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| Photo by Yvonne Carpio |
“Be
careful, you might step on the homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk.” This
echoed in my head as I walked at the city center. I have not written about them
before but maybe this is the perfect time. I see families sleeping on the
concrete pavement by the buildings, I even saw a toddler awake looking straight
back at me. To those who are luckier, they have a cardboard and a blanket. Some
have absolutely nothing just their backs on the cold pavement.
I
feel empathy every time I see them during my early morning exercise. This took
me to the age old lesson in my Religion class about the dilemma of the unequal
distribution of wealth in the world. There are plenty of resources enough to
sustain the whole human population. The problem is that the pyramidal blueprint
of society puts the rich patricians at the pinnacle while the suffering
plebeians form the large base.
People
know about this already. The most important thing in this situation is that I
know about this too. I have not turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. All this
time, I have been writing only good things about my community, my city, my
province and my country. I have also written about the world and what I have
learned from my travels.
Why
you might ask? Think of it as reverse Psychology. Think of it as being
proactive. And most importantly think of it as being positive. I am the writer
who focuses on the good. That is my own way of helping out. There is enough bad
publicity in the media. And if you look at the discussion threads online about
negativity it could be a mile long.
I
am a Catholic writer and I have been blessed to be given the chance by Bicol Mail to be one of their staff
writers. I put God first as my leader, then to Bicol Mail management. I have been spreading good news that has
been happening here in Naga, Bicolandia, the Philippines and the world. If it’s
not good then I probably would not write it.
I
have been carrying my cross happily for a long time now. This being the season
of Lent we observe the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every morning,
I turn my walk into a walk of prayer. I feel the calmness, stillness and peace
in my heart. And amidst the suffering I see every day I still believe that hope
springs eternal. People will change. The world will change. This is all for the
good. And on Easter, as we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death, may the genuine
change in our society happen along with His resurrection. May it be a new life
and a new beginning for all.
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