The capture of Abu Sayyaf leader Nadzmi Sabdulla a.k.a. Al Shariff and Commander Global is a major breakthrough in the government’s campaign against terrorists and terrorism. The major event has already been reported to the world, via the cable news networks, and it is certainly going to contribute in the task of restoring the Philippine image abroad.
The next job now of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is to go after the other top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf. Once this terrorist group is pulverized and exterminated, expect Philippine tourism to make a dramatic rebound. Tourism, as we all know, is a major dollar-earner for any country known as a tourist destination. And certainly, there are so many things in our country that can attract foreign tourists to drop by.
The hostage-taking at Dos Palmas by the Abu Sayyaf. The training of Muslim-Filipino terrorists by Bin Laden. The plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada. The peace negotiations between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front. The election of the new Senate President and Speaker of the House.
All these events and many more in the front pages of the daily newspapers and in primetime news over television and radio are not really the more meaningful things to the common people and to the great majority of Filipinos. There are many other little things – events that do not catch banner headlines, that oftentimes do not even get any space in the newspapers, that appear trite and inconsequential to the people in the corridors of power – that mean much, much more to 99 percent of the Filipino people.
Busted traffic lights that cause massive traffic jams. Potholed streets that slow down traffic. Lack of water supply. Proliferation of snatchers and pickpockets in the streets of the metropolis. Absence of policemen to go after traffic violators, "killer trucks" and "killer drivers" on the road. Red tape in the delivery of the most simple services to the public, like the issuance of a police or NBI clearance. Failure of the authorities to collect garbage. Street diggings that have long been unrepaired by the government’s road repair workers. Overcharging by drivers of tricycles and public utility vehicles. These simple, basic things and many other seemingly little things are the causes behind the people’s disenchantment with the government.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will gain more points in her effort to win public sympathy for her administration if she concentrates in prodding the authorities concerned to do these little things for the little people. When I use the word
little, I do not merely refer to the poor or to the
masa but to all Filipinos who are outside the corridors of power. For those who rile and curse and cry and gripe against the government are usually those who yearn for public servants who have the determination and political will to make the good, small things happen in their communities and in our society.
The Abu Sayyaf. Erap and the Sandiganbayan cases against him. The escalating oil prices. The national budgetary problems. All these things will, to the great majority of Filipinos, become less worrisome if they see the entire government machinery working day and night to attend to the little problems that make life and living a daily hassle in our country.
Is there a kidney donor around? A seven-year-old girl, Krystel Teila, badly needs a kidney transplant in order to live, play among the lilies in the field, and pursue her dreams. "Lord, help me look for a kidney donor" – that is the prayer of this girl everytime she goes to sleep at night.
Krystel’s mother is Dra. Pacita A. Silverio, an obstetrician-gynecologist by profession. And Krystel is the third of three children, her only daughter who was born with a kidney disorder. The ailment of Krystel has been a tragic experience that has wrought havoc on the family of Dra. Silverio. "I cannot go fulltime in my career because of this situation. My earnings are just enough for our basic and medical needs but not for the operation itself which might cost about half a million pesos," she said.
Let me use Dra. Silverio’s own words to describe the plight of Krystel: "She has only one kidney that measures three centimeters (too small from normal). At birth, everything was normal, but at ten months old when her growing body had outgrown the function of her small kidney, she started to manifest the disease of chronic diarrhea, anemia, acidosis for which she was diagnosed and treated as a case of renal failure."
Dra. Silverio continued: "Initially, Krystel was maintained on medication until she was four years old when she went into End Stage Renal Disease for which dialysis is the only way to maintain life. She is now on her fourth year of dialysis done every four hours (six times a day) on ambulatory basis."
"During those years, Krystel had a total of five operations for catheter insertion of dialysis and about 6-8 confinements. She needs a kidney transplant for her to live a normal or near-normal life. We have tried to get a donor from the family but failed," Dra. Silverio said.
When she forgets her ailment and dreams of the things she wants to be, Krystel often says she would like to walk, dance, go to school, and play with her brothers. "I know that if I have a kidney transplant, the mornings will be beautiful and my mother’s problems will be solved," Krystel said.
For those who may know someone who could help get a kidney donor for Krystel, please contact Dra. Silverio at telephone number 937-3586 or (0919) 820-9219. Or call the Good Samaritan Foundation at telephone numbers 716-1399 and 716-1499. Thanks a million… and God bless!
Here are some inspirational text messages that I got during the past several days:
Life always gives u back wat u give out,
It’s a mirror of ur actions.
Ur life’s not a coincidence,
but an echo of ur own doings. Nothing can dim the beauty
that shines from within.
by holding the Lord always close 2 u! Believe while others are doubting,
work while others are wishing,
save while others are wasting,
persist while others are quitting.
God bless! Sometimes we must be hurt in order to grow,
fail in order to know,
lose in order to gain.
And sometimes we have to be broken
so we can be whole again. My e-mail addresses:
<jaywalker@skyinet.net> and
<jaywalker@pacific.net.ph>