A Little Dose of Kindness from the All-Time Buddies

At first glance, one may think they’re a couple. They are usually spotted doing volunteer work in Pope Francis Village since housing construction began in April 2016.  The woman who appeared to be a little masculine does the hauling of aggregates, while the old man manually sieves the coarse sand that are used for construction.  Other times, they’re working with a group of community volunteers doing painting of steel plates and trusses for roofing. On break times, they eat together and share food. They’re just inseparable at least during those times when their houses were under construction. 

This morning, I saw them participating in the synchronized clean-up activity of their  Homeowners Association.  I stayed with them for a while and that’s when I learned that they’re not actually a couple. The 52 year old woman is Anelia Magcaleng and the man whom I have mistaken as his husband is Rogelio Quinawayan, 63 years old. They came from the coastal area of Magallanes District and both are solo parents. 

Anelia earns a living from her small sari-sari store and by providing laundry services to affluent families in nearby villages. She has four dependents living with her- her child, nephew and two older sisters, one of whom suffered from a stroke. 

Rogelio is a shoesmith. He has four children but was separated to his wife when his youngest was only five years old. Three of his children already have their own families and the one who supports him presently works in Manila. 

Anelia disclosed that Rogelio was her first cousin’s husband and they’re also neighbors in Barangay 54. It came as a surprise when she revealed that they’ve been best buddies as they both served as “Barangay Tanods” or appointed peacekeeping and security officers of their village for fifteen long years.  

“Minsan pinagkakamalan kaming mag-asawa kasi parati nila kaming nakikitang magkasama. Nagkaroon ng trauma yan dati si Rogelio pagkatapos ng Yolanda kaya pinapunta siya sa Manila ng anak nyang nagtatrabaho doon. Noong kalaunan, bumalik sya dito sa Tacloban at tinulungan ko siyang magkaroon ng bahay dito sa Pope Francis Village. Sinasama ko siya rito para magvolunteer kaya halos ang oras namin sa pagvolunteer parehas lang.” 

(“Sometimes we are mistaken as a couple because people always see us together. Rogelio experienced a trauma after typhoon Yolanda that’s why he was compelled to go to Manila and stay with his child who was working there at that time. Later on, she returned to Tacloban and I helped him avail a house here in Pope Francis Village. I bring him here to render our sweat equity that’s why we have almost the same number of volunteer hours”, she shared.)

I admire how somebody who’s strapped for resources like Anelia would be willing to go the extra mile just to help uplift a friend’s tenurial condition or by her meagre means help him get through the day out of hunger. 

“Dahil wala naman dito ang anak nya, ako muna ang tumitingin-tingin sa kanya. Kahit kapos din ang kinikita ko sa paglalabada at sa tindahan para sa maintenance na gamot ng nakatatanda kong kapatid, pilit kong pinagkakasya eto para kahit papaano makatulong rin sa kanya kahit sa pagkain man lang.” 

(“Since Rogelio’s children are not around, I managed to look after him.  Although my income from laundry and from my sari-sari store is insufficient for the maintenance medicines of my eldest sister, I tried to squeeze my budget some more so that in my own little way I can help him too, even just for his food”, added Anelia).

Few days ago, they asked me to take photos of them in front of their houses.  They’re one unit apart from each other but the units are located on the same block.  Perhaps that wasn’t just a coincidence. By all indication, I would like to think that they’re meant to be all-time neighbours here in Pope Francis Village.   

Speaking in jest as she grubs the overgrown weeds on the lot adjacent to their assigned block, Anelia relays how Rogelio’s children felt when they knew that their father is finally moving to his dream house. 

“Sabi ng mga anak nya, mabuti pa etong si Tatay may bahay na bato.  Kami kahit na may trabaho, wala kaming sariling bahay at nangungupahan pa rin hanggang ngayon.  Sagot ko naman, buti nalang hindi namin binitawan etong aming pabahay”. 

(His children would say, father is far better, now that he has a concrete house.  Not like us, who despite our regular work, we don’t have a house of our own and still renting ever since.  And my response to them- good thing we didn’t gave-up on this housing”.).

It’s incredibly moving to learn how a great deal of kindness can lead to meaningful change to another person’s life. The act itself, no matter how small is never wasted but only bears gratitude and leads to sustained relationships. The special bond of these two buddies has been polished by time, endured the wrath of Yolanda, tested by rough waters until they both finally reaped the fruits of their shared labor.