Our neighbors to the west of us in the Philippines have, yet again, been hit and shattered by another tragedy of epic proportions and in this case, it is enough to wonder what is going on.
Even after all the super typhoons and the floodings, and erosions, the Philippines was, unexpectedly, hit by an earthquake. Not just one, but as of this writing, three in all.
Our brothers and sisters in the Philippines have endured more than most of us within our lifetimes. Disaster after disaster after disaster. But even in all this, as you and I can attest to, a Filipino’s hope will never be destroyed.
Typhoons, floods and earthquakes can destroy their homes, their crops, their livelihoods, and yes, sometimes, their families, but a Filipino’s resilience, tenacity, and the will to come back, even if it’s not stronger or better, but just to come back to have a chance of continuing life.
We on Guam have had our share of disasters and we, too, come back. But we on Guam work hard to come back better than we were before. But in the Philippines, many times they don’t have the opportunity to come back stronger and better due to many reasons, not the least of which it’s one disaster after another, giving them no time to fully recover.
But again, as you and I know, for a people and a country so battered, and flooded, and shaken, the Filipino’s hope will never be destroyed!
We ask ourselves this question every single time. Why the Philippines? A country so religious and with their hearts so entrusting to God, why? I don’t have the answer. I don’t think any Filipino has the answer.
When these tragedies happen in the Philippines or anywhere in the world, we often ask ourselves, Lord, why? Why would you allow something like this to happen? We cannot assume that such a tragedy is God’s will. We also cannot assume that God wasn’t present in whatever happens anywhere.
What we have to believe in is that when we are struck with tragedy, we pick up the pieces and put our lives back together. Tragedy strikes everywhere but in these past days and weeks, our neighbors in the Philippines have just got hit so hard. It’s easy to give up. It’s easy to let go. It’s easy to quit. But not the Filipino! A Filipino’s hope is never destroyed!
If you have ever been to the Philippines, you have seen poverty-stricken families. You have seen homelessness displayed in many streets and corners. You have seen hunger and pain in little children. You have seen hardworking street vendors selling anything they could to survive. You have seen mothers with naked babies. You have seen elderly with no family to turn to.
But even with all this that you have seen, you will never meet a Filipino that doesn’t want just a small chance at living. A Filipino’s hope is never destroyed!
Take the hope that a Filipino has and instill it in our own lives. We on Guam are lucky to see the spirit and hope of every Filipino shine brightly and openly right here on Guam. Filipinos here share their talent, share their connection to their religious beliefs, share their pain and sorrow whenever tragedy strikes their motherland.
But most importantly, the Filipinos here on Guam share their hope that is always in their hearts burning brightly for all the world to see.
To the victims of the recent typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, the people of Guam are praying for you. The people of Guam urge you to take the hope you all have and prove to all of us that your hope for your people and your beloved country will never be destroyed.
Biba Philippines! Mabuhay!
Hu guaiya hamyu todos!
Angel R. Sablan is the current director of the Department of Parks and Recreation and a former longtime executive director of the Mayors’ Council of Guam. He is also the chairman of the Guam Education Board.
