It was a childhood dream to reach out to one of the poorest communities in the island of Mindoro, Southwest of the island of Luzon, Philippines. This time I am travelling with a purpose. As adventurous as I am, willing to try extreme activities in every places I go but this year it will be a different one. Set my trekking bag along with my two friends who help me organized this mission trip four months ago which I am heading. We had a smooth two hours bus ride from Manila going to Batangas Port. With our heavy loads, we trod the long path going to the cashier almost hugging our things that will be donated on our mission area. We bought ferry tickets and was on time for the 12noon Supercat boat that will leave for Calapan Port (Oriental Mindoro Island). A slow moving more than one hour sea sail brought us to the City of Gold Mines (Spanish term of Mina de Oro), where its name is derived during the Spaniards Colonization in our country. He was tall, dark colored with no hair at all, the man I had been contacting as my coordinator to lead this Mangyan Mission Trip, fetched us at the Calapan port. We shyly greeted each other and I introduced my two companions. Then off, he drove us to have our late lunch trying some local delicacies of their town. Then he brought us to his house and met his family. He let us stay for three days and two nights to accommodate our immediate needs. After putting down our bags, we had a courtesy call to the town mayor. He met us, together with his lovely wife at the Municipal Hall. They served as their famous brewed coffee and let us stay till evening serving us sumptuous dinner and Friday night’s music entertainment at their public office. We didn’t finish the band concert anymore and left for our adoptive home. We started packing our brought grocery items into loot bags for tomorrow’s easy distribution. The long tiring day ended with a one-year old kid roaming in the house helping us unpacked the packed. Saturday started early that we left the sleeping town at around 7:30am. The good mayor last night offered the rescue vehicle of the town as our means of transportation to reached the foot of the Mangyan residence. Together with some private group, who lend their truck to carry our heavy loads and some town councilors volunteering to help, we arrive at the foot of the mountain at past 8am. Trekked the muddy and slippery red soiled forest where Iraya Mangyans lived. They are the indigenous people of Oriental Mindoro who are known for their ability of nito weaving, which is a preserved tradition that celebrate their unique art form. Together with my mission team composed of contributors and volunteer porters, that carried our gift packs consisting of grocery items like rice packed in three kilos and canned sardines with mosquito nets and slippers, segregated into big sacks with five to ten packs each weighing 18 kilograms to 40 kilograms each sack. These patient people who without complain helped us in accomplishing our mission even the rain drops fell on them getting ourselves steamy hot and wet due to perspiration and cloudburst. Grateful for some rainforest trees that extended its branches to protect hikers by offering makeshift shade for all of us. Veddoid features Mangyans welcome us warmly into their community. Also known as subsistence agriculturists, they offered as sweet potatoes boiled in coconut cream and fresh coconut juice that we all enjoyed after enduring that forty minutes trek uphill. We began our program immediately after that snack time. Calling all the kids who are excited to wear their new slippers, which are their everyday use. After the distribution of the foot wear, we then, proceeded to the giving of our grocery bags for each family. Hoping that these small act of good deeds, will add nutrition and protection in their daily lives. Left the area before the rain starts pouring again with a satisfied heart knowing how cheerfully and gratefully the Mangyans are. My long childhood dream is now fullfilled.