‘From pain to purpose’

Monday night at the glittering Taft Ballroom of Conrad Hotel in Pasay, Sen. Joel Villanueva bravely addressed a crowd of strangers, sharing his painful experience of losing his mother and sister all in a span of two months during the pandemic.

The klieg lights and the glitz and glamor of the occasion could not conceal his pain as he narrated his experience in a short yet courageously honest and poignant speech.

He recalled how the passing of his mother, Adoracion Villanueva, and sister, former Bocaue, Bulacan mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna in 2020 led him to push for the legislation of Republic Act 11509, also known as the Doktor para sa Bayan Act.

“As I was moving from pain to purpose, I found out that there are only three doctors attending to every 10,000 Filipinos–a far cry from WHO’s recommendations, which is 10 doctors for every 10,000. Besides my sister’s wake, I defended the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, which became a law six months after her interment,” Sen. Joel said.

I have never met Sen. Joel, so when he walked up the stage that night, I expected to hear just another politico speak.

But I was moved by his words. I commiserate as I recall the loved ones I’ve lost during the pandemic and those difficult months of grief and uncertainty we all endured, and to a certain extent, continue to do so.

Grief – unbearable, unspeakable, immeasurable – indeed, turns our own little worlds upside down. It’s that moment when the heart and mind go on a standstill – a situation so surreal the senses can’t even fathom it. A complete collapse of a fixed cosmic order follows and one is lost in layers and layers of pain.

One either moves on or spirals further downward to the depths of despair.

Doktor para sa Bayan

In Sen. Joel’s case, he pushed for his Doktor para sa Bayan Act, which will increase the number of physicians produced in the country by providing free tuition and other benefits to qualified candidates.

“I am still a work in progress, yet I see that our God is, indeed, a God of restoration, a God of new beginnings. Clarity of vision gives us confidence in fulfilling our purpose in life, especially in making a difference,” the lawmaker said.

It’s an important law and I hope we can also replicate it in other fields – engineers, scientists, artists, teachers, etc.

The occasion was People Asia’s People of the Year 2022 Awards Night. Villanueva, one of the awardees, was cited for his contributions to job creation.

Digital rights

Another awardee is tech tycoon Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO, who reiterated his company’s mission to provide the unserved and underserved areas in the country with fiber internet.

He said this was especially important during the pandemic when homes became our schools, offices, and places for entertainment.

“In a way, we are lighting up Filipino homes with our pure fiber internet as fiber optics technology uses pulses of light to transmit data,” Uy said.

Moving forward, Uy said Converge would continue to build its national digital highway to provide more Filipinos with world-class broadband connectivity.

It is his dream, he once told me, for Converge to ensure every Filipino’s digital right -- access to reliable, high-speed, and stable internet despite economic status.

I share that dream, too, because once in a far-flung village in Bulacan, I learned that the only way some kids could finish their online class for the day is to keep putting coins in a sari-sari store’s WiFi box.

Finding real solutions

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, another awardee, talked about finding real solutions to problems and doing fast action, as what he did in Manila. He said he was able to rebuild the city in two years.

I expected to hear this from Yorme, a subtle pitch perhaps for his candidacy in the upcoming presidential polls, but it’s true just the same. Our country really needs real solutions.

He also reminded everyone that “No matter what happens, after the rain, there will always be a rainbow.”

Helping others

Broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, also an awardee, said it was not very clear to her why she was included in People Asia’s roster of esteemed individuals.

“But I’ve certainly tried my best to live my best – so, if this honor is about appreciation for doing the most you can making some difference for good out of this short life we have on borrowed time – then I accept,” said Sanchez said who has been doing education and animal welfare advocacies and has built homes for some people in need.

There are still so many children to help educate, she also said. I strongly agree with her.

I didn’t get to hear the speeches of the other awardees. They include Nobel Peace Prize laureate, journalist Maria Ressa; Olympians Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial; infectious diseases specialist Dr. Regina Barba; Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar; tycoon Michael Tan; and actor John Arcilla.

They, and I am sure many others, countless but nameless individuals – lesser known and away from the limelight – in their own ways, have moved from pain to purpose during the pandemic, channeling grief or difficulties into a springboard from which one can make a difference in the lives of others.

And these stories of hope, courage, and purpose – despite impossible circumstances – are always worth celebrating.

Iris Gonzales’ email address is [email protected].

Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at eyesgonzales.com