Every university has their own way of enhancing the knowledge and skills

of the students. The students may have extracurricular activities or going to other
places to learn and explore things in intellectual way but at the same way,
students must not forget the value of morality and virtues which they become an
instrument in exerting their abilities to service, particularly undergoing practices
to become an asset to society. In this way, they try to explore outside the vicinity
of the school to practice the meaning of moral values.

The first topic we had in our NSTP-2 is about Community Immersion

having a goal of which to help people in need in a certain community. We had
our guidelines and some lectures for the upcoming activity that will be held in
Gota de Leche, Lepanto St. Sampaloc, Manila on August.

“Do not ask what the world need, ask what makes you come alive, and go
do it. Because what the world need are people who have come alive.”

This quote by Howard Thurman bears an impression in my mind after

having an interview with a thirteen-year old boy in Gota de Leche, Lepanto St.
Sampaloc, Manila. It is true that we should not blame other people or even the
world for the misfortunes happens to us because they are reasons for all of it.
What we are now is the product of the things that we’ve done for the past years
so we should not blame the world for the dilemma that happens to us. What the
world needs now are the people who are able to express their existence in life
like exerting one’s ability and being a medium or asset to the society.

At the area, I met a boy holding a dozen of a round mats, while looking at
his face I saw a strong gaze in his eyes and sometimes he grins when
responding to some of my jokes. He just looks like an ordinary kid at his age until
he told his life to me.

Even though he is just a little boy, he was able to do things that a grown-
up man can do which being responsible in order to earn money to help her
mother in their everyday expenditures. When I asked about the whereabouts of
his father, he said that his father died when he was just three years of age and
cannot even clearly remember the face of his father.

After a little conversation, I said to myself that I admire him because in a

very young age he has a mind that is already mature enough to take a
responsibility in their family and he just take and accept what is in front of him
and never blame anyone for the situation of what is happening in his life. For him,
life is challenging, a channel of discovery, a prospect for success and a gateway
to wealth. No matter what the situation, he keep pressing on, believing in a cause
that someday he will succeed and get most out of his life.

After sometime, I asked a trivial question that if he will be given a chance

to become wealthy or to have a happy-go-lucky life, will he accept it? He just
replied “sa tingin ko po, kung hindi maghihirap ang tao, hindi siya matututong
magsikap”, I agree with his perspective in life because without suffering, there
would be no compassion or the initiative to strive for what we want for in our life.

Having just a short conversation, I was amazed that how can a simple
interview affects once life, which makes me realized things that I just take for
granted. I was happy that I was given a chance to become part of this activity
because in this way I was able to recognize and learn things which I never
valued before like my family, parents and the life that I have. I just hope that like
that child I can be also an asset in my society in my own way.