In the journey that we partake we will always meet a soul that shines like a diamond in darkness of the night .
I have met ms Maruja early this year. She is the founder of Butuanon Choice award , one of the “it” event both on social media and for Butuan itself.
Butuanon Choice Award
As a starting non governmental organization, we aim to have a platform that could make our voice for our advocacy a little bit louder . Butuanon choice is one of those platform
I have shameless chased for this award , for this nomination just because I believe that this could shed light on the programs that the MOONWALKERS 1989 incorportated stands for .
In the process of this all ,I met ms. MAruja. A person with a beautiful face and a very humble heart .
Maruja
It all started with a short messenger call we chatted she expresses her points on how to become a nominee and more so to become an awardee ..
I should say it was love at the first call…we started sharing thoughts and passion for our beloved Butuan .
Ms. Maruja is an icon of her own right she have motivated the younger generations by recognizing their potentials .
She is more than just her name, for she carry her heart with kindness towards her family , friends and to those people that needed to be seen .
Butuan is lucky to have her .
Awardee
We, together with the MOONWALKERS 1989 incorporated eventually got the award . But in my heart I am awarded more than just a trophy.
The universe gave me a friendship , She showed me a beautiful being witha heart full of kindness
The universe showed me the soul of Ms. Maruja Maestrado …
MOONWALKERS 1989 incLaunching of our Program for our Elders
In the bustling heart of Butuan City, there exists a bond forged not just by time but by the warmth of camaraderie and the shared purpose of making a difference. We are the Moonwalkers 1989 Inc., a beacon of hope and positivity in our beloved community.
Our journey began not with grand ambitions, but with the simple desire to celebrate life and friendship. United by the memories of our high school days, we reunited after three decades with a shared dream: to mark our 50th birthdays together. Little did we know that this reunion would ignite a flame of service and compassion within us.
Our goal happy 50th to us
With each passing year, our humble gatherings evolved into something extraordinary—a testament to the power of unity and empathy. What started as a small act of feeding the hungry blossomed into a myriad of initiatives, from empowering indigenous communities to bridging educational gaps and promoting health awareness.
Our way of getting together
Yet, amidst our endeavors, it is the spirit of togetherness that truly defines us. Every project, every endeavor, is not just an opportunity to serve, but a chance to reconnect, to share stories, and to bask in the joy of friendship. For us, a meal shared is more than sustenance—it is a feast of laughter, memories, and love.
As we look back on five years of shared experiences, we are reminded of the strength found in diversity and the beauty of supporting one another through life’s challenges. Together, we have discovered the transformative power of kindness, proving that even the smallest ripple of compassion can create waves of change.
Today, as we continue to tread the path ahead, we do so with faith in our hearts and unity in our spirits. We pay homage to our alma mater, Agusan National High School, and proudly carry the banner of Batch ’89. Our journey is far from over, but with each step, we are guided by the values of respect, friendship, and service.
Our way of paying homage
To all who share our vision, we extend an invitation: join us in making a difference, in spreading love, and in building a brighter tomorrow for all.
Together, as Moonwalkers 1989 Inc., let us illuminate the world with the light of friendship and the warmth of kindness.
With love and gratitude, The Moonwalkers 1989 Inc. family 🌙💖
Paths that we walked ,tunnels of pain that we go through will always end with a green fields of Hope , new beginnings and joy
My tears are dried , my wounds have been healed and lessons have been taught .
I smile , walk through the rainbows ,dance to the rhythm of the rain as my heart sing with the melody of the wind .
Out of nowhere there you are standing at the other side of the burning bridge .. There you are extending your hands of friendship..
What now?
You are in the other end singing a melody that we used to sing together ..
My dear my tone , my tune my rhythm has changed .. We couldn’t dance with that music again
I have let go ,I have forgiven , I have learned, and I thank you for standing at the other end .. But I love where I am standing that walking back and holding your hands doesn’t give me the same feeling of trust ..
Maybe one day I will nod and say hello to the friendship that we once have .. maybe ..
❤️
My sun is shinning and my path has a different direction now.. I am happier , I am at peace …
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir
Introduction
It has been weeks since we have finished the walked in Santiago de Compostela . Weeks seems like days and we have our own way of holding on to that special week of ourlives .
Back to reality
REDISCOVERING OURSELVES
Before the Camino we have this pre concieve notion of ourselves . This is manifested with the line of thinking of ” gosh I am old can’t walk that far.” Or the feeling of we have been friends like forever she will never surprise me.
The week that we have walked redefine our limits, our kindness , our friendship , our determination and our patience .
-REDEFINING OUR LIMITS.
This was that moment that some of you hiked up the hills of Sarria or that moment that Beh Sally just walked in the dark bushes of Palas de Rei not wanting to stop , or ate Violy and Tes saying that that they can only walked 5 hrs a day but ended up doing two 21km , or Mader and Ate cing who walked 28 km .. Their Faith redefine their limits and Hope formed our Determination to see the end of the camino .
– Being Kind in a different level
We shared a certain attentiveness to our fellow peregerinos , experiencing the warmth of their testimonies .
We extend our helping hands without any second thoughts it was like the Cuban Lady story .
“It was one of those downhill trail that we have noticed her. She struggle for her steps as she decends. She was walking alone , her group went ahead . A half blind Cuban lady determine to walk her 115 km pilgrimage trial.
I took her cane, hold her hand as we go down one step at a time ..
She said ” thank you for your time and kindness “
No matter what language you are speaking or nationality . We can always understand gratitude and kindness.”
-The Test of Friendship and Patience
For quiet sometime now I have been traveling with friends and we have this anecdote that says ” we will not travel together for more than 3 days or else we will be with each others nerves .”
Traveling with friend is a break or make things especially if you have been confronted with circumstances like fatique , hunger and all that is in between .
Little rifts arises , walk outs and of course the infamous exchange of words .. we were tired at times wet and most of the time hungry. It was the glare of kuya Libs towards kuya Rey during one of those discussions .. its when kuya Libs just walked away and at our first stop Kuya Rey would buy him a water ..then they smiled towards each other
In us , with us is the Love for our Friend ,it is not those clashes that counts it was those undefine reconciliations ,we never knew when or how but we hug and say sorry .. we moved on .
To Conclude
As we continue with our daily lives , we know that we have been formed by thd bug of the camino , Mader bravely walked more than 10,000 a day when it was a struggle before . As Kuya Libs roamed around Boston and NYC with the itch of the Camino in his heart . And I continued to eat nuts and raisens ( typical lunch that kuya Libs and Ate Beth).
As Ate Luz and I have agreed that the camino have strengthen our friendship .
Above all, there is this unspoken bond that has been created in each one of us .
We continue to say “Buen Camino” to each other…let that bug of kindness and love continue to reign in our hearts ..