Small gifts
This Christmas always remember that a gift no matter how small is better than a great promise. This our German friends say. And our Russian friends add: Don't put the gift in my ear, put it in my hand.
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Some words of wisdom for the ninongs and the ninangs to ponder this season of giving. Courtesy of my friend Noy Temiong.
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I just heard on radio that Ruby has weakened as it hit Batangas. That's understandable. Landfalling (in the Visayas) six times is just too much even for Pablo and Ondoy.
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A businessman from Leyte told me over the phone that when Yolanda struck last year, many Taclobanons had to be forced to evacuate. "Things were different when Ruby struck," he said. "Many residents evacuated even without being told."
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He said when the government order for mass evacuation came, many residents had already evacuated on their own. "I think it's human nature," I said. "When life is at stake, people need no prodding to save their lives."
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There was panic buying in Tacloban as typhoon Ruby was coming. Knowing about the panicking Taclobanons, Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez appealed to businessmen not to raise their prices of commodities. He made this appeal: "Don't take advantage of others at the time of calamity. You're not alone who have the right to live." Meaning, you got to share that God-given right with others.
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That appeal nevertheless did not stop the emptying of the food shelves in a Tacloban supermarket.
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At a women's organization's anniversary in Pasay City, VP Jojo Binay was introduced as the "next president" and Rep. Lito Atienza who was there was called "future senator." Sec. Mar Roxas was not present. He was in Borongan, Samar, coordinating the government's response to typhoon Ruby. Everyone was busy in Samar. The busiest was Ruby.
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A Tsinoy from Cebu was rushed back to Cebu after sustaining a broken leg while doing civic-charitable work with other Tsinoys in Samar at the time of Ruby's landfall in Dolores town. Not known to many, there was a group of Tsinoys from Cebu who went to Samar while Ruby was still on the way to batter the province.
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OVERHEARD. While Cebu was waiting for typhoon Ruby, members of a young women's group kept praying the Oratio Imperata prayer against tragedy and calamity. They did it in the barangay chapel again and again until they memorized the prayer. Said one of the women: "Nasag-o ko na ang maong pangadyion, naapil na nuon sa bedtime prayers ko." Comment: "Tungod baya sa pabalikbalik sa tv ni Mons. Palma sa Oratio Imperata, hastang mga amiga kong Born Again nakasag-o nasad ana."
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