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Saturday, October 23, 2004
Antalan: Happiness is helping others
By Roger P. Antalan
Dateline Igacos
EVERY year the prestigious Rotary International comes up with a new theme of the year that would rally to action the Rotarians all over the world. "Happiness is helping others" was Rotary's theme more than a decade ago. This dictum, however works up to now, and will remain a motivating force for generous souls till the end of time.
Take the case of Engr. Jun Lozado who celebrated his 60th birthday a few days ago. He looks young and happy for his age. He manages the new and beautiful Mahan Beach Resort in Babak with his charming wife, Judith. He is also the president of the Igacos Chamber of Commerce. Already successful in life, his dream is to leave a legacy, to help the people in Samal improve their lives economically. He is going to organize and set up a big nursery for mangoes, bananas and other high value fruit trees and distribute them to the farmers. He is sure that this is one great way to grow old gracefully and be happy.
Young Anne of the Solamo clan was born in Samal but she is now a US citizens residing in LA. She has not forgotten her roots. She has a regular milk-feeding program for a few barangays in the island. She finds joy and fulfillment in collecting a few dollars from her relatives and friends abroad. She strongly believes that her regular nutrition program will go a long way for the needy children.
I'm happy to mention the Rotarian Momong Robillo has written a treasure of a book entitled "The Word God Spells," great reading for reflections and meditations. Get a copy. Proceeds will also go for the nutrition program of Igacos.
Every now and then, civic groups come to our city and do medical missions, such as the Rotary Club of East Davao, the Lions Club of Davao, the Maharlika Foundation, even the nurses of Brokenshire Hospital who are now residing in America and many other groups.
Hundreds are benefited from the medical, dental and optical treatments. Very palpable is the joy of serving the sick and the needy. These good Samaritans always seem to be on a picnic when they do their humanitarian work.
A seven-hectare parcel of land is up for sale. It is a forested area. The owners, eight brothers and sisters, are not allowed to cut the trees, so there's no income from the land as of now. They are selling it for a very low price. I asked a close friend, Jaime Fernandez, to buy and donate it to us. He answered with one word: "Gladly." And he has issued a check.
The general manager of a flourishing appliance center contributed 50,000 to build one house at the relocation area in Babak of the Gawad Kalinga project.
He was so elated to see a simple house built in his company's name. Now he wants to build a whole village of 100 such houses for the poor! I am the one who is very happy.
Mike Murrel is not one of those moneyed foreigners who have decided to live in Samal with their Filipino wives. The reasons for staying here are simple. "The island is lovely." The 40-year-old American, retired from US military service, continued to say: "My pension would just be enough at home, but here it would be more than enough." His expertise is self-defense, VIP protection, and close quarter combat. He has volunteered and has started to train the police force and has a program to train all the 1,000 Barangay Police of the city. Of course, all the barangay police are excited with their forthcoming "stateside" training.
Aside from loving the place, Mike is happy to have something to do and to share his skills.
Well, as someone aptly said, "happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."
(October 23, 2004 issue)
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