This story is based in the interview that the writer had in the deployment at one of the provinces in the Philippines. Furthermore, the names used in the story is made by the author's imagination to hide the true identity of the characters.

LIGHTEN THE GROWING CLOVER

“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity” a statement imprinted in the welcome ark of Brgy. Bacolod, Irosin Sorsogon only a block away on the house where I stay. This line caught my attention when I was killing my time in the terrace only sitting, and an idea came out about it and I suddenly asked why? When  I have a thought to answer my question yet my friend called me downstairs inviting me to go out and I instantly followed her. Along with her is Ms. Bituin our host organization coordinator. Ms. Bituin is a biology graduate in UPLB. She is a daughter of a government employee and a councilor of Irosin.  She grew with a very supportive family. She can obtain anything she wanted for she is their favorite and unica ija. She is always on the line up of outstanding student upto college. She is blessed with all. She is known because of such charisma and appeal in their town. She always smile and easy to talk with. She knows everyone in the town even children. If she will run for some position I think she can have it.

When we are waiting in the plaza for our interviewee, group of parents waved a hand on Ms. Bituin and smiled while passing the street. When Mrs. Olbes  arrived also a smile welcomed us. Mrs. Olbes is a business woman, a nurse in profession and a mother of 4 kids.  She is the PTA President of ICDC ( Our Children's School). She sent her all  four kids in ICDC and she felt escape and free. Mrs. Olbes is very thankful to Ms. Bituin.

Ms. Bituin while walking towards the school she passed a middle age woman playing bingo then a dejavu is flashing her back. That time was 20years ago, a  woman (cobrador) holding a jueteng bet of P1000 and shouting for more bets. Jueteng is an illegal number game. It was famous when former Presidents E and A received millions of jueteng money allegedy.   Although illegal, it is a widely popular game with participation played by rich and poor alike. With long odds and no limits on minimum or maximum bets, the lure of quick riches through a lucrative payout is by far its strongest appeal. Women are the majority of the players and bettors who become role model of their growing children. Consequently resulted to poverty, malnutrition, crimes, miseducation, unemployment and the others which became a major problem of the town.

As a call for women development and self-directing community, Ms. Bituin and other active working and non-working women created an organization that brought up the voice and capacity of women for development work they subsequently formed themselves into a now known Malaya Ka, Inc. Malayang Lapian ng mga Kababaihan, Inc. (MALAYA KA).The organization starts to implement livelihood development trainings and information drive discussions focuses on women, youth and children. That these sector will achieve and enjoy strong and autonomous women organization, viable development centers, functional barangay and/or municipal committees, effective delivery of services including education, health nutrition and livelihood, and efficient management of institutional resources.