Christmas love and crimes
A CNN report bannered "The Philippines Shows the World How to Celebrate Christmas." The report noted we have the longest, most lavish celebration of Christmas, and I am sure we would like to add, the most loving reason for celebrating Christmas.
Love is the most beautiful gift, not only of and for this season of Christmas but for all seasons. God gave His most precious Son so we can all be reunited with Him and His love forever. God's gift of love is the most precious gift for us, God the most valuable treasure and the only treasure we need in our lives.
There are, in our midst, however, those who have other gods in their lives. These are the ones who rob others of their lives and properties, even heritage (more next time about the resumed Ili Rock operations but your vigilance and prayers please for Boljoon!)
Mentioning them is not at all what I would like to do in today's article. So much precious space to waste for the undeserving heartless and selfish!
Rather, I would like to honor those slain by the heartless, the innocent bus passengers in Bukidnon victimized by hatred-filled, cowardly bombers. Eleven dead, 20 plus others seriously injured. Among these, students and among the students, one UP Los Baños incoming graduate student of Environmental Studies, Mr. Niko Nino Briones.
As we pray for their eternal repose and as we call for speedy justice for all the victims and severe punishment for the bombers, may we also share this call for your kind donation for Mr. Briones. Here is the FB message please:
"From The Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB: It is with sadness to report that a UPLB alumnus, Mr. Niko Nino Briones, was one of the victims of the recent bus bombing incident in Bukidnon. Niko is an incoming MS Environmental Science student.
The bombing incident has put our Niko in the ICU due to liver and lung damage. Yesterday morning, Niko was brought to the operating room due to bleeding and fluctuating vital signs. Niko's family needs our help right now.
The UPLB Institute of Biological Sciences through the Environmental Biology Division is pooling funds to help Niko's family with the hospital expenses. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
Niko's family has given consent for Karla Manigbas, his girlfriend, to be the one to coordinate all the financial support that his friends can gather. Her bank account details are as follows: Karla Angelein Manigbas, BPI Family Savings Bank 5806-3032-69."
Thank you.
It will be a very painful Christmas and New Year for those who lost their loved ones through cruel inhuman acts like this bombing. We also want to share the pain and grief of a wailing mother, who spent so much of her life in Japan, decades working hard to provide the best for her family, including her only son, Oliver.
Marilyn received a phone call Thursday afternoon informing her that her only son had been fired at by a still unknown shooter in Iloilo. Oliver had just withdrawn money from an ATM machine in Iloilo. Why the killer did not just get the money and allow Oliver to live on beyond his 38 years for Marilyn and for his own family and children shows you how inhuman, heartless and yes, cowardly the killer is. May Oliver now rests in the eternal love and peace of the Lord and may Marilyn and her family also receive God's peace and comfort in the midst of their pain and grief.
Crimes are observed to rise during Christmas. Another relative shared this story in an LRT station in Metro Manila: "Our son and his uncle were poked at with a gun by a "lazy and coward being" and bag was stolen. Instead of posting some nasty words, I choose to thank God, for keeping my son and his uncle safe. We honor their bravery. I talked to my son last night...and he felt calm about it. I know he will grow up to be a fine young man. This experience will strengthen him as a person and build his character. As for the " being"...he is not worth our time. Parents, ingatan po natin ang ating mga anak."
Yes, as we remain vigilant and careful against those who do not deserve to be called human, let us not allow any lowly, undeserving "beings" to ruin the real spirit of love this Christmas.
Let us continue to love and give love for this season and beyond.
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