As Filipinos go about their daily routine here in the UAE, a majority of them only have one simple goal – and that is to support their families and loved ones back home. This is why admirable and sincere generous souls manage to stand out from the rest as they initiate causes that go beyond their obligations as they assist the less fortunate.
For CITIZEN’s ‘Better Starts Now’ Pinay finalist Corazon Tarcena, it’s that drive to transform other people’s old and used belongings into gifts that the less fortunate would surely benefit from. This, aside from the affordable items that she buys from her own pocket to ship to the Philippines every December in time for the Christmas season.
‘Your old, my gold’
Tarcena shares that she realized that many expats have been disposing old yet still salvageable items in the garbage bin which to her were treasures waiting to be found. “In 2006, I saw some old computer parts thrown and without hesitation I gathered some small parts and brought them with me.
Back then Tarcena was reminded of her school in the Philippines that still used ‘cardboards’ to describe computer parts: “Our school at Paluan National High School, Paluan Occidental Mindoro was using cardboard that time to familiarizee our students with computer parts – and here I saw around 3 pieces of keyboards and mouse thrown at the bin.”
The OFW resident of 13 years in Dubai then decided to share her story at a publication here in the UAE to which she got a surprising response. “I was bombarded of calls the following day from people willing to give their old computers,” said Tarcena.
Her initiative was instrumental as the school managed to get 3 old units of computers in 2006, which was then followed by an initiative of the government nine years later in 2015 with 15 new units of computers for the school.
‘Better Starts Now’
Fast forward to the present, Tarcena has been consistently sending out packages yearly – and while not . “Every month of December or April I normally send three LBC boxes of old clothes from my own pocket. I am afraid to ask for this initiative as it requires permit or a license from UAE government. So I paid for everything from my own pocket. I already have 1 box full with me. The other day I already started with the second box as I bought a few shirts,” shares Tarcena.
When she heard about CITIZEN’s ‘Better Starts Now’ initiative, she decided to continue sharing her story in her hopes to inspire fellow Filipinos to do the same. “I heard about the initiative as I was reading my weekly copy of The Filipino Times, and I even saw their invitation to participate online! The journey in sharing my story with CITIZEN has been amazing and nothing short of wonderful,” beamed Tarcena.
Never too poor to give
Tarcena’s humility and heart of giving continues to shine as even if she’s got a limited budget, she continues to help less fortunate Filipinos both here in the UAE and especially those back home, to rise on their own two feet and spread the positive message of helping each other: “I realized that, even if you’re not wealthy, even if you think that you are also in need, you will get inspired from that unique feeling of abundance if you share. If it’s in your heart to genuinely assist the less fortunate people to draw a sincere smile on their faces despite their hardships, you will not get tired of what you’re doing.”
