I have always believed that my grandfather was a man of wisdom. “Importante na marunong kang tumulong at makiramay,” he once told my mother. These words were passed on by my grandfather to my mother. Growing up, my parents exposed us to helping relatives, neighbors and friends. “Sometimes, you have to give until it hurts,” I heard my mother say. She would spend an hour or two lecturing about altruism and selflessness. When my father got sick, we got into an emotional and financial mire. Faith and the selflessness of family, friends, and colleagues helped us get out of the mire. Some gave until it hurt them and I will forever be grateful.
I saw a picture of altruism in our neighbors Manang Corsia and Mang Lupo when I was young. Until now, I could vividly picture Manang Corsia delivering a bowl of pink sopas and a bottle of carabao’s milk in the morning . They would help us during trying times, (typhoons, earthquakes, sickness, accidents, etc.) without expecting anything in return. Altruism is gaudily painted in their persona.
The spirit of altruism is vibrant in Filipino homes or communities. Service, empathy and selflessness are commonplace in Filipino families and communities especially during times of crisis. Given the opportunity and capability, Filipinos will choose to help in a cause that they believe in. These values as passed on from one generation to another.
According to F. Landa Jocano in his book Work Values of Successful Filipinos, one of the core traits or distinguishing qualities of successful Filipinos include “Marunong Makiramay” and “Matulungin.” He said that we have the ability to have a deep concern over people in times of crises. We extend help either emotionally or materially. He furthered that the respondents to his study agreed that “people who readily give assistance are also easily assisted by other in time of need.”
It has been said that much is required to those who were given much. Being blessed at this difficult time, it is but fitting to help others in need. We are too blessed not to help. We are too blessed not to Pay it Forward.
***
Published in the Q2 2010 issue of Press Time, ST Calamba's newsletter
