Seeing the light in darkness: A Sitio Casili story

A small community resting deep in the mountains, Sitio Casili in Rodriguez, Rizal proves to be a challenging environment to live in.

Getting there alone is not easy. If you don’t have a 4x4 vehicle, you will have to go through at least an hour’s trek from the nearest barangay with paved roads and then cross Montalban River, which one had to swim across before a suspension footbridge was opened last October.

“Yung mga anak ko, natuto na silang tumawid,” Flor Angeli Yumul, one of Sitio Casili’s residents, tells GMA News Online. She recalls the time when five of her six children had to use a single lifebuoy to get to school, which is on the opposite side of the river.

“Laking bagay din sa amin yung tulay na yan. Kasi yung mga anak ko, nakakapasok na lagi kahit malakas yung ulan,” says the 34-year-old mom.

Because of its remote location, power lines haven’t reached Sitio Casili too—drowning the community in darkness when night falls.

Patrick Yumul, 13 years old, is one of Angie Yumul's children who experienced swimming across Montalban River just to get to school. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

Raising a family in the mountains

Life in Sitio Casili may be far from easy, but for Flor Angeli, having her family under a roof and being together are more than enough.

Originally from Aklan, Angie—as her family and friends call her—learned to endure the hardships of living in the mountain community when she got married and moved in with her husband, Casili native Ryan Yumul, 19 years ago.

Angie and Ryan Yumul with five of their six kids: (L-R) Angie, Ryan, Ladylee, Patrick, Bryan, Reygie, and Jhon Cave. The eldest, Florriane, currently lives in a boardinghouse to avoid the lengthy commute to her school, Wawa National High School. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

“Nung simula pa lang ako dito, kakapangasawa ko pa lang, umiiyak talaga ako,” reveals Angie.

But it didn’t take long for her to adjust to the lifestyle of a housewife in Sitio Casili: making sure all household chores are done before the sun sets.

While Angie tends to the needs of the Yumuls, her husband, Ryan, goes deeper in the mountains to scour for fruits and other items to sell. The 34-year-old reveals he once considered looking for another job for better pay elsewhere, but immediately struck out the idea. “Iba pa rin kapag kasama ang pamilya,” explains Ryan.

Bryan, Patrick, and Ladylee Yumul on their way to school. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

Ryan and Angie have six children: 15-year-old Florriane, 14-year-old Bryan, 13-year-old Patrick, 10-year-old Ladylee, 8-year-old Jhon Cave, and 4-year-old Reygie. At the time of the interview, a Sunday, only Florriane, the eldest, was not home. Angie says Florriane stays in a boardinghouse near her school, Wawa National High School, to avoid the long commute from Sitio Casili. The Grade 8 student only goes home during weekends.

Asked how the children are adjusting to life in the mountains, Angie says they are doing well, as they have learned to endure hardships like making it a point to get home before darkness sets in, among others. “Isa yun sa mga pinagpapasalamat ko,” Angie, referring to her understanding children, explains.

Angie’s daughter, 10-year-old Ladylee, working on her assignment from school. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

A brighter Christmas ahead

“Kung anong meron, kuntento na ako. Hindi na ako naghahanap,” Angie says.
That explains her and her family’s happiness when Sitio Casili residents were given early Christmas gifts: solar lamps from Lady’s Choice Philippines. “Nagulat nga lang po ako,” Angie tells excitedly. “Di ko alam na may ibibigay pala [nung tinawag kaming mga magulang]. Laking tuwa namin.”

Lady's Choice Philippines delivered 100 solar lamps to Sitio Casili homes—including Angie Yumul's. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

The mother of six beams as she talks about the solar lamps, “Malaking bagay sa mga anak ko na may ilaw na kami.” Angie won’t have a hard time doing household chores such as cooking in the dark anymore too, but it’s her kids’ happiness that is far more important for her, “Basta okay mga anak ko, okay na rin ako.”

Angie believes light finally making its way in homes in Sitio Casili is an indication that life will be happier—and it all starts with a brighter Christmas season.

Reygie Yumul, Ryan and Angie's youngest child, marvels at their new solar lamp. PHOTO: Angelo Sison

“Di na kami matutulog ng maaga [sa Pasko],” Angie smiles as she explains. “Kasi tuwing Pasko, natutulog kaming maaga. Tapos kakain na lang kami pag umaga na, pag maliwanag na.”

This year will be different, as a livelier celebration this December 25th is in store for the Yumuls. “Mag Noche Buena na kami!” Angie exclaims.

But amid the arrival of early holiday presents, Angie points out that it’s her family’s constant togetherness that makes Christmas a truly joyous occasion in their household. “Masaya kapag sama-sama. Yun ang pinaka importante sa pamilya namin,” she notes.

And if there’s one thing that she’s thankful for the most this season, she says it’s the simple yet good life she and her family has, “Pasalamat lang ako sa buhay namin—na buo kami, na masaya lagi, na kuntento lagi kami sa anong meron, na sama-sama kaming pamilya.”