My source of good news

The search is on for the worthy presents this Christmas Season. I don’t wish to preempt myself and spoil the surprise of giving Christmas presents to my friends.

My search brought me back to the backyard of Gawad Kalinga. Some years ago, I was a volunteer for Gawad Kalinga, also as a member of the Singles for Christ.

GK was my source of good news.

GK also stands for Gandang Kalikasan, the manufacturer of the Human Heart Nature. It’s a line of personal care products that is Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. The company is owned by the daughters of Gawad Kalinga founder, my ninong Tony Meloto. Anna and Camille saw the opportunity to produce organic products, the trend in the United States. The good news is that they were able to tap Gawad Kalinga communities to produce the products.

How much goes back to the community? While I am not privy to the financial statements of the company, one product caught my attention — the citronella bug spray and bug shield because 100 percent of the net profits from the sale of the product goes back to Labo, Camarines Sur. You heard me: 100 percent goes back to the farming community as part of their CommPassion campaign. It’s one of the best-selling products of the company. Human Nature donated three months worth of profit, amounting to over P970,000, to support farming communities!

I enlisted as a dealer, taking advantage of the 25 percent discount. Whether a seller or a mere consumer, it feels good to know that someone somewhere is living a better life because of our purchase.

Unfortunately, when I placed my order, I was informed that the bug shield is out-of-stock! What?! Better luck next time.

The last time Mama Mary visited was on our wedding day, three years ago. Not to be mistaken for an apparition, Mama Mary is my mother’s aunt. Mama Mary is the daughter of Lola Rosary. I know, such “holy” names.

Our Mama Mary is based in Guam, already retired from her work in Hilton’s housekeeping.

She’s back for a brief week to have her check-up. After “how-are-you’s” over breakfast, my grandmother and my mother Mama Elaine began to talk about the different illnesses of growing old. Mama Mary complained about her dry eyes.

My Mama Elaine quipped, “Why can’t the doctor prescribe something to fix it? It’s natural to have all those illnesses when you grow old.”

Their other topics ranged from playing tong-its and mahjong, how to prevent dementia, to our visit to the cemetery last All Saint’s Day. Without asking, I know what they are thinking: End of life.

How do we live a meaningful life? There are wow days and blah days. Waking up to do the morning show gives you a sense of purpose. Doing public service gives much fulfillment. It fuels us to lead a fine day. I am at the peak of my career.

During the peak of Mama Mary’s career, she busied herself with so many things about hotel operations, and getting the perfect flower arrangement to create the perfect experience for the tourists. Her feisty workhorse self was perfect for the job.

Today, my grandma cannot walk without a cane. My heart breaks to see how the energy she once had is slowly escaping her, and yet at the same time, I see it as the natural course of life. Most of us will go through this.

Naturally, I began to think of the things that I should be doing while I still have the strength for it. I’m still thinking of work, and my dream of finishing a book. As if that will give my life more meaning?

Life is about giving, but it is also about receiving. We lead our fast-paced careers, accomplishing our things-to-do. We are defined by the things that we do and get frustrated when we can’t do, especially in my workhorse family.

Growing old gives that rare opportunity to stop and breathe in life, to be more accepting and humble to accept what life has to bring. To enjoy yourself in a corner, listen to quiet music and do nothing.

My dear Lolo Rudy (a.k.a. Father Rudy Fernandez) is my role model in growing old. He has glaucoma and is losing his vision. He has no regrets, saying “I have so many memories to remember.”

I asked, “How do you live a meaningful life?”

Lolo Rudy replied: “Just live it. Just do what you have to do. If nothing to do, do nothing. Work while you work, play while you play. Do what you enjoy doing and what fulfills you. Just be. Be Bernadette. Smile.”

It is often said that what matters is how many lives we’ve touched. On the other hand, perhaps meaning can be found in how much we allow life to touch us...even in nothingness.

(E-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on twitter: @bernadette_ABS)