Championing the Filipino spirit

It seemed that every time a major disaster hit the Philippines that caused great damage and loss of life, I was away.  It happened in 2009 when Ondoy struck, in 2012 when Pablo wrecked havoc in Mindanao and then now, in 2013, when Yolanda/Haiyan flattened Tacloban, Capiz, Ormoc, and the other surrounding provinces in the Visayan region.  I watched in shock, horror, and despair, but I knelt in gratefulness for keeping my loved ones safe, out of danger, and past the worst and violence that ensued. 

Natural disasters brought out the best and the worst in the Filipinos.  There was, first, the inept handling of the aftermath by those who were trusted to take charge and second, the magnanimity and speedy response from rescuers, volunteers, and the world.


Friends expressed their love and concern by calling, texting, e-mailing, and even wiring money and sending relief goods.  The social blogs shared stories of spirit and spunk but also of greed and cowardice.  And since I was visiting America, I watched with admiration how quickly this nation and others sent humanitarian aid. Amazing how the world has become so close as to call them our brothers in times like these.

 Rhetoric was aplenty as well as glimpses of gallantry, the crackpots, the harebrained as well as humor to dispel anxiety and stay hopeful.  A colleague of my son expressed concern for his family and his relatives in the Philippines.  My son was genuinely touched, but to dispel his unease, he replied, “Thanks, buddy.  My family is safe and sound except our carabao; he got stuck in the mud, but luckily, that was the reason why he survived the storm surge.”  “Hah! You’re okay, all right!” quipped his buddy in jest and with great relief.  



Unsure of where to send donations, but more concerned that modest contributions must reach the real victims, we opted to stick to reliable agencies like the Philippine Red Cross, the Rotary Club, and our parish church.

The Japanese boy, who broke his piggy bank to give to the typhoon victims, warmed the heart.    

 Nancy Cu-Unjieng and Alya Honasan, who champion the well-being of animals, passed stories of the kindness and generosity of ordinary people who rescued faithful animals caught in the storm.

James Deakin and his group of volunteer drivers provided free rides to those who were stranded and got them safely united with family and friends. 



Cardinal Chito Tagle, being embraced by Pope Francis, bared a heart moved by pain yet full of trust in the goodness of God.


A benefit opera in the hallowed halls of the Cathedral of the Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles was held to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda.  The Los Angeles Lakers pledged aid to the Philippines for every score they made in a basketball game.


They made a choice to come to the aid of Filipinos.  The cache of talents who sang, We Are the World uncovered a real humanity of pure individuals relating to each other, but not tied in any relationship, yet sharing all their hopes and all their blessings with the Philippines.

What about that lower-than-the-scum-of-the-earth hideous thief who stole the cellphone of a volunteer packer at the Villamor Relief tent?  He had the insolence to post selfies from the stolen cellphone and yes!  His photo has gone viral and soon, very soon, he’s going to get caught.


Should we bow our heads in shame over local broadcasters, er, braggarts, who flaunted the reach of their influence no matter how biased they were?  Thank goodness for humility and integrity that prevailed.

The repacking of relief goods took away two crucial days from their expedient distribution because the man in charge wanted to perpetuate his name.  Must our politicians worship power and fame at the expense of human beings and everything decent and noble?

 At Mass today, the priest called to mind the message of Christmas: “We all must be compassionate and generous, if not in kind, certainly in spirit and we must share from the heart and not from the surplus of our blessings and coffer.”


Do not be weary and be crushed by donor fatigue.  The need to help must continue.  Other catastrophes still cry for help like the earthquake-hit areas in Bohol and Cebu, and the destruction in Zamboanga City.

Let us boast of the real Filipino spirit that is fresh and inspiring.  Let us look up to those with moral authority that very few could rival, those that fame has not turned their heads.  They remain modest, quiet, and self-effacing.  It reminded me of the late Jessie Robredo.  He embodied the finest virtue a Filipino public servant should have:  sincerity, uncontaminated by arrogant behavior, power, and greed. 

No one can replace the fullness of a heart that is kind and pure.  When you walk through any kind of storm, rest assured that you will survive and live forever.