Boholanos are not forgotten

"Noy Blasts Gloria in South Korea" -- Headline. There's such a thing as hitting an enemy who is down. And they say this is bad.

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Like most Cebuanos, I also would like to see that ruined part of the Basilica del Sto. Niño restored. And the sooner the better.

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But looking at the rubble to which the Basilica's centuries old belfry has been reduced by the earthquake, I can't help but agree with Cebu Rep. Ace Durano when he said: "Even if the government wants to restore the church it could only do so much."

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There is a group of some 30 Pinay domestic helpers in Hong Kong who spend their day-off volunteering at a local church to help feed homeless Hongkongers. They cook rice which they pack in boxes complete with dishes and distribute them to Hong Kong's "street sleepers" who live under skywalks.

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It's a commendable humanitarian volunteer work but guess what? The South China Morning Post reports that there are local people who don't appreciate what the volunteer Pinays are doing. There was, for instance, a local old Chinese who shouted at our women do-gooders in Cantonese: "Go home. Go back to the Philippines."

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I heard a priest say this in a homily: "The best in the human person comes out in the most troubled time." Or something to this effect. And this is being proven as Cebuanos and Boholanos struggle to rise from a fall.

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Our brother Boholanos are not being left alone in their moment of greatest need. Help in all forms are coming from nearly everywhere. The FREEMAN Foundation, the Philippine Star's Damayan, the radio-TV networks, you name it there are groups pitching in. That priest was right in his homily... "The best in the human person comes out in the most troubled time."

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OVERHEARD. Some taxi and PUJ drivers having breakfast in a sidewalk pungko-pungko were heard talking about the earthquake. Said one: "Sige pa gyud ang aftershocks sa noh?" Reply: Sige pa gyud ang pahinumdum nato nga magtinarong na. Reply: "undang na mo og pamugaw oy. Maangin ta sa linog."