STORY 1 (First of a series of testimonies from former patients at the Center. We changed the names and other minor details to protect their privacy.)
LOOK TO THIS DAY
I am Victor, and I can say I am now a fully reformed man.
I was 28 years old then, single, father of a ten year old girl, jobless, High School graduate, and ..... a drug dependent.
My parents separated when I was seven years old. My father went to live in a place not very far from us and had another family. My mother went to the U.S. with my younger sister where they stayed for many years until they became U.S. citizens.
I lived with my aunt, my mother's older sister who cared for me like her own son; she with three children of her own. My aunt and her husband are respected businessmen and have an active social life in the community. We were mostly left to the care of their housemaids. Their children, my cousins, went on to college after high school. I was enrolled in college but didn't last long. I was with my own barkada most of the time and did not even finish the first semester.
I made friends with the wrong crowd while in high school. Without my aunt's knowledge, I ventured into alcohol and drugs (marijuana and cough syrups) and of course cigarettes while in second year high school. When I was supposed to be in college, I was already hooked on shabu. I became a glib and would easily convince my aunt everytime I asked for money. Eventually she learned I was no longer attending school. All sorts of exhortations and pleas were given me, but I was totally deaf. In those days I cared for nothing save my own pleasure and enjoyment. It never entered my head how my mother worked long hours in a foreign land to give me a good fortune. I just thought then it was my due and privilege to receive substantial allowance every month and it was no one's concern what I do with it.
I got involved with minor brawls and mischief in town and my aunt got concerned when she learned I was going around with notorious elements. She and my uncle decided to get supply of shabu by themselves to keep me from going out with disreputable characters. They took my source's address and bought weekly supplies for me. She also made me stay home and allowed only to go out to accompany her to work where I had to stay in the office. Eventually, her Cashier, a young married woman five years my senior, became my girlfriend. It was more than eight months before my aunt discovered the relationship.
My aunt was really at the end of her patience where I was concerned. A close friend advised her to consider rehabilitation and she asked information. We discussed it and she convinced me how I needed it. She lost no time arranging for my admission at the new Nueva Ecija Rehabilitation, Training and Research Center before it was even blessed and opened officially.
I found a place I could call "Home" at the Center. I learned to examine my life and how I found it wanting. I recognized my various weaknesses. It was at the Center where I found peace and a chance for spiritual strengthening. I put all my efforts and energy into making my life worthwhile. I listened to my co-patients' problems and realized I am more fortunate than most of the others.
And then I found new love at the Center. I fell in love with my Nurse! How I appreciated her concern and geniune care for her patients. I kept my feelings to myself for a long time, but my fellow patients took notice. Later I could no longer keep it to myself and finally revealed my true feelings to her. This time it was for real. She reciprocated but she was honest enough to report to management and she resigned from work. She was full of promise and loving advice when she left the Center for good.
I continued my program diligently and finished on the designated time. My aunt was really full of hope and joy when she finally fetched me. I stayed home with her for a while and visited my loving Nurse regularly. I was accepted by her family and she became my light and inspiration as I lead a new life away from the Center.
We are now married and have a daughter.
LOOK TO THIS DAY
I am Victor, and I can say I am now a fully reformed man.
I was 28 years old then, single, father of a ten year old girl, jobless, High School graduate, and ..... a drug dependent.
My parents separated when I was seven years old. My father went to live in a place not very far from us and had another family. My mother went to the U.S. with my younger sister where they stayed for many years until they became U.S. citizens.
I lived with my aunt, my mother's older sister who cared for me like her own son; she with three children of her own. My aunt and her husband are respected businessmen and have an active social life in the community. We were mostly left to the care of their housemaids. Their children, my cousins, went on to college after high school. I was enrolled in college but didn't last long. I was with my own barkada most of the time and did not even finish the first semester.
I made friends with the wrong crowd while in high school. Without my aunt's knowledge, I ventured into alcohol and drugs (marijuana and cough syrups) and of course cigarettes while in second year high school. When I was supposed to be in college, I was already hooked on shabu. I became a glib and would easily convince my aunt everytime I asked for money. Eventually she learned I was no longer attending school. All sorts of exhortations and pleas were given me, but I was totally deaf. In those days I cared for nothing save my own pleasure and enjoyment. It never entered my head how my mother worked long hours in a foreign land to give me a good fortune. I just thought then it was my due and privilege to receive substantial allowance every month and it was no one's concern what I do with it.
I got involved with minor brawls and mischief in town and my aunt got concerned when she learned I was going around with notorious elements. She and my uncle decided to get supply of shabu by themselves to keep me from going out with disreputable characters. They took my source's address and bought weekly supplies for me. She also made me stay home and allowed only to go out to accompany her to work where I had to stay in the office. Eventually, her Cashier, a young married woman five years my senior, became my girlfriend. It was more than eight months before my aunt discovered the relationship.
My aunt was really at the end of her patience where I was concerned. A close friend advised her to consider rehabilitation and she asked information. We discussed it and she convinced me how I needed it. She lost no time arranging for my admission at the new Nueva Ecija Rehabilitation, Training and Research Center before it was even blessed and opened officially.
I found a place I could call "Home" at the Center. I learned to examine my life and how I found it wanting. I recognized my various weaknesses. It was at the Center where I found peace and a chance for spiritual strengthening. I put all my efforts and energy into making my life worthwhile. I listened to my co-patients' problems and realized I am more fortunate than most of the others.
And then I found new love at the Center. I fell in love with my Nurse! How I appreciated her concern and geniune care for her patients. I kept my feelings to myself for a long time, but my fellow patients took notice. Later I could no longer keep it to myself and finally revealed my true feelings to her. This time it was for real. She reciprocated but she was honest enough to report to management and she resigned from work. She was full of promise and loving advice when she left the Center for good.
I continued my program diligently and finished on the designated time. My aunt was really full of hope and joy when she finally fetched me. I stayed home with her for a while and visited my loving Nurse regularly. I was accepted by her family and she became my light and inspiration as I lead a new life away from the Center.
We are now married and have a daughter.
Story 2: The following is a personal testimony shared with participants of the YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT of 2009 held at Fort Magsaysay from May 6 to 8, 2009 with the theme "Youth of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow".
This is the story of ONG who himself gave permission to print here in our site in the hope it would inform and guide readers.
YESTERDAY IS BUT A DREAM
Gusto kong ibahagi sa inyong mga kabataan at sa mga magulang na rin na nandito ang konti at ang masalimoot kong buhay na dahil sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Ako po ay tagarito sa Nueva Ecija, masasabi ko pong galing ako sa matinong pamilya at sabi nga ako ay sinubok ng kapalaran.
Nagsimula akong matuto ng bisyo ng kabataan ko, tulad nyo high school pa lang ako. Taong 1986 ako nagumpisa ng dahil sa ayaan ng barkada, at ang akala kong masaya at maganda naming samahan ay nauwi na pala sa pagiging "hook" ko sa drugs. Dito na nagsimulang masira ang pagaaral ko, nawala ang ambisyon ko na magaral ng kolehiyo. Matagal ako sa bisyo hanggang sa makilala ko ang aking maging Mrs. Natigil naman ang bisyo ko ng 1989, nagkaroon kami ng maliit na negosyo sa Maynila at naging masaya ang buhay ng pamilya ko. Naging apat ang anak namin, maganda at maayos na sana ang buhay namin kundi ako muling nagpatukso sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. 1997 yun, dito na nagsimula ang mas pangit na buhay ko - araw-araw bisyo ang hinarap ko. Napabayaan ko ang pamilya ko, ang trabaho ko, at pati na rin ang negosyo namin hanggang tuluyan na namin itong isinara. Inuwi kami sa Batangas sa bayan ni misis. Ayun, natigil na naman ang bisyo ko. Dahil din siguro hinahanap ko yung "drugs", hindi pa kami nagtatagal sa Batangas ay nabalik na ulit ang bisyo ko. Nagpatuloy ito, lagi kami nag-aaway. Apektado ang mga anak syempre, hanggang tuluyan kaming nagkahiwalay. Umuwi ako dito sa Nueva Ecija. Tuloy-tuloy na araw-araw akong bangag sa drugs. Nanloloko ako ng tao, nagnanakaw hanggang sa makulong.
Napakaliit ng mundong aking ginagalawan. Nang makalabas ako patuloy pa din ako sa paggamit nito, at natigil na ang madilim kong buhay nang ipasok nga ako sa Rehabilitation Center. Dito nagsimula nang mabago ang ikot ng buhay ko sa tulong ni Dra. Vision at lahat ng nakasama kong staff. Napagbago nila ako - hindi ako makakaharap sa inyo ngayon kung wala sila.
Kaya ako nandito sa harap niyo para manawagan na mamili kayo ng mga kaibigan na alam niyong hindi kayo ipapahamak. Napakasarap mamuhay nang payapa at malayo sa bisyo na alam kong sisira sa buhay niyo. Sa mga magulang na nandito, gabayan natin ang ating mga anak.
Sa ngayon ako ay kasalukuyang bumabangon sa tinuring kong bangungot ng buhay ko. Salamat siyempre kay "BRO" dahil binigyan Niya ako ng isa pang pagkakataon. Salamat sa lahat ng mga taong tumulong sa aking bumangon. Salamat sa inyong pakikinig. Sana po kahit paano ay may natutunan kayo na huwag na kayong mag-attempt na tumikim ng "drugs". Maraming salamat at God bless sa ating lahat!
This is the story of ONG who himself gave permission to print here in our site in the hope it would inform and guide readers.
YESTERDAY IS BUT A DREAM
Gusto kong ibahagi sa inyong mga kabataan at sa mga magulang na rin na nandito ang konti at ang masalimoot kong buhay na dahil sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Ako po ay tagarito sa Nueva Ecija, masasabi ko pong galing ako sa matinong pamilya at sabi nga ako ay sinubok ng kapalaran.
Nagsimula akong matuto ng bisyo ng kabataan ko, tulad nyo high school pa lang ako. Taong 1986 ako nagumpisa ng dahil sa ayaan ng barkada, at ang akala kong masaya at maganda naming samahan ay nauwi na pala sa pagiging "hook" ko sa drugs. Dito na nagsimulang masira ang pagaaral ko, nawala ang ambisyon ko na magaral ng kolehiyo. Matagal ako sa bisyo hanggang sa makilala ko ang aking maging Mrs. Natigil naman ang bisyo ko ng 1989, nagkaroon kami ng maliit na negosyo sa Maynila at naging masaya ang buhay ng pamilya ko. Naging apat ang anak namin, maganda at maayos na sana ang buhay namin kundi ako muling nagpatukso sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. 1997 yun, dito na nagsimula ang mas pangit na buhay ko - araw-araw bisyo ang hinarap ko. Napabayaan ko ang pamilya ko, ang trabaho ko, at pati na rin ang negosyo namin hanggang tuluyan na namin itong isinara. Inuwi kami sa Batangas sa bayan ni misis. Ayun, natigil na naman ang bisyo ko. Dahil din siguro hinahanap ko yung "drugs", hindi pa kami nagtatagal sa Batangas ay nabalik na ulit ang bisyo ko. Nagpatuloy ito, lagi kami nag-aaway. Apektado ang mga anak syempre, hanggang tuluyan kaming nagkahiwalay. Umuwi ako dito sa Nueva Ecija. Tuloy-tuloy na araw-araw akong bangag sa drugs. Nanloloko ako ng tao, nagnanakaw hanggang sa makulong.
Napakaliit ng mundong aking ginagalawan. Nang makalabas ako patuloy pa din ako sa paggamit nito, at natigil na ang madilim kong buhay nang ipasok nga ako sa Rehabilitation Center. Dito nagsimula nang mabago ang ikot ng buhay ko sa tulong ni Dra. Vision at lahat ng nakasama kong staff. Napagbago nila ako - hindi ako makakaharap sa inyo ngayon kung wala sila.
Kaya ako nandito sa harap niyo para manawagan na mamili kayo ng mga kaibigan na alam niyong hindi kayo ipapahamak. Napakasarap mamuhay nang payapa at malayo sa bisyo na alam kong sisira sa buhay niyo. Sa mga magulang na nandito, gabayan natin ang ating mga anak.
Sa ngayon ako ay kasalukuyang bumabangon sa tinuring kong bangungot ng buhay ko. Salamat siyempre kay "BRO" dahil binigyan Niya ako ng isa pang pagkakataon. Salamat sa lahat ng mga taong tumulong sa aking bumangon. Salamat sa inyong pakikinig. Sana po kahit paano ay may natutunan kayo na huwag na kayong mag-attempt na tumikim ng "drugs". Maraming salamat at God bless sa ating lahat!
Story 3. THIS IS LIFE (a true story of a graduate of Hilltop Home)
by : Lorna P.
We grew up in a farm, my 3 sisters and our youngest brother. I am the eldest. I was in High School when father died. Mother decided to move to the city and open a small business. The new life was exciting and busy for all of us. I went on to college, chose a short course, Midwifery, so I could get a job at once.
This is my story . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I am Lorna. I was barely eighteen when I first worked and had a regular job. My ambition in life then was to get rich immediately. I hated the humdrum life in the country and was greatly relieved when we transferred to the city. I loved the city night life and had a group of friends to enjoy it with. I also met and married a man whom I thought would fulfill all my dreams. My Prince Charming was all charms but was only a regular wage earner. At age twenty two I had three children. Then I started to see myself as re-living my Mother's own boring life, unexciting. I became uncontented with what I had, often nagging my husband for things we did not have. I started reconnecting with my old friends and would leave my children to Mother's care. It became a source of discord with my husband, we often quarreled over small and unimportant matters. We reached the point of no return and we parted ways. It was at this time that I shared occasional use of shabu with my friends. Our children lived with me but were free to visit with their father. I decided to work abroad and applied for a position in a Middle East Hospital where luckily I was accepted. After four years and a modest savings, I thought it was time to return and stay home. I also thought my children and I should live together again.
My sisters and I decided to open a Fast Food eatery in the city commercial district. It made brisk business but one night a tragic event happened which changed all our lives forever. It was closing time and we were making ready for next day's business but three customers were having some heated discussion at one table. My brother approached them to inform it was closing time but one fellow felt insulted and shouted vindictive at him. At the same time he took out a sharp knife and stabbed my brother viciously and fatally. It all happened so fast, a horrendous nightmare, brutal and senseless! The criminal was never caught.
I loved my brother, I felt then how cruel Fate was to us. God did not seem to care. My old friends came to give me comfort. Soon we started going out again and shabu was there all the time. To me it lessened my pain. The more I used shabu the longer it numbed my pain. I became a heavy user. My elderly Mother and sisters all helped to care for my children, so with their father who had another family. My oldest daughter was also married by then and had a baby. My own life, which was being wrecked by regular shabu use, went on for four more years. All my savings, livelihood and more, vanished. Finally, our eldest sister came home from abroad and made a decision, she forcibly brought me to the Nueva Ecija Rehabilitation, Training and Research Center.
At first I was very uncooperative but the Center Staff and old patients made room for me. It took more than one month before I was finally convinced that the Center could give me hope to find a new and better life. I started to pray again. I read the Holy Bible constantly and found comfort in Jesus' message. I listened to other people's problems too. I became an active participant in all Center activities and enjoyed it- exercise, singing, dancing, cooking, painting, etc. except gardening. I begged off because direct sunlight would harm my sensitive, rosy cheeks! I have a mestiza complexion which got coarse and ugly with chronic shabu use. I and everyone else noticed how my skin bloomed at the Center, maybe because of fresh air, balanced diet and regular sleep plus of course an inner spiritual peace. I finished my program and it was an emotional and wrenching feeling when at last I left the Center. I vowed that I shall put all effort to build my life and not destroy it again with drugs.
I returned to the Middle East and I visit my family regularly and more often. I have also visited the Center and renew ties with my old friends, the Center Staff. I hold a regular job in a hospital but I also found an Import-Export cosmetic line ( i am the personal model), which is my secondary and well-paying job. I earn well in both endeavors and I have become a happy person again. Thank you LORD !
by : Lorna P.
We grew up in a farm, my 3 sisters and our youngest brother. I am the eldest. I was in High School when father died. Mother decided to move to the city and open a small business. The new life was exciting and busy for all of us. I went on to college, chose a short course, Midwifery, so I could get a job at once.
This is my story . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I am Lorna. I was barely eighteen when I first worked and had a regular job. My ambition in life then was to get rich immediately. I hated the humdrum life in the country and was greatly relieved when we transferred to the city. I loved the city night life and had a group of friends to enjoy it with. I also met and married a man whom I thought would fulfill all my dreams. My Prince Charming was all charms but was only a regular wage earner. At age twenty two I had three children. Then I started to see myself as re-living my Mother's own boring life, unexciting. I became uncontented with what I had, often nagging my husband for things we did not have. I started reconnecting with my old friends and would leave my children to Mother's care. It became a source of discord with my husband, we often quarreled over small and unimportant matters. We reached the point of no return and we parted ways. It was at this time that I shared occasional use of shabu with my friends. Our children lived with me but were free to visit with their father. I decided to work abroad and applied for a position in a Middle East Hospital where luckily I was accepted. After four years and a modest savings, I thought it was time to return and stay home. I also thought my children and I should live together again.
My sisters and I decided to open a Fast Food eatery in the city commercial district. It made brisk business but one night a tragic event happened which changed all our lives forever. It was closing time and we were making ready for next day's business but three customers were having some heated discussion at one table. My brother approached them to inform it was closing time but one fellow felt insulted and shouted vindictive at him. At the same time he took out a sharp knife and stabbed my brother viciously and fatally. It all happened so fast, a horrendous nightmare, brutal and senseless! The criminal was never caught.
I loved my brother, I felt then how cruel Fate was to us. God did not seem to care. My old friends came to give me comfort. Soon we started going out again and shabu was there all the time. To me it lessened my pain. The more I used shabu the longer it numbed my pain. I became a heavy user. My elderly Mother and sisters all helped to care for my children, so with their father who had another family. My oldest daughter was also married by then and had a baby. My own life, which was being wrecked by regular shabu use, went on for four more years. All my savings, livelihood and more, vanished. Finally, our eldest sister came home from abroad and made a decision, she forcibly brought me to the Nueva Ecija Rehabilitation, Training and Research Center.
At first I was very uncooperative but the Center Staff and old patients made room for me. It took more than one month before I was finally convinced that the Center could give me hope to find a new and better life. I started to pray again. I read the Holy Bible constantly and found comfort in Jesus' message. I listened to other people's problems too. I became an active participant in all Center activities and enjoyed it- exercise, singing, dancing, cooking, painting, etc. except gardening. I begged off because direct sunlight would harm my sensitive, rosy cheeks! I have a mestiza complexion which got coarse and ugly with chronic shabu use. I and everyone else noticed how my skin bloomed at the Center, maybe because of fresh air, balanced diet and regular sleep plus of course an inner spiritual peace. I finished my program and it was an emotional and wrenching feeling when at last I left the Center. I vowed that I shall put all effort to build my life and not destroy it again with drugs.
I returned to the Middle East and I visit my family regularly and more often. I have also visited the Center and renew ties with my old friends, the Center Staff. I hold a regular job in a hospital but I also found an Import-Export cosmetic line ( i am the personal model), which is my secondary and well-paying job. I earn well in both endeavors and I have become a happy person again. Thank you LORD !
