Dear Karl
Malcolm,
On April 28,
1998, exactly 17 years ago, you became a Christian; a full-blooded Catholic
like your unwilling ancestors; following a hundred years old tradition of
pouring holy water to wailing infants to be accepted by the Church. Barely four
months old, you could not choose what faith to follow. Your ancestors chose the
cross instead of the sword. In truth, I don't remember this day anymore, but
this day which coincides with your anniversary being a Catholic, is also a day
of tragedy for two Filipino families. On this day, Mary Jane Veloso, a migrant
mother of two will be executed at 5pm for drug trafficking in Indonesia. On
this same day, 8 years ago, Jonas Burgos, a father and a farmer-activist was
abducted by the government forces inside Gotesco Mall in Manila. He is never
found. But his family never give up. So as Mary Jane's.
Why I have to
remind you that you became a Christian today? The Philippines is the largest
Christian and a Catholic nation in Asia. Yet, we belong to the most corrupt and
crime riddled nations in the world. We are Christians but most of us do not
follow the teachings and ways of the revolutionary Jesus who died questioning
and defying the oppressive authority. Those who ask questions and help the poor
are branded as insurgents; enemies of the state, like Jonas Burgos. But he was
one of those who really live up to the teachings of Jesus.
Mary Jane Veloso
is a migrant mother. Her family is so poor because our government is not
Christian enough to look after the poor people. Is our government true to the
teachings of Christ whom it calls during ceremonies and functions? Is our
government true to the Christian teachings of looking after each other in times
of needs? The trafficker who victimized Mary Jane Veloso is a Christian, I am really
sure of that, yet she did not think of the welfare of Mary Jane, instead she
was more concerned of the money she would get by betraying Mary Jane. But what
hurt me most is the truth that Mary Jane, like millions of Filipinos in
diaspora, left the country because of poverty. And we are a Christian nation.
Our country is
very rich, yet we are poor. A paradox. The richest people in the Philippines,
the government claims, give us jobs, they pay taxes. We also pay taxes. But the
corruption of our Christian leaders deprived us of quality life.
I remember in our
catechism that God loves the poor and oppressed people. Are we so loved by God
that we remain poor and oppressed? That we have to remain oppressed so God
would love us more? That the likes of Jonas Burgos who sought justice to uplift
the plight of the poor should vanish so the people would remain poor and
oppressed? That Mary Jane and her family are so loved by God that she must die?
When you were a
child, I studied Theology. But until now, I realize how little I understood of
God's undying love for us. It is a mystery that I can never unlock.
But one thing I
am sure of, Jesus fought injustice. Jesus was a revolutionary who died for his
beliefs of uplifting the lot of His people.
Today, the 17th
year of your membership to the Christian world, remember the oppressed, the
missing, the persecuted and the poor. As you become older, be more like Jesus.
Love,
Nanay (Mother)
[EUNICE BARBARA C. NOVIO]
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