Trans-national bayanihan

In March 1942, with the forces under his command far outnumbered by those of the Japanese Imperial Army, General Douglas MacArthur was forced to escape from Corregidor. Upon arrival in Australia, he uttered his famous words which have since been etched in Philippine history: “I shall return.” MacArthur honored his promise two years later when he landed in Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944. Though the phrase was made in the context of a subsequent American offensive against Japan, it has since become symbolic of a triumphant return by a nation to aid another nation in its hour of need.

Here we are, almost seven decades later, and our allies (now together with former enemies) have once again returned to extend a helping hand. Although this time, the cause of our devastation is not the fault of man but the wrath of nature. It is tragically ironic that one of the most powerful super typhoons the world has ever seen should impact a small country like ours, with less means and resources to defend against it. But overwhelming as the mega howler has been, overwhelming as well has been the response of the international and domestic communities to the plight of Yolanda’s victims. A clear example of trans-national bayanihan. As of Nov.18, approximately 50 countries and international organizations have donated over $300 million in cash and kind. This does not include the various medical and humanitarian missions providing assistance to the victims. The local communities have done their part as well. Top Philippine corporate and foundations together with hordes of volunteer organizations have done their fair share in the relief operations.

Another interesting form of assistance is the plan of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to tap Metro Manila cities to “adopt” typhoon ravaged areas in Leyte and Eastern Samar. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino announced that Metro LGUs will assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of their assigned towns for one year. This is another clear example of “bayanihan” put into action.

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Short speech: Last Tuesday, Nov. 19, the United States celebrated the seven and a half score (150th) anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg address. The 272-word, 10-sentence speech which was delivered in a little more than two minutes is one of the most revered in American history. Interestingly, on the same occasion a two-hour oration was given by Edward Everett, yet the latter has largely been forgotten, proving that more isn’t always better. Such was the genius of Lincoln that soon after the event, Everett sent a note stating, “I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.”

To appreciate the speech, one must first understand the context within which it was written. In 1863, while America was in the midst of a civil war. Lincoln issued his most famous executive order: the emancipation proclamation. This decreed the freedom of slaves in the 10 southern states. Although the proclamation was not a law passed by Congress, it was never challenged in court. In July of that year, Union troops won a decisive victory against the Confederates at the Battle of Gettysburg. Four months later, Lincoln gave his “address” which was mainly for the purpose of dedicating a plot of land that would become a Soldier’s National Cemetery to honour the fallen.

Among the most memorable passages of this address are the first and the last:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

“Four score and seven” is a much more lyrical way of saying eighty-seven. Lincoln reminds his citizens that 87 years earlier, the US had won its freedom from Britain and founded their nation on the principles of liberty and equality. He also masterfully sets the tone for the rest of his speech, culminating in the famous line:

”It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honoured dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Two years later — and only eight months after his assassination at the age of 56 — the country adopted the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery. In 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was passed which adopted the due process and equal protection of the laws, to bind the States in respect of the Bill of Rights. The course of U.S. history had been completely and irrevocably altered.

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Greetings: Today we celebrate the birth anniversary of my namesake, the “original” Andres Bautista.  I asked my youngest sister who is also a lawyer, Tinine, to write a few words of greeting and this is what she had to say:  

Let me thank the good Lord for the 80-something years of my father, a lawyer and man of many talents ranging from golf (he managed a rare hole-in-one), to theater (he was cast as Othello in his Ateneo days) to mahjong (professional class). A child of World War 2, he was a public servant for most of his professional career who lived simply and served under steadfast principles of honor and commitment that many of our current public officials could stand to learn from. Known to friends and family for his charming reclusiveness, he is to us a fierce and loyal protector. In these times of national calamity and turmoil, one of his favorite reminders to us ring loud and true- Pray and pray some more. Happy birthday Dad! May you continue to be blessed with good health and much happiness.

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“It’s not how much we give but how

much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa
                                          

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