After graduating from seminars, workshop or whatever training, especially one that deals with religion or one that advocates Christian living, good life, changing society, etc., etc., . . . what then? These are issues that led many to lead a revolt either by a peaceful means or the extreme. The likes of then CPLA leader Conrado Balweg and other former leftists priest and seminarians who joined the ranks of the armed struggle to embrace other form of revolt to bring about change - our Muslim brothers and their rebellion in the south is not an exception. The Abu Sayaf (Sword Bearer) believes in armed struggle for the Glory of Allah - "Allah Akbar"!
People educated deeply with the promises of Christian values, livng, giving, sharing with the poor then exposed and immersed into the reality of life in the slums, the poor and needy and how government responds to their needs at times led to frustration. Religion, God . . . the Almighty . . . Christian values are the most used terms in addressing these problems. Faith has always been the last hope where people who wanted change clings . . . until he reaches a point - realizing that change after all . . . depends on our own action. Our faith is concretize by our action. After learning Christian values - what? Many teaches faith, but when given the opportunity to act on the basis of the faith they are professing - prefers keep silent, refers the matter by word, remains mum or merely playing deaf. The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the best example.
Many were not aware that some of the graduating class of the Christian Life Program in the Civil Service Commission was exposed to one of the Gawad Kalinga Project in Talanay somewhere in Batasan Hill, not because they are to be immersed into another struggle, but for them to have a glimpse of what is meant by the spirit of giving through the GK. The group was led by Bro. Andy Palma who gave a glimpse of a Gawad Kalinga Project. He informed us that three (3) Barangays in Batasan Hill has been declared by Mayor Sonny Belmonte as GK area. There were structures already built by in the area. The GK provides loan facility to the homeless at a lower premiun, i.e., only about P 300.00/monthly, to built only the first floor of the house. A GK community is provided with a library and other amaneties and facilities by donors.
We took footages of our adventure in video and edited it to produce a prototype of a project that we, together with Juris De Leon and her friend, Mass Communication Students from the Far Eastern University, envisioned. It was providential that we met the coordinators of the different NGO group and there were many activities undetaken by the residents during our tour. It might have been providential.
Our efforts were rewarded, the video clips we took were of good quality material, as an Audi-Visual Presentation. It could be of interest for the public to be made aware of the GK project, where they can participate. There is no question that many of those espousing the faith they are professing are committed to help the poor, but whether they are committed to support the project to become reality is another question. The more people we inform through digital technology the more chances that many will voluntarily participate.
(Inset picture: Bro. Andy Palma with a group of CLP graduating class overlooking the Batasan Hill part of which was declared as Gawad Kalinga area by Mayor Sonny Belmonte. They were joined by Mass Communication students of the Far Eastern University to document the Gawad Kalinga Project in Talanay, Batasan Hill of Bro. Andy Palma)
