Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University

Asingan Campus
Domanpot, Asingan Pangasinan
Tel. No. (075) 531-1502

Name: Estrada, Rayshane N.

Year and Section: BSE III-English
Learning Activity #: 5

o Find a total stranger, flesh him or her out.

In life we often meet people who are stranger to us but will inspire us and
change our point of views and beliefs in some ways.

The person in the above photo is Anselmo dela Cruz, fondly called by his
neighbours as Mang Emong, from Old Balara Quezon City. He is a 48 year-old
jeepney driver who unfortunately lost his only source of income because of the
pandemic. Before we are badly hit by the pandemic Mang Emong’s family already
belongs to the poorest families who are residing to the densely packed slum district
of Quezon City. So imagine the impact of the lockdown and restrictions to them
when it was first implemented in National Capital Region last year and again last
month until now. For over a year some of Mang Emong’s fellow drivers are asking
for alms in the streets because until now they are not yet given a permit to
operate.

COG 2: CREATIVE WRITING

 Republic of the Philippines
Pangasinan State University
Asingan Campus
Domanpot, Asingan Pangasinan
Tel. No. (075) 531-1502

Luckily Mang Emong has a talent in carpentry which he gained from his years of
experience because he used to be a carpenter back in their province Cebu. He sells
handmade wooden sandok made from munlawin wood as he tries to make ends
meet for his family. He never loses his hope and made things possible because he
has a family to support. Mang Emong recently became well known when the post
which tells about his story became viral.

Joy Rivera , an 18 year-old college student made a post containing Mang

Emong’s photo and advertise his products to help him. As a neighbour she was
moved by the hard work that Mang Emong displays as he diligently craft every
sandok that he sells. Fortunately many netizens heed the call and helped Mang
Emong by buying his handmade products. Many good Samaritans also donated to
his family and someone even gave grocery items for Mang Emong’s wife to start a
sari-sari store business. The family are still in awe with all the blessings that have
come their way.

Filipinos are known to be resilient that is why whatever challenges we face may
it be natural calamities or even this pandemic we are optimistic and believe that all
things shall pass. The people who are greatly affected by this situation were our
fellow Filipinos who are already experiencing poverty like Mang Emong and his
family. The good thing is that we still have this fellow Filipinos who have the heart
to help even though every one of us was affected by the pandemic. Truly the spirit
of bayanihan and the initiative to help our fellow kababayan are still with us. Now
that we haven’t recovered from the effects of the pandemic may there still be good
people who are ready to help the people in need.

o Write one scene wherein your character makes an important

decision.

It was one usual afternoon for Mang Emong and his family when they heard a
loud bang that came from their kitchen. They immediately went to see what
happened and they were both terrified when they saw Jr, their eldest son lying on
the floor unconscious. Aling Suzan, Mang Emong’s wife became hysterical and was
on panic. The weeping sounds from the cries of Aling Suzan gained the attention of
Lola Noli who was busy sweeping the pavements just outside the dela Cruz’
residence. She immediately sought for help from their neighbors. Joy was the first
to respond for the call, when she realized that someone needed an immediate
medical attention she immediately dialed the emergency hotline and ask for an
ambulance. After a few minutes the paramedics arrived in the dela Cruz’ house and

COG 2: CREATIVE WRITING

 Republic of the Philippines
Pangasinan State University
Asingan Campus
Domanpot, Asingan Pangasinan
Tel. No. (075) 531-1502

immediately carried the still unconscious Jr to the stretcher and hurriedly

transported him to the hospital.

The 10 minutes journey to the hospital seems forever for Mang Emong who
accompanied Jr inside the ambulance. The paramedics then brought Jr to the
Emergency Room. The doctors checked Jr’s vital signs and figured out that he have
a faint heart beat. To their surprise the patient suddenly are losing his heart beat.
The doctor resuscitated him and tried to revive and after 5 minutes they
successfully revived him. The doctors ruled out that the patient has suffered from
serious heart attack and need an immediate open-heart surgery. Jr now is
transferred to a room and is in a life support machine.

The devastated couple doesn’t know what to do. They don’t have an idea to
where they will get a huge amount of money that will be needed for their son’s
operation. Are they going to agree to the option to take off their son’s life support
because they cannot afford the piling medical bill in the hospital?

Mang Emong went to the hospital chapel to pray and ask God for guidance. He
asked God if this is the consequences they should suffer after receiving gracious
blessings from Him. Why does their problems don’t seem to end? If they decided to
pull off the life support, will their son would understand their decisions. Mang
Emong cried relentlessly as he was helpless of the situation.

After staying in the chapel for 1 hour, Mang Emong seems to have a clear mind
and suddenly became hopeful. He decided to ask for help to Joy their neighbor who
posted his story which became viral. He thought maybe the people who have
helped them will be able to help them again. He walked to the hallway to where his
wife was seated and told her of his plans. He bid goodbye and immediately went
home and look for Joy.

Mang Emong explained the situation and their need of financial help for Jr’s
operation to Joy. Joy then wrote a lengthy post narrating the whole situation of the
dela Cruz family and they needed bigger help this time. She gave the details on
how people can reach out to the family to send their financial help. After few hours,
the post became viral and reaches even the biggest TV networks. Many have pledge
their donations because they were touched about the story of Mang Emong.

Mang Emong was very thankful that help poured and they have reached the
needed sum of money in just 2 days. They are hopeful that Jr will overcome this
trial and his operation will become successful. Mang Emong once again proved that
there are still many Filipinos that are willing to help their family.

COG 2: CREATIVE WRITING

 Republic of the Philippines
Pangasinan State University
Asingan Campus
Domanpot, Asingan Pangasinan
Tel. No. (075) 531-1502

Describe a sunset as viewed by a character that is happy.

As I look at the sunset I saw that the clear blue sky is slowly turning into orange
red like a fire. Like the burning fire inside my heart that comes from the burning
passion. Passion to fulfil everything that my heart desire, fulfil every plan created
behind my mind. The sunset reminds me that I am truly blessed to have witnessed
another day and spent it with the people I love. Will I find my purpose in life like
how the sun finds its final resting area every day? I am looking forward for more
sunsets in this lifetime and when finally the time has come for my sun to set, I
know that my life was well spent.

Describe the same sunset but this time as seen by a character that is sad.

Another day had passed, this sunset annoys me it reminds me that I have lived
another useless day. I don’t know why people were amazed by the sight of this. It
was just a reminder that soon everything will be dark and quiet. I hate sunset but I
hate dark more. Sunset is the beginning of darkness, a prelude to a relentless
night. Many creepy thoughts come to me when I am enveloped with darkness. But
what can I do its inevitable?

For a person like me who have nothing to look forward to, sunset also signifies
that tomorrow another day is coming. Another day that I should get through
because you know, I don’t have a choice. Counting sunsets from my window seems
so boring but this does not bore me. It only means that I am nearing the end of
this lifetime. I don’t even have the energy to spend anymore; I just want these
sunsets to come every day. I am looking forward to my final sight of it.

COG 2: CREATIVE WRITING