours is a unique community service." – Darwin Flores, Smt Public Affairs Manager.

Last December 25 marks the 46th year we served Christmas breakfast for the Tarlac Provincial Jail inmates. The penitentiary is located in Brgy. Baras-Baras, Tarlac City. Come to think of it, the Soliman family's annual routine is leaning towards the extraordinary. While most extend their arms to the underprivileged youth, our family opts for delinquent adults. You might say, they committed a crime so why feed them. Well, its a choice... an underprivileged is an underprivileged no matter what angle you look at it. They made a mistake, graver than most individuals, so let's cut them some slack and pamper them at least once a year. Christmas IS a time for giving.

The day starts with the breakfast preparation. This year, the menu was torta, 3 pandesals, an egg and hot coffee. Compared to the P40.00 daily meal budget for the bakasyonistas, the meal served was relatively a feast. This is then followed by a program with majority of the time spent on parlor games. The games hep-hep, trip to jerusalem and paper dance are permanent fixtures. Since Y2002, this blogger has been providing free calls worth P2,000.00 and that’s equivalent to 60 - 80 calls. Teamwork among the family is at play at least during the activity. There's a group that handles food preparation, free calls, games, emcee and prize custodian.

The program usually caps around 12nn. Then its see-you-again-next-year for most of us. The Baras-Baras community service unifies the family at least during this special day. Indeed, Christmas is a time for giving (and forgiving).