Her Life in Exchange: Remembering Susan “Toots” Ople

Even before she became Secretary of the newly formed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Susan “Toots” Ople had always been assisting migrants, especially the distressed among them. And even unto her death, at the exchange of her life.

When she agreed in 2022 to become DMW Secretary, she was going through her advanced stage of cancer.

Still, she worked with so much love/passion/dedication/compassion.

She was indefatigable, flying to even war-torn areas to hug/embrace/assist/protect/care for her beloved Filipino migrants and workers.

Those who give up their lives for others are considered heroes. Our migrants are considered modern day heroes because they offer their lives not only for their own families for our whole nation.

Toots is as genuine as genuine can get.

A true patriot/a true heroine, she literally offered the remaining year of her life wholeheartedly/lovingly for those she loved so dearly throughout her life: our workers/migrants.

Such an irreplaceable loss for us all but a most-welcomed gain for heaven.

In October, 2019, as columnist for Business Mirror, Toots wrote, perhaps to and about herself as well- “How long will you live?”

These excerpts:

“The average life span of a cockroach is one year. But, a cockroach does not know this. It does not scurry into safety at the sight of a giant shoe looming overhead, waiting for the perfect moment to squash it to extinction

You and I differ from a cockroach. We are born knowing that eventually we will die.

That we, humans, are gifted with the knowledge that our umbilical cords come with an expiration date appear to be lost on people who live aimless lives.

To wake up each morning and feel that this day is no different than the other is such a grievous error in judgment.

Every sunrise is an opportunity to live a day better and more productive than the previous one.

How long will you and I live?

We need to ask that question because tomorrow, we could die.

It would be such a shame if we go through life hoarding baskets of regrets in the backyard of our memory

When we ride in an elevator, we press the number of the floor where we want to get off. In death, none of us know which button to press.

Divinity has its own penthouse, and only those authorized by Heaven can reach that holy floor.

So, live.

Do not aim to merely exist. Leave an imprint, something precious to those who truly love you.

Be good.

To beget love, know how to truly love. So, love. Give as much as you can of yourself (not merely receive).

The value of an unexpected hug at a critical time is a memory that appreciates with time.

Hatred cuts life short. Bigotry kills. Remove that from your life.

Be happy, if not always with yourself, than be happy for others.

Trust yourself.

The average life expectancy of a Filipino is around 70 years. Compared to a cockroach, we are infinitely luckier.

So, read more. Expand your mind. Develop your abilities.

Age should not be a hindrance in uncovering your true worth.

Be a happy sponge. Be grateful.

Think of how you can improve your humanity. Always be a work in progress. Embark on self-improvement initiatives.

Learn.

Be kind. When you are at work, just breathe in and out with a grateful heart.

Smile more. Find opportunities to laugh.

Do not type what you feel. Say it.

How long will you live?

That may be God’s biggest surprise.

When that divine elevator takes you to afterlife’s roof deck, I wish you the biggest smile, from within, radiating through the clouds, into the hearts of people that remember you best.

For now, live/do your best.”

Smile in God’s eternal embrace/love/peace, Toots.

Maraming, maraming salamat!