Si Efren

Mawalang-galang na po sa mga babasa… isa lang itong post ng isang taong walang mai-blog…

Kanina kausap ko yung kaibigan ko sa YM. Eto ang isang bahagi ng aming pag-uusap.

AKO: psst.. bumoto ka na kay Efren?

FRIEND: sino si efren?

AKO: napaka-inosente naman ng tanong mo..

AKO: si Efren Peñaflorida, Jr. – CNN Hero

FRIEND: ah kala ko si efren bata reyes eh

AKO: nyahahahaha!! naiiyak na ko kakatawa!

AKO: mai-blog nga yan! hahaha.. benta sakin eh!

yun lang po… may mai-kwento lang… kita nyo naman nagawa ko pang kulayan ang aking post.. na di ko nagagawa sa mga matitinong entries.. kung di kayo natawa, cencia na, mababaw lang ako eh.. hehehe..

50 Days To Go

Dear Readers,

In 50 days… it’s Christmas time!

With that, please allow me to share something with you.

Last weekend, while I was removing clutter from my room, I got this piece of paper. It contains a story which I read almost a decade ago. This story really captured my heart. The first time I read it, I reproduced it and distributed to people I know.

So, now that this is in my hands again, I would like to share this touching story with you. I HAVE TO.

**This is a true story. Individual’s names have been withheld upon request.

 “NO, SANTA CAN’T GO WHERE MY SISTER IS.”

 I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them.

I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about five holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, “Are you sure I don’t have enough money?” She replied a bit impatiently, “You know that you don’t have enough money for it.

The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for.

He said, “It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it.”

I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it.

He said, “No, Santa can’t go where my sister is.” “I have to give the doll to my Mama to take to her.”

I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said “She has gone to be with Jesus. My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go to be with her.”

My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, “I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store”

Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he had taken at the front of the store and said, “I want my Mama to take this with her so she doesn’t ever forget me. I love my Mama so much and I wish she did not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister.”

I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a hand full of bills. I asked the little boy, “Shall we count that money one more time?”

He grew excited and said, “Yes, I just know it has to be enough.” So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. And of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, “Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money.”

The boy continued, “I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister. And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn’t ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama. She loves white roses so very much.”

In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on rather to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy had no connection to that story, I thought.

Two days later I read in the paper that the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected.

Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was, holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store.

I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.

DiviSWD

Sa ngayon, marami na ang naisulat at naibalita tungkol sa “Blog ni Ella”. Ang tinutukoy ko ay ang tungkol sa mga relief goods na nakaimbak sa DSWD warehouses. Malamang alam niyo na ang tungkol don. Naisipan kong isulat ang blog na ito bilang tugon sa panawagan ni Ella na ikalat ang bagay na ito.

Sa totoo lang, di na ko masyadong nagulat sa balitang ito. Di na bago sa pandinig ko to. Sa mga nakaraang kalamidad sa buong bansa, marami na akong narinig na kwento tungkol sa mga ganitong pangyayari. Kahit sa probinsya ay may mga ganitong eksena. Pero ganunpaman, nabigla pa rin ako sa mga larawang nakunan nina Ella. At hindi rin ako makapaniwalang “walang volunteers”. Susme! Nag-uumapaw ang mga nais mag-volunteer… pero kung may “screening” pa ngang nagaganap, aba eh talagang pahirapan yan. May qualifications pa ba ang pagiging volunteer?

May mga nag-react na dapat daw eh hindi na nagsulat ang blogger na si Ella tungkol sa mga nakita at nalaman niya sa DSWD warehouse dahil nakakahiya daw. Aba! Talagang nakakahiya! Lalo na sa mga bansang nag-abot ng tulong at sa mga DAPAT na tumanggap ng tulong na yon.

Nakakainis lang isipin na nagtitiis sa uhaw, gutom at lamig ang ating mga nasalantang kababayan at nagkukumahog naman sa pagtulong ang mga NGOs at ilang pribadong organisasyon at indibidwal para lamang kahit papano ay makapag-abot ng dagdag na tulong sa mga nangangailangan… tapos… tapos… haaay!… nakakakulo ng dugo! Bakit nga ba hindi maipamigay AGAD ang mga yan? Well, may kasabihan nga, kung GUSTO, maraming PARAAN… kung AYAW, maraming DAHILAN. Ano bang hinihintay nila?… PASKO?… ELEKSYON?… Anong GO signal ba ang kailangan?

Eto ang ilan sa mga larawang naibahagi sa atin ni Ella.

Pero binasa ko pa rin ang statement ng DiviSWD, este DSWD sa pangunguna ni Sec. Esperanza Cabral. Napakahaba ng kanyang tugon/paliwanag ukol sa isyu at ayoko ng i-repost dito. Puntahan nyo na lang ang website nila para mabasa nyo at kalkalin nyo na rin ang site para sa iba nyo pang katanungan. http://www.dswd.gov.ph/

Mas maganda rin kung silipin nyo ang Blog ni Ella dahil yun ang puno’t-dulo ng lahat ng ito. Don nyo makikita ang mga updates at ilang impormasyon na di ko maibibigay.

Bahagi ng statement ng DSWD ang nagsasabing –

“We would like to assure all of you that the relief goods will reach the intended beneficiaries as they become necessary and will be used only to assist them.”

At ayon kay Sec. Cabral –

“Some [of the goods] will be reserved. It depends on whether we’ve fulfilled the emergency needs. If those goods are required for emergency release, then it will all be released for emergency relief. If some goods are left behind, then they will be used for recovery and rehabilitation.” – ABS-CBN news

“as they become necessary…” “emergency…” — what the…?! Di pa ba “emergency” situation tong nangyayari ngayon?! Nasaan ang sense of urgency? NGAYON nagugutom ang mga tao… NGAYON namamaluktot sa lamig ng sahig ang mga evacuees sa mga evacuation centers… KAILAN tutugunan yon? Sa tingin ba nila sapat ang isang supot ng relief na natatanggap ng mga nasalanta para matustusan ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan? At kahit pa paulit-ulit pa silang tumanggap ng “supot” na yan, pansamantala lamang yan. At dagdag na tulong sana kung naipapamigay din ang mga nasa loob ng bodegang yon.

Normal na ipagtanggol ni Sec. Cabral ang kanyang ahensya pero sa panahon ngayon, kahit anong paliwanag pa siguro ang gawin, ay hindi na mahalaga. Aksyon ang kailangan.

Sana dumami pa ang mga katulad ni Ella na hindi tumatahimik lang sa mga bagay na dapat ay pag-ukulan ng pansin, gano man ito ka-sensitibo.

Sa ngayon na nabulabog na ng isang “hamak na blogger” ang ahensya, tutukan na lang natin kung kelan at san nga ba mapupunta ang sandamukal na kaldero, kumot, banig, atbp. na nakaimbak sa bodega ng DiviSWD… Matanong ko lang, san ba ang pwesto nila?… Watch out, 168 Mall.

——————–

UPDATES:

10/24 pm - Nakita ko sa news kanina na binuksan na ng DSWD ang kanilang mga bodega sa media. At kung hindi nagkakamali ang aking mga mata, nagkukumahog na sa pag-repack ang mga volunteers/employees… pwede naman pala eh… kaya naman… bakit hindi ginawa agad?… kinailangan pa ng isang Ella. haaay…

10/25 pm – Marami nang naglalabasang reaksyon ukol sa “DSWD Relief Controversy”. May mga maka-Ella at may maka-DSWD/gobyerno. May kanya-kanya tayong opinyon, kanya-kanyang paniniwala, at kanya-kanyang pinapanigan. Pero wag sana tayong lumayo sa isyu. Ang isyu ay MARAMING NAKAIMBAK NA RELIEF GOODS SA BODEGA NG DSWD. Kung anuman dahilan at halos di gumagalaw ang mga ito ay mahirap ng tuntunin. Hugas kamay na lahat. Kung hindi intensyon na “itago” o “itabi” ang mga ito, ibig sabihin lamang ay may naging PAGKUKULANG sa sistema ng ahensya ukol sa kanilang relief operations. Masyado silang mabagal. Kung hindi nila kaya dahil ayon nga sa kanila, “kulang ang volunteers”… Maraming paraan. Kung kinakailangan ng imbentaryo, sana binilis-bilisan. Panawagan sila ng panawagan ng tulong, inako nila lahat ng donasyon… Noong dumagsa, hindi naman pala nila kayang ipamigay AGAD.

Noong kasagsagan ng relief operations, may mga foundations/organizations na pinapauwi na ang ibang volunteers dahil sobra-sobra na. Yung iba naman may mga volunteers wala namang goods. Kaya di ko maintindihan ang rason na “kulang ang volunteers”. Dahil ba walang gustong magvolunteer sa kanila? Kung ganon, bakit? O dahil mahigpit ang mga patakaran nila? Eh di sana, ipinasa nila sa ilang NGOs or pribadong organisasyon ang ilan sa mga donasyong nakalap nila para lang maipamahagi na ng maaga. Ganon din naman yun eh. Sa mga nasalanta din naman ang punta non. Oo, hindi ako ang nandoon kaya madaling magsalita. Pero yon ang totoo eh.

May mga nababasa akong reaksyon na bakit daw pinaparatangang “ninanakaw” o “inilalaan sa eleksyon/politika” ang mga relief goods. Sa pananaw ko, dalang-dala na ang mga tao sa mga “palusot” ng gobyerno sa mga nakaraang “scenario” sa ating bansa. Sa ngayon, “haka-haka” pa lang po yan ng madla dahil nga hindi makapagbigay ng malinaw na paliwanag ang mga kinauukulan. Kung hindi, eh di patunayan na lang nila. Ang punto lang dito, ipamigay agad ang mga tulong na yan sa nararapat pagbigyan — NGAYON, hindi bukas, hindi makalawa, hindi sa susunod na kalamidad (dahil walang may gusto non), at lalong hindi sa eleksyon. NGAYON ang tamang panahon.

 Marami nang tumututok sa isyung ito. Panigurado bubukas na ang mga kahon, lalatag na ang mga banig, at kakalampag na ang mga kaldero. Kailangan natin ng tulong, di ba? Ayan na. Kilos na.

Hindi po nilalahat dito ang mga tauhan ng DSWD. Ang tinutukoy sa mga usaping ito ay ang DSWD bilang isang ahensya ng gobyerno at hindi ang mga taong naninilbihan dito. Hindi maiiwasang mabanggit si Sec. Cabral sapagkat isa siya sa kinauukulan sa bagay na ito. Pero para sa daan-daang empleyado ng DSWD na walang sawang naninilbihan sa kabila ng lahat, lalo na sa mga probinsya, andyan ang aming paghanga at pasasalamat. Masakit mang tanggapin pero ito ang realidad ng ating sistema.

Shop and Share

Calling all those who intends to SHOP for bags, and other signature items, and at the same time desires to SHARE some love to the recent calamity victims.

There’s a site where you can actually do BOTH at the same time.

Please visit www.shopandshare.ph

Photo Credits

Tell your friends about it. Let us support this noble cause.

Kariton Klasrum

It has always been so inspiring to read about people sharing themselves selflessly to the less fortunate. It is even more inspiring that these people are no “big-named who’s who”… but simply ordinary beings.

Efren Peñaflorida, Jr.

Recently, someone made me more proud to be a Filipino. This guy conquered CNN — by making it to the Top Ten Nominees for CNN’s Hero of the Year. This young Filipino hero is Efren Peñaflorida, Jr.

With his Kariton (pushcart) classroom, and fellow volunteers from DYNAMIC TEEN COMPANY, Efren brings education closer and within reach to out-of-school youths and children whose parents cannot afford to send them to schools.

Kuya Ef's Kariton Klasrum

These karitons contain books, educational items and food packages which they share to the kids, as well. Aside from educating their students, they also draw the kids’ attention to values formation.

Stories such as this gives us more reasons to hope and empower ourselves to do SOMETHING for others.

It was a simple gesture, yet a truly admirable act. He definitely made a difference to those children’s lives. I hope to meet more Efren Peñaflorida.

I am proud and totally inspired. I voted for him.

If you are as proud and inspired as me, click the image below.  

Better yet, GO for POWER VOTE! (just click on the words “POWER VOTE”)

Mabuhay ka, Efren! Mabuhay ang DTC!

On Jacque Bermejo’s Case

(This post reflects the author’s VIEWS and OPINIONS on the LATEST DEVELOPMENTS of JACQUE BERMEJO’s case.)

 

For someone who values his homeland, the intense reactions were in fact, rational. Regardless of WHO made the comment, the REAL Jacque Bermejo or NOT, the person behind it is still a PINOY. And for us, being Filipinos, the comment is truly offensive.

It may be a sad tale for the “real” Jacque Bermejo, but the people merely reacted. With that sort of message, it is clearly hard for someone to keep his cool in trying times such as this. People are emotional and vulnerable, morale is down, spirits are low, and reading “Jacque Bermejo’s” message is definitely not the best antidote.

On my end, the reason I decided to post about this issue is due to the overwhelming reactions on the entire World Wide Web. I was actually skeptical about all this, which is why I posted the supposedly “official statement of her brother”, as well as the alleged “Jacque Bermejo’s official statement”, to give each side of the story a chance.

Granting that the “hacking incident” is indeed true, I feel for the REAL Jacque Bermejo. But blaming the people who reacted is pointless… except for the fact that some reactions went overboard, to the point of desiring harm for the person concerned. Some even reacted without realizing that their reactions were even worse with that of Jacque’s. Some even came to the extent of comparing and judging the physical, economic and social status, which I think, is practically uncalled for. We were enraged by the comment because we think it was extremely insensitive and ruthless. So, I think, bashing the person with ill-driven thoughts is basically being another “Jacque Bermejo”. Then again, blaming is pointless.

Like what I replied to one of the commenter’s on my previous post – We just have to understand that certain people gets carried away by their patriotic persona and cannot restrain themselves from reacting, thus resorting to character slur.

Whoever is the person responsible –– REAL or FAKE, I still condemn the ACT.

—————-

There are lessons to be learned here. Alongside the recent happenings in our country, this issue made its impact on several people, particularly the people who frequent the Internet.

One:  Be careful of what you say. Be sensitive and considerate.

Second:  As much as you can, try to contain violent actions and reactions.

Third:  Be wary of identity thefts, hackers, and posers.

Fourth:  Pinoys are still patriotic, in any sense.

And…

Fifth:  It is hard to acknowledge the TRUTH and accept REALITY.

It may be done or said in the least tactful and subtle manner, but “his or her” message holds truth.  Of course, it’s not proper for her to say that we are deserving of what happened. But when she said –

“…maybe so many sinners bak der!”

“…even nature now is making statement big time!!!”

 – There’s a tinge of truth in it — whether we accept it or not. This tragic experience we had from typhoon Ondoy was certainly a natural occurrence yet a man-made snag as well.

“…Judge me sige!!! Kaya ala kayong asenso…”

– What we did towards her and her posted messages, proved her right. We’re quick to judge.

Needless to say, the “Pinoy or Pinay” who made the statement has a point… and that point is something difficult to admit. 

However, it does not deny the fact that the message or statement was inappropriate at this time, and lacks empathy for the Filipino people. 

And that also goes to UglyYuBin and all others who took the time to condemn instead of lending a hand and doing their share to help the calamity victims… that may include you and me. 

There is no excuse for that.

 

P.S. – I did not exert all my efforts and energies to this entire brouhaha. I reached out to the victims in my own little ways. How about you, what have you done? It is never too late to help, no matter how small it is. ACT NOW.

  

Related Post: Jacque Bermejo, who?