Engaging for Neighborhood Appreciation

Meet with Locals: Neighbors in Quiapo gifting from Parol making workshop

Awareness of others and ourselves is a journey.

 During the time we explore new things and start to discover our own neighborhood, we grow our engagement in different ways with the local communities. It can be a rewarding experience and help us discover and appreciate not only about others but ourselves too as we learn how our skills and interest can serve other people for the better. These are some ideas you can try and can grow gradually as you engage more in bigger tasks and meaningful activities with the local communities.

 Do your research. Read about the neighborhood you are going to visit and check what the things to do are and people to get to know. Look at some pictures, videos and history from libraries, books, and internet resources. Keep notes or what you learned and use that as you navigate your way in the neighborhood conveniently.

 Post online. A good way to let your friends know and attract like-minded people who are interested to join you in your journey of discovery is to post online and let others read them and reach you. In this manner, other people will also learn about the place and learn to have awareness and appreciation.

 Document your visit. Write about your experience. Take photos and videos of things you find interesting.

Meet with the locals. Find local interest groups that cater to guests and visitors. Ask the schedule of their activities and sit in with them to share about each other. This helps create awareness on how you perceive each other and learn to appreciate differences and similarities. Let them know what you have researched or learned along the way. Get to know their stories and have fun.

Help out local causes. Some neighborhood have groups that help develop their community and open volunteer activities to guests and visitors as a way to create awareness of their local issues and increase community support. Sit in with community meetings and sign up for volunteer activities.

 In these ways, you can help create awareness and appreciation for a neighborhood and their local communities so more people will show care and protection of its value for the next generation to see

Written : Abigail Ko is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture, obtaining her professional license as Filipino Architect in 2015.