ON BEING VULNERABLE Column (Agenda and Attachments: Al Christ Selim) No corpse in this world has been submerged six-feet below the ground without experiencing the many versions of letdowns in life. May it be in our relationships, career, or in our daily routines, it always paves its own presence that may cause us to trample down. In the recent days, we faced a really cruel world. We found people who became helpless and vulnerable. We saw wrecked homes and damaged properties. We witnessed heaps of fatalities and unfortunate ending of lives from the natural calamities that tried to test us. From storms, floods, to earthquakes, and even societal crimes and prejudice, almost none of us escaped the bitter side of living. Then these unending tales of social instability in our country wherein our elected solons are mostly involved also makes an insinuation that our efforts towards crafting an ordered community are yet insufficient. It may be a saddening instance for us to comprehend that the public persona that we once write in our ballot boxes as our most trusted people to tender us their genuine public service are now the supposed culprits of their own scandals. * * * * * * * * * * * Cliché as it may seem, but every time a manifestation of a tempest attacks us, a heart-breaking scenario is always present, counting the lives of the lifeless. Thought of the strongest and most powerful storm in 2013 worldwide, supertyphoon “Yolanda” shattered the central part of the Philippines, which set off landslides and triggered storm surges and broke down power and communication lines. With the fact that our country lies along the Pacific, we are very prone and susceptible to storms and weather disturbances. Now come to think of this: this year alone we were antagonized by 24 typhoons, how many lives you guess have gone? No matter how robust we are in our preparation, we become defenseless when the wrath of nature takes place in our human communities and natural ecosystems. Also, this year, a horrifying upheaval roared our communities– the 7.2 magnitude tremor which was mostly felt in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu. It took houses, commercial establishments, and churches down amounting to billions of damages. It ailed thousands and killed other hundreds. The quake also terrified people as it continuously made a number of aftershock. Its aftermath which saddened the Roman Catholic laities and believers is the collapse of many churches in Bohol. Critics presumed that the incident happened because the Catholic believers have this misconception in their belief and that they become lazybones with their faith. But squarely, it’s wrong. The establishments are just too old that the tremor that struck is enough to bang them down (and anyway, it is for another piece for writing that this bard will scribble on). The loss of our nation might be tremendous and gut-wrenching but the resiliency that we Filipinos have is pretty impressive. We have also seen government efforts as comprehensive and on the dot when called on to serve its constituents amid the disasters. Ordinary people also blast out for rescue for their fellowmen as what was evident in all the catastrophes that hit us. From simple efforts of relief to huge amounts of donations, the spirit of “bayanihan” in the Filipino nature is indeed a poignant picture to behold. May these constant challenges that try to test us provoke our minds that the most important thing in this world is not found in the worldly agenda that we are attached to but in the intimate relationship we have with our Creator, through our prayers and our faith. If human efforts fail, have faith. Pray!
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 12:11:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015