Public service is my calling, GMA Kapuso Foundation's Mel Tiango says

Back when 24 Oras news anchor Carmela C. “Mel" Tiangco was working for the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), some Mangyan children asked her for assistance in building a school. Tiangco was shocked. She was unable to imagine the possibility that a place wouldn’t have its own school. But she didn’t waste time thinking about it. With the help of donors and her own savings, they were able to put up a school, the Executive Vice President of GMA Kapuso Foundation said during a press conference at a Quezon City restaurant.

The school was a simple affair — four walls, a roof, a blackboard — the bare necessities. Still, the Mangyan tribe was more than grateful, and it was then that Tiangco realized that public service was her calling. She wanted to serve, and serve she did, even after becoming one of the anchors of the Philippines’ top-rated primetime news program. While many individuals waste their energies whining and complaining, she looks for possible solutions to these challenges. But then again, not everyone has the clout to make things possible. Unless you’re Mel Tiangco of the GMA Kapuso Foundation. "Dito, pag sinabi ko, go agad (Here [at the foundation] whatever I say is immediately implemented)," she said. Of course, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are many instances where they are unable to help, and this, Tiangco says, is heartbreaking. While moving mountains refers to the numerous projects that Tiangco has seen through, she herself has gone on some arduous mountain climbs. Perhaps the most memorable was an eighteen-hour trip on foot to see the school that started it all. Panorama was doing a feature on education at the time, and had wanted to visit the Mangyan tribe's school. So Tiangco, who at that time was a reporter and a photographer from Manila Bulletin, set out on the long journey — crossing leech-infested rivers and braving a storm atop a plateau. "We reached the top, and all around us were all shades of green," she said. "We were jumping and romping about like little children. All of a sudden, there was a booming sound in the distance. Then we saw dark clouds approaching. We locked arms and knelt on the ground." She was unable to recall how long they endured the storm. Afterwards, they were soaking wet but received a warm welcome at the Mangyan village. "Napaka-“raw" ng culture. Napakagaling nilang mga tao (Their culture was raw and as a people, they were accomplished)," she said, her respect and awe for the tribe evident. "They were so disciplined. The huts were open, the women would go around topless, but there was no rape there, no crime," she said. "They were dirt poor, but they didn't want to send their kids to Manila. Family was more important." Tiangco has since returned to the school twice, and while this first project holds a special place in her heart, there are many others that she recalls. Girl with facial deformity gets free operation abroad One outstanding case she remembers involves a little girl who, despite have a massive facial deformity, was beautiful and vivacious. Tiangco recalled how they were able to send the girl and her mother abroad for a costly operation. The girl, who loved to perform, returned home with a new face — and a hundred dollars to boot. While going form consul to consul, the girl would be asked to sing and dance and she would get small amounts in return. Tiangco recalls that Armida Siguion-Reyna was one of the big donors for that cause, which was referred to the Foundation by the girl's maxillofacial surgeon. The operation had to be done elsewhere, as there were no facilities available in the Philippines. It was one of the more expensive cases, as the girl and her mother had to be provided with ample winter clothing as well as enough pocket money to survive during their stay there. Other cases are not as expensive. Two or three years ago, a nun from Palawan referred two strange cases to the Kapuso Foundation. The first involved a woman who could not retract her tongue for ten years, and the other, a woman whose stomach had been swollen for six years — to the point of her being immobile. Shunned by society, both women suffered in silence for years, their respective conditions made worse by rumors that they practiced witchcraft. Their respective situations were unchanged until the foundation stepped in. All it took was some pills and an operation for both women and the two were back to leading normal lives. "Sometimes it takes so little to make a big difference," said Tiangco. She explains that the foundation is made up of just twenty people. But the foundation's manpower is volunteerism-based, according to Executive Director Manuel Dela Fuente. "Yung mga nagkukusang-loob na pumunta, sila ang tumutulong sa amin para tumulong sa iba (These volunteers help us to help others)," he said. Tiangco also dispelled rumors, saying she has no intentions of getting involved in politics. She mentions that a lot of politicians can only be seen helping others during election season. She sees no need for this, since she is already in a position where she can get things done. Asked why she continues to serve the public, she says quickly, "I love it. It's my calling. 'Di naman ako puwede mag madre na (I can no longer be a nun)," she laughs. Choosing their battles Tiangco says the foundation prioritizes cases depending on its urgency. The proverb about teaching a man to fish instead of giving the man a fish holds true, she says, but she prefers to focus on immediate goals. "Mas maganda nga yun (What the proverb says may be true), but there are a lot of problems that cannot wait," she said. She also says that she would want people to be fairer to the poor. She says that while she does pray, for the country, the politicians, that people will see the wisdom in helping other people, she finds that work is a better option. "My work in public service is my prayer. Sacrifice is the best form of prayer," she said. She also says that the foundation does not turn away volunteers. "We need all the help we can get," she said. Moreover, Tiangco says you can tell when the person is truly sincere, or just helping out for the photo opportunity. "You have to have it in you," she says. Not only are there two-faced volunteers, there are also some opportunistic con-artists who come to the foundation asking for help they don't really need. Tiangco says that sometimes, people would come in asking for medicine for a sick child, but the prescription is for an aged person. Tiangco explains that supporting the Foundation is a good way to help others, as it is a legitimate foundation and you can be sure that whatever you donate — whether in cash or kind — will go to the right beneficiaries. To avoid getting conned, the Kapuso Foundation plans its monthly projects in line with the Department of Health awareness themes. Singular cases are only rarely taken care of now. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV