It was February 28, 2018. The weather was fine on this breezy morning. It was another field-work day for me and my team. Our objective was to design an electrical distribution line over the mountains of Aglipay, Quirino. The beneficiaries of this project were indigenous people living in the highlands.

We had to cross rivers thru these hanging bridges.

This is me enjoying the scenery as we begin our journey.


My coleagues Sherwin and Wijie taking a pose at the hanging bridge.

The first step of the project was that a survey and design proposal had to be generated. So me and my team had to cross rivers, walk for hours and endure the heat of the sun on our way up the hills.

Extending your hand to help someone has more value than joining your hands for prayer.

I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.

After some hours of walking, the rain poured all of a sudden. Halfway to our destination, we decided to move on, and never minding the bad weather. So up and down the muddy hills we went on to reach out for the communities on top of the mountains.

These images were captured using Wijie's smartphone, a samsung galaxy, as i secured my camera because of the rain and the muddy trail.

Imagine how these native communities in the highlands survive in these modern times. Free from all the pollution and the stress from the city. Committed to our mission of providing electricity for these poorest of the poor families, we went on our way up with high spirits and our heads held high.

Touchdown. A view at the top of the mountains where these locals reside.

Finally, after the long journey, we reached the top. Some short chats were made between us and the local chieftain regarding the plan, and proposal for the possible locations of the electric poles were presented to them. They were more than grateful for the good news.

These poles will soon be constructed over these mountains

You never know when a helping hand will change another person's entire life.

These locals will soon experience the benefits of having electricity.

There will be no more dark nights for these households. These families are the very reason we have endured the long walk.

Tired legs. Soiled shoes and everything. Worthwhile journey.

It is time now to go home. We have met our target and everyone is tired.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

We at Quirino Electric Cooperative are commited to providing electricity to the barios and sitios, in the highlands or lowlands, for all our stakeholders. That is our pledge. For we are one!

I am also submitting this post as part of my contribution to the #bwphotocontest hosted by @daveks.

Most photos are captured using my 📷Nikon D3400 camera

🇵🇭I hope you liked my post.🇵🇭

📈Upvote. 👍Follow. 🔁Resteem

👷@ricoagustinacio ®