PART 1: ONLY FOR THE BRAVE

This is the first time i am going to do a blog I am not even sure what a “blog” means in the dictionary or what is the format of a blog. I have decided to share GK from my perspective through my executive blog. There is so much to share about my recently concluded trip to Sulu, so forgive me if I write in tranches…

Last April 12, together with 200 GK volunteers, we boarded BRP Benguet from Zamboanga to Panglima Estino, Sulu. Yes the famous land of the Tausugs! Famous for the violence and kidnappings; the people of Sulu shouldn’t be defined by these. It is incumbent upon all of us to make sure that this does not happen because after all, the Philippines is always lumped with what comes out of Mindanao, and Mindanao is always judged with what comes out of Sulu. The global community has their eyes fixed on Sulu. Sulu certainly plays a crucial role in ensuring global peace. Poverty and peace are two inter-locking issues. Gawad Kalinga decided to attack poverty by building holistic, integrated and sustainable communities with the hope that by restoring dignity and empowering the poor, PEACE is a CONSEQUENCE.

At 7 knots, one could barely feel the speed of the ship but I can sense the anticipation of everyone! Personally, I kept on praying and reflecting what “ONLY FOR THE BRAVE” really means. After I uttered this phrase last year during the closing of the Bayani Challenge in Bukidnon, I knew in my heart that there’s more to this phrase than being just a nice and “sexy” theme.

ONLY FOR THE BRAVE: “Pilipino ang Lahi Ko”

Going to Sulu to some was being RECLKLESS but for me it was being RELEVANT to the life of our country, our countrymen, to my community and the Church. In 1986, Filipinos braved the streets of EDSA to face the tanks and armed soldiers; it was this bravery that inspired a nation to embrace a peaceful change. I believe, this is the very spirit that has inspired and emboldened the GK volunteers to go and build houses in Sulu. To my mind and heart, this is my generation’s EDSA 1, it is not without fear that I went, but it is with HOPE in God and FAITH in the Filipino that have kept my fears at bay. I ask, how RELEVANT am I as a Filipino in the journey of my people? My response: A CITIZEN’S ACT is what is needed. An act to honor God’s will for me to be a citizen of the Philippines; PRESENCE of a few brave souls is what sometimes is needed to shift the whole ballgame. GK is the GAME CHANGER. So now, I enjoin every Filipino by birth or not, to help build mighty currents of HOPE that can transform fear and desperation into courage and passion through Gawad Kalinga! Let us be RELENTLESS in pursuing our dreams for our motherland: No Filipino should be a squatter in his own country! No Filipino should ever go hungry! Let us unite to place our Philippines into a nobler place in a global community of nations!

luis