GK in Mindanao
Gawad Kalinga in Muslim Mindanao?
It was inevitable. Because love, and hope, and courage at Gawad Kalinga know no boundaries.
Its Bravehearts extended a loving hand to their Muslim brothers, and received their hearts in return.
Sharing a meal creates a bond that is stronger than a vow. A meal is considered sacred. Some cultures call it "breaking bread together"; in others, a meal consists of sharing rice and viand; or, simply sitting down at a table and sharing the food and drink that were the fruit of the earth. Tony Meloto (the man in blue standing beside the lady in a red dress) was asked to share the ritual meal in this GK village in Mindanao. The symbolism is very clear.
To a large extent, GK has achieved in a much shorter time what the government started almost a hundred years ago — forge the spirit of brotherhood between Muslim and Christian Filipinos. Perhaps it was the obvious lack of "string attached". Maybe it is the charisma of the "man with the white hair", or the ageless beauty of TingTing Cojuangco, or the infectious spirt of the GK bravehearts. But then again, it could be "all or none of the above".
The truth is that the "GK777 —700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years" touches a most basic human instinct — to have a house, the home that one can call one's very own. To own a house is to define personal territory, which in turn defines the identity of the individual and the family. With this identity comes a sense of dignity and self-worth and, the very essence of freedom. To give a man the chance to work for and build his own home is to offer him freedom. This is the magic of Gawad Kalinga. The GK bravehearts brought this magic to Mindanao.
Tony Meloto is saying something about the GK houses, but Tingting Cojuangco seems to be more interested in the rainbow, which is not surprising. From the time GK went to Leyte in early January to see how they could help in rebuilding the towns ravaged by landslides, a rainbow has been following the GK team. In fact, there was a day in Leyte when a double rainbow brightened the day of the GK team.
To visit the GK Mindanao pages, click on the links below