VALUES EDUCATION 10 - Unit 2: The Morality of One’s Action

NAME: ___________________________________________SECTION:
______________________________

Lesson 1: Human Acts

Human acts are deliberate actions of man that involve intellect and will. The
term voluntarism was derived from the Latin word, voluntas, which means “will.” This
is where the adjective voluntary comes from, which pertains to the will. Thus, the
volunteerism of human act means an act from his/her will. A voluntary act is an act
which proceeds from free will acting in the light of knowledge; such an act has
volunteerism. There are three constituents of human acts. It is the knowledge
(deliberation), freedom, and voluntarism.
Among the three constituents of human acts, it is volunteerism that requires the
presence of two other constituents. Volunteerism means that the person does the act
out of his/her personal decision and free will. He or she is willing to do the act because
he/she decides to do it. Knowledge refers to the consciousness and awareness of what
one is doing, thinking, or willing. Freedom is the absence of something or someone that
limits or restricts from within and outside of man. Hence, volunteerism needs knowledge
and freedom in a person because for him/her to will the act, he/she must have the
knowledge of what the act is all about and the freedom to choose whether to execute or
not to execute the act.
For example, a new student from Our Lady of Fatima University knows and is well-
oriented of the rules and school policies, specifically about the wearing of school uniform
(knowledge). He is free to come to school in complete school uniform or in casual wear
(freedom). He goes to school regularly in complete school uniform (volunteerism).

Due to its association with what morality is,

the human act can become in 3 ways:
 Good or Lawful: If the person is in
accordance with the moral law (such
as giving alms).
 Bad or Illicit: If the person is against it
(Like, for example, lying).
 Indifferent: It is when a person neither
becomes contrary nor agrees (such
as, for example, walking).
 VALUES EDUCATION 10 - Unit 2: The Morality of One’s Action
NAME: ___________________________________________SECTION:
______________________________

Lesson 1: Human Acts

Love in the Time of Volunteerism

By May Serrano

MANILA, Philippines - Happy are the people who, despite having access to worldly wealth,
revel in going back to the time when life was simpler and wheels turned a little more slowly.
Blessed are those who find fulfillment and happiness in seeing the good in others and selflessly
doing good for them.
It was the year 2010.
John Oliver Tablazon was fresh out of college when he was invited by a friend to volunteer
for a medical mission. As it turned out, the medical mission required walking for six hours to get
to an upland sitio where he witnessed indigenous B’laan children walking down the perilous
Sarangani mountainside and crossing rivers for three to four hours just to get to school.
The sight of these children made him oblivious to his own labor.
And then he met Dr. Roel Cagape, a Bayaning Pilipino awardee and founder of Hearts and
Brains Inc., who instantly became his icon for passion in helping others without asking for
anything in return. In his own words, it was a life-changing experience that inspired him to
traverse the road less traveled.
That same year, his father Francisco passed away but not without bequeathing to him the
value of pakikipagkapwa-tao (fellowship).
Ignoring the lure of a lucrative career as a registered nurse, Tablazon answered the call of
volunteerism and formally joined HABI, a group that advocates health, education, peace and
livelihood for the marginalized in Mindanao.
It has been four years since that day.
Nowadays, he leads the team of 15 HABI volunteers while working full-time at the
Department of Social Welfare and Development in Sarangani. The prospect of working abroad,
where registered nurses earn more than three times their wage here, is far from his mind.
“Masaya ako kapag napapasaya ko ‘yung mga taong natutulungan ko, pag niyayakap ako
ng mga bata dahil sa mga na-impart namin sa kanila (I’m happy when those I help are happy,
when kids give me a hug),” he beams.
At least once a month, HABI volunteers, together with Cagape, troop to barrios, sitios and
remote areas to visit beneficiaries of their “missionary work.”
In the course of their missions, they would every so often hear sporadic exchanges of
gunfire from the opposite side of the mountain.
On other days, they look for donors, personally or through e-mail and social media. They
ask donations from friends and private organizations, and are sometimes loaned vehicles to help
them reach outlying areas.
Continually, they recruit new volunteers, usually creating opportunities for students of
Social Work and Nursing, most of whom remain volunteers even after their graduation.
Their projects range from the difficult – medical missions in far-flung communities – to the
simple, such as teaching gardening lessons in the backyard or teaching young kids how to count.
Volunteers also distribute school supplies; help register children with no birth certificates; hold a
Walking Blood Bank; and continually look for donors in hopes of providing more solar panels for
the B’laan sitios.
HABI’s Walking Blood Blank project, which seeks blood donors for patients needing blood
in hospitals, was recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Community Projects by Smart
Communications in 2013.

Much has been said about far-flung barrios or indigenous groups being neglected by the
government.
 They have little to no electricity; children are prone to suffer from kwashiorkor, or a form
of severe protein malnutrition, because it is difficult to obtain animal meat in the forests.
Worse, the ranks of the impoverished continue to burgeon, particularly in Mindanao, and
the need for donations and volunteers working pro bono seems unceasing.
At present, HABI is working hand in hand with parents of young B’laan students to build
basic shelter where students can stay during weeknights to help ease their burden of walking for
hours daily to reach school. Built with corrugated metal roofing and timber posts, which men
heave on their shoulders and bring down the mountains, each dorm can accommodate 20
elementary students.
Most of the students, at 10 to 15 years of age, are still in first grade, and are fortunate to
be able to go to school with the help of HABI.
The group has already finished construction of the dorm in Sitio Malkahi in Malapatan
town, and now plans to build three more – one for each sitio.
“Nais po naming matulungan ‘yung mga bata na gustong mag-aral pero hindi nakakapag-
aral dahil malayo ang bahay nila (We want to help those who want to go to school but cannot
because they live far away). Gusto naming magkaroon uli ng opportunity ang mga batang ito
through our dorm project para makapag-stay sila at makakapag-aral nang buong linggo (We
hope through our dorm project they can be in class the whole week),” Tablazon shares.
The project will significantly help the Department of Education in reducing the high
dropout rate in the area.

As a volunteer, a smile in the eyes of a child is reward enough for Tablazon and his peers.

Activity 1: Answer the following questions based on the article “Love in the time of
Volunteerism.”
1. How would you describe John Oliver Tablazon? What are his characteristics that make
him an exceptional Filipino?
2. How did John Oliver’s first decision to join the medical mission change his life? What
other decisions did he make since then?
3. Do you think Dr. Roel Cagape influenced John Oliver on what he has been doing? How?
4. How would you explain the value of pakikipagkapwa-tao? Give specific examples.
5. How did Mr. Tablazon demonstrate responsibility through his acts? Would you consider
his decision an act from his will? Why?

Activity 2: Distinguish which of the words from the given situations is knowledge,
freedom, or Volunteerism.

1. Mrs. Hernandez asked Omar, the best friend of her daughter, Tracy, about what really
happened in the class that made Tracy and her classmate, Ghie fight. Omar knows that
it was Tracy’s fault. Since Omar promised Tracy not to say anything he said nothing to
Mrs. Hernandez.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________

2. Herbert needed to talk to his parents regarding his expenses in the school fair. When
his parents arrived, he realized that both his parents are tired from work. He was about
to tell them about his concern, but his father stopped him from saying anything because
they were too exhausted and they wanted to rest early. Herbert really needs money for
the next day’s school fair, so what he did was that he took money from his father;s
wallet without his knowledge. He plans to tell his father of his action anyway when he is
ready to listen.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________

3. Darwin has to maintain a high grade to enjoy the scholarship for a year. To do this, he
spoke with his parents about not doing any household chore at home after school, so he
can concentrate more on his studies.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________

4. During the examination, Nandy notice his classmates exchanging notes with answers
to the examination. Their proctor was busy signing the permits. The note reached
Nandy’s seat, and his teacher saw it. When asked about the leakage, Nandy told his
teacher the truth.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________

5. Your parents strictly imposed curfew hours at home. One instance, your older brother
arrived home past the curfew hours, and he begged you not to tell your parents. Since
you did not want your brother to be grounded, you did not say anything about it to your
parents.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________

6. While you were on your way home, a stranger approached you and asked you for
money for his food that day. When you looked at him, you noticed that he was fit
enough to work. Instead of giving him money, you told him that your school was looking
for a janitor, and he might be interested to apply.
Knowledge: ___________________________________________________________________

Freedom: _____________________________________________________________________

Volunteerism: _________________________________________________________________