BACOLOD City Councilor and Christian leader Carlos Jose “Carl” Lopez reminisced his memories with his cousin Gina Lopez, the environment advocate and czar who passed on recently but her memories and good deeds will live on.
The Bacolod councilor had his time collaborating with his cousin whose dedication in fighting for the protection and preservation of the environment, welfare of the poor and needy especially the children left an indelible imprint in the sands of time.
He considered Gina Lopez as somebody who has exemplified the works of St. Francis of Assisi in modern times.
“Gina Lopez was a modern day St. Francis of Assisi and a national heroine who tirelessly worked for protecting our environment, the abused children and preferential treatment for our poor. She left her wealth to be with the poor as a missionary. When she decided to answer God’s call to serve in another way, she remained simple and true to her mission. We shared very similar convictions. A purpose driven life. To be a man and woman after God’s own heart. ‘God chasers’ that is being a good steward of all His creation and willing instruments to care for the poor and abandoned, and be used for whatever Godly agenda. She accomplished great things,” the city councilor said.
But the insight he got from reminiscing on the almost nine years that he collaborated with her in area of development, fighting climate change and cleaning our environment, is that God does not ask us to be successful, but faithful in making a difference in whatever situation they are in.
“He does not require us to do great things. He simply asks us to do small things one at a time with great Love. Yes, I believe we should dream big and think big. As the lyrics of her favorite song ‘I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky!’ Gina was successful and she helped a lot of people. But we are left to continue her legacy on our own little way. As a professed member of the Secular Franciscan order it was inculcated in our formation to see God in all of his creation,” he said.
Our founder is the patron of the environment and known for his love of creation. He referred to them as Brother Sun and Sister Moon.
Gina personified one of the saints saying “Preach the word of God with actions but if necessary speak or use words.”
Gina decided to follow that mantra and spoke with her actions.
In the end as the good book says, “Not all who call me Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of my Father. I am sure you are now enjoying the beatific vision with the Father and all the saints. You have taken to heart your Dad’s motto ‘in the service of the Filipino.’ You make all of us Filipinos proud. I pray for the grace to continue what you have started,” he said.
Their family roots...
Councilor Lopez and Gina Lopez are cousins.
“We came all from Basilio Lopez and Sabina Jalandoni. They had eight kids. From there came the eight branches of the Lopez clan. Gina is from Eugenio and I am from the Marcelo. We come from the same family tree in Iloilo. My Lolo Marcelo and Eugenio were brothers who now form part of the seven branches of the Lopez clan. My Lolo Carlos and Eugenio, Sr. were first cousins. Thus she is my cousin. But not first degree. Gina spent three days in Salvador Benedicto and stayed in my brother Manolito’s rest house. We trained around 60 earth warriors in the military camp in Murcia. Those earth warriors were formed to clean and watch our different rivers and tributaries,” he said.