We were invited by ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda to partake in their "Bukas-Aklat" Project, and I just wanted to share with you what a wonderful experience it was for me to share blessings with the “Kabataang Aeta of Lopez, Quezon.”

These kids are your traditional natives with dark skin and curly hair. You would see them carrying “bolos” and eating in one big banana leaf. Their culture entails men to be the ones working for a living – they go fishing in the river and hunting (they were able to catch a musang while we were there). But (this is the fun part!) the men are the ones who cook meals (yey!), while the women are in-charge of taking care of their children.

At the back of the school, Bayer Philippines put up a small health center and they started planting herbal plants like Niyug-niyugan, Sabila, Lagundi and the like. We talked to Edgar Geguiento (Edge) of Bayer Philippines. They go to different locations in the Philippines to provide medical assistance and other health requirements to the less fortunate.

Just a side note, the Aetas with colored hair are not caused by hair dye or too much exposure to the sun, these are caused by certain deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.

*** The guy in glasses in the photo is the staff of the Mayor of Lopez, Quezon. And the guy wearing red is Edge.

True it was tiring, and… well… TIRING really... But, it was very rewarding and fulfilling. Thank you so much to my boss for this wonderful experience!

***SIDE NOTES:
Yes, we left 4am and we got there at a little before 1pm.

Yes, I had two rounds the night before to de-stress. Had an overtime for a preview/editing in the office, we finished a little before 11pm and we finished our "session" 12-ish.

Yes, I enjoyed the "bituka ng manok" very "exciting" zigzags going up and down mountains.

Yes, Lopez would be the 2nd to the last town before reaching Bicol.

All in all, yes, I super loved the experience!