Punta De Fabian, Baras, Rizal

Here's the article I wrote for our Project Pearls Retreat, Recollection and Leadership Training at Punta De San Fabian last Nov. 11-12, 2017. (unedited file)

 “The Call to Leadership is the Call to Love”

We have so much gratitude for The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation for spearheading this retreat, recollection and leadership training for our Project Pearls 40 core volunteers and staffs.

This two-day event was at Punta De San Fabian, Baras Rizal and happened last Nov. 11-12, 2017.

As early as 6 in the morning, volunteers’ assembly place was at Project Pearls Headquarters in Caloocan City.

And after almost three hours, we reached the venue.

Everyone was in awe upon seeing the place. It was a resort on top of a mountain, with great amenities and breath taking view of nearby mountains, Laguna de Bay along with the downtown side of Rizal.

By nine in the morning, right after everyone had their breakfast, the session finally started inside the ‘Carlos Botong Francisco Hall’.

Different stories that are full of laughter, tears and gratitude were shared inside the hall.

Everyone was thankful because for this weekend, aside from the very useful session that we had, we also had the chance to relax, to rest, to talk to ourselves and ask ourselves if how are we doing?

We know that we are living in a very fast phased life wherein we always face stresses and problems.

But for this very moment, we were so thankful that we had the chance to take a break, to just sit back, no work-related activities, and to re-live our purpose. And to ask ourselves, why are we doing this? Why do we volunteer? Why do we help and serve other people?

Then the answers to everyone just came out naturally.

We may have different reasons but it all boils down to our common goal and that is the mission of Project Pearls.

There were times that we get tired of what we do wherein it seems that everything just became so ordinary, boring, and just keeps on repeating. And this may lead in quitting and giving up especially when we are burned out.

We realized that we just need to pause, take a deep breath and be reminded of why are we doing this.

Then it will all just fall to a single word – Love. We love what we do, that’s why we should never stop.

It was a happy boodle fight style for our dinner.

Then recreation was for everyone at night at the infinity pool. We just all had fun and regain our bonding and closeness with each other.

I think one of the best qualities we had in Project Pearls is that we are and we will always be a family.

Then it was bed time!

For the day 2, breakfast was served at 7 in the morning, and the last part of the leadership training started at 9 a.m.  

Just like yesterday, the half-day session was filled with different emotions. Everyone laughed and cried.

We were just so thankful of this kind of moment because we were able to express our feelings and thoughts for each one of us.

As we went home, we brought the experience, the happiness, the inspiration, the drive and the motivation to go on with what we love doing- and that is being a servant-leader.

It’s still a long way to go but we will never stop dreaming and putting our dreams into reality.

Thank you to NCAF members for all your support in making our retreat possible, lively and effective.

Jampao Reyes – our facilitator

Ninya Saquilabon

Bian Orenciana

Mike Shimamoto

Jaime Lopa

We are beyond grateful to your team!

Thank you also to all our volunteers who joined us and for sacrificing your weekends just to be with us – your family in Project Pearls.

We will all go back to Tondo, to Bulacan, to Zambales, and to other places that we serve bringing the burning passion in our hearts.