We Did It Again!
Hello everyone. It’s been a long time since I last posted here. Kumusta? I hope you all had a great time celebrating Christmas and welcoming 2010. As for me, my over two months of silence was dotted with happy and sad events—Pens of Hope distribution, a cousin’s wedding, a family reunion, a friend’s death, an aunt’s terminal illness—all of which have reminded me of God’s precious love, the significance of family ties, and the value of each day that passes our lives.
For today, I am posting about the Pens of Hope distribution which happened before Christmas. This is long overdue, I know. But I want to share with you this happy event. The pens and pencils you sent to Pens of Hope did not fail to paint smiles on the faces of 100 children in Mapanas, a small sleepy town lying on the coast of the Philippine Sea. For this distribution, I was assisted by some kind-hearted people.
From Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar, we had to ride a fully-loaded jeepney going to the town of Laoang. The trip lasted an hour and 30 minutes.
From Laoang, we traveled for 30 minutes going to the town of Palapag on one of these motorized bancas going to the town of Palapag.
From Palapag, we took another jeepney going to Mapanas. The almost two-hour trip was challenging because of pot-holed, uncemented, and muddy roads. But I am happy because contrary to my last trip to Mapanas a few years ago, there are concrete roads already. Hindi pa nga lang buong route.
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It was drizzling when we arrived in Mapanas and we had to wait for the drizzle to stop before we could start. We had school-based distributions in the past so we decided to do something different this time. We did a community-based contribution. Inspired by the first distribution of Pens of Hope in Davao, we started with some fun games which the children really enjoyed.
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The trip to Mapanas was tiring but these happy faces are worth it 
I hope you’ll take time to look at the pictures and see how happy you made these children with the pens and pencils you have sent to Pens of Hope.
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I would like too thank you once again for the support you are extending to Pens of Hope. We did it again, we made more children smile! Big, big thanks also to the Organization of Young Filipino Americans of the University of Virginia through Ms. Christine Quilpa and Ms. Claire Cororaton. They held a fundraising event so they could send pencils to the children of Northern Samar.
Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! God bless you for your kind heart.
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There are still a lot of pencils available but I will have to wait until June (start of classes) for the next distribution. This is due to the following reasons:
1. the school year is about to end; and
2. the election campaign period is about to start and I don’t like Pens of Hope to be associated with any campaign gimmicks.
miss n, it was a long trip but i’m sure it was worth it.
hats off! 
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maybe this time makacontribute na ako sa pens of hope… gudluck and more power.. happy new year
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galing!
sana sa susunod na distribution makapunta ako dyan
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Ang haba ng byahe pero pagnakita mo na ang mga bata na sobrang saya mwawala ang lahat ng pagod
sana minsan makasama ako 
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andameng bata…galeng galeng Ms. N:D
anghaba ng trip but i know for sure worth it ang naging byahe na yun, kitang kita sa mga larawan:D
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Hey! I missed you and your entry!
Di ko pa napadala yung package ko. Pero tama ka nga, sa June na lang ulit magdistribute. Baka mapulitika pa.
Tama ba yung nakkita ko sa jeep? May Nortehanon na nakasulat? O mark mo lang yun?
BTW, my condolences…
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salamat for sharing the pictures and joy of the children…it is indeed a refreshing and spirit-filled start for all of us in 2010…..
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miss n, ibang klaseng adventure naman to..at syempre ang sarap panoorin yong picture ng mga bata. and dami mong napapasaya miss n.
sana maging masmakulay pa ang iyong 2010.
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congrats on this effort
ang sarap ng pakiramdam pag nakakita ng mga batang talagang napasaya ng iyong simple pero dakilang adhikain.
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hi there , thanks for the visit sa blog kow., omg what a coincidence (tama ba spelling?lols) , eto checking your blog, nakita ko ung pencil and pens mo na project , actually me and friends are into thesame project for the children in northern part of negros hahaha, kaya lang magssimula palang kami these year and eto im doing the posters .lols. by the way congrats! good job!sana madami pa tayo na makakhelp sa ibang mga bata.keep it up!
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Congrats…Maraming salamat sayo…marami kang natulungan…Isa na ako don…GOD BLESS YOU Always…^_^
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congrats! as always you’ve been a blessing to others ah. galing-galing.
happy new year!
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My condolence on losing your friend and prayers for your aunt.
I must agree with you …kung ganitong kasasayang mga mukha ang makikita mo matapos ng mahabang byahe, all worth it naman talaga!
Kudos to you , your group for your good work.
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congrats on your successful distribution… and my hug for you sa mga not so good events…
ingat ka lagi
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Mission Accomplished Miss N…Congrats!
God Bless.
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wow, naibigay na din ang mga pens of hope. 1 taon din natin yan kinampanya sa mga blog natin. Nakakatuwa naman makita yung mga faces nila, talagang masaya sila sa mga natanggap bila. maliit man ito, nagsisimbulo ito ng PAGASA. salamat nortehanon for making this project possible.
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it sounded quite a long trip. but seeing the faces of the children must have made it worth it!
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Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year sa ‘yo.
Nakakatuwa talaga ang project mo – - and the faces of the children are priceless!
You are one angel nortehanon… keep up the good work!
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sayang di na naman ako nakasabay…
dumaan pala kayo sa Palapag… sana makasabay na ako sa inyo.
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great job! keep it up. proud of you!
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Hats off to you Miss N!!!
Thank you for sharing those smiles with us… You can expect support from me for the next distribution…
God bless you more, kind soul!
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Congratulations again for a job well done Ms. N
… More power!
Look at the smile in their face
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Sana magkaroon ako ng maraming pera para makapag donate ako sa pens of hope! Sa ngayon, the only contribution I can do is putting it’s thumbnail on my site. God bless you Miss N! You inspire me
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Great advocacy for a hopeful Philippines. Be blessed always ma’am! Let those pens bring hope to our countryme!.
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Pong Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Thanks for dropping by sa blog ko po. Everything you said is appreciated for the Glory of God.
Nilagay ko po kayo sa link ko kahit hindi pa po ako nagpapaalam sa inyo.
Great woman like you deserve blessings and long life from the Lord. May our good Lord bless all the works of your hands and may you always give light and hope to every footprints you are leaving to the lives whom you dearly love, lalu na po sa mga kabataang tinutulungan nyo.
Thanks mam
Be blessed!
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nortehanon Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Hi Pong,
Salamat din sa pagbisita mo. Sorry it took time before I could approve your previous comment. Maraming salamat din for your kind words at sa pag link sa akin. It is very much appreciated. No need na magpaalam
Be blessed, too!
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Pong Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Wala pong problema yun, habang naghihintay naman po akong i-approve nyo ang comment ko ay na-inspire at na-encourage po ako sa mga post nyo.
Thanks po and God’s blessings be upon you… as always!
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Hello anak,
Naipadala ko rin sa wakas ang mga lapis na binili ko – - nung Christmas pa na-ka istambay sa bahay ito.
Yesterday, I wrapped it up and sent it via Post. You should have it soon (hopefully and God-willing).
Cheers! This may be the project that would help define you. Job well done!
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