Fly high

The bird prepares to fly to his new nest. Photo by Baikong

I think one of the greatest things in life is to wish and wish be granted. With 24 years of stepping each day to my adventurous journey, I would say honestly yet humbly, that I am one of those who are blessed to receive what I wish, what I pray for.

Two years ago, being young, aggressive, and stubborn at times, I have always wished for working everywhere in a humanitarian context. It was an influence of working with people in a humanitarian context in Mindanao, where I was born and where armed conflict never stops to give life an air.

Musing on who is Cory Aquino in Moro History

Originally posted at facebook

Tuesday, 04 August 2009 at 20:55

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I was born a year before People Power. I might not have any awareness of what was happening in my environment at those time, but the fact that I was able to go to school securely, read the history of terror during Martial Law, and the stirring People Power, I feel so grateful for the blessing to live in a much better society. Though history tells the story of a woman whose trademark colour is yellow, it is not as moving as how she moves people’s lives who bear witness to the dark era and has united a nation.

But on her death, I realised how influential and how she touched people’s heart and soul. Thus, I cannot keep my silence in this corner of the world.

A dot in a circle

Reflection. Photo by Baikong

It’s a bitterly cold and quiet day in Johannesburg. For two months of reflections and two months of dissatisfaction to my question, “Why I am Here?,” the hug of winter is a companion. And every day, as I feel the serenity and calmness inside my haven of privacy, I ask myself of same question.

My passion to humanitarian work ignites from being a witness to the situation of the vulnerable people when armed conflicts erupt and escalate, and when pandemic, epidemics, and diseases haunts those people who cannot afford even their food. When I see and hear about those people, I feel bad. I feel the adrenalin rush rising that we can do something to address the problem. And so, I started working restlessly from one place to another, either it’s a conflict and post-conflict setting, natural disaster inflicted areas and population, or health-related response.