Welcoming us with the vibes of Christmas, the baranggay hall of Baranggay Barangka has one of its famous giant christmas tree already set up in front of the office. However, it is not the only thing that the baranggay has taken pride of. One of the sixteen barangays in Marikina City, Barangka is one of the oldest barangay in the city. In fact, it was the first place in Marikina that has been discovered by the Augustinians. They arrived in the zone named chorrillo (now a street called Chorillo) where they found a small stream. Afterwards, Jesuits came and found the place now called Jesus dela Peña (means Jesus of Rocks). In these places, members of the Society of Jesus established a parish named Mariquina. Moreover, early citizens of Marikina mostly settled in this barangay since it is along the riverbanks where they can get a livelihood. The name "Barangka" came from Spanish word for canyon, "barranca," which means paahon or steep or ravine. 

Paula (left) and Allyssa (right) 

in front of the Barangay Hall of Barangka

(c) Bernadette Sison and Allyssa Laconico

In this barangay, there are seven puroks that comprises it namely: 

1. Ateneo Housing
2. Chorillo
3. Dela Costa Homes (DLCH)
4. Loyola Residence Civic Organization (L.R.C.O.)
5.  Loyola Subdivision
6. Tuazon, and
7.  Urban Bliss (UBB)

These areas has been blessed to be recipients of the numerous social services and programs that the baranggay officials are conducting and implementing with Kapitan Efren "Bulik" Managuit as their spearhead and his seven kagawads in his assistance.

Fortunately, last November 23, 2017, we were lucky enough to hitch an appointment with barangay captain and two of Kagawads in order for us to conduct an interview. When we arrived, we were greeted by the accomodating officials especially the captain. Kapitan Efren or Kapt. Bulik, as many Barangkeños called him, has been the baranggay captain for three terms or roughly ten years. Kgwd. Boyet Mascariña and Kgwd. Ronnie Tiburcio, on the other hand, are both on their second term as kagawad. They have been in service for about six years and still plans to continue serving the residents of Barangka by running as kagawad and captain, respectively, in the upcoming local elections.

Kgwd. Boyet Mascariña (first from the left) and Kgwd. Ronnie Tiburcio (first from the right) spared their time to answer the questions of the students from St. Scholastica's
Academy- Marikina.  (c) Allyssa Laconico

Through the proper guidance and support of the City Council and the City Hall of Marikina City, Barangay Barangka takes its initiative to provide the constituents’ needs through various “barangay-level social services and programs”. Specifically, they aim to serve all people regardless of their background, age, gender, culture, race, religion, status, and most importantly, their problem, crises, and issues. To make it more concrete, these are just some of the most prominent social services they offer:

Arroz Caldo and a juice prepared for the kids
in the community. (c)Jed Gadon

Barangay Barangka aspires to combat the problem of malnourishment within their community. With this, they perform feeding programs frequently, targeting the children in the poor communities who, at the same time, are underweight. This program is usually present in the urban poor community, puroks, and even in public schools.

Barangay Barangka gives due importance to the youth and their capability of bringing a much brighter future for the community. Given this, they design programs for the teenagers to even more hone their intelligence, capabilities, and talents. Specifically, they consistently execute the program called “Youth Task Force” mainly comprised of the Sports enhancement. This sports enhancement program does not simply allow the teens to participate in different sports, but to also develop good characteristics like unity, camaraderie, and productivity. Through this activity, the administration also aims to reduce the possibility of the youth engaging in juvenile crime and negligence.

Members of the Team Barangka: Inter Barangay (c)Rain Escuadro

Part of Barangay Barangka’s effort is to allow their constituent to practice their right to participate and be involved and empowered as individuals. Herewith, street dance is supposedly an annual competition held to encourage the people to show their skills and talents. Surprisingly, this event does not seem to be a competition because winning the trophy and cash price is not what really matters to them, but rather, it is the act of uniting, cooperating, and collaborating to produce a community as one.

Purok Tuazon shows off their admirable moves as they venerate Santo Niño with their Sinulog Dance. (c) Paula Arganda

Considering the geographical location of Barangka, the West Valley Fault is evidently present in the vicinity of their barangay. The administration assures that the people are well-educated of what to do in case of an earthquake. Specifically, they equip the people with knowledge and skills by providing them the necessary information dissemination, symposium, and earthquake drill.

Students of Barangka Elementary School having a drill and practicing evacuation in Loyala Subdivision. (c) Presinto Dos Marikinacps

In collaboration with several higher private and public institutions and departments, Barangay Barangka makes effort to grant the volunteers and rescuers with proper education and training especially in times of accidents, disasters or calamities. Even without an official payment or fee, people still choose to be a volunteer to exercise their right to involvement and participation, as well as to contribute to the overall community effort.

Professionals volunteered to teach the residents of Barangka training and proper education to be used in case of emergency. (c)Google Images

    Targeting the less fortunate sector of Barangay Barangka, the administration also provides financial assistance programs. The barangay officials are the ones who specifically refer these people to higher departments such as DSWD, OSCA, PCSO, and Mayor’s office, which has the budget to use and allocate for their fellow poor constituents. Usually, this financial assistance is used by people in responding to their basic, educational, medical, and even burial needs.

Barangka Credit Cooperative, though an private institution, has been open arms helps the residents of Barangka in their financial problems. (c)Google Images

Barangay Barangka envisions a health and enthusiastic community. In line with this, their administration guarantees to regularly carry out medical missions and assistance to the different people in their barangay. Medical consultations, Eye and ear examinations, X-ray, Ecg. Rbs, and Dental check up are the usual available services offered by the barangay. In addition, they also distribute vitamins and maintenance medicines for the children and the senior citizens, respectively.

Through the Facebook group of Barangka residents, people are more informed of the medical missions to happen in a certain purok. (c) Brgy. Barangka, Marikina Facebook Group

      Though each barangay has a budget allocated to them by the government, sometimes it is not enough to fund all the programs and activities that are being held within the area. Moreover, not only to projects that the money is being used but also the facilities and equipments needed for the daily operation of the barangay. However, despite of the financial problem they have been facing, they are grateful for the public and private institutions that are willing to help them not only through donations but also through assistance in some of the social programs. These institutions are the following:

Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD has been of help to the barangay especially in assisting medical needs of the residents. They have different branches like financial, medical and etc. that caters to different necessity of people. However, most importantly, they lend a hand in children and teenagers who rebel against his/ her parents that are referred by the barangay officials. Kgwd. Boyet Mascariña even mentioned that the department helps the adolescent correct his/ her mistakes especially in our society that has a stigma to rehabilitation being only for addicts.

A DSWD social worker assisting medical bills and presciptions for the elderly (c)Google Images

Mostly concerned to the Senior Citizen residents of the barangay, Office of the Senior Citizens (OSCA) shares its budget to its primary clients. Especially in this age, elderly has their own maintenance of their medications. In this way, they provide medicines to them upon the present of their medical certificate and doctor's prescription. They also gather the elderly for meetings and check-ups in Barangka Multi-Purpose Hall as to access their current situation.

Dental Assistance for the Senior Citizens (c) Tzu Chi Foundation

Homeowners of the barangay helps in terms of peace. For example, the Urban Bliss Barangka (UBB) Homeowners has a project in their purok called "Peace Brigade." Additionally, each homeowners has their own set of officers that spearheads the purok in maintaining peace and regulating rules which are strictly implemented. Loyola Residence Civic Organization (L.R.C.O.) Homeowners, specifically, gather the people in an assembly for the officers to announce and inform its residents of the rules and regulations agreed upon by the officers.

LRCO Officers after their inaguration and their assembly. (c) LRCO Homeowners Fanpage

Fortunate ones shares their blessings to kids in need.
(c) Google Images

Homeowners from neighboring city, Loyola Grand Villas, shares their fortune to Barangkeños every December. They want everybody to feel the celebration of Christmas by sharing gifts to the kids. As well, they sponsor the Christmas party of the employees of the barangay office, not only in Barangka but also in Tumana.

            Despite the great effort exerted by the current administration to provide their constituents with the social services they need, there are still some visible unresolved problems within their barangay. Most often, these problems are mainly caused by lack of budget, equipments, manpower and experts, and even cooperation among the people. As a concrete example, these are the most prominent unresolved problems of Barangay Barangka:


The most appropriate department that should be handling the case of abandonment, especially among the children, is the DSWD. In truth, the rampant case of abandonment and street people are not fully resolved in Barangay Barangka. Specifically, the lack of experts in legal matters is what hinders them from attaining the ultimate solution to this problem.

The proper treatment for those who abused the use of illegal drugs as well as those who experience mental health problems is yet to come in Barangay Barangka. Rehabilitation Centers and Mental Health Centers, unlike the Medical Health Centers, are not available in Barangay Barangka. With this, the only thing they can do is to make referrals and not deprive the people who are in need of their deserved special attention and medication.

Despite the availability of the newly renovated health center in Barangay Barangka, it cannot be denied that they still experience at least a minimal shortage, insufficiency, and scarcity in the medical supplies, machineries, and equipments. For instance, the dengue and pneumonia vaccination is yet to come in their community mainly because of the lack of budget allotment. However, compared to the previous administration, they are exerting much effort on this matter aiming to provide their constituents better health services.

Caution: Life Improvement Ahead- Social Worker

"Is social work even a profession?"

"Aren't we all social workers?"

"What even is social work?"

These are the words that one might usually hear regarding the concept of social work. Truly, we are not yet sufficiently educated and informed with regards to the true definition and nature of that one great profession, social work.

Social work is one of the most relevant yet unknown professions in the Philippines. It is not even considered a profession for most of the people believe that we all are social workers. Most often than not, social workers are mistaken to have the mere duty of giving dole outs, primarily, the basic needs, to the less fortunate members of the society or the victims of natural disasters. Moreover, this profession, due to its nature, is often associated with physical exhaustion, emotional and mental challenge, and monetary instability. However, above all these, social work is precisely one of the greatest profession in the world as it mainly provides improvement of quality of life among the people.

“Ten in One: The Roles and Functions of a Social Worker”

A social worker is a professional who serves multiple purposes. Today, the roles of social worker are divided into three major groups namely: case management, direct practice, and advocacy and policy building. (Segal, Gardes, & Steiner, 2005) Specifically, there are ten most prominent roles a social worker has to execute. These are as follows:

1.     Enabler

    A social worker is a certified enabler as he/she aims to help people seek solution to certain problems.

2.     Broker

    It is one of the roles of a social worker to advocate in case managements.

3.     Teacher

    Social worker also educates the public.

4.     Facilitator

    In formal groups, organizations, or communities, social worker also serves as a facilitator in aid of organizational action and development through activities and programs.

5.     Mediator

    Social worker also acts as a mediator with the endeavor of creating networks or sets of connection.

6.     Activist

    A social worker often becomes an activist taking with him/her the purpose of promoting social action, transformation, justice, peace and solidarity.

7.     Trainer

    In aspiring to see professional development among individuals, social worker also works as a trainer.

8.     Counselor

    Social worker also gives counsel to individuals who are yearning for help and support to respond and cope with normal life events.

9.     Researcher-scholars

    Social worker also conducts research and planning with the objective of increasing and developing knowledge as well as building and strengthening capacity of individuals.

10.  Agent of Community Change

    It is also the role of social worker to mold and enhance functioning among individuals for them to contribute and bring about greater change in the community.

“Virtuoso: Competencies of a Social Worker”

1.     Cognitive Competency

Social work is not a thing that anyone can instantly do. Indeed, social workers must undergo appropriate level of research, education, and even master’s degree to successfully perform their role, functions, and responsibilities.

    Critical thinking is a key competency among social workers.

    Social workers must also execute empowering processes among their clients.

    They must also possess good computer literacy.

    Research is a key process in social work to arrive at an appropriate, reliable, and relevant         choice of problem-intervention among individuals.

2.     Practical Competency

Social work is not just about cognitive ability. Social workers must also be able to effectively apply their knowledge, skills, and competencies for successful case intervention and management.

    Social workers must successfully perform crisis intervention and case management.

   They must also perform direct practice according to the needs and environment of the                 clients they handle.

    Above all things, social change must be continuously pursued by social workers on behalf       of vulnerable, oppressed, discriminated, and marginalized, eliminating social  
            inequality and poverty.

3.     Ethical Competency

Professional social workers must always give importance to the observation of ethical protocols when dealing with their clients.

    Social workers must first analyze policies before dealing with his/her clients.

    They must not deprive the clients with referrals to appropriate agencies and service sectors          they deserve.

    Professionalism is a key competency social workers must exhibit. Social worker and client           relationship must be maintained through the avoidance of emotional attachment.

4.     Interpersonal Competency

Relationship-building is the core of social work. To successfully build and maintain relationship, effective communication is expected from the social workers.

    Building and sustaining relationships among social workers and their client is the heart of        social work.

    Social workers are expected to communicate effectively their thoughts to their clients.

  They must also possess both cultural and intercultural competence to avoid biased                     judgments.

    Social workers must also analyze transaction between people from the different sectors of        society.

“A Wide Horizon: Career Opportunities for Social Workers”

Social work is one of the broadest professions in the field of applied social science. This is comprised of many different areas of specialization which are probably divided according to the audience and environment. It also caters a wide variety of job opportunities both in the public and private sector of the society. Surely, we may witness social workers specializing in the different specific fields that follow:

1.     Health

    Clinics, Hospitals

2.     Mental Health

    Mental Health Centers, Facilities, and Institute

3.     Family and Child Welfare

    Government Offices

4.     Gerontology

    Nursing Homes, Elderly Care Service Providers

5.     Correction

    Rehabilitation Center, Prisons

6.     School

    School (Public and Private)

7.     Urban Poor

    Housing Projects

8.     Non-Profit/ Non-Government Organizations

    Private Companies and Institutions

Social Worker: On The Go

             Social work does not stop by just knowing its theories and principles. Everything that one has learned in the classroom should not be left alone in books and notebooks, but it should be outlived. Here, we found three exceptionally good social workers within Marikina who lives out their passion in helping and serving others through their profession. 

Mr. Jonathan of St. Maria De Mattias Center, Inc. 

Sir Jonathan demonstrates how to transfer the plant into another pot. (c) Aira Masangkay

        For Mr. Jonathan,  “Social work is not just a profession, but a mission.” It is not merely a job one can have but one needs to have the willingness to help others. In fact, this passion brought him to this profession. Originally, he was a marine engineer but he studied again and took up a course in line with social work since he wants to pursue his vocation. For him, it was not just another job he will have but, rather, it was his "calling" to be a social worker.  In this career he chose, it entails not only hard work but there has to be the heart to help and be a hand to other in need. 

A student transferring the seedling. (c) Aira Masangkay

          At present, Mr. Jonathan serves in St. Maria De Mattias Center, Inc, a private center and community-based institution in Ipil St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City. The establishment was raised to serve the marginalized sector of the society, especially girls aged 17 years old and below. It is an institution that was originally was orphanage that provides healthcare, educational assistance and values formation in order to empower women who can’t be supported by their own families. This, as well, is a community-based institution as it now involves the whole family, most especially the parents, in values formation among the young girls.

            St. Maria De Mattias Center, Inc., provides its beneficiaries services like residential care, educational assistance, medical care, case management, psychological and psychiatric services, character building, sports and recreation, and skills training. The center provides shelter not to everyone but only to abandoned and neglected girls. On the other side, children with fully functioning family are given the right and privilege to spent the night over at their own homes. Next, it also offers tutorial sessions with volunteer tutors to help them in their studies. Lastly, Sir Jonathan and the nuns give family theraphy, counselling and psychological and psychiatric services in order to develop and increase relationship of the family and resolve the conflicts happening inside of it, they also give family therapy, counselling and psychological and psychiatric services, if needed. Every Sunday, the families of the kids also go to the center to learn catechism, as well as attending mass.

Caregivers and staffs of St. Camillus Medhaven

 A staff giving a talk about the institution. (c) Ms. Ferrer

         The class of 12-St. Ehrentrudis visited St. Camillus Medhaven last October 18, 2017 in Apitong, Marikina Heights, Marikina City. They. It was established in 1992 as a home of charity for people with disability. However, in 2206, they shifted into a home for the elderly. Moreover, it still adheres to its original mission: to help and serve children with disabilities situated in Marikina. As well, it offers services such as residential and full-time care, rehabilitation therapies, adult daycare services to lolos and lolas who have not been given full atttention by their families. 

St. Ehrentrudis joined in the daily 10am mass of the elderly. (c)Ms. Ferrer

              In the simple program that they prepared, the class witnessed the overflowing dedication of the staffs of St. Camillus Medhaven in have been the angel sent by God to guide and help the elderies in their everyday lives. They bath and feed them as well as assist them as they walk to and fro. However, for Noelle Anne Cubacub. she said, "they are not just offering their hands as assistance to them but its more of like they are offering their hearts." Although they are not social workers in profession, they are indeed social workers by heart and in nature.

Ms. Shelly of Marikina Youth Home

Ms. Shelly (right) welcomes the group together with Ms. Ferrer (left). (c) Angela Angeles

     Ms. Shelly, compared to the two previous social workers, deals with a different array of clients. She is a social worker assigned in the Marikina Youth Home. Her work caters to children ages 18 below who are in conflict with the law. These children are taken into this kind of institutions since they are still minors and cannot be put to jail as per stated in the R.A 9344 which is the Juvenile Justice Act of 2006.Their office offers services Psychological, Legal, and Health services to children in conflict of the law (CICL) but if they cannot handle the cases of these children, they refer and recommend it to other professionals. On the other hand, children that stays in Marikina Youth Home are taken care of social workers to help them in reflecting and learning about their mistakes and, hopefully, changing for the better, in the end. With this, they provide activities like bible study, play day, pageants, swimming and many other more competitions. 

St. Clodesindis snapped first a picture before they entered the Marikina Youth Home. (c) Angela Angeles

"Social workers, the world needs YOU."

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