No better way

I can think of no better way than to start the year than by starting it with gratitude. During the entire year of 2011, one phrase that I constantly uttered were the words: “But by the grace of God go I”.

It was not an easy year for many of us, but it was also a year where GOD showed his faithfulness at every turn. From medical threats to financial constraints, what the enemy had meant for evil, GOD turned into good. Yes we have much to be thankful for our good health and the extra years that our parents and elders get to live and be in our company.

Looking back, we finished better than we expected. While work and economic opportunities were limited, I was certainly blessed with so much opportunity to travel and it was a poignant finish to the year that my last plane trip was to give back and help people in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

As I walked through Cagayan de Oro and Iligan province, I learned that life by itself was more important than any earthly possession, it was there I was reminded that no matter all our shortcomings and imperfect relationships, family and friends are still GOD’s gift to us and we must appreciate each and everyone of them.

At this very moment there are thousands of people wondering if someone they loved or someone they knew died in the floods. Thousands of them will spend months or years before they ever find closure in the sudden disappearance of a loved one.

I also saw and learned how people set aside their conflicts, their politics and their disagreements. As much as people wanted to be critical of this politician or that politician, people opted to be silent and to help. I saw anti-mining people working side by side with people who worked directly for mining related companies and assisting each other to get their respective missions accomplished. I saw competitors in the cement industry work at a common goal; to give relief goods, as if they were partners.

It is ironic how for most of the year various sectors of our society were locked in combat either in media or in court about politics, business or the environment, only to reach the year-end working together.

After several days in the disaster areas and observing things, I found myself tweeting and posting this thought on Facebook:

“Here in Ground Zero, we are by force of circumstance, collaborating and cooperating with those we disagree, dislike and despise because we have discovered two things; our compassion is greater than our contempt, and that we hate pain and suffering more than we could hate each other”.

Yes in the midst of difficulties there was much to be thankful for.

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In my rush to get the word out about the Iligan tragedy, I made the mistake of writing that the Mayor of Iligan was Lawrence Tan. Sorry for the error. The correct name is Lawrence LL. Cruz who is doing a herculean job to help the people of Iligan City, especially in the far-flung barangays that have been cut off.

Thanks to his constituents and loyal admirers, I was immediately informed about the mix-up. I actually have a former colleague at channel 2 who is named Lawrence Tan and I must have absent mindedly put in his name without realizing it.

Mayor Lawrence Cruz and everyone in Iligan needs our help, please continue to help and to spread the word.

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In the rush of things, I haven’t had the chance to mention some of the people or teams I met in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, so here’s just part of it.

My hat off to the employees of Globe and their CSR team who spent Christmas in CDO especially to a young lady named Alexandria Clea Logarta, daughter of Charo Logarta, who decided to spend her 10th birthday and host a party at an evacuation center on the 24th of December.

I also want to thank Rose Imperial from the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association who would practical “beg, steal or borrow” just to get whatever materials or relief goods were needed by volunteers or Evacuation center officials. PMSEA has also committed to bring in mini-graders and backhoes to help clear barangay roads and villages where DPWH vehicles can’t go in.

One very active group who went out of their way to pick up and deliver a huge cargo of vaccines for Iligan were the people from HOLCIM Cement. They also hosted a post Christmas dinner for several volunteers who left Manila before Christmas eve and missed out on the Noche Buena.

It was a reunion of sorts for me as it gave me a chance to catch up with my Comrade Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and presidential Adviser Neric Acosta. Unfortunately it was not long enough since we all had to go back to our respective evacuation centers.

All of us should cover the volunteers at Xavier University, particularly Father Eric Velandria who has carried the burden of leadership in responding to the disaster caused by Typhoon Sendong.

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Finally Thank You for being part of our lives and making us part of yours. May God Bless you in this New Year and may he expand your territory, renew your body and your spirit.