Showing posts with label Poverty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poverty. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

'Hapag ng Pag-asa'

     Last June, during the opening of this school year, my Cathwor Professor let us watched a video-documentary named 'Canvass of the Society' inspired by a painting of Joey Velasco shown below. Because of its meaningful thought, I do even posted my insight about that video (title: Canvass of the society ; Tags: poverty, society)

     The point of writing another similar blog over again (although not discussed what's the painting was all about) is because of the bad news I have read in my twitter account (shown below). Joey Velasco has passed away. Shocked but not dismayed for I know it was God's purpose to let him leave the earth and for I know that leaving this sinful world does not and will never rub out his greatest art work as a product of his God-given talent.

 Retweet of ANCAlert account
 
     "Hapag ng Pag-asa" is a painting of 'The Last Supper' but in place of the 12 apostles are the 12 impoverished children of our society. These kids were not an imagination for he had paid for these people to pose for him.

   The Last Supper with the Street Children
Reference: katoliko.org
   In his video, he said that he found himself with this painting. That among his high-paid wonderful paintings, this one was the best, meaningful and PRICELESS! It invokes so much virtues of life yet not everyone has already imprinted to their minds what's this painting all about and what is it for.

     Isn't it obvious that he is calling us to save these people? Or we are just insensitive to these realities of life? Anyway, conscience always knocks. It's up to you to whether bury yourself in guilt or live in heaven with them.

     Every children in this painting has their own story. They may differ on forms of how bitter life was to them but they all have the same ending: hunger, pain, difficulty, and impairment. Some were garbage collector and has taken the risk of being hit by the garbage truck, some were out of school and tended to work for their family and some were malnourished for they haven't fed enough nutrients to their body. (The video below entitled 'Canvass of the Society' tells the story of these children narrated by Joey Velasco)



     I remember during my Filipino subject, we were asked to make a short story of any topic. Then my professor had shown us a sample which entitled 'Sa Hapag Sila ang kasama Niya' (not really sure to the title but somehow it's sounds like that). It is a story of where Jesus prefer to be with in line of this social problem and discrimination. And according to it, those that attend parties, bar and classy gatherings were those that didn't notice the presence of Him because they are busy dealing with themselves alone. While people laying on the streets with no foods at all, if there is maybe came from trash, are where He is.

     And how keen I was to make such story like that because it really speaks the truth. That whenever we satisfy ourselves we tend to set aside our Creator and even thank Him not for the happiness we had. And I guess if I could just write such composition that way, I might perhaps bring the message of the Lord and influence their minds like Joey Velasco had done to me with his painting.

     And I do hope that there's a lot of Joey Velasco in this world to let everyone realize that life is not about us but about Him. And we must live in His purpose and not in our own will and fulfillment. In which our prime purpose is to help others, Or if not, at least don't hurt them!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Canvass of the Society

     Aside from being inspired to attend my Catholic Worship class because of my seat mate, my prof let us watch a video documentary that really touched my life. Masakit makakita ng mga batang parang walang direksyon ang buhay. And I am thankful na despite of the financial challenge in the family, I still hold on to what is best for me which I think guided me to where am I right now. But behind it, sympathy is always there to those who didn't make it and those who seem to not make it.

     It is obvious that the case of poverty is at its extremes. Bakit may mga taong sobrang hirap gayung may mga taong sobrang yaman? Hindi natin masasabing dahil sa mahirap rin ang Pilipinas dahil kung ganun bakit may mga taong nakakapagspend ng pera in a worthless things like bumili ng mamahaling pagkain ng aso, o kaya nama'y damit ng pusa. 

     Do not also put the blame on them dahil kung just and humane talaga ang isang society, why the government is setting them aside. I mean, alam kong kumikilos naman ang mga nakaupo sa pwesto pero bakit in the worst and sluggish way. That would only mean they really don't care to them!

     I am not making judgment, only presumption based on observation. They are supposed to be public servants of the people. Remember democracy is governed by laws and not by the people. I was reading the Philippine Constitution yesterday and it says there, "Elected politicians are the servant of the people, not their masters!" (somewhat like that). Pero kung umasta ang mga mokong na 'to akala mo pag-aari ang Pinas. Kung makadala ng body guards and convoy kala mo VIP guest in an international conference. 

     Empathy, and not sympathy, is what they need. Wala namang magagawa ang awa sa kahit na sino e. Kaya kahit naaawa ako there is still this urge in me na tumulong sa tao. Kung hindi kaya ng mga mokong na pulitiko, bakit hindi natin gawin? How? First, patayin ang mga baliw na pulitiko. HAHAHA. Joke lang. That's so mean. Anyway, the fact is we are holding the real power of democracy. Kung matututo lang talagang gamitin 'to ng mga tao, I am sure the sixth sense will get by poverty. ABSENSE (absence)!