Mother’s Day

Last Monday, the loss of confiscated drugs by the NBI was front-page news. It is easy to find negative news about the police. Finding the positive news takes more work.

Last week, there was a report, buried in the middle pages, that a gang of 13 bank robbers were captured. What was impressive about that report is what was missing? There was no "salvaging", no wild shoot-out, no escape of the leaders, no innocent bystanders killed or wounded. But then, there was also no mention in the editorial page about the successful operation.

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Citizens should recognize such actions for their own self-interest. One of the facts of life is that "What gets rewarded gets done." If we want competent and professional police work, we have to reinforce it and reward it every time it is delivered. Public recognition is one of the most powerful rewards. That’s where media can make a difference. Those policemen did an outstanding job. For our own benefit and because they deserve it, it is important that their good work receives recognition.

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David Murphy has a reaction to the criticism over the nomination of Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Murphy’s reaction came after some ranking military officers complained that if Cimatu is appointed, that will prevent others from having their turn in the position. "This sounds like a bunch of elementary school kids complaining about not getting a turn on the swings," he said.

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"I know that, aside from a few corrupt individuals, military officers make many sacrifices in the service of their country. They deserve to be honored and respected for that. They also deserve to be better paid," Murphy stated. "Granted all that, the post of the Chief of the Armed Forces is too important to serve as a reward for past service. Rotating officers through the position for short periods of time is not conducive to sustained direction and long-term progress."

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Murphy explained that there has to be another way to honor the men who have served their country so long and so well. The man who is chosen and the length of time he serves should be based not upon a desire to recognize and reward individuals but solely on what is best for the Philippines.

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Has anybody come up with the concept of honoring children to celebrate their innocence, their exuberance and enthusiasm about life and the pride they generate from parental eyes? Mother’s Day would be the closest thing to a non-celebrated Children’s Day.

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Ramon S. Torres, a core group member of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Community, sent a poem which he asked me to share with STAR readers, specially young parents. To Torres, the following poem entitled "Children of Tomorrow" and comes from Kahlil Gibran, contains the most beautiful words of advice on parenting:

Your children are not your children,
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls.
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer seeks the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with his might
that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
So He loves the bow that is stable.

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AY Foundation recently honored some 500 high school students from all over the country during the 12th Annual National Discipline Awards on May 8, 2002 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza in Makati. Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., president of the Ateneo de Manila University and guest of honor during the occasion, delivered an inspirational message to the awardess. Selected awardees performed musical numbers including an excerpt from the Broadway musicale "Grease".

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The National Discipline Award was inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal’s strong belief that the youth is the hope of our fatherland. The award recognizes worthy students for demonstrating four core values that spell leadership: self-discipline, integrity, courage and self-sacrifice. Each awardee went through a screening by a five-man committee composed of the principal, guidance counselor and a representative each from the student body, faculty and parents organization.

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The National Discipline Awards program, instituted by Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco in 1990, is a joint effort of the Ay Foundation and a network of 500 public and private secondary schools nationwide. Each awardee receives P5,000 cash and the San Lorenzo Ruiz medal.

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Thoughts For Today:

Shortcomings are not the reason to give up,
but a challenge to improve ourselves.
Deficiencies are not an excuse to back down,
but an inspiration to move forward.

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Sometimes when we least expect it,
a door closes in our lives.
Dreams may be shattered
and plans for tomorrow may disappear.
But when one door closes,
God opens another.

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]