Yep, he's willing... and wheeling to work for development. Rex Bernardo proves that being in a wheelchair cannot hinder one from volunteering; it just makes it more interesting.

"I have to give back. Nagbebenefit ako sa pag-vo-volunteer, privilege ko na ang mag-serve. (I benefit from volunteering; being able to serve is a privilege for me.)" Rex shares.

Driven by this passion, Rex has been a volunteer for more than ten (10) years. His efforts were recognized in 2008 when he became one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), awarded for the Community Service category sponsored by the Junior Chamber International in the Philippines, an organization for the empowerment of the youth.

In college, Rex worked in advocating the rights of people with disability like him by being a leader of Alyansa ng May Kapansanang Pinoy (AKAPIN). AKAPIN lobbies governments to improve provision for young people with disabilities. He led AKAPIN to the success in making their school, Trinity University of Asia (TUA), in Quezon City, Philippines, the first disabled-friendly college in the country. TUA created the "Center to Empower Physically Disabled Students" which empowers and supports education of physically handicapped individuals.

Rex said he was motivated to work hard because of his own experience in the education system. "May time na di ako nakapag-aral. Kung di ko 'to gagawin, sinong tutulong sa mga katulad ko? (There was a time when I was not given the chance to study basic education. If I would not do this, then who would help people like me?)"

At only five years old, Rex already suffered from polio. This sickness may have taken his ability to stand and walk but it also allowed him to discover his purpose in life. "In spite of my physical limitation, I was able to realize na pwede ako magcontribute (that I can contribute something.)"

As a professor and director of the Research and Development, Marketing and Promotions of Mabini Colleges, Rex inculcates this value in his young students. "As a volunteer, you have to lead by example. You have to believe in your cause so you would put enough effort. Akala mo konti lang yung ginagawa mo, pero pag pinagsama-sama kayong nagvovolunteer, makakagawa kayo ng impact. (You may think you're not doing enough, but if you volunteer together, you can make an impact.)" He wants them to believe that if they participate in something as a team it can really make a difference.

Rex still continues his service, especially to the youth to this day. Together with his wife, Marissa, Rex volunteers for Gawad Kalinga ("to give care" in English), an organization who works towards improving the states of impoverished societies, in the small province of Camarines Norte in Luzon, Philippines since 2002. They are in charge of the child and youth development program in ten (10) sites, working to provide free pre-school education for 600 children.

"Having my wife support my volunteering works is a blessing," Rex reveals, "We're a team. Siya yung pumupunta dun sa mga sites para alamin yung mga kailangan since limited ako ng disability ko. (Since I am limited in terms of going directly to the sites, she is the one who visits the place and checks the needs of the site.) Tapos (Then) I work by looking for partnership opportunities that would sponsor the GK sites and creating proposals for this networking."

Recently, he has also been volunteering as a Barangay Mentor (community mentor), teaching underdeveloped barangays (communities) self-reliance by training and educating them. This program is sponsored by Asian Institute of Management's (AIM) International Movement of Development Managers which Rex is involved in.

"Mahalaga rin kasi na yung volunteering efforts mo di lang sila tinutulungan, kundi hinahahayaan silang tumayo sa sarili nilang paa. (It is also important that your volunteering efforts do not only help them, you should also teach them how to stand on their own feet.)"

Rex plans to continue being a volunteer for as long as he can. "You don't need to have special abilities to volunteer. Volunteers are also normal people who have normal lives; volunteering is just about your willingness to serve."

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Interviewed and written by Caren Mercado, UNV Communications Intern
Edited by Alice Castle, Online Volunteer