The greatest weakness of man is Callousness

Third part of speech given at the Rotary Club sponsored Youth Congress 2008.
STI Kalibo, September 27, 2008
Theme: Building Leaders for Tomorrow
Topic: Fundamentals of Leadership and Volunteerism

One of my most dramatic experience in Aklan was my encounter with Ulaw – a nine year old boy who came to our base in Laguinbanua with his chest heaving and his shoulders raised. Naramdaman ko agad ang nadarama niya nang nakita ko siya dahil ako ay isa ring asthmatiko. On the day I met him, he was turning blue – nangingitim na ang kanyang mga labi. He came with his mom… a lady who couldn’t speak… mind you, not because natataranta siya, ngunit dahil siya ay isang pipi.

It wasn’t the first time I’d met his mother. She had been to the base a number of times. She came at first to ask for help from Cataract Foundation because their house was destroyed. The next time I saw her, she was asking for medicine for her child. And then I saw her again when she came to ask for food and for change to pay for the fare to get from Numancia to Makato, where she lived. I wasn’t surprised then that when the people at the base saw her coming in for the nth time, I heard comments like, “hay nako eto na naman yung pipi na makulit!”

Truth be told, had I not seen the little boy, I might also have reacted in the same manner. Mabuti na lang at nakita siya agad ni Ninang Linda and she immediately called my attention to the boy. As I couldn’t converse with the mother, I talked to Ulaw. Tinanong ko siya kung kailan siya inatake. Sabi niya, matagal na. I asked him if he had difficulty breathing every day. He said yes. So I asked him if today was like every other day. He said no because his chest really hurt. Kuya Pete and I decided to rush Ulaw to the provincial hospital. His mom came with us, but when she realized that her son had to be admitted, she fled. Naiwan ako sa tabi ng kanyang anak.

I spoke with an official I knew from the area where his family lived, the official said, “manloloko yang babaeng yan.” I checked with the nurses about hospital policy regarding admission. They said a backer would be needed to admit the child. I told them to admit Ulaw to the charity ward since he came from a poor family. They just looked at me oddly so I reminded them that the doctor said, "Ulaw has to be hospitalized because he's turning blue." The doctor wasn't even sure Ulaw would make it past the night. They got him admitted at 4pm and at about 630pm, the sister of Ulaw finally came to the hospital. I spoke with her and told her that her brother needs to stay in the hospital. She said they had no money and couldn't afford the hospitalization. Sabi ko sa kanya, "asikasuhin na muna natin na mapabuti si Ulaw, saka na natin problemahin ang pera." She looked at me and then she said, "wala po kaming pagkain, pwede po makahingi ng pambili ng pagkain?" I promised to bring her some food.

My young friends, how do you look at the poor, the wet, the cold, the hungry, the lost, the last, and the least of our society?

We are prone to be suspicious, aren't we? We suspect they want to fool us when they beg, don’t we?

Leadership however demands from us so much more. Leadership expects us to know how to make decisions because a leader is expected to have a basis for decisions. The word ‘akala’ does not belong in the vocabulary of a leader. To presume is to take a risk. Sadly, the risk can be such that we lose a life. Had we not moved to get Ulaw to the hospital and had we not opted to get him admitted, we may have lost him that night.

Para sa akin, It matters not that sometimes people try to take advantage of your compassion. Compassion is never lost. When you help, you never lose. Helping makes you a better person. It makes a hero before God. That is what truly matters. Not what people think and not what people say. You and I have a God… whoever your God may be… We have a God who is eternal and who will forever remember the good we do.

Now, let me tell you the story of Tara Santelices, the 23 year old girl who got shot in the head last August 6 in Cainta, Rizal.

Tara was with her friend, Joee, a little before midnight last August 5. They were on their way home on the eve of Tara’s 23rd birthday. Nakasakay sila sa isang Jeep. Somewhere in the area of Karangalan village, a dark stretch of road in Cainta, a male passenger pulled out a gun and ordered the two girls to give their bags. Tara’s instinct was to take hold of her things and according to Joee, a struggle ensued. It was then that the gunman pulled the trigger, and shot Tara on the forehead.

Joee asked the driver to take them to the nearest clinic which was some 20 minutes away. Pumayag naman daw yung driver but on the way, he made several stops pa to let other passengers off dahil nagpapara pa yung ibang pasahero. When they finally got to the nearest clinic, the jeepney driver didnt bother to help joee carry Tara, umalis pa as soon as nakababa sina Joee. Sadly, hindi rin equipped yung clinic na napuntahan nila so Joee had to hail a cab and take Tara to the nearest hospital. Nakarating sila sa Amang Rodriquez Hospital 1:30 a.m. na. By then Tara was already unconscious because she had lost so much blood.

I wonder… if you were there that night… what would you have done if you were in that jeepney? What would you have done if you were Joee? What would you have done if Tara was your sister?

My dear young leaders of Aklan, some leaders are born… some leaders are made… If at the end of this talk you were to ask me what I would like you to remember, it is this… The greatest weakness of man is callousness.

Ang pagpapabaya ay kahinaan na walang karapatang mabuhay sa puso ninuman.

Seek to be aware and to be committed to find reasons to help.
Seek to be passionate about what you believe in.
Seek to remember that we are our brother’s keeper.

Volunteer.
Volunteer to serve.
Volunteer to lead.
Volunteer to live for others.

I assure you, there is no greater joy than to sleep at the end of the day knowing you have contributed to making a difference in someone else’s life.