Growing up selling various goods in the streets of Mindanao, Arafat Hadji Jamil has always been contemplating with the hard questions in life.

As a young lad, he would often lament why there are families left with no choice but to sleep on the streets or why some children go past the day on a rumbling stomach.

Arafat might have had a hard time digesting the answers to these questions, but certainly not the solutions that can be done. Ultimately, his quest for answers led to his greater purpose in life he now fulfills as a social worker or ‘Angel in Red Vest’ (ARV) at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Arafat said he knew that his heart was meant for social work when helping was always the first thing on his mind whenever he saw people struggling.

“Madalas kasi akong nasa kalye, nagtitinda. Ngayon nakikita ko ‘yung mga street children, mga mentally-ill, gusto kong malaman kung bakit may mga palaboy sa daan na mga bata. So ‘yun, doon ako nagtanong nang nagtanong and hanggang sa nag-enroll na ‘ko ng social work,” Arafat said in an interview with the second episode of Kwentong ARV, the latest online documentary of the DSWD’s Strategic Communications.

His father, however, was filled with hesitation on his chosen path, believing it was a field that is tailored fit for women.

“Ang gusto kasi talaga ng tatay ko mag-criminology ako para may pulis na sa pamilya o kaya engineer,” Arafat said.

“Nung nakita niya pa na yung mga classmate ko puro babae, sabi niya baka bakla ka na siguro, magpakasal ka na lang. Ang sabi ko naman po, ayaw ko po, kasi hindi naman po pambakla yung social worker. Saka lahat ng course ay pwede naman sa lalaki,” Arafat narrated, reflecting on his determination that kept him going.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work was no easy journey for Arafat, as he faced numerous challenges beyond his parents’ disapproval.

One month after Arafat’s graduation, the Marawi siege took place, transforming some parts of Mindanao into a battlefield and claiming innocent lives.

“One month lang after graduation nangyari ang Marawi siege. Actually nag-rereview kame no’n kasi magbo-board exam kami. One time ’yung teacher na instructor namin, sinabihan kami kung sino ang gustong mag-volunteer. Lahat kami, 40 students, nagtaas ng kamay. Pinapunta kame sa isang NGO ta’s kinausap kame ng head… inexplain, alam nyo ba yung papasukin nyo.. explain sa amin ang mangyayari sa amin sa field, lahat ng pagdadanan namin,” an emotional Arafat recalled.

Upon realizing the complexities of the role he was stepping into, Arafat, like everyone else, feared for his own safety.

Yet, his deep commitment to helping his kababayans was the stronger force, and nothing could stop him from pursuing it.

“Lahat ng classmates ko umatras lahat, ako lang ang tumuloy. Sabi nila sure na sure ka na ba, sabi ko bakit hindi? Dito ko matututuhan talaga ang profession ko bilang isang social worker,” Arafat said.

Over the years, the values that guided the aspiring social worker grew even more profound, taking shape from the adversities he boldly faced and overcame.
“Mahirap ‘yung sitwasyon noon kasi nagpuputukan. ’Di mo na alam kung ise-save mo ba ‘yung sarili mo o ‘yung taong tinutulungan mo. Dalawa ’yung challenge — distress ‘yung area tapos at risk ang life mo. Pero ang naisip ko na lang kung walang tutulong sa kanila, sino pa.. kung ‘di pa ’ko tutulong sa gano’ng sitwasyon ‘di mo matatawag na social worker ako,” Arafat said with conviction.

For Arafat, who is now a social worker at the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU), everyday is a chance to make a difference, meet people from different walks of life, and be instrumental in giving them the aid most appropriate to their needs.

He also strives to break the stereotype that social work is just about giving humanitarian aid in times of disasters.

“Ang social worker ay hindi tagapagbigay lang ng sardinas, kame po ay naga-uplift ng well-being ng isang tao,” Arafat told Kwentong ARV.

Arafat’s definition of success may differ from his father’s, but for him, nothing is more fulfilling than transforming lives and leaving a lasting impact on others.

Arafat also takes great pride in knowing that seven social workers from his family have followed in his footsteps, taking inspiration from the legacy he has built through years of dedicated service.

“Nung pag-graduate ko lagi na ‘kong sumasabak sa mga rescue operations du’n sa Marawi so parang nakikita ako ng mga pinsan ko, mga kapatid ko, ina-idol na nila ako. Doon na sila nagkaroon ng motivation na mag-enroll. Actually dalawa na ang lalaki sa’min na nag-social worker,” Arafat pointed out.

Carrying a genuine and selfless heart, Arafat exemplifies what it really means to be an Angel in Red Vest or an ‘ARV’ — a modern hero who sees not an ounce of burden in uplifting others.

The Kwentong ARV is a new program of the DSWD’s Strategic Communications hosted by Director Clarissa Lara Duran of the Public Relations Service (PRS) and airs every other Monday over the DSWD Facebook page. It features stories of social workers and agency personnel dedicated to serving poor Filipinos with extra love and extra care.