People Power!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

February 22, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Manila!*

Today is a holiday in commemoration of the People Power Revolution of 1986.

Let me share three things in relation to this:

First, it has taught us that a Filipino Christ must have the power to do. We, the people from the oriental countries have great ability to think. We are thinkers. We like to sit down and contemplate about a lot of things. Most of the world’s religions came from the East.

We must continue to transform these contemplative thoughts of ours into actions. We must not be thinkers only but also doers. Let us help each other develop this ability – the power to do. We must work hand in hand for the prosperity of our beloved country and not just wait in our chairs for a miracle to happen.

Secondly, it has taught us to learn from our history and culture. Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in his great wisdom once said, “ang hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makarating sa kanyang paroroonan.”

That is very true. A Filipino who doesn’t know why he or she is a Filipino is an embarrassment to the nation. We must remember that we are Filipinos and not Americans nor Europeans nor Australians. Remember the song that says, “ako’y isang pinoy ako’y hindi kano. Huwag kang mahihiya kong ang ilong mo ay pangu.”

We have so much to learn from history. This includes our struggles from foreigners and our aspirations to become a free and independent nation. Let us not be weary to teach our children our own history, our own Filipino values and our own culture. Let us continue the struggle to preserve our culture, our race and our language.

Thirdly, it has taught us to have the courage to fear God. Proverb 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

If we fear God, we will value life, we will respect the sanctity of a person, we will uphold justice and we will work for peace. We can build a community in which everyone bears each other’s burden.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Associate Chaplain

*I’m currently in Manila with 30 athletes and coaches from CPU. We are here to represent Region 6 in the 2010 CHED National Games. I’m coaching the Tables Tennis Women’s Team. The CPU delegation would like to extend our grateful appreciation to the CPU Alumni Association of Greater Manila. Last Saturday, February 20, during their get together, they raised P13,000.00 to augment the allowance of athletes and coaches.