Coming home
IT
is heartwarming to note that while many of our people are
desperately making both ends meet in their daily grind, a few good
men and women are doing efforts to make life more bearable by
spreading their blessings to those who most need them.
Last week, thousands of students from different schools in Naga
and Camarines Sur were recipients of books and other inspirational
activities as part of the “Read to Lead” program of US-based
Bicolano lawyer Francis Padua Papica. As in previous years, this
was highlighted by the 6th youth leadership conference keynoted
this time by Sen. Mar Roxas. Local speakers who have excelled in
their respective fields also shared their experiences to inspire
the young students and be imbued with deep sense of patriotism and
the unquenchable quest for knowledge as future leaders. Atty.
Papica who is in his middle 30s, is the young boy from Goa,
Camarines Sur who after graduating as high school valedictorian
went to pursue his higher studies in the United States with
honors, even if he had to work as part-time janitor. He is a
highly-paid law practitioner in Orange, California who, for nine
years now, always finds his way home with a cargo of books and
scholarship programs for poor but deserving students.
In yet another instance, the radiant former Miss Bicolandia
Bettina Obias—who works with the World Bank—and her rich
ophthalmologist-husband shipped home some 120 FilAm surgeons to
Naga City early last year. Their 5-day medical and surgical
mission brought relief to over 5,000 patients from all over the
city and province. The participating surgeons dug into their own
pockets to raise the equivalent amount of P19-million to buy
medicines, medical equipment, and pay for their food and billeting
expenses for the biggest 5-day medical and surgical mission ever
held in the city.
Then lately, we have Massachusetts-based Divina Valenciano-Acker,
who, in coordination with the Naga City Government and the Ateneo
Institute for Bicol History and Culture has initiated the
authentication of important city landmarks so that proper markers
may be installed to save them from decay and oblivion. The
initiative, which will be completed by June 2006 in time for Naga
City’s 38th foundation anniversary, is aimed at raising historical
consciousness and sense of pride among Nagueños through the
appreciation and preservation of our rich cultural heritage.
Divina promised to undertake more similar projects in the future.
These young men and women are bringing new hope to our forsaken
land; their generosity and sincerity of purpose make the world go
round. Expecting nothing in return, people like Francis, Bettina
and Divina are teaching us the values of citizenship and love of
fellowmen even when they are sweating it out in some distant
lands.
