It was a pleasant morning flight that we boarded on, Jolo-bound, via a Philippine Air Force 9-seater aircraft. It was a long scheduled trip arranged by the Department of National Defense with Southern Command's U7 for the Asia America Initiative. AAI Vice-President Albert Santoli, Grand Lodge of Free Masons of Washington, D.C. Senior Grand Deacon Akram Elias, former Ambassador of the United States of America to Costa Rica Curtin Winsor (who happens to be trustee of the William H Donner Foundation) our DHD Assistant Secretary for Planning Office Director Cecilia Noble, and Gen. Gabriel Habacon, were all headed for Jolo for the ceremonial turnover of the books, audio-visual instructional materials, information technology equipment, arm desks and medical supplies infrastructure for five beneficiary schools of the AAI program.
Geological maps and globes from the National Geographic Foundation, books from Harvard University Press, IT equipment that were immediately installed by the DND staff, and others were distributed to the Mindanao State University-Sulu, Mohammad Tulawie Elementary School, Sheik Mustafa Elementary School, Sulu High School, and the Grand Imam Yahcob Islamic Institute. Air conditioners were also given to the MSU and Sulu High School, while TV and DVD sets were given to the elementary schools along with educational tapes: The educational charts on different subjects were distributed to the elementary and high schools mentioned. The Munawwirin Zulma Madrash, through Ustadz Wadhumal Alam, received 100 arm desks and blackboards. The AAI brought along deworming medicines (Albendazole) which were sent by MedPharm, Inc., "to cater to about 25,000 children of Jolo." The medicines were received by Dr. Farrah Tan-Omar, Sulu provincial health officer, who immediately conducted a de-worming program along with the staff of the Integrated Provincial Health Office.
AAI's program for economic development, education, and medical infrastructure for war-afflicted areas like Jolo is based on mutual respect. This was stressed by AAI vice-president Al Santoli in an interview. "The key to this effort is to attain economic development through sustainability, rather than through charity," he said. Thus, most of the books given to the college students of MSU were on business management in support of university's skills training programs.
For this visit, William H. Donner Foundation, the National Geographic Foundation, MedPharm, Inc., the Washington D.C. Masons, Muslim Women of America, Philippine Air Lines Foundation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of National Defense, have given support to the Asia America Initiative. The IT equipment and the books were shipped through with courtesy of the Philippines Air Lines and the Naval Forces of Western Mindanao.
Fourth year high school student Alvin Tiblani of Sulu High School however expressed his hopes before Division Schools Superintendent Dr. Amy Malbun, for scholarship grants for poor but deserving Suluanon youth. His school mate Arsimin Kunnong was already very thankful for the additional computer units that were provided to their school's computer laboratory, adding that no other foreigner or foreign group that he knew of ever thought of his alma mater, since it was built in 1991.
The reception of the children who received the donations was overwhelming, indeed. And the story could not just end here. Jolo is a rich source of literature, and the lens could just not capture the children's inner joy of being cared for by strangers from across the globe, if only for a time.
The visit to Jolo ended with an expression of apprehension of Flight Capt. Allan Obra and Lt. Eugene Estana (PAF) over the late arrival of Sherwin Surian, Mike Dimarucot, and Sgt. Rhoderick Javier of the DND-OASP, who had to install the units for the donees before leaving Sulu's municipal capital. We could only recall the kind hospitality of Atty. Nabil Tan, Dr. Farrah Tan-Omar, provincial dental coordinator Dr. Jodl Isahac, IPHO chief nurse Fadzrullah Abdullah, Ms. Naida-Nur Julkanranain, the security provided by Capt. Abe Sirajan and him men, and many others. But with a hearty laughter, we left Jolo, flying over serene Sulu seas just before sunset could kiss the skies of Zambaoanga.
