When one part hurts

Reflecting on the many scenes from the disaster that has struck Japan, I am reminded of the biblical message about all of “us” being different parts of one body. Japan may be thousands of kilometers away, but it is connected to our reality the same way a hand or a foot is connected to a head or the body.

We have Japanese friends, business associates, we even have Japanese relatives. It is no longer a movie or just part of our history, Japan and the Japanese people are very much part of our very reality. We may not immediately feel it, but in the coming weeks, we will all learn that as Japan weeps, we too will mourn.

For most of us, the on-going disaster in Japan brought about by an earthquake and a tsunami is shocking and surreal. But for Filipinos based in Japan or who have family or relatives in Japan, it is frustratingly and agonizingly real. You want to help but can’t even imagine where to begin.

That is the situation that our Ambassador to Japan, Manolo Lopez, finds himself in. When Ambassador Lopez was given the post, not a few people quietly thought of it as “gift” or a “retirement posting”. After quietly overcoming the snide remarks and doubts, the ambassador went about to set up shop in Japan.

When he reached his place of residence, Lopez quickly discovered that the place was in bad need of renovation. The roof leaked, the furniture was blistered from use, he even had to order curtains made in the Philippines, often dipping into his own pocket and tapping Pinoy contacts.

A few weeks ago, that seemed to be his biggest headache, but not anymore.

Ambassador Lopez and his staff are now inundated with calls, inquiries and appeals from both ends as panicked Filipinos try to reach or contact relatives in Japan. Even the Pinoys living in Japan are calling in to learn more about friends and relatives who may have been hurt by the earthquake or the tsunami.

With scant resources, we must all realize that we have representatives of the Philippine government who are now hard pressed to produce results in an almost impossible situation.

Aside from Filipinos and government personnel in need of support, we must also remember our role as neighbors and allies of the people of Japan who are now facing the most serious natural disaster in recent history.

Fortunately Filipinos have rediscovered that sense of community after typhoon “Ondoy” which cause tsunami like destruction in the Philippines. Because we can relate to the disaster caused by flooding, a number of Filipinos have contacted Ambassador Lopez in order to gather and organize support out of the Philippines and within Japan itself.

During a chance encounter, Batangas Vice Governor Marc Leviste informed me that Batanguenos are quite organized abroad and can be helpful as local partners in Japan. This will help speed things up as Batangas province initiates a volunteer group among Japanese locators in the various Technology parks all over Batangas.

Because there are so many Japanese locators operating in Batangas province, they already have the network and operational capability to send much needed help in terms of medicines, blankets, food supplies to the devastated areas of Japan.

For his part, Ambassador Lopez has suggested the possibility of looking into sending volunteer nurses and medical assistants since this would be our greatest available resource. Most of the developed countries will already be sending troops for search and rescue but the medical attention will be immediate and long term.

Perhaps our brothers and sisters in the faith can coordinate with the Japanese embassy or the DFA regarding sending outreach missions that will be self contained and self -supporting. Maybe, if at all possible all the churches can get together to send a united team to represent our faith and our country.

Personally, I think Japan will be needing manpower that can repair and operate many of the heavy equipment that were flooded and are badly needed for the clearing up operations.

Yes we have much to be thankful for being spared the Tsunami, but we must also show thanksgiving by offering to help. Japanese volunteers have time and again shown support whenever we had earthquakes, typhoons and disasters.

Japan has always been a willing partner and financial supporter for the development of our economy and our country. Today as Japan and the Japanese people mourn and struggle out of a national and regional nightmare, let it not be said that the Filipinos merely watched.

Don’t think in terms of money or super power logistics. If there is an open door, an opportunity, a chance or a call, just show up and sign up. It is first about people helping people.

Given a chance, I have personally signified my willingness to go and lend a hand. I would like to encourage others to try to do something personally or even by being an encourager on the social network.

It is not about how much we can do, or what difference we can make. It is simply about doing something and showing you care.

SMS message from Ambassador Lopez probably addressed to Pinoys based in Japan: What is needed is food, warm clothes, water and blanket. Pls send to 2 Phil embassy, 5-15 Roppongi, Minatu-Ku, Tokyo.