There are messages to be heard behind the tragedy that struck Japan; lessons to heed and questions to be answered for the Filipino people.
Japan is usually the first, among few other foreign governments, to respond and come to our aid in times of great natural calamities in our land.
It is with deep affection and sadness that we see images of hell in Japan’s ravaged places as well as listen to heart-wrenching stories of those who were gravely affected by the recent 8.9 magnitude earthquake that mainly hit Tokyo and the northeastern part which followed by rampaging furious tsunami that swept houses, cars and people like toys and miniatures, drowning and burying everyone alive along the way.
Considering the disastrous “after-effects” of the tragedy and the continuous shaking still being felt in that nation which may potentially cause further miseries to its people and government, experts foresee that it may take several years before Japan can get up to its feet and are alarmed at the risk of a Nuclear explosion and that the meltdown/radiation plague could linger for so long to worsen the situation and toughen the plight of the Japanese people.
We share the grief of the countless victims over the loss of lives and property and for the unimaginable consequent havoc the earthquakes and tsunamis may wreak to Japan and the entire region as a whole in the near future.
The big question now for us Filipinos is not only “are we prepared for the Big One that may soon jolt the whole nation like a catastrophe we have never experienced before?” But also the more urgent question of how “moved” are we as a people at this time with what struck Japan, enough to reach out to a friendly nation in dire need?
And foremost of all: How “shaken” are we, enough to make amends to set things right in our own backyard as a corrupt and depraved nation?
“…prepare to meet thy God…” - Amos 4:12
--Reni Valenzuela