The Campfire 2024 (Inclusion Pilipinas: Lahat Kasama. Lahat Kasali.) was a symbolic closure of Voice in the Philippines. (6 years huh, what a meaningful ride!) Contrastingly for me, it is the deepening of understanding the complexity of an innovative grant facility. Funny how many lessons of today’s Linking and Learning is also the amount of things yet to discover. I’d say even more!

Allow me to bring you years back during my brief interactions with Voice. In 2017, my good friend and I recently joined a new work – him in Voice and me in a University. As we exchange stories on our blossoming start, the enthusiasm about what we radiated the place. I remember casually nodding my head to indicate my understanding of the programme. I don’t think I did but it was the most socially acceptable manner. Part of my work then was to operationalise service-learning projects with advocacy-driven organizations. Because I trusted my friend (I still do!), I would do my scoping of potential partners in the Voice website. I leveraged on the established processes of Voice in qualifying grantee partners. And that cut my hours in half, they say we need to work wisely!

In between, I met the kindest and most passionate rightsholders. The intersection of Voice and my work then was overflowing of learning together. They would tell stories on how these two mission-driven programmes prepare the groundwork for a profound change.

Now that we are closing some windows, I rejoice with our grantee partners, rightsholders, and everyone who supported us. The treasure of linking and learning from our achievements and challenges is ours. No one and nothing can take that away. May we always find a purpose to begin, pause, and let go, as needed. It may be the last wishes and whispers in Quezon City, but being together again is a sight to anticipate.

Of endings and beginnings, I will always rally with you. Count me in as we count on each other!