Throughout its existence, Gawad Kalinga (GK) has consistently garnered accolades for its singular vision; and capacity to make this vision a reality, replicating its success in various provinces. Alleviating poverty through self-sustainable community development and housing projects may seem like something only the government should take on as a mission-vision, and yet, despite such lofty aims, Tony Meloto and GK have had success stamped over their endeavors. When corporate-sponsored villages plateau-ed, Meloto had the foresight to take his GK message to the United States, finding successful Fil-Americans who were ready to leave some kind of legacy in their respective home provinces and barangays. When I spoke to Tony, there were plans to bring this kind of social responsibility roadshow to Canada. And last month, Tony and GK, with the full support of Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte, added a new wrinkle to type of activities they engage in –– the GK Designer Province and its offshoot, the GK Bed & Breakfast.
These are specially designed lodgings which can house local and international volunteers, and even tourists who want to help build villages (a variation on how Peace Corps volunteers would travel around the world back in the 1960’s, in support of then President Kennedy’s vision of America reaching out to help the world). The first such Bed & Breakfasts are found in CamSur, in Iriga and LIbmanan, where there are GK villages. After operating costs, the profits of these B&B’s are ploughed back to the GK Fund. As Gov. Villafuerte was eager to relay, these B&B’s and CamSur’s status as the first GK Designer Province, are tangible steps towards harmonizing tourism and social responsibility. “CamSur is GK’s home. Together, we build homes, rebuild lives, and restore hope.”
As Tony has constantly reiterated, GK is not only about building homes and communities, it’s also about providing dignity. From what I understand, there is a screening process for people who are gifted with a house in a GK community. One can’t just be “homeless,” as this notion of creating a viable and sustaining community (and not just giving hand-outs) also requires that the members of the community share some kind of vision, and be aware of the responsibility of home ownership. Tony and Gov. LRay have much to be proud about, they’re not just “talking the talk,” they’re doing a walk for which they can hold their heads up high.
The strange truth of fiction
It may be fiction, it may be all imagined; but there are potent kernels of astonishing truths in these novels. Whether one uses Washington humor, a sprawling family and canine saga, or those secrets marriage and parenthood keep concealed, one can’t help but be absorbed by these flights of Fiction, and feel a slice of real life has been revealed.
Supreme Courtship –– Christopher Buckley (available at National Bookstore and Fully Booked) One of my favorite satirists, Buckley is back this US election year with a novel that skewers the Justice Department, media, the Presidency and American politics. In other words, a fun time is guaranteed, all at the expense of these venerable institutions of the American political landscape. President Donald Vandercamp has the ire of Congress and the opinion polls, he’s been busy vetoing all the bills that come his way, calling for fiscal frugality. Don Veto, as he is called, now has to appoint a new Justice to the Supreme Court, and all the eminently qualified nominees have been waylaid by the Judiciary Committee. Pepper Cartwright, a sassy, attractive, and very popular TV judge on the show, Courtroom 6, becomes his new, all the way from left field, nominee –– and all hell breaks loose, to our utter enjoyment!
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle –– David Wroblewski (available at National Bookstore) This is one of those novels that start off very slowly and deliberately, as Wroblewski takes pain to introduce us to his characters, the setting, and the milieu he has created. It’s the American Midwest, a community on the cusp of modernity, where the old way of life still holds sway. Edgar, son of Trudy and Gar, is something of a miracle child –– one who doesn’t talk, and yet very intelligent and sensitive to the world around him, especially the breed of dogs that has been bred and trained for three generations –– the Sawtelle dogs. The crux of the story commences when Gar passes away, and his prodigal brother, Claude, returns, with designs on Edgar’s mother, the farm, and the dogs. There’s a close parallel to Hamlet that ensues, similar to how Jane Smiley’s A Thousand Acres, echoed King Lear. An engrossing family saga.
More Than It Hurts You –– Darin Strauss Strauss is the author of Chang and Eng, and he seems to thrive on stories of sensitivity and nuance. Josh Goldin is a cable TV sales head, and one day, he rushes to his local hospital. Dori, his wife (a practicing phlebotomist –– the one who takes your blood for tests), has brought their son Zack there with an ailment that the doctors suspect may have been inflicted by Dori. The particular malady they suspect Dori of is Munchausen by proxy, where a parent deliberately inflicts pain on their child as a call for attention. There’s a chilling set piece when scenes of Josh ts a trade event is intercut with Dori again using her phlebotomist skills on Zack. A strange world where children have to be protected from their own parents by doctors and the State. Equally fascinating is the side story of Dr. Darlene Stokes –– she’s Afro-American, and that’s used against her in the legal battle that ensues.