What Happened to CICC? (A Personal Experience as a Social Worker)

The 830-million worth of Cebu International Convention Center has faced a devastating fate. A decade ago, ASEAN dignitaries gathered together in a festive celebration here. But today, it has become a terminus of homeless families in the city who were victims of fire and other disasters, and now, facing threats of demolition and health crisis due to the pandemic.  

A Promise: Actions Taken

I am writing this article while waiting for the participants to finish the survey. I am currently sitting on a makeshift bench while listening to a remix of Bisaya music. The kids passing in front of me while playing pogs, scooters, recycled rollerblades, and rubber bands brought me to my childhood days. The even younger ones with whom I had a short talk asked my name. With a smile (even if I was wearing a facemask), I stopped by for short chitchat. 

"These children only have a concept of play..."

"Unsa imong pangalan" he asked.

"Angel. Si Ate Angel ko," I answered. 

"Gikan ka sa langit," the even younger boy followed.

"Gipaanhi ka ni Papa God?" the youngest asked this very innocent question. 

Then, a short conversation happened among us. 

These were the different statements I head from the kids as they were showing to me there rubber bands formed in various shapes. Out of the blue, I asked them: "Unsa inyong gusto igka dako ninyo?"

"Ate Angel, gusto ko magbombero," one of the older kids answered.

"Ako ate kay gusto ko magpulis,"said the other one.

"Magsundalo ko, Ate Angel," a timid little girl behind the bigger boys answered. After, the children answered in unison. 

I sighed deeply in an instant. Finally, I was able to penetrate this area and even managed to fulfill a personal promise. This area will become my focus in the next few days.  

I Met Sharon

Sharon is a 32-year-old woman and a mother of 2 children. When I stepped foot in CICC while holding my survey forms, she didn't hesitate to converse with me. 

"Ate, unsa akong matabang?" that was how she started her story. While she was helping me, she was telling me her story. She was one of the displaced families in CICC. During her younger years, she was adopted by a renowned Cebuano performer. In her teenage years up to her 20's, she fell in love that later bore two children. Unfortunately, her relationship with her partner ended in vain, in which she needed to raise her two children alone while earning as a parking girl. A mere hundred or one hundred fifty is her daily average income as she narrated her experience to me. 

"Bisan ing-ani ko, Ate, ug bisan Kinder ra ko kutob, dili jud ko gusto maparehas akong anak  nako. Mao sa dili pako molakaw, tudloan nako akong anak sa iyang module. Akong bata pud Te kay wala na kasuway og laing gatas kundi breastmilk ra gyud," she went on. 

A Call to Action

For sure, I am not the first person who wrote an article about this. Even national newspapers talked about social problems in the aspects of poverty, education, and health.  

"While answering the survey questionnaire..."

The local government and non-government organizations also joined forces to solve and combat the families' problems in the area. But these actions are not enough. More problems lurk in the vicinity, such as child abuse, drug addiction, and even OSEC/CSEC. I have talked to several of them, and I heard the same answer - "tungod sa kawad-on," "tungod sa kalisud."

Honestly, I could write a million stories about these children, but without proper guidance, love, and care from us (community), they would still end up ruined. Again, I hope more help will pour upon these children in terms of financial help and the kind of aid that promotes hope, fuels their ambition to succeed, and shows a behavioral change in them. 

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