Earthquakes and Filipinos in Japan

TSUKUBA, JAPAN — May I share with you these beautiful prayers, thoughts, and reflections about earthquakes and Filipinos in Japan of a dear friend, Carina de Guzman, a former UP Diliman faculty and a University of Tsukuba Phd. in Architecture who has been a resident in Tsukuba, Japan for many years now?

Last April 11, she posted this: “Exactly a month after the big quake, we’re made to remember with multiple aftershocks today – one as intense as 7! What to do. Pray and if that doesn’t work, I’ve always said that there’s just one thing more that we can do. Pray harder! (Do join us).”

On April 1, Carina posted beautiful insights about our own Filipino kababayans in Japan. “…I am now posting my own thoughts about the Filipinos in Japan. I feel I am truly blessed to be surrounded by these people.” Entitled What I learned from the Filipino in Japan, these are Carina’s reflections:

1) He is dedicated to his job. Filipinos who work as teachers experienced the great earthquake with their students and instead of simply running for their own lives, they took the lead and brought the children to safer grounds while some huddled and embraced the little ones under the desks the whole time, to allay the children’s fears.

2) He can be unmindful of his own safety to help a friend. Within a few hours after the quake, when strong aftershocks were still being felt, this Filipino family with baby in tow, rushed to check on their friend who lives alone, worried that she has been hurt or in need of help. And there is also this other Filipina who at once checked on her Japanese neighbor who happened to be trapped inside the house when loads of stuff fell and blocked her passage.

3) He has a welcoming home. Right after the quake, some didn’t have electricity in their homes; some didn’t have running water; others didn’t have both. But those who did invited not just one friend but families of friends into their homes to bathe and even prepared warm meals for everyone to share.

4) He has a grateful heart. Two days after the earthquake, the church was full of people thankful to the Lord. Then they greeted their friends, not with the usual “hello” but with hugs and kisses as if to say “Thank you that you are safe and sound.”

5) He has a far-reaching helping hand. Together as one- the researcher, the teacher, the housewife, the factory worker, they all worked to raise money for the earthquake victims. They cooked arroz caldo, embotido, leche flan and other Filipino delicacies and held a food sale. Others went to volunteer and help in the evacuation centers. They played with the children and did some art activities with them. And still others helped by donating stuff to the evacuees. No they didn’t donate some old clothes or things they didn’t need in their homes, but using their hard-earned money, they bought stuff in the “need list” – and donated things like cup noodles or even baby diapers.

6) Finally, I learned that the Filipino really loves to use his cellphone. But not to gossip or send a joke, but to check on their friends to make sure that everyone was safe. They sent numerous texts to inform all where they can get gasoline or where bottled water was available. And now, almost 3 weeks after the quake, they are still calling each other to offer words of encouragement and support.”

Certainly, the Filipinos as well as all those in Japan are much concerned and anxious about the present crisis in Japan, the continuing earthquakes and threats of devastating tsunamis and the continuing concern about heightened nuclear radiation. However, the present crisis is bringing out the best as well in everyone and from where we are, bringing back people to the best in themselves and to return and communicate with God.

Let us all continue to pray together that the dangers of this present crisis spare not only those in Japan but all the people throughout this earth.

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