EDITORIAL - Just another challenge

When it rains, it really pours.

It's heartening to note that various sectors immediately responded to calls to help the tens of thousands who were affected from last week's powerful earthquake that rocked Cebu and Bohol.    

Just a day after the 7.1 magnitude quake, donations from people from all walks of like started to pour in. Assistance in the form of cash and goods begin to find their way into foundations and other institutions with the mission of helping those have less in life.

Business groups have also jumped in, donating cash assistance and launching fund drives. Island Souvenirs' Jay Aldeguer created the "BangonSugBohol" battlecry, which generated huge support from the Cebu business community, while Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings Inc. turned over at least P10 million cash assistance to Cebu City and Cebu provincial governments.        

For its part, The FREEMAN Foundation has launched a relief campaign and medical checkup for the quake victims. Donors can drop their relief items and other goods at this paper's office.   

Even schools such as the University of the Visayas and the University of Cebu also joined the fray. The two universities announced they are launching relief campaigns for the quake victims.

It is really inspiring to see that, in the face of adversities, many would respond to help. What is more heartening is that even those in the lowest sector of society have joined in the effort.

There's really something in us that drove us to readily extend help to those who are in need. Filipinos may have been divided culturally, religiously and politically. But during tragedies, we do not fail a single moment to unite, a thing that has become instinct in this disaster-prone country.   

Despite the different calamities that have been sweeping through this country for centuries, we have always learned to bounce back. And this recent tragedy is just another challenge that Filipinos will surely surmount.