Let’s start with a prayer: “Almighty God, you know that we are surrounded by many great dangers, and because of our human frailty we cannot withstand them. Give us health of mind and bodyso that we who suffer under sin may overcome and win the victory in You; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”
My good friend Merriam Webster defines resilience as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change”. Other than being “friendly”, since we supposedly smile easily and are very accommodating to foreigners, especially those with white skin, Filipinos are also known far-and-wide as a resilient people. Despite living (or merely existing) in a beautiful archipelago cursed annually by a plethora of natural and man-made disasters, Pinoys manage to pick themselves up every time and even take selfies or groufies for good measure. Isn’t this a perfect example of our resiliency?
However, this Ibaloy writer believes that although being resilient in the face of challenges is a positive trait, this should not be made as an excuse by some of our honorable leaders to be complacent, or worse, do nothing to find ways in preventing or mitigating the ill effects of these calamities. Take note, I said some of our leaders and not all. This paper prides itself as being “fair”, after all.
While resilience is a Filipino strength, everybody has a breaking point. We’re only humans with limits to the amount of suffering, humiliation, and pain we can take. Therefore, more effective pro-active solutions to prevent or mitigate natural and man-made calamities are needed. Pronto.
FYI: “Interlinked” is now open. It is a contemporary art exhibit by Baguio artists at the Baguio Convention Center running from Nov. 14 to 29. It is part of the Ibagiw Creative Arts and Crafts Festival. The exhibit is curated by Erlyn Ruth Alcantara.
Here’s “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes: “Well, son, I’ll tell you:/ Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair./ It’s had tacks in it,/ And splinters,/ And boards torn up,/ And places with no carpet on the floor—/ Bare./ But all the time/ I’se been a-climbin’ on,/ And reachin’ landin’s,/ And turnin’ corners,/ And sometimes goin’ in the dark/ Where there ain’t been no light./ So, boy, don’t you turn back./ Don’t you set down on the steps./ ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard./ Don’t you fall now—/ For I’se still goin’, honey,/ I’se still climbin’,/ And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
