IN PRIMARY grade school half a century plus a decade ago, our teachers taught us the values of generosity and sharing. They encouraged us to share our blessings with those in need.
They also asked us to give to the Red Cross but failed to explain why the cross is red. This was puzzling and we simply imagined that the cross is covered by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
The more troubling enigma in our minds was the rationale of parting with our pocket money to a cross that must have decayed after its use a long long time ago. This conveniently meant we had to forego with our snacks during break time from classes. Our teachers did not clearly explain to the understanding of our young coconuts.
We simply accepted what was said hook-line-sinker and drop a coin or two in the collection box that yearly comes around.
Through the years, as we climb the ladder of elementary training and on to high school, we continued to share what we had. We were then in third year high when a classmate stood and demanded where his donations have been going. If I may reconstruct his words, says he: "I come from a poor family. Yearly from grade school years, I parted with the little amount my dirt farmer parents gave me. Yet, until this day we never receive any assistance except to hear stories of the Red Cross feeding the hungry children in China and Africa."
The class guffawed in laughter even as the teacher tried to give a satisfactory vindication on how our pennies find its way to helping the needy.
Our teacher was a true-blooded Cordilleran and matured in the ways of his ancestry. He enlightened us along the Christian lines: "It's better to give than to receive; that lucky is for one to share his blessings rather than receive alms or donations as a victim of tragedy and hardship."
Such lesson is indigenous among Cordillera parents and imparted to their children through generations.
Truly, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) in recent years has painstakingly shown and pointed where donations go and spent. It has managed to carry on and endure the rigors of maintaining a service-oriented organization with nil resources and manpower.
Its image of the past has transformed from bloodletting activities to hands-on assistance and service that provide instant relief and comfort during natural calamities and man-made disasters. This only happened after Mr. Richard Gordon, former Olongapo City Mayor and now Senator, assumed the helm of the institution.
In the Yolanda calamity recovery operations, the broken government of past President Aquino has been busted for its lackluster action, most notably the miserable and blatant failure to account for billions in cash and in-kind donations.
Nothing was ever said of the PNRC set-up and relief undertaking. PNRC was effective and transparent. Like me, thousands preferred to share our donations through the Red Cross.
In the current Covid-19 crises, the PNRC has responded since day one of the pandemics. Meals on wheels (vehicles) were visible in lockdown neighborhoods sharing food to quarantined residents.
In its information delivery structure, advisories on how to protect one's self and deal with the epidemic were simple and easy for everyone to understand.
As the government is straining to respond to the complex crises, PNRC has come forward to assist in providing protective equipment to frontliners manning checkpoints and field emergency health facilities.
Covid testing machines and molecular laboratory units are delivered where they are needed most. Volunteer doctors, nurses, and EMTs man these facilities with "tender loving care."
It is not to relegate the hard work of frontliners in government service. They too are exerting commendable efforts, risking their own health and endangering their respective families.
A few weeks ago, I noted several photos of foreign ambassadors in a conference with Sen. Gordon in his PNRC red jacket. My speculative mind has been tracking vouchers listing their donations belittling mine by the millions.