How We Began: The History of PagPaKaBuhi

2019 was a particularly challenging year for mental health in the province of Bohol. During this year, there was an unusual rise in the number of suicide cases. While mental health problems and suicide have been acknowledged worldwide as real and rising problems, they were not as much felt in a small, laid back province such as Bohol as in 2019. The increase of suicide incidents in the province had been so unusual that it caused alarm in the community. This has also sparked the desire to help in many people’s hearts but a lot of them were hindered both by actual and perceived limitations. Yet, some brave souls dared to respond to the call of the times despite odds and limitations.

In August 21, 2019, four individuals, in the persons of Dr. Miriam Cue, Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy, Municipal Councilor Erico Joseph Cañete, and Prof. Karen Capapas, met to make the initial plans on how to best help an ailing community. The four pillars became the foundations of what would become the first community-based, volunteer-run organization that sought to provide a safe place where broken souls can go to seek refuge and help. These four individuals came armed only with the burning desire to help and the God-given talents they possessed. They didn’t know where to start nor did they have material resources. Trusting purely in God’s providence and guidance, ready to make the necessary sacrifices that it might take, the baby steps were taken toward reaching an otherwise daunting goal.

As it turned out, God has paved the way for the group to grow and bring help according to His plan. When word got out about this intention to help, volunteers started to come, from all walks of life, professionals and non-professionals alike, offering whatever services the could. Before long, there were enough human resources to provide services for mental health promotion, intervention, and support.

Like all organizations, the group needed funds and logistics to proceed with the necessary trainings and procure necessary equipment, as well as to put up a place that would become the center of the group’s activities. Again, God provided. Even while the group stood by a decision not to solicit, many individuals sent assistance in the form of cash and materials. A heritage house was offered to be used as the center. Before long, the wheels were rolling and the organization started to take shape.

By September 2019, a series of trainings were conducted to capacitate the volunteers as speakers, responders and counselors. At that same period, renovation works were carried out in the heritage house that would become the center. All funds, renovation materials, furnitures, appliances, and office and communication equipment purely came from donations.

On October 20, 2019, barely two months from the date of its conception, the group, now named Paghatag og Pagtagad sa Kabililhon sa Kinabuhi (PagPaKaBuhi) was launched. A desire to help made possible through the blessings of God and the works of volunteers that genuinely come from the heart.