Emilia Boncodin: 1954-2010

...well done good and faithful servant...Matthew 25

Emilia Boncodin the former Budget Secretary, died earlier this week due to complications of kidney disease. One of a rare breed of public servants who served her country honorably--who did not enrich herself (e.g. steal) while in public office--which is very rare in this country indeed.

I knew she was from Iriga City, the same city where I was born... so every time she was on TV while she was still in office, I could not help but feel proud (I'm kinda tribal like that). When she resigned amidst the "Hello Garci" scandal that embroiled President Macapagal-Arroyo, my admiration for her grew even more.

It's really sad to lose a principled public servant, even sadder to know that if she had lived to see Noynoy Aquino win the presidency, she would have been brought back in to do what she did best. But alas, such is life. I'm pleasantly surprised and glad at the media coverage of Emilia Boncodin's death. I guess honest, scandal-free public servants like her are so hard to come by these days, people can't help but take notice.

Read more...

Oyango Tribe Visit

view of the tribe settlement

walking down the steep road...

 

to the chapel/meeting place...

...to spend time with these precious kids

having some fun

giving away goodies...

group pic: hoping we'll be back soon

We spent an eventful day with the Oyango tribe of Santa Teresita, Iriga City. Sponsored by the University of Saint Anthony College of Nursing... I got involved through my sister's employment with them. So with her co-workers and some of their students, we went there with the cooperation of tribal elders.

It was quite an experience... having the opportunity to spread some post-Christmas cheer with these precious people is a real blessing. Talking to Mr. Rick Perez--the person most responsible for making known the plight of tribes living in our city--is a real eye-opener. He said he's willing to take us to more largely unreached by aid tribes so we could help there too.

Having lived part of my childhood in this city, I've always been aware that there are tribal people living in the mountains nearby but was largely insulated from their issues. It's ironic that I have taken part in medical missions for the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Manobos of Mindanao but not here.

This visit I hope would be the first of many. It's heartening to see people wanting to get involved in making a difference in other people's lives...I hope we could sustain this new-found passion for the tribes we could reach in our backyard.

Read more...