By Vir B. Lumicao
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Trekkers gather for their first anniversary to hike, do beach cleanup, and eat
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It began with a call for help from a fellow overseas
Filipino worker whose village in Mindanao was ravaged by two earthquakes in the
closing days of October last year.
Veteran hiker Ligaya Francisco said she and a bunch of
friends wanted to help but knew it was difficult to solicit donations since her
fellow helpers were also hard-up. They eventually decided to raise funds by
hiking.
“Naging successful
naman ang fundraising. Noong nagkasunud-sunod na ang mga humingi ng tulong ay
nagtatag na kami ng grupo,” Francisco said on Nov 22, as Bagong Bayani (The
Trekkers) celebrated its first anniversary with hiking and a beach cleanup in Discovery Bay, Lantau.
The 54-year-old unassuming woman, who is called “Nanay” or “Happy”
by members of The Trekkers, said there had been several requests for help this
year as natural calamities and pandemic safety protocols put communities back
home in difficult situations.
As the hikes for a cause became frequent, more workers joined,
Francisco said. From a bunch of just eight women who met on the trails, the
group that initially called itself The Trekkers grew to more than 50 members as
it attracted other workers.
The group expanded even as pro-democracy protests and the coronavirus
pandemic affected their activities.
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Francisco says the protests and pandemic drove them further afield
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“Dinaanan namin ang
mga rally, pero ang pinakamatindi ay ang Covid-19 dahil mahigpit sa social
distancing. Kung saan-saang gubat at bundok kami nagtago para magkasama-sama.
Naghanap kami ng mga tagong lugar at isla,” said Francisco.
There was a time when social distancing measures limited
group gatherings to just two persons, but the group managed to continue hiking
without breaking the rules by trekking in twos. The strict protocols were a
blessing nevertheless as they enhanced group growth.
“Noong panahong iyon ay
saka naman lalo kaming lumago, dumami ang sumama sa amin,” Francisco said. She
said many of their friends brought along friends until the group grew and
camaraderie improved.
Members brought food so they would have picnics when they
went hiking to stay away from the city, she said.
“Kasi yung time na
iyon, ang hirap e, napaka-isolated natin. Yung depression, yung gusto mong
umuwi, may mga namatay hindi ka makauwi, may mga problemang pampamilya, hindi rin
maayos kasi na-stuck na tayo dito. At saka yung emotional need, kailangan namin
ang isa’t isa,” Francisco said.
“Pumupunta kami sa mga
ganitong lugar walang tao, malaya kaming magsalita, malaya kaming tumawa,
malaya kaming ilabas yung kung ano ang nararamdaman namin,” she said.
She admitted there had been intrigues due to petty
misunderstandings or pressure brought about by the times, but they stayed
together as a family.
“Para kaming
magkakapatid, minsan may away-away, minsan nagkakatampuhan. Normal lang po iyon
dahil sa panahon. Maraming pressure. Pero eto pa rin kami, magkakasama,
kailangan namin ang isa’t isa, parang isang pamilya yung community,” Franciso
said.
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The Trekkers try to maintain social distancing even in isolated areas
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The members come from all regions of the Philippines.
She said the priority is helping fellow OFWs, especially since they and their
families don’t get dole-outs from their government even if they need help, too.
The group reaches out to any OFW, even a non-member, who is in dire need to
ease her worry, especially when a family member falls ill.
Whatever amount the members give, these add up and mean a
lot, said Francisco.
She said that’s one reason why almost every week The
Trekkers hold charity hikes. At the same time, Francisco said, they would do cleanups
on the trails and beaches to teach members to love and protect the environment.
“Gusto kong masanay
sila at magkaroon ng mind-set na kailangang mahalin ang environment, na huwag
itapon ang kalat kung saan-saan kundi ilagay sa tamang basurahan,” the
group’s “nanay” said.
At their anniversary celebration, about 40 people gathered
before noon on an isolated beach at the northern fringes of Discovery Bay. Many
others came in twos or threes in the early afternoon.
On the site they strove to be in fours in line with protocols,
even in preparing the food they served to celebrate the anniversary and the
birthdays of two or three members.
However, not all their weekends are devoted to hiking and
cleanups, Francisco said. Sometimes they also hold a hammock festival, where
members hang layers of hammocks from trees and spend the day or night in those
nylon cocoons suspended in mid-air.
The group has no elected leaders. It is the organic core
group, including Francisco, Annabeline Allera, sisters Mary Joy Rebucan and Ma.
Ana R. Bautista, as well as Jessie Lopez that coordinates activities. Lopez,
who figures in several OFW fundraising drives, takes charge of The Trekkers’ charity
projects.
Last Sunday, as they marked their special day, The Trekkers
also superseded the group name with Bagong Bayani, or New Heroes, a name that
best fits them.
