My CWTS Experience

True Service: My CWTS Reminiscences

At the beginning of the first semester, I had to choose between ROTC and CWTS. I was having second thoughts whether I’d push through for ROTC or for CWTS. I remember very well that time the things that were making me confused. First, most of my friends decided to enrol in ROTC because of the fun outdoor activities that were shown to us during the orientation. Also, our upperclassmen told us that it’s more fun in ROTC than in CWTS. However, I thought about the purpose of CWTS. I related its purpose to the purpose why I chose BS Biology in the first place. Civic Welfare Training service, or what we all know as CWTS, refers to the program component or activities contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and moral of the citizenry and other social welfare services. So as a Biology student, I chose CWTS because I, somehow, want to be of good service to the community. I also believed that the CWTS program would help me build up my aptitude and develop the proper mindset towards my chosen profession in the near future.

Reminiscing my CWTS experience from the beginning of the first semester until the near end of the second semester is one roller coaster ride – I enjoyed it, although I encountered some problems. “…if it’s hard for you to come on time, then be early.” I always have this in mind whenever we had our classroom session. I had to admit, I quite have a habit of being late because I’m not a cheetah when it comes to my morning rituals. I haven’t overcome that attitude yet completely so as what my mother always say, I should discipline myself. Things in life all don’t go my way so I have to shape up or ship out. I don’t remember much how many times I got late but for sure it wasn’t more than three. When we got late, that only meant that we had to stay outside the classroom and be marked absent. I felt really bad during my first but I had to accept it. So I thought, if you want to serve you have to be disciplined.

My most unforgettable experience for the whole year in CWTS would be the time we had our Confidence Building and Leadership Enhancement during the first semester. The Leadership Enhancement was fine because we just had to overcome a few obstacles as a team. However the Confidence Building was (I would describe as) explosive. Well it made my heart race so fast until it exploded (not literally). I had a fear of heights. I remember very well when I had to climb the ladder from the ground to the rooftop of the 3^rd floor library with no safety gear. I was literally shaking because I was scared I might fall while climbing because I had no safety gear with me. I didn’t know how many Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s I recited because I was nervous and I was scared. I remember when I was in halfway through the ladder when I couldn’t feel my arms and my legs were shaking so I hugged the ladder and rested for seconds. I looked down and saw how high I was even though I wasn’t. When I felt my arms were okay, I decided to continue while reciting my prayers. I felt my blood rushed all through my face and I could feel the heat. Then I felt safe when I reached the rooftop and was geared up with the safety equipment for going down. To be honest, I enjoyed the moment when I had to go down because I already had the safety measures I needed. When I was finished, I felt my hands shaking and sweating and in my mind I was laughing at myself. I was so scared and was scared of heights but I manage to overcome it. I felt brave in an instant. Then I thought, if you want to serve you must be brave.

Also, in the first semester, we had our Water Immersion Safety Exercise where we were somehow taught how to swim. The pool was 8-ft deep and I didn’t know how to swim. But when we were told to swim across the pool as a starter to test something, I was able to go across – maybe it was because of the adrenaline. I remember one of my group mates shouted and screamed because he was really scared he might die because he didn’t know how to swim. But afterwards, we were taught the basic. And fortunately, I learned how to float and to swim across with arms and legs in proper function.

One of the things that amazes me is the Filipino creativity. In the middle of the first semester, we attended a seminar on RE-Charge Tacloban which mainly focused on the consumption of solar energy and recycling scraps. We were introduced to certain gadgets that power on solar energy but what really amazed me was how scraps of metal were turned into presentable furniture. There was even a room there where the bed was made out of metal acquired from an old jeepney, and all the chair, tables, and the stairs itself where made from scrap metal. And it only took a creative Filipino to be an artist. And then I thought, if you want to serve you have to think beyond the surface.

During the second semester, we were taught how to ride a dragon boat. It was fun and it felt really nice to try something new. Also, we went to Palo, Leyte and had our group advocate against Global Warming and Climate Change. Most of our audiences were children aged from 5 to 17. It felt really good when I was able to teach them about Global Warming and Climate Change as they were actively participating. They were able to answer our questions and I saw how they were attentively listening. On my part, I did my best to keep my lecture interactive to keep them from getting bored. I do hope they were able to apply what they had learned so I could attest if I was able to communicate with them in one goal to save Mother Earth. After all, if I want to serve, I must communicate.

For our last activity, we went to Limasawa, Southern Leyte. For our first activity, we had our tree planting. But before we did that, we walked a few kilometres on a sloping mountain. It was indeed very tiresome not to imagine the ups and downs we went through under the heat of the sun, however, the struggle was all worth it when we were able to reach our destination. The unforgettable part was when we had to climb 450 steps because that’s where we’re supposed to plant trees.  And on top of it, we saw the cross that Magellan brought when he had the first mass of the Philippines in Limasawa. And that’s not just the best part of the mountain top. There we saw blue crystalline waters and the green trees and plants covering the land. We were also able to see nearby islands that were said to be the islands of Cebu and Surigao. The view was just breathtaking as you could also feel the gentle touch of the mountain breeze.  On the evening, we had a certain activity with some children in Limasawa. It was really fun because we were able to interact with the children and they were participating really well. The next morning, we headed to Dac-Dac Resort where we’re going to have our sem-ender for CWTS. Basically what we did was just enjoy, play, and eat.  At first I had doubts whether I’d enjoy the 2-day activity away from home because I wasn’t with my circle of friends, but I proved myself wrong. C-2 is not just a group in CWTS. C-2 is also family. In the 2-day activity, we proved ourselves that we’re more than just ordinary friends. We treated ourselves like siblings who would look after another and enjoy the days with each other. I also proved that I could also be comfortable with other people that I don’t meet much everyday. We were a team. A team who deeply serves like a team.

I really hope I could apply what I learned in CWTS for they are for my own good. I should apply these things in order for me to become a better person that would lead me to a better future and a better life. I know that one year would never be enough to say that I made a difference but I learned values that would help me develop my purpose for choosing what I wanted to do in the future. Also, next sem I wouldn’t be having NSTP anymore but that doesn’t mean that I should just stop there – there are still a lot of venues where I can commit myself in service despite the odds – where I could still apply the things that I learned. Have it carved in my life and never forget it.