HE only has one goal in doing what he does -- to share his blessings and to see the smiles on the faces of the children and of the members of the community he has helped. The feeling of satisfaction he feels in his heart is a reward in itself whenever he goes out and shares his blessings.
CJ Conde is a young entrepreneur in Davao City who has been working hard for his business. But while he strives hard for his business, he also lends a hand to those in need such as giving them food, medicine, and services especially those situated in remote barangays in Davao City.
There are days one would see CJ in different border checkpoints in the city distributing goods to people who pass by.
“Even before sa pandemic, panata na gyod nako ang mopahigayon og mga outreach program. Lami kaayo paminawon diha sa kasingkasing nga nakadalit ka, nakatabang ka, ug nakahatag ka... lami kaayong tan-awon ang ilang mga pahiyom... nahimo na nako kining ‘panata’ nga diha sa usa ka higayon mosaka gyod ko’g bukid uban sa akong mga higala, manghatag ta og mga makaon nila... gawas ana, naay mga tambal, mga bugas, pagkaon ug mga magamit sa mga bata diha sa ilang pag-eskwela ug mga basic services diha sa community (It becomes my vow to conduct outreach programs. It is so good to feel that you were able to give, to help those in need. The smiles on their faces are so good to see. It has become my vow that at least once I would go to remote areas together with my friends, and distribute food for the residents there, aside from the medicine, rice, and school supplies for the children and basic services for the community) ,” CJ said.
In the coming days, CJ will also hold an ‘Operation Libreng Tuli’ service in his hometown province, Davao Oriental.
This pandemic has affected many Dabawenyos and has left them in need of food, medicine, and other essential goods. Amidst this adversary, many have also surfaced as heroes. Not only are the medical frontliners of great help during this time but also private individuals like CJ. People like him went the extra mile to help and share what they have.
“Mas moabot-abot pa ang grasya labi na kung imoha kining i-share sa uban nga nanginahanglan gayod, labi na karon nga pandemic, ang tanang diha sa kabukiran malipay gayod kung naay moabot sa ilang dapit nga modalit og mga grasya, — sa gamay nga butang, dako na kaayo kini nga kalipay nila (Blessing will abound especially if you share it with someone who needs the most, especially this time of pandemic. Those in the far-flung areas will be very happy if there are people who will share their blessings with them - no matter how small, for them it will bring joy),” CJ added.
He shares his heartfelt gratitude to his friends who had been nothing but supportive of him and his advocacy. These friends, he said, are the people who were there with him when they needed to go to far-flung communities to extend help, despite how hard the road is.
Pre-pandemic CJ and his friends have climbed mountains and have hurdled difficult paths just to extend help to people residing in far-flung communities. No matter how tired they all are, these are nothing compared to the happiness they feel seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of the children. These are their inspirations.
What CJ does to help the children and the community only shows that prayers are answered in time and by God Himself, sometimes He does this through other people. With this, we continue to pray that tomorrow and the days to come, He may bless our pockets and our hands so we have more to give and share to the people.
For all the blessings you share, the hope that you bring, and the smile you cause in children’s faces, we salute you CJ!
(Some of the photos are taken pre-pandemic)