Ang Bag-ong Bisyo ni Kuya Berta

By: Martie De Castro

Ang Bag-ong Bisyo ni Kuya Berta

(The Brand New Habits of Kuya Berta)

It was his random singing, dancing, and acting stints on the streets of Cebu that won the hearts of many. Who could ever forget somebody as lively and outrageously entertaining as this smelly street urchin always ready to throw in a punchline or monologue at us?

That was Berta/Adora/whatever we called him, back then. His viral videos in 2019 made him an Internet sensation and a Cebuano icon. But fame is, indeed, a double-edged sword, and with the recognition came the potential to be everybody’s laughing stock.

Until a good Samaritan named Anton Camilo befriended Berta and eventually convinced him to enter into rehabilitation in 2020. Since then, he has been staying at Safehaven Addiction Treatment and Recovery Village, where he now lives a simple yet fulfilled life with his coaches, friends, and colleagues.

 

 

Kumusta Na Diay si Kuya Berta?

Kuya Berta (real name Roberto Plando Jr.) graduated from his 6-month rehab program at Safehaven in April 2021, and has been sober and clean from drug addiction for 9 months now.

At present, he volunteers as an admin assistant at the main office of Safehaven, cleaning tables, answering calls, organizing files, and even entertaining guests! You’ll be pleased to see him with a clean haircut, a pleasant demeanor, and with more confidence to communicate with people.

What’s more amazing is that he now works alongside those who supported and encouraged him to continue fighting his demons and turn his life around. That includes Safehaven director Emmanuel Llenos and president/CEO Ronnie delos Santos (fondly called Pastor Bong by many).

Berta’s Road To Recovery

“Abi jud nako’g i-salvage ko,” (I thought they were going to kill me.) Berta jokes as he recounts the night of his “rescue” from the streets. But he says his fears subsided when Anton and the guys from Safehaven told him he was going to a rehabilitation center, where he gets a chance to change his life for good.

Upon arrival at Safehaven, Berta began rehab with a full 2 weeks of rest. This first step is necessary so that the new patient is able to settle in and get used to his new environment. Then commenced the various activities that form an integral part of his recovery: meetings, sessions, and get-togethers, where, as Pastor Bong puts it, Berta was able to “find a family after longing [for one] for so long.”

An active lifestyle is an essential part of recovery, so Berta never misses out on physical sports. He’s exceptional at volleyball, but has since been seen playing basketball and billiards as well.

Berta says that rehab was the right choice, after all. “Lagpas na jud diay ko sa, angay na jud diay kong i-rehab,” (I was so out of line. It was only right that I went into rehab.) he expresses, laughingly watching old clips of him belting out ballads, chanting incorrect prayers, acting to his heart’s content.

While he finds his past self funny, he now actively chooses to focus on his progress at Safehaven. Day by day, he continues to push aside his cravings and avoid any relapse.

Berta’s greatest inspiration? “Akong kaugalingon,” (Myself) he confidently quips, but thanks God for always giving him the Grace to move forward. He also credits his friends at Safehaven for helping him in “going straight” everyday.

 

 

Safehaven: A Sanctuary Of Hope

The Safehaven team is committed to helping former addicts like Berta turn over a new leaf by facilitating their rehabilitation and recovery process. The recovery “village” indeed feels like one—there’s a sari-sari store, a communal pool, a basketball court, and a common area where everybody convenes for wholesome solidarity activities (they were having a socially-distanced karaoke session when Padayon Jud visited).

Patients and coaches live in their own respective apartment units, too. Berta says this is one major reason why he chose to stay there: working at Safehaven has provided him with food, shelter, and all of his other basic needs. “Sa gawas, magpangita pa man ta gud. Diri, andam na tanan.” (The outside world compels us to search for what we need. In here, it’s all been prepared.)

Besides that, Pastor Bong says that Safehaven also ensures that everybody is given “love, support, affirmation, and appreciation”—another basic need that we often underplay and forget to provide constantly to our peers, loved ones, and even ourselves.

They also make it a point to teach their patients to own and take care of themselves, since self-love is crucial to redeeming yourself from the cruel claws of your past addiction.

It’s not surprising then that Berta and the rest of Safehaven’s patients seem genuinely happy to be here. After all, their goal is the “improvement of one’s quality of life.” Everyday spent inside this sanctuary of hope is a small but significant step towards achieving that.

 

 

Padayon Jud, Berta!

In most cases, the next step to recovery is reintegrating the patient to their community, so they can get back on track in living a meaningful life, free of their addiction outside Safehaven. But Berta and her colleagues agree that the best thing for him for now is to stay right where he is.

“What would be the kind of life nga naa niya sa gawas? Limited ba iyang skill set? Ang family support?” were some of the considerations that factored in the decision of Berta volunteering at Safehaven, instead of going back to Urgello, his last reported address.

Since he proved to be very functional and good with PR (public relations), Pastor Bong and the rest of the team asked Berta to stay and help out as the office admin assistant. With no second thoughts, Berta said yes, simply adding: There’s nothing else I could ask for or even think of wanting as of now.

Today, Berta continues to be “a blessing to us, as we have been a blessing to him,” says Pastor Bong. Berta, on his end, also hopes to inspire other addicts to consider rehab—the way he did—as it teaches them the right way to live life and gives them a fighting chance at a good future.

“Kay naa pa man ta’y kinabuhi…padayon lang jud ta.”

Indeed, Kuya Berta. Padayon lang jud ta!

 

 

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