Passion into Action
Helping your neighbour will not only adds to your self-worth but it will also give honor to God. All the good things we have done will glorify God. Charles Dickens quoted, “No one is useless in this world that lightens the burdens of another.” For us to truly make good actions we should do it with passion. This means do it with full devotion and dedication to help. Filipinos are known for having some of the best traits around the world. Although we have been colonized by several countries, core values from our ancestors remains intact and are still applied up to this time. Filipinos are undeniably known for being very helpful. Being helpful focuses on individual’s willing to give service to other people who are in need. Filipinos are helpful because most of them ignore particular hindrances such as status and religion in life and they use their own passion to help others. Together with that, some successful Filipinos with their dedication to help others are behind most good deeds here in the Philippines. They inspire and encourage everyone to start to help people today.
First, the Filipinos do not use their lack of resources in terms of their real status in life. This can be proved by one of the icons in the Philippines, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida. Armed with the desire to help the community and with the help of a small team, they taught and brought learning materials to street kids using push carts. They called it Kariton Klasrum. A typical problem of those Filipinos who are trying help is that they are questioned by the different perspectives of the community for their dedication to help. But in spite of these challenges that cross their path, it did not stop them from helping the street children to be educated. Their desire to help others drives them to continue their work in the community.
Second, the Filipinos do not use the differences in religion as an excuse in helping one another. One of the incidents that happened in the Philippines that showed the true demeanor of the Filipinos towards one another was the devastation in Visayas region brought by the typhoon Yolanda. The local churches served as the primary refuge of those victims. Cardinal Tagle and members of the church made a great movement in helping those people rather than the government that the Filipinos have been expecting. Based on my experience through conversing with people who had prior knowledge about the situation, they said priests were functional in repacking goods 24/7, offering help to other people and reached those people who have not received any help. Truly, in times of difficulties there’s always a silver lining.
Lastly, no one can stop a Filipino’s heart from helping other people. Actually, helping other people with passion makes it more sincere and everything will seem to be easy no matter what challenges one may face. I, Patricia Blanco, I never planned to enter the Student Council once I entered St. Scholastica’s College Manila but I never knew fate holds me then. I am now the first year batch representative, and I ran for this position not simply because it would decorate my resume for future reference, or any superficial reason. It felt more like a calling – a calling to serve. It was not due to mere personal interest but for my passion to serve my co students. No matter how demanding or laborious the officers’ tasks may be I know I have my family, friends, co-officers and God with me. It has been four months since I was elected as a batch representative, and I have already engaged myself in helping the student body through the Organization Week, Noise Barrage, Night of Music, Under the Stars and the recent Tree Planting.
Each one of us here in the Philippines can make their own actions to be a conduit of blessings and encourage others. It’s never too late to start to help others and have a life - changing encounter with someone. All of the good that you have done to anyone will return a hundred fold in God’s time. Lucille Ball quoted “I’d rather regret the things that I have done than regret the things I haven’t done.” There’s no excuse for us not to help now, if you know to yourself you will do good then there is nothing to be ashamed of. God blesses those who sacrifice their time for their loved ones just to help other people whom you did not know. Be a Good Samaritan today, and in turn, you will also bring honor to God.
By: Patricia Blanco












