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Of heroes his last full week of November has got to be one of the most unpredictably unsettling week fors Bystanders like yours truly, who keeps up with day-to-day happenings, if not personally, but more often through ubiquitous media reports.
This week, the country has been subjected to a dizzying gamut of experience and emotions. We’re still trying to recover from the latest natural and environmental disaster in our northern areas, and philosophically hoping for an eventual resolution of our long-tanding peace and order situation in the south.
Last Saturday, Lapu-Lapu City, thankful for its recent elevation to a congressional district, celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Rule. On Sunday, the Church observed the Solemnity of Christ the King, with the traditional Procession. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Vidal at the Cebu City Sport Complex. The Solemnity of Christ the King was declared by Pope Pius XI. It was he who also elevated the Diocese of Cebu into an Archdiocese, so this year's Christ the King celebration was also in celebration of the 75th anniversary as an archdiocese. During the Mass, Cardinal asked the faithful to aim for peace, truth and love, which Christ considered the foundation of his Kingdom.
With the country joyously celebrating, we also revelled in the earthly victory of Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao, who came home to national welcoming and the Lapu-Lapu award. He eventually flew to his hometown, Sarangani, and soon after announced his political intentions.
Overshadowed and almost unrecognized was another heroic exploit in the boxing ring by Z Gorres, who after he was declared victor in an undercard event, passed out and lapsed into a coma, during which concern and acclaim came to him. After a suspenseful watch over his condition, and with appropriate US medical handling of his state, he has regained consciousness but will still need months for recuperation with intensive rehabilitation and therapy.
Another Philippine boxing ring victory was that of Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol's WBC Light Flyweight Crown at Palengque dela Feria in Chiapas, Mexico against Mexican Edgar Sosa, after a second-round TKO. I understand Sosa still contests the decision, a challenge that seems to be “part of the game”. Linguistic observation: considering that we share much cultural heritage with Mexico, through whom we got our Spanish background, “Palengque” is where we derived our own vernacular “palengke” or market place. Mandaue City has also sought recognition for him by the country and rightfully so. Do we see the Cebu versus “imperial Manila” bias here?
In last week's column, we lauded one of Cebu's quiet achievers, a heroine to us (especially in this year of women empowerment), Atty. Esparanza Valenzuela and her Share-a-Child Movement. Actually there are many of these achievers working for the common good, especially that of the underprivileged and needy.
One of them is the Filipino teacher who has been recognized and declared a hero by the international cable news network CNN. Efren Peñaflorida of Cavite was not nationally honored until he was recognized abroad. He made it big with his innovative way of educating poor children with his Kariton Klasrum as an alternative to gang membership. He got the highest number of on-line votes, 2.75 million cast in seven weeks! The 28-year-old teacher won over nine other contenders in Hollywood. a place I still remember from one of my early Stateside visits. His message on receiving his honor: “Be the hero to the next one in need; serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.” Was it not said in the Bible that “a prophet is without honor in his own country”? I hope I quoted that rightly.
Atty. Valenzuela's Share-a-Child Movement, and Piñaflorida's Kariton Klasrum projects share concerns for children's education now being implemented by Adopt-a-School projects of various civic, community and business concerns. Two community organizations are involved in this project, of which I am proud to be involved : the Zonta Club of Cebu I and the Cebu Council of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
Let me close with just mentioning this week's shocking, outrageous still continuing revelation of the week, the Maguindanao Massacre of some 57 civilians as of today. Prayers also with the ironically end-of-the-week observance yesterday of Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
Till next week, may God continue to bless us all.
