I was still on the few days of vacation after my one-month summer class when I received good news.

Jialima Maruhom — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 03:27:10 GMT

I was still on the few days of vacation after my one-month summer class when I received good news. I was selected to be one of the delegates in the 24th National Youth Congress- Drug Abuse Prevention and Education (NYC-DAPE), held in Zamboanga City on May 19-21, 2016. I was still overwhelmed with AmCham BLP, and there comes another blessing again. I was certainly blessed as ever!
But hey, opportunities never come easy. Zamboanga City is such a distant place from Bukidnon. In fact, I never imagined myself going there before. It will take at least sixteen hours land travel to be able to get there. And it is undeniably expensive. The NYC- DAPE will provide the accommodation, registration fee and foods, but it does not include the transportation expenses. So, basically I have to find money for bus fare. The thought of me not being able to go to Zamboanga prior to the event never scared me at all – where to find the money does. I could not ask from my parents because it does not concern my academics after all. Actually, the fact that I am a scholar, make them think that everything is alright – my academics, my expenses for food, lodging and daily photocopies - that they have nothing to worry about. They just thought that they sent me to college and that they will only be waiting for my graduation day. They do not actually know how hard was it for me to survive especially when my allowance got delayed. Maybe it is the perk of being a really polite daughter, where I never ask for money from them no matter how tight my budget is or sometimes, I was even penniless. But still, they never heard any rant from me. But silently, I know, deep inside, I envy those kids at my age who are financially stable. I mean, those moments make me realize how expensive and difficult it is to dream.
Fortunately, angels sent by God (Allah SWT) appeared at the most unexpected time. I was on the last minute of finding money for the event when Maam Joy M. Jamago and Maam Ma. Emily S. Damag showed up in the picture and sponsored my roundtrip expenses. I was so blessed, I forethought. I mean, they never knew me personally before (maybe they knew my name, but we had never met before). I asked myself. What have I ever done to deserve such heavenly blessings from them?

So, here comes my Zamboanga City escapade. No, that just sounded like I was just going to have fun without learning. Basically, my aim in going there is to become a well-informed youth regarding drug abuse and the related subtopics. I started my journey all alone without knowing what might happen while I travel. All I knew that time is that when I reached their bus terminal, I will have to take two connecting rides going to the Grand Astoria Hotel which will serve as our venue for the congress. I waited all alone in Iligan City to board on the Zamboanga-liner bus. It took me three long cold hours at night waiting. When the bus arrived, it was full and accordingly, the next bus will come after an hour. I could not take that because I will be late for the event. So, albeit the bus was already full, I still managed to board on it, in a standing position of course. The juice is worth the squeeze after all. After one long hour of standing, an old woman reached her destination and decided to offer me her seat. I was so tired that I hadn’t noticed that I fell asleep the moment I sat down. I woke up when I noticed that the bus stopped and everyone is noisy. My seatmate, who happened to be going to Zamboanga City as well, explained what was going on. The airbag of the bus seem to be broken or something. With that, we were required to transfer to another bus when we reached Pagadian City. However, the said bus will take an hour before it reaches us. Luckily, my seatmate from the other bus told me to just ride on the van owned by someone he knew accordingly.

I never had any choice than trust this stranger and pray that everything will be alright. That was so polite of him to assure me that I will get into the hotel just on time. And the good thing is that he requested his friend, who happened to be the driver, to take me directly to our event’s venue. I have to admit that I was scared that instant. I kept asking myself if how I could trust them when I just met them. But still, I trusted my instinct. I kept convincing myself that those were good people and nothing could’ve gone wrong.

Well, I wasn’t wrong in trusting them anyways. With their help, I was able to reach my destination safely and more conveniently. I thank them for being such good Samaritans to me and to everyone else.

My teammates and I during the awarding of certificates of participation in the said event. I dedicate this certificate to both Maam Joy and Maam Emily for being supportive in my journey.

During the congress, I met a lot of new aspiring youth as well. We exchanged thoughts and ideas which are mostly personal.

Me, together with Sir Jose A. Cielos, Presidential Staff Officer IV

Me and Commissioner Earl Saavedra, of National Youth Commission

After receiving our individual certificates, we decided to take a group photo for future memories. These awesome new people made my first visit to Zamboanga even worth it.

These are my roommates during the said congress, Nikki Reniva and the other girl, but I can’t remember her name.

Me and my newly-met friends (Engr. Solaiman, RN Ryan, Me, RN Charizze and Engr. Yasser, at the Butterfly Sanctuary in Zamboanga City

Me and Kuya Leo Archie Andes III, the Chairman of NYC- DAPE 2016

Me at the road outside their Fort Santiago

Me and one of my AmCham BLP batchmate, Omiberto Pablo of Western Mindanao State University of Zamboanga City

Me and my squad at the Paseo

de Santiago

All those experiences were worth it – the fun, the excitement, the learning - everything. I had been worried thinking that I could not make it, but still, miracle happened. I made it! I made it with the help of God and all the people around me.

If you’re thinking that that is already the end of my bittersweet summer experiences, then you are definitely mistaken. Who would have thought that life still have some unrevealed exciting pages in my book?

I was invited to attend the USAID - Science and Technology Research Innovation and Development Innovation Workshop Series sponsored by AmCham at Limketkai Luxe Hotel on May 27, 2016

Al Jay, Jerric, I and Sir Ebb (of AmCham Philippines) during the USAID-STRIDE Workshop Series at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City on May 27, 2016

PS: This is my first time blogging. So, bare with me please. 😊 Coming soon is my AMCHAM BLP 2016 (in Manila, Philippines) experience and the HPAIR Asia Conference (in Hong Kong).

Stories by Jialima Maruhom on Medium

I was still on the few days of vacation after my one-month summer class when I received good news.