Metamorphosis_Kalahi-CIDSS Compendium 2015

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wanted to ask her husband to also cook for their dinner but did not have enough confidence
to say it.
For Glenn, sometimes he had second thoughts of involving himself to such activities due to
his tricycle driving schedule. His participation was half-hearted, he admitted, saying “haan
ko talaga ikaskaso dagidyay maar-aramid idi, no maminsan umayak, no maminsan haan, ta
kailangak nga agpasada” (I was not that serious on what’s happening, I would go sometimes,
and sometimes not because I need to drive).
One morning, they never knew that one of their attended trainings would be a help for their
situation. Glenn was originally hesitant in going because he thought it’s only for women,
fortunately he joined after the community facilitator corrected his notion on gender
sensitivity training. Maricel shared “naipalpalawag kanyami dagiti responsibilidad me a kas
ina ken ama nga maibagak nga maysa daytoy nga training nga haan ko malipatan” (it was
explained to us our responsibilities as a mother and a father, which I can say that this is one
of the trainings I won’t forget).
Day after day, the couple noticed some changes. Glenn helped his wife in cooking and
laundering their used clothes. While, Maricel organized her community work through
setting it in the morning. “Na-realize ko nga babae man o lalaki basta kayat na nga aramiden
ti pag-imbagan na, agaramid nga agaramid isuna ti paraan” (I realized that either woman or
man, as long as they want to be better, they will find ways), Maricel disclosed.
When she learned that their community’s sub-project will start its implementation stage,
according to her co-volunteers, she chose to be a regular laborer. Initially, her practical
reason in joining the paid labor was to add or support her husband in generating their
family’s income. As she continued working, her motivation became to support their
community’s dream, to have a flood control.
Though experiencing hot weather while working, hot and heavy stones to move and arrange,
Maricel expressed that “kinanayonak nga busy ken adda kinanayon nga magungun-ud ko ket
naragsakak nga makatulong” ([it] keeps me busy and productive and I’m happy that I’m
helping).
“Nakitak met nga uray marigrigatan ni misis, ket itultuloy na latta isunga sinuportarak ti
kayat na” (Even though my wife experienced difficulty, she still continued so I supported
what she wanted [to do]) Glenn shared his view on his wife’s involvement to the Project.
Maricel and Glenn came to believe that there is a time for everything – time for their family,
for work and for themselves. With their experiences as a couple, they learned to know