IF….

TOKYO, Japan — Because of the growing polarization among Filipinos, primarily fueled by political loyalties and political hatred, it is shocking how intelligent, sensitive and generally loving Filipinos suddenly fly into fits of rage on the mention of political names such as P-Noy, Binay, Roxas, Romualdez, even that of media personalities such as Korina Sanchez, Anderson Cooper et al. At the moment this political and social divide is doing more damage than any fault line can, and the unintentional pun here is that everyone who engages in it is clearly at fault.

For days, accusations of epal, incompetence and misinformation have sullied the gallant efforts of a brave people from here and abroad. I was even told by a team leader about a volunteer worker who vehemently refused to work with or be appointed to a facility connected with a certain politician! It’s not like victims and patients are ever going to ask what your political colors are, nor will they be bringing the plastic bags that relief goods came in next time they vote!

Unfortunately even the innocent and the well meaning who have counseled others to tone down, be circumspect or be careful now suddenly find themselves thrown into the same cauldron of hatred by people who seem to spend more time “being vigilant” about the people they dislike rather than simply helping the real victims, the really downtrodden. Unfortunately vigilance has now become venom for those who believe their political self-righteousness is license to attack any and all that do not agree or run counter to their politics and opinion. Opinion is shared, not imposed, never hammered into people at the expense of friendships and good judgment. At the very least friends can agree to disagree.

During Typhoon Sendong, one of the most valuable lesson we learned was that by setting aside our conflicting views and beliefs and simply supporting each others’ needs and projects, we were able to do more and after that we knew each other better and had a deeper bond and respect that went beyond politics and advocacies!

Reflecting on these developments, I am reminded of a poetic advise that is just as timely today as when its author composed it more than a hundred years ago. I learned that it was inspired by a military leader who stood out for his courage as well as his composure and level headedness even at a very dark time in history. Here is that piece of wisdom and beautiful literature:

IF… 

If you can keep your head when all about you
 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, 
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
 Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, 
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, 
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:



If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
 If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; 
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
  And treat those two impostors just the same; 
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
 Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
  And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:



If you can make one heap of all your winnings
  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
  And never breathe a word about your loss; 
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
  To serve your turn long after they are gone, 
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
  Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”



If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
  Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, 
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
  If all men count with you, but none too much; 
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
  With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, 
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
  And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling – British Nobel Laureate (written 1895)

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Broadcaster Anthony Taberna recently suggested that perhaps it would be “politically correct” and unifying if president Noynoy were to temporarily shed his fighting colors, which is yellow during our rehabilitation process after Typhoon Yolanda. This would send a message that we are all together in this and not just the Liberals or Yellow Army as Taberna observed. For that innocent suggestion Taberna has been labeled as petty and shallow.

Taberna’s critics seem to have missed the fact that many wars, both civil or otherwise, have been fought because of “color.” So much bloodshed has taken place by people who wore their fighting colors, and as history repeatedly shows us, political colors can divide us just as much as it can unite us. Now would be a good time for all of us to wear the national colors on our jackets, lapels with pins especially if you’re travelling abroad. It will help remind people of our battle and our will to overcome the tragedy that is our many political colors and character.

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Within two days of setting up the Manila North Harbor as a staging area for collection and delivery of relief goods last week, the system is reportedly now functioning. 100 trucks immediately headed into Manila North Harbor alongside UNICEF & USAID crews with goods and equipment to send out. The DOTC, DSWD, Philippine Red Cross, ABS CBN Foundation, ABC 5 Foundation, DLSU alumni are now all using the North Harbor as a staging area. So far they have loaded a number of goods bound for Cebu, Iloilo and Leyte. As of Monday afternoon, 20 to 30 containers of relief goods were also scheduled for delivery to Cebu via PSACC or Philippine Span Asia under the direction of its CEO Jordan Go. Even my regular teammates in relief work, the Sisters of St. Paul are sending 3 container loads of relief goods with the help of Mikey Romero. Sending by the container load — now that’s “Logistics”!

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