Ripples of Life: August 2012

THE TRAGEDY

Last Saturday, Aug. 18, when I arrived home from our make-up classes, I was shocked with the news from tv and social media about the plane crash in Masbate which has DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and 3 others as passengers (one has managed to save himself). Everyone was praying for their safety, waited for hours, had vigils and gave words of encouragement to the families. The authorities deployed several rescuers to find them. And those long hours of waiting became sleepless nights. Day one has passed, day two, then day three and everyone was hanging on to the little hope that they were still alive. Every now and then I check on my twitter account if there are some good news of their whereabouts, and always feel sad if none.I even use this picture below in my face book and twitter account hoping and praying for a miracle.

"The whole nation is praying for their safety"

END OF HOPE

Today, August 21 is the 4th day of waiting and hoping. I woke up and in shocked again with the sad news that Sec. Robredo's body was already found by the foreign Technical Divers in the seabed of Masbate at about 180 feet deep. I was in a silence for a moment and later noticed that tears were flowing down my face. I can't help it. First, I was in denial because I was still hoping for a miracle then. God knows I prayed a lot during those three long days for his safety. I even thought of the teleserye or movie scenes that "maybe he just swam his way to an isolated island and waiting for the rescuers". Reading tweets and posts from my twitter and face book account made me back to my senses. Ah, it's so unfair, I thought. Why do good people like him had to passed away this early wherein he could still do a lot of good things to our country? There are so many bad people out there, why not them? But then again I realized, who am I to question God, maybe He has plans why this happened.

A GOOD MAN

I did not know Sec. Jesse Robredo personally, but as a Bicolana I have a high respect and admiration for him. I know he was a good man. I read about what he has done to Naga City on how it became progressive and known. I heard about the praises to him not only from the high ranking officials in the country but also from the ordinary people on how humble and great public servant he was. He was not a politician who always visible on tv exposing the good things he has done for the country. He was a simple and humble person. That's why he was awarded a Ramon Magsayasay Award for Government Service. And I am so proud of him as much as the whole Philippines. As I was reading tweets yesterday I chanced upon the article from rappler.com, which is an essay of Sec. Robredos's eldest daughter Aika which was written during her high school years. It's an entry for an essay writing contest and won grand prize. This essay is one proof how humble and great person his father was. It moved me and actually cried after reading and I'm sure you too, if you'll read this. And here's another one, a comment on this article, and there are lot more testimonies coming out (as of this moment).

TUESDAY MOURNING

Today, not only the whole Bicolandia is mourning with his loss, but the entire nation. Naga City lost a father, Philippines lost a great public servant. Everyone is sad and weeping for this unexpected loss. As I was watching the news, there were so many good things revealed about him. People from the high society down to the ordinary people, we can hear simple and great things done to them by Sec. Robredo. And I can't help myself from crying just hearing all these. He is well-loved by the people. I even heard someone saying "daily excellence really pays". I'm sure he's happy up there seeing all these happening. Now as we mourn, we should also pray for his family. We should be happy for him because he's now in the hands of GOD.

And flags are now half mast for Sec. Robredo

We, at Cong. R. A. Calalay Memorial Elementary School join in mourning by putting our flag in half mast up til Tuesday. And in my own little way, I paid respect to him by discussing in my class how good, simple and humble person he was. I told them he is one example of a good leader. And although my students are only Grade 3, they knew little things about him, and aware of what was happened. For them, he is considered a HERO.

(in our school, CRACMES)

MAGSAYSAY, AQUINO AND ROBREDO

What Sec. Jesse Robredo, Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Pres. Ramon Magsaysay have in common? They were all good men and great leaders of the country. They serve as an inspiration to everyone for their leadership. And what a coincidence, Sec. Robredo and Pres. Magsaysay were both killed in a plane crash, and the former was a Ramon Magsaysay awardee. Today, August 21, 2012 we are commemorating the death of Ninoy Aquino. And this same day, we mourn for the loss of this good man we truly admire.