Chilean pride!

The strength of a nation lies basically in the strength of its people. To a large degree, the strength of a nation's people is measured by the kind of fiber demonstrated by its leaders in most appropriate times. When those called upon to lead a nation are not gifted with profound vision, the country, instead of moving forward, gets bogged down even by all sorts of simple miscues.

The huge earthquake that hit the South American state of Chile, somehow tells us, in retrospect, the enviable fiber of Chilean leaders. A country with less character would have been so devastated by the tremor that custodians of scientific records claimed to be among the 5 most horrible earthquakes ever to hit the world since 1900. If only to compare but without meaning to offend to Haitians, a fairly recent temblor of much lesser intensity wrought so much devastation to Haiti as if perdition were its destiny.

The Chileans were then terribly awakened by the roaring earth's underbelly that fateful day. For some 40 reported seconds, their ground heaved and undulated and their buildings swayed. Sure, some structures were seen to have lost their lowermost floors while still fewer others collapsed. But, they looked not close to the number people would have imagined.

Late television footages showed images of destruction. Chile's prized public infrastructures were pictures of unimaginable condition. Fly-over roads were cut and highways looked like they were dug up by monster backhoes. There were areas that simply cracked open to show the bowels of the earth.

Then, their highest officials appeared on television. Yes, Chile is blessed with great leaders. They calmed their people who, under pitch-black darkness, were still cowering in tremendous fear. Their lady president, for instance, was a picture of equanimity. How could she remain so calm in the midst of a disaster! She issued directives that not only outlined what government was doing or intending to do, but more importantly assured her people that the government was in action.

Only from unintended running commentaries did we know that she was an outgoing president. Even if the end of the term of her office was near at hand, she symbolized the kind authority and responsibility she was unwilling to shirk. Other persons of lesser nerve could have washed hands and opted to pass the baton to the next person. Not she.

What touched me most was that no one among them Chileans hinted of desiring to get international aid. It was not foolish pride. They were aware of the humongous extent of the disaster. By all indications, they were ashamed to ask for help because they knew that they, on their own resources, were prepared to meet the calamity head-on and come out winner.

From inputs we continued to gather, we learned that Chile suffered a more debilitating quake half a century earlier. It was in 1960 that the country was smashed to smithereens by a tremor that defied all known gadgets of measurement. What was intensity 10? It was unheard of but it struck that country matter-of-factly.

But, the spirit of the Chileans would not be broken. Most importantly, their leadership kept the memory of that horror and steered their nation past the lowest ebb of their national existence. They crafted laws designed to avoid the repetition of the calamitous 1960 temblor. And better still, enforced them without fear or favor.

Then, they prepared their people for the big bang by letting go incessant streams of information on how to deal with the disaster. It was not surprising that when the earthquake came, there appeared order where chaos would have reigned.

In our country, natural calamities take place. Typhoons and droughts occur quite regularly. For example, in 1983, we experienced a 9-month long drought. Our lands were parched and when the dry spell was over, thousands of our trees withered irretrievably. Consequently, we suffered immeasurably. But, did our government learn from that disaster? Did we reckon its debilitating effect as to be able to prepare for another one that might be coming? I do not need to answer because we are experiencing El Niño and by all indications, we are unprepared for it.   Ah, if only for that fiber of Chilean leaders, how I wish I were one of their citizens.