Deafening silence from the majority

It is truly incredible. Professional pollster Dr. Mahar Mangahas’ Social Weather Stations has come out with a recent survey result which showed that an astounding number of Filipinos — about 84 percent — favors the presence of American troops in the Philippines under the Joint Visiting Agreement. Yet, there is no deafening noise at all emanating from these pro-American Filipinos. All the noise and fury are coming from the small minority of dissenters to the participation of the American soldiers in Balikatan 02-1.

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This was what I meant from my previous column about bystanders. Many Filipinos, especially those belonging to the majority, would opt to remain silent and merely keep to themselves the thoughts and sentiments that rage in their hearts and minds. They would rather listen to the noisy few, and not bother to espouse their own strong views about raging issues.

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The result of the silence of the majority is deceptive. It gives people here and people from all over the world the wrong impression about what Filipinos really feel on important issues, like the American-led war on terrorism. And on the part of Philippine official policymakers, they are misled — and even intimidated — into formulating what should the official position of the Philippine government, based on the voice of the Filipino people.

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When will the time ever come when the great majority of Filipinos will have the guts and will be inspired to take the offensive? Until this happens, our nation will be under the psychological and political control of the small minority.

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Thanks a million and God bless the following kindhearted individuals who lent a helping hand to the Good Samaritan Foundation:

* LRP from Quezon City, P5,000 (BPI 0012460

* Myrna A. del Rosario of Pardo de Tavera St., San Fernando, La Union, P1,000 (PDCP 0004430)

* A kind-looking admirable lady who approached me at Shangri-La Plaza last Sunday, January 27, to hand over a donation of P2,000

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Mario Somera, a Philippine Airlines flight attendant for the past 24 years, and a group of friends recently organized "Loving Hands of Joseph and Mary," a charitable foundation composed of ladies in the ballroom scene. And their first venture is EPHESUS – home for the sexually/physically abused girls ages 4-14. Right now, Somera’s group is located at Bliss-Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

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Somera was inspired by a portion of the column that I wrote last Christmas Day: "We find it easy to love those who are goodlooking or fun to have around; but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren’t as healthy, beautiful or smart as we are." Earlier, the PAL attendant and his colleagues opened shop, receiving 11 girls from Bantay Bata 163, five sexually and six physically abused. "They were not exactly a beautiful sight. I was hurting inside and could not let go of my tears because ABS-CBN cameracrew were documenting the event," he said.

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Right now, the servants and staff of EPHESUS are doing their best to heal, provide educate and love these children, so that they could be brought back to normal life. Somera asked if I could write a line or two about what they are doing, so that other concerned people may similarly be inspired to do something for their less fortunate fellowmen. For those who want to contact Mario Somera, his telephone number is (044)690-2655 and fax number is 812-6213. His cellphone is (0917)8176919.

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Dr. Conrad Javier, a Fil-Am medical practitioner based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, agreed with A.V. Belizario that the legitimate complaints of Overseas Filipino workers should be properly addressed. The OFWs should not be made into "milking cows" and shabbily treated, lest they begin hoarding their hard-earned dollars abroad," he said.

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Dr. Javier recalled that there were no hassles for OFWs in the 1970s. In the recruitment of nurses, a task he did for free in the early 70s, the process took only three steps and within only three months. All that were required were the personal interview and screening in Manila, the working visa provided by the INS in Cleveland, and the Philippine US Embassy clearance. "There were no labor agencies or paid recruiters to deal with," he added.

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Dr. Javier said that today, the University Hospital of  Cleveland and its affiliates in Northeast Ohio will dish out up to $10,000 per RP RN recruited . About 75 are expected to arrive within the next few month – travel expenses provided – and all had to hurdle only up to 8 steps in 4-5 months to accomplished their acceptance under the preferred H-1B special visas. Housing accommodations and 1-2 months training period will be provided before actual patient care. And the immediate members of their families will be allowed to join them within a few months, if married.

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 Dr. Javier is proud to relate the success story of an RN 1 recruited in the 1970s who is now a CEO and president of a large midwestern HMO. She accomplished this feat by going to school and studying nighttimes to become a lawyer and also obtain her MBA, besides getting married and raising 3 children, one of whom is currently a lady US Air Force combat pilot.

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Thoughts For Today:

Never tire of doing little things for others.
Sometimes, these little things are the big things
which are treasured and kept in their heart.

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There is no oil without squeezing the olives,
no wine without pressing the grapes,
no fragrance without crushing the flower,
and no success without hard work.
God bless our labors!

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My e-mail addresses: <[email protected]>. and [email protected]