Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts

SI JOMONG…scavenger na may ginintuang puso

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Una kong nakita si Jomong sa F. Torres mahigit sampung taon na ang nakaraan. Malinis at maayos pa ang kanyang pananamit at ang buhok na hindi pa gaanong mahaba ay nakapungos na. Parang napadayo lang siya noon upang magbenta ng relos at pilak. Madalas din siyang ngumiti noon habang nakikipagtawaran. Subalit makalipas ang ilang taon ay unti-unti na siyang naging madungis, yon pala ay sa bangketa na siya natutulog. At, nitong mga araw ay may kariton na rin siya kung saan ay nakatambak ang mga gamit niyang dala niya saan ma siya pumunta.

Nang umagang nagkakape ako sa isang bangketa ay nakita ko si Jomong na tumutulong sa pagbukas ng puwesto ng isang sidewalk vendor. Pagkatapos ay nagwalis siya sa kalsada kaya makalipas lang ang halos isang oras ay malinis na ang bahaging yon ng F. Torres St.

Hindi na masyadong nagsasalita si Jomong at halos hindi na rin ngumingiti, pero dahil namumukhaan na niya ako ay malakas ang loob kong tanungin ko siya tungkol sa kanyang pinanggalingan. Nabanggit lang niya ang isang lugar sa Zambales at dahil hindi ko sigurado ang pagbaybay ay hindi ko na lang isusulat. Sa kabila ng katipiran niya sa pagsagot ng mga tanong ko ay nalaman kong wala siyang naiwang pamilya sa probinsiya. Nagbakasakali lang daw siya sa Maynia pero kahit naging palaboy dahil hindi sinuwerte ay hindi na siya bumalik sa probinsiya.

Kumikita siya sa pamumulot ng mga kalakal sa basurahan na nabebenta sa junk shop. Ang madalas niyang tulugan ay ang bangketa sa Avenida dahil hindi gaanong istrikto ang mga guwardiya doon. Napansin kong totoo nga dahil tuwing dadaan ako sa madaling araw sa Avenida ay nakikita ko ang mga helera ng mga natutulog na mga “babaeng Avenida” na ang tawag ko ay “mga hamog” dahil para silang dew drops na nakikita sa mga bangketa pagdating ng umaga sa paglipas ng malamig na magdamag.

Isang umagang dumaan uli ako sa tinatambayan ni Jomong ay natiyempuhan ko siyang nagpapakain ng isang batang babae na sa tantiya ko ay dalawang taon gulang, anak daw ng babaeng nagtitinda ng “buraot” o junk items sa bangketang yon. Ipinagbilin sa kanya ang bata dahil titingin lang ito sa basurahan ng isang popular na nagtitinda ng sandwich at baka may makitang pwedeng pang-almusal nilang mag-ina. Bumili siya ng pan de sal at kape para sa kanila ng bata mula sa kinita niya sa pagbenta ng kalakal (junks). Bumili na rin ako ng kape ko at ibinili ng Milo at ilang balot ng biscuit ang bata na pwedeng itabi para sa tanghali.

Habang nagkakape kami, tinanong ko siya kung may balak pa siyang umuwi sa probinsiya, ang sabi niya ay “oo”…kaya ang sabi ko sa kanya ay may pag-uusapan kami sa susunod naming pagkikita dahil balak ko ring kausapin ang ina ng bata.

ANG KING DAVID BASKETBALL CLINIC (KDVC)

NG IMUS CITY…at, si Pastor Ariel Hernandez

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang King David Basketball Clinic (KDVC) ay matatagpuan sa Camella Homes na nasa Barangay Bayang Luma 3 sa Imus City. Naging tanyag ang KDVC dahil sa mga basketball clinic o pagsanay sa mga kabataan mula pa noong 2006. Subalit ang pagtatag ng pundasyon nito ay ginawa ni Pastor Ariel Hernandez nang magsimulang manirahan ang kanyang pamilya sa subdivision noong 1989. Nagsimula namang mabuo ang covered basketball court noong kapanahunan nina Barangay Chairmen, Boy Santiagel at Tonying Tagle at sa tulong pa rin ni Emmanuel Maliksi na noon ay Vice-Mayor pa lang ng Imus City. Ngayon, ay lalo pang naging aktibo ang proyekto sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang presidente ng Camella Homeowners’ Association na si Obet Arambulo. Si Emmanuel Maliksi naman na mayor na ngayon Imus City ay patuloy pa ring tumutulong.

Ayon kay Pastor Ariel, ang orihinal na pangalang “King David Basketball Camp” ay binuo ng mga unang miyembro na sina Jerson Canaynay at James Ryan Enriquez. Ito agad ang pumasok sa kanilang isip dahil, ang pinakapundasyon ng nasabing grupo ay ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Ayon sa Bibliya, si David na anak ni Solomon ay naging hari sa batang gulang at sa kapanahunan niya nabuo ang Templo ng Herusalem. Symbolic ang pangalang ito dahil ang pakay ng Basketbll Clinic ay mailayo sa bisyo ang mga kabataan ng Imus City, at ang adhikaing yan ay nakasandal naman kay Pastor Ariel na isa sa mga ministro ng Word for the World. Sumabay ang pormal na pagbuo ng KDVC sa masidhing pagnanais ni Pastor Ariel na mabago ang kanyang buhay noon. Nagsimula ang pagsisikap niya sa pamamagitan ng regular na Bible study sa maliit na garahe ng kanilang bahay, hanggang humantong sa pag-aral niya upang maging ganap na pastor sa tulong ni Pastor Eli Famorcan ng Word for the World Christian Fellowship (Imus). Sa pagsisikap niya ay hindi rin siya pinabayaan ng asawang si Precy na laging sumusuporta sa kanya.

Nakatulong ng malaki ang basketbol sa pagmi-ministro ni Pastor Ariel dahil ito ang larong madaling makaakit ng kabataan. Nang makilala siya, marami ang nahikayat na sumali sa kanilang basketball clinic na pinasigla ni mayor Emmanuel Maliksi. Nakakatuwang malaman na ang ibang nagsasanay ay naggagaling pa sa malalayong bayan ng Cavite at pati na sa Mandaluyong na nasa Maynila. Nasaksihan ko ang pagdatingan ng mga kabataang ang gulang ay pang-Midget class hanggang Junior class ng basketbol nang umagang pasyalan ko si Pastor Ariel. Mataman din niyang inoobserbahan ang mga manlalaro upang matandaan ang mga may potential na maging sports scholar ng mga eskwelahang nilapitan na niya.

Nagulat ako nang malaman kong marami pala ang nagbo-volunteer na mag-coach sa kanilang clinic, at ang isa ay Amerikanong darating sa susunod na taon. Ang iba naman ay mga naging kilalang coach at basketbolista ng mga koponang nasyonal. Ang malaking tulong ay naipapaabot naman ni Joe Lipa, Consultant ng Mahindra-Kia, dahil ito ang nagsisilbing tulay upang makahanap si Pastor Ariel ng mga eskwelahang mapapasukan ng mga sinanay nila upang magkaroon ng scholarship. Ang regular namang nagko-coach ay sina Jun Hernandez former Varsitarian ng Letran at Adamson na dumarating sa basketball court nang wala pang ala-siyete ng umaga. Kapag maaga namang dumating si Arlord Marcial na ama ng isang nagsasanay ay malugod din siyang nagboboluntaryo sa pagko-coach upang makatulong ni Jun Hernandez. Maliban sa mga lalaki ay marami ring mga babaeng sinasanay ang KDVC.

Ang basketball clinic ng KDVC ay lalong naging tanyag dahil sa regular sa tulong ni Imus City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi, isang pagpapakita ng seryosong pag-akay sa mga kabataan tungo sa Tamang Landas. Tuwing makatapos ng training session, nagkakaroon ng maikling pep talk si Pastor Ariel upang paalalahanan ang mga manlalaro tungkol sa pag-iwas sa mga bisyo. Natutukuran ang KDVC ng ispiritwal na katatagan dahil sa pinapairal na pagdasal pagkatapos ng pep talk. Nalaman kong bawal ang pagmumura at paggamit ng mga abubot sa katawan tulad ng hikaw. Sa pep talk ay may mga paalala rin tungkol sa iskedyul ng Bible Study.

 Nabanggit rin ni Pastor Ariel na maraming naakay pabalik sa Tamang Landas ang KDVC…mga kabataang, mismong mga magulang ang nagdadala sa kanya. Ang iba sa mga napabago niya ay matagumpay sa napili nilang propesyon bilang manager, at iba ay mga propesyonal sa ibang bansa. Nadadarama rin sa grupo nila ang pagtutulungan dahil ilang beses na silang nag-ambag ng tulong para sa mga nangangailangang miyembro. Maluwag din ang kamay niya sa paghugot ng pambili man lang ng pagkain ng ilan sa kanila, o mabigyan ng pamasahe….mga kakapusang hindi naging hadlang sa mga kabataang matuto ng maayos na paglaro ng basketbol.

Ang pangarap ni Pastor Ariel ay maging isang uri ng Sports Foundation ang KDVC na ang mga adhikaing pilit na pinamamahagi sa pamamagitan ng basketball clinic ay “Empower, Lead, Motivate”. Ang mga adhikaing nabanggit ay ibinahagi ni Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi na wala ring patid ang pagtulong sa abot ng kahit personal niyang kakayahan.

May mga kuwento si Pastor Ariel na nagpapatunay na pinupunan ng Diyos ang kakulangan sa ano mang pagsisikap ng tao ayon sa kasabihang, “nasa Diyos ang awa, pero nasa tao ang gawa”. Maraming pagkakataong basta na lang daw dumarating ang biyaya sa kanyang buhay upang maipagpatuloy ang adbokasiyang ispiritwal at pakikibahagi ng kaalaman sa basketbol upang maiwas ang mga kabataan sa bisyo. Dumadating ang mga biyaya sa panahong halos lahat ay ginawa na niya subalit may kakapusan pa rin. Dahil diyan, napakarami niyang dapat ipagpasalamat sa Diyos lalo pa at ang pagsikap niya noong marating at matahak ang Tamang Landas ay natupad at nakakaakay pa siya ng iba.

See with Our Heart,

Feel with Our Kindness

By Apolinario Villalobos

Our eyes perceive the world

That’s all that they can do;

But there’s more beneath

The surface of everything

That only the heart can see –

If strengthened with fidelity.

Touching the lives of others

Some do with false charity

They, who think, food is enough

They, who think, money is fine

But given devoid of kindness

All effort becomes worthless.

Look around with our heart

Touch others with kindness

Those are what we should do

To realize our purposes in life –

Live and share, love sincerely

And thank the Lord as we pray!

“If I will not do it…who will?”

By Apolinario Villalobos

Until now, so many “friends” still keep on asking why I am writing about other people’s lives. They can’t seem to understand my objective to bring the virtues out of the subjects of my blogs to inspire others. Obviously, these “friends” are the type of persons who are just concerned about themselves.

These are also my supposed “friends” who read my blogs without letting me know about it so that their “like” which is one way of sounding off their view, will not add up to the other “likes” and comments. They know that the more “like” my blogs generate the better impression that my shared ideas give…which these “friends” do not like. By not mentioning anything about my blogs every time we meet, they could have made me feel better, but unfortunately, they pester me with annoying comments that are tainted with hypocrisy.

These “friends” also cannot understand why I go to the extent of exploring slums and befriend those who live on the sidewalk. For the tenth time, I tell them that I just want to be authentic or realistic in my presentation of what I write about. And, for the tenth time, they also just shake their head in disbelief. They can’t imagine me eating burnt rice with people I mention in my blogs, also eating with fingers, food cooked out of the salvaged wilting vegetables with these same people. For them, I am weird for doing those. My explanation to these “friends” that I relate well with my subjects because I have been through such a life of want and inadequacy, is futile.

Another thing that they cannot take is my writing about the corrupt practices of some government officials and lawmakers. They thought, they are helping me by giving admonition for me to leave these maggots in the government alone. Understandably, these “friends” never care because they are not affected as they are financially stable. They are not affected by the traffic because they stay home most of the time and if they venture out, they are driven by well-paid chauffer. They can’t feel the gnawing effect of high prices of basic commodities because they lead a luxurious life.

In exasperation, just the other day, I asked one of these “friends”……”if I will not do it, who will?”, adding sarcastically, “why not try doing it as you might be able to write better than I do?” I feel that he and the rest are just trying to pull me down. With such kind of hypocrite crabs living with us, it is no wonder why the Philippines is wallowing in a neck-deep muck of desolation.

Ang Matamis na Ngiti…

(para kay Rosita Segala)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ngiti ang nagpapaaliwalas ng paligid

Lalo’t sa mga sandaling lungkot ay nakalukob

Kahit mga labi ay tila parang pintong nakasara

Sapat na, basta’t magkabilang dulo’y ‘di nakababa.

Kalooban ay napapagaan ng isang ngiti

Napapawi nito, lungkot na sa puso’y ramdam

Sigla ay dulot sa mga nalulungkot at nanlulumo

Nagpapalakas sa mga taong nanlata dahil sa siphayo.

Walang katumbas na halaga ang ngiti

Libre ito’t hindi nabibili, lalong ‘di rin inuutang

Mula sa kaibuturan ng puso, galing ang pagkukusa

Kaya para kay Rose,  pagngiti ay ‘di kailangan ipilit pa!

Anna Bermudo: Kindness Behind A Pretty Face

By Apolinario Villalobos

When I took a respite at a Jollibee joint in Divisoria, particularly, corner of Sto. Cristo St., due to my heavy packs, I found out that I needed a separate bag for some items intended to be given to one of my friends in Baseco. It was then, that I noticed one of the crew who was cleaning tables. I told her my problem, without much ado, she left and when she came back, she had a paper bag which was just what I needed. Her prompt assistance impressed me, despite her doing something else during the time. She practically dropped everything and attended to me, although, customers were beginning to crowd the room.

My appreciation for such kind act, made me ask her permission if I can share it with friends. She shyly hesitated, but I had my chance to take her photo quickly, when she began to clean my table. She thought I was joking when I aimed my cellphone/camera for a quick shot. I found the photo to be hazy when I checked it at Baseco, so I came back to the burger joint. Luckily, I found her having a late breakfast in a sidewalk food stall near Jollibee. I practically begged her to allow me to take a clearer photo, explaining to her that what I am doing is for the benefit of others who might be inspired by people like her. Fortunately, she conceded and even cooperated by giving information about herself.

Although merely, a high school graduate, she courageously left her hometown in Zamboanga to seek a “greener pasture” in Manila several years ago. She had no chance of pursuing her studies, as she had been helping her family by sending whatever amount she could afford from her wage when she found a job. I could see that her right attitude has earned her a well-deserved job in the world-renown Filipino burger outfit which is also acknowledged for its fairness in dealing with employees.

Anna is pretty, an attribute that could land her a much better-paying job in cafes that could be double or triple compared to what she is earning in Jollibee. But I could surmise that despite temptations from friends, that always happen to pretty girls from the countryside, she opted to work in a family-oriented establishment. Her clean and smooth face is not covered even by a thin swipe of rouge, and she wears no jewelry, not even a single stainless ring. Her simplicity has accentuated her pretty face…. that veils an innate kindness.

Herson Magtalas: High School Graduate pero Nakapagpatapos

Ng Dalawang Kapatid sa Two-Year Courses

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nang araw na nakita at nakausap ko si Jaime Mayor, ang matapat na kutsero sa Luneta na iginawa ko ng tula, may lumapit sa akin, si Herson Magtalas. Siya pala ang Checker/Operations Coordinaor nina G. Mayor. Mabuti na lang at nakipag-usap siya sa akin dahil hindi ko nakausap nang matagal si G. Mayor sa dami ng mga turistang gustong sumakay sa kanyang karetela dahil Linggo noon. Pinatunayan ni Herson ang mga nabasa ko noon sa diyaryo tungkol sa pagkatao ni G. Mayor.

Napahaba ang aming usapan hanggang nagtanong ako kung may pamilya na siya. Sinabi niyang binata pa siya sa gulang na 28 na taon. Hindi pa raw siya mag-aasawa hangga’t hindi nakatapos sa pag-aaral ang kanilang bunso. Sa sinabi niya, naging curious ako kaya tumuloy-tuloy ang tanong ko tungkol sa kanyang buhay. Napag-alaman ko na pagka-graduate niya sa high school, hindi na siya nagpatuloy sa pag-aaral, sa halip ay nagtrabaho siya upang makatulong sa kanyang mga magulang. Nang panahong yon ay kutsero na sa Luneta ang kanyang tatay at ang kanyang nanay ay nasa bahay lang. Apat silang magkapatid at siya ang panganay.

Lahat ng pagkakakitaan ay pinasok niya tulad ng pagtitinda ng barbecue sa bangketa, pagpapadyak ng traysikel. Sinuwerte siyang makapasok sa factory sa sahod na 150 pesos/araw. Sa pagawaang yon ng damit siya natutong manahi. Sa kahahanap niya ng kanyang kapalaran, napadayo siya sa Laguna, kung saan ay nagtrabaho naman siya bilang machine operator ng Asia Brewery na ang sahod ay 280 pesos/araw. Nang lumaon pa ay napasok naman siya sa isang restoran bilang kitchen helper na ang sahod ay 300 pesos/araw. Naging salesman din siya ng Shoemart (SM) sa sahod na 380 pesos/araw. Nang napasok siya bilang pahinante o helper ng delivery van ay saka pa lang siya nagkaroon ng minimum na sahod. Tumuloy- tuloy ang pagtanggap niya ng minimum na sahod hanggang sa paglipat siya sa isang printing shop bilang taga-limbag o printer ng mga nakasubo sa computer.

Ano pa nga ba at lahat ng kaya niyang pasukan ay sinusubukan ni Herson na ang hangad ay magkaroon ng maayos na sahod dahil sa ginagawa niyang pagtulong sa kanyang mga magulang upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng kanyang nakakabatang tatlong kapatid. Nang makapasok siya sa Castillan Carriage and Tour Services bilang Checker/ Operations Coordinator ay pumirmi na siya dahil sa ahensiyang ito rin nagtagal ang kanyang tatay bilang “rig driver” o kutsero, at dahil na rin sa magandang sahod at kabaitan ng may-ari.

Unang napagtapos ni Herson ang nakababata sa kanya, si Herneἧa na ang linya ng trabaho ngayon ay Accounting. Sumunod naman si Heycilin na ngayon ay may magandang trabaho sa isang restaurant. Ang bunso nilang kapatid, si Homer, 16 na taong gulang ay nasa first year college at kumukuha ng Information Technology (IT). Sa pag-uusap nilang tatlong magkakapatid, napagkasunduan nilang four-year course na ipakuka kay Homer dahil kaya na nilang tustusan ito.

Sa pangunguna niya, napaayos na rin nila ang kanilang tinitirhan sa Caloocan na dati ay maliit kaya halos hindi sila magkasyang anim. Bilang panganay ay inuuna niya ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga kapatid bago ang sa kanya. Binalikat na niya ang ganitong tungkulin dahil nagkaka-edad na rin ang kanilang mga magulang. Subalit inamin niyang hanggang ngayon ay nagku-kutsero pa rin ang kanyang tatay upang hindi lang manghina dahil nasanay na sa pagbanat ng mga buto.

Ang paglalakbay ni Herson sa laot ng buhay ay pambihira dahil sa murang gulang ay napasabak na sa lahat ng mga pagsubok na angkop lamang sa mga nakakatanda. Sinabi niyang mula’t sapol ay wala na siyang inisip kundi ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga magulang at mga kapatid. Ni wala siyang pagsisisi o pagkalungkot kahit pa nilaktawan niya ang dapat sana ay panahon ng kanyang kabataan. Sa pag-uusap namin ay ilang beses niyang binanggit na ayaw niyang madanasan ng kanyang mga kapatid ang kanyang pinagdaanan kaya siya nagsikap. Mabuti na nga lang daw at ang bunso nila ay nakikipagtulungan naman kaya masikap sa kanyang pag-aaral. Ang ikinatutuwa pa niya, likas yata ang talino sa makabagong teknolohiya dahil kahit first year college pa lang ay nakakapagkumpuni na ng computer.

Larawan ng kasiyahan si Herson habang nag-uusap kami. Marami pa sana akong itatanong subalit dahil ayaw ko siyang masyadong maabala ay nagpaalam na ako subalit, nangakong mag-uusap pa kami tungkol sa operasyon ng kanilang opisina na ayon sa kanya ay marami na ring natulungan, at ang pinaiiral sa mga empleyado ay katapatan tulad ng ginawa ni Jaime Mayor na hindi nasilaw sa salaping naiwan ng turistang Pranses na naging pasahero niya.

See with Our Heart,

Feel with Kindness

By Apolinario Villalobos

Our eyes perceive the world

That’s all that they can do;

But there’s more beneath

The surface of everything

That only the heart can see –

If strengthened with fidelity.

Touching the lives of others

Some do with false charity

They, who think, food is enough

They, who think, money is fine

But given devoid of kindness

All effort becomes worthless.

Look around with our heart

Touch others with kindness

Those are what we should do

To realize our purposes in life –

Live and share, love sincerely

And thank the Lord as we pray!

The “TPC” Mark of Ed Vergado

(PAL Senior International Ticket Representative)

By Apolinario Villalobos

“TPC” stands for Total Passenger Care, a trademark of PAL during its Golden Days under Roman Cruz, Jr. As a “total care”, even inquiring callers and walk-ins were given utmost attention, because they are already considered customers, though with “prospect” status. Most often, though, because of the care given, they eventually, become a full-pledge customer.

The mark of PAL’s excellent service, was again shown by Ed Vergado, a senior International Ticket Representative of Philippine Airlines assigned at the NAIA Terminal 2 ticket office. I witnessed how he offered his cellphone to a passenger, Arturo Albulario, who was in a quandary while trying to contact a friend who was supposed to meet him upon his arrival from Los Angeles.  He was taking a connecting flight to Cebu that morning and the meeting with his friend was very crucial, as time was running out.

With a smile that put Mr. Albulario at ease, Ed even offered to dial the number of the former’s friend for him. In just a few minutes, the friend who was finally contacted rushed inside the ticket office. Both were profuse in showing their gratitude to Ed. The passenger tried to show his apprehension by leaving a substantial amount to refund the consumed load for the call made, but which Ed vehemently refused. I witnessed the incident as I was inside the ticket office killing time while waiting for the arrival of a friend from Davao.

Ed began his airline career in Virac station (Catanduanes Island) as a ticket clerk, moving on to Laoag station (Ilocos Sur) with the same position. Recurrent trainings afforded him knowledge in other responsibilities such as ramp handling, counter handling (check-in), cargo handling, reservations, and manual computation of load (passenger, baggage and cargo). His expertise in the line was such that every time new stations were opened, he was among those assigned which happened when Busuanga station in Palawan was made operational to boost the tourism-related effort of the province.

With the onset of developments in the company, Ed was transferred to NAIA Terminal 2, to handle checking in of passengers for which he was well-prepared, thanks to his experience and trainings. Lately, he is now at the ticket office of the same terminal, but this time, preparing international tickets, as a Senior International Ticket Representative (Senior ITR), a supervisory position that he more than deserves.

The more than 30 years of service in PAL, made Ed a seasoned customer-oriented employee, and developed in him a sharp perception on how to make customers satisfied. He does not hesitate in sharing what he has gained with his new co-employees every time he has a chance, as what I had observed also that morning. As there was a lull in the influx of customers, Ed was entertaining questions and voluntarily sharing information about their responsibilities with the rest of the counter staff.

 Philippine Airlines can encourage acts similar to what Ed did, by giving deserving employees due recognition through commendation. The emulation by other employees can create a chain reaction that can definitely add more life to the consistent excellent service of the company.

Kimberly Bautista Rosel: Angel on the Road

By Apolinario Villalobos

Around seven in the morning of July 26, I was on my way to Divisoria, on a jeepney that plied the Mabini Street of Ermita. At the corner of Salas St., two young Koreans hailed the jeepney and showing the photo on their cellphone to the driver, asked if he was passing by the said landmark. The driver inaudibly replied which was of course, not understood by the tourists. At this point, I asked them if it was alright for me to see the landmark on their cellphone which I found to be the bastion of Intramuros, after which I gave them directions.

A young pretty lady across from where I sat, volunteered that she was on her way to Intramuros and offered to guide the couple. She told me that she was a student of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and that she had enough time to drop the two tourists where they wanted to start their walking tour. As I was impressed by her attitude which was another inspiring act, my favorite subject for blogs, I ventured if it was okey for me to write something about her, giving my “credential” in the process. Also I asked her to share with me what would transpire in the course of her angelic gesture. As the three hastily alighted for a connecting ride, all I got from the young lady was her name, “Kimberly”.  I thought she would forget all about me until I checked my facebook the following day for any message from her which I fortunately got. With it she sent a “friend request” which I immediately confirmed.

She was Kimberly Bautista Rosel. In her message, she shared that she brought the young tourists to the landmark where they wanted to start their walking tour. Not long afterwards,  pedicab drivers approached them to offer their service of a quick tour of the Walled City but were declined with her help, as the tourists knew only a sprinkling of English.  After giving more information, she left them and hastily proceeded to her class. She shared that they were wondering why I was nice to them on the jeepney to which she explained the Filipino trait of volunteerism.

At sixteen, Kimberly impressed me as having a strong personality. During our short exchange of pleasantries on the jeepney, and while talking to the tourists, she spoke with confidence and in a very good English without a ‘trying hard” twang, for which many teens are apt to do today. I was not surprised as I found later that her mother is a teacher. She also unabashedly confided that her father is a driver in a school in Pasay City. Her family hails from Nasugbu, Batangas. When I checked the photos on her facebook, I found images of a happy family.

Kimberly is the epitome of the Filipino hospitality, on which hinges the effort of the country in upholding its lure in the face of the cutthroat competition in the tourism industry. Hopefully, the two Korean tourists will tell their friends back home about their experience, that indeed, the Philippines is really a safe place where one can enjoy the sights and goodwill of the people. I firmly believe that “word of mouth” is more effective than the printed advertisements, as the former is a reliable first-hand account.

Kimberley more than advertised the country with her act. If I may add, she is also pretty, a typical dusky Filipina. How I wish there are thousands more of her kind that tourists will find along their way around the country.

Faith was Never Intended

To Separate the People from Each Other

…thanks to Pope Francis for this reminder

By Apolinario Villalobos

I am mustering a great courage in coming up with this share. I was challenged by a comment from an obviously heretic on one of my blogs in another site where he said: “you did fine, but I hope religion is out of it”. My blog was about random act of kindness, not about religion, so I was surprised why he came up with such an uncalled for comment. For coming up with such statement, I am forced to express that, for me, kindness can never be separated from religion or faith for that matter. Although, such act could be unconsciously manifested, it cannot be denied that it is still founded on faith that has been developed in our heart since birth. Religious affinity came only later on, with some having been imposed days after birth, while the rest have been left to be chosen later when the child becomes old enough to understand what faith is all about.

As there is no “highest” earthly authority on religion, man is left at the mercy of the different “churches” that compete with each other in attracting “flocks” to their folds. They employ interesting ways to best explain how man came to be and how he can be happy forever. Science- based groups even aver that the passages in the Old Testament about unearthly manifestation of powers were made by extra-terrestials, and which they consider as the first missionaries on earth. Unfortunately, they could not explain how these “missionaries” could give the “chosen people” an order to annihilate the so-called “gentiles”, when Godliness is supposed to be about goodness.

Today, the Universal Roman Catholic church has a popular pope… the people’s pope, Francis, who unabashedly admitted wrongdoings among his ministers, while at the same time, untiringly calls for love and compassion. In the eyes of other churches, pope Francis may not be the highest earthly religious authority, but for those who do not need a Bible or a Koran to understand and feel that there is God, his call for unconditional love and compassion is the most believable that a missionary can utter, a call that is clearly tinged with utmost faith.

If man will only focus his faith towards the One whose intention was never to create animosities on earth, instead of keeping an eye on what his neighbors are doing, the pope could have perhaps, been just calling on every one to sing praises, instead of sounding off reminders to everyone to love one another.

My simple understanding is that, there is only one kind of faith…and those who feel otherwise, must have in their heart, what I call “arrogance”. These are those who trace their ancestry to the apes or the fish…without thinking that these so-called “ancestors” still owe their existence to “someone”… leaving us with one question, as to who is that “someone”. Also, if man came into being by chance, “who” caused this chance, or better, if it is a “force”, “what” or “who” is that “force”? Clearly, the groups differing in claims point to one common insufficiently explained object, so that there is no reason for bickering. At the end, each one is left to his own faith…and the one who manifests the best through action becomes the most convincing.

The Act of Kindness

…a message to parents

By Apolinario Villalobos

The act of kindness should not be a means to an end, but the reason, in itself. In other words, we should not be kind to others, just because we want to go to heaven, but because we want to do it to for the sake of others. Acting kindly should be spontaneous. The act should form part of our habit. By acting this way, we will forget to count our indulgences which others are prone in doing. The act of kindness should end when the action is done, so that any return for such act is not considered.

In this regard, parents should stop telling their kids to be kind to others so that Jesus will love them. Children should be told to be kind, because by being so they are helping others. Of course, there is always Jesus or God or heaven as reasons every time we do kind acts. But, foremost, as our reason to be kind should be the expectation of us, as human beings, intelligent creatures, who should be kind to others. The clever guys may ask, what happens then to the Ten Commandments?

For the question above, I also ask, how about the aborigines who do not know God?... those in the hinterlands and jungles who have not seen a missionary, much more a Bible or a cross?  Don’t they have the right to go to heaven even if they have done acts of kindness, just because nobody told them about such an eternal paradise? The unconscious dispensing of kind acts by these people who, in the eyes of others are uncivilized, deserve more heavenly recognition that what some evil-minded, though, college or university-educated and church-going humans are doing!

Parents should tell their children that they should be kind to others because the latter deserve respect due them as human beings. And, blessings should be shared with them because they need the help to be able to survive. We should do only those, and just leave to God the judgment if our acts are worthy of a place in heaven. Again, we should not count our acts of kindness.

Every Christmas, some parents are even going farther, by warning their kids not to be bad because Santa Claus will not give them gifts. Christianity or any religion that observes Christmas never teaches that! Santa Claus is not even mentioned in the Bible or whatever book of any religion. Santa Claus just like the Christmas tree, is just a symbol of the pagan way of celebrating Christmas, to have a semblance of festivity. Christmas is all about the humble birth of Jesus Christ. And, what has been originally celebrated was the baptism of Jesus Christ.  It was only one of the early popes who thought of giving importance to the birthday of Jesus Christ, with the exact date not yet even officially established, and to give it a facade of joyful celebration for the sake of the converted pagans, used their early practices that are still being observed today.

A mother confided to me that when she told her child that Santa Claus is a missionary, the child in all innocence, asked her mother why he does not wear a cross, or carry a Bible! The mother was caught flat-footed, and she told me that she felt so ashamed of what she told her child, vowing never to tell her lies again.

The erroneous way of developing kindness in the personality of a child has done its toll. The wrong notion about kindness has become an integral part of the obnoxious attitude of some children which they will pass on to their own children when they become parents, themselves. The world is so full of children with this kind of attitude, with the parents themselves, to be blamed for their “spoiled” upbringing. This is a general observation. If some parents are doing the right thing, they need not react defensively. Unfortunately, I may be pessimistic, by sharing that I see no end to this vicious cycle. Only voluntary contrition of parents may help. But how many parents are willing?