The Road on Giving Back


Do you remember your grandma or your grandpa take caring of your mother?

Do you remember  the things that they mold your parents?

In any event, are there times when they refuse your request?

Or did it bother  you?

When was the time they treat you to Jollibee? McDonald’s? Greenwich?

Were you able to join them in a mass or saying the rosary?

When was the time  you say the priceless yet magical word I LOVE YOU?

To your family?

To your friends?

To your foes?

Sometimes we take the good old things for granted.

Right?

We appreciate their good deeds only when they are sick or  dying.

We give tribute when they are dead.

Am I correct?

Inspired by P. Poveda’s words – “You do not have to be rich in order to give, you only have to be good; he who is good will always find something to give.” – Thelma Ismael Repedro succeeded in fulfilling the noble idea of giving outside her duties and responsibilities as civil servant to the public of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), the Filipino workers.

The Story Behind

Recognizing the lasting legacy of the elderly

Ms. Thelma may have travelled to places away from the one where she spent her childhood years, yet the road will always lead her back home to Linabuan Sur, Banga, Aklan.

In January 2009, while attending mass in their barrio chapel, Ms. Thelma looked around and noticed familiar faces whose names she could no longer recall. She has been away too long that she could only remember memories of being with them in her youth but not their names. As Ms. Thelma prayed to the barrio patron, Nuestra Senora de Salvacion, an inspiring idea crossed her mind. There and then, the idea of giving tribute to those who were born ahead became her new venue for giving.

Helped by her cousins, nephews, and nieces,  Ms. Thelma went around the barrio to look for people aged 70 years and above. By March 2009, Ms. Thelma went back to further confirm the activities for a grand tribute to be held in May. She initially planned on preparing videos of relatives paying tribute to their elders but Ms. Thelma was so overwhelmed by the heartfelt stories that after her fourth attempt to document these on film, she decided that a live tribute would be a better option.

With the aid of the Parish Pastoral Council President, the School Principal, and her cousins, Ms. Thelma successfully held the first tribute in May 2009. Ten  elderlies received personal testaments from their relatives. The other elderlies, although not recipients of words of gratitude from their relatives, were also feted to a celebration, as all the elderlies received loot bags containing milk, biscuits, noodles, and Pag-IBIG umbrellas.

A second tribute was again held in May 2010, with 5 elderlieslistening personal testaments from their relatives. A total of 118 elderlies were recognized in this year’s tribute, which was more organized compared to last year. This year, coordinators have been assigned per sitio to make sure that all elderlies aged 70 years and above would be acknowledged in the annual tribute.

This community activity enabled Ms. Thelma and her childhood community to give tribute to the elderlies while they are still alive to hear words of appreciation from their relatives. Ms. Thelma recognized the lasting legacy of her community’s elderlies and enjoined the whole community to participate in giving due recognition to the sacrifices and contributions of the elderlies.

This was already her second year of giving tribute to the elderlies of Linabuan Sur she called it Tribute to Those Who Were Born Ahead of Us.

As I witnessed this activity as the Master of Ceremonies I am really guilty in a sense that even to this younger years of my life I have never seen any event paying tribute to the elderlies.

I saw in their eyes the tears of joy hearing the tributes of their children.

The magical word that they are waiting for so long –I LOVE YOU was so sweet to hear.

You can feel the sincerity of their words.

They shared how their parents brought them on what they are today despite  the fact that their parents are farmers and laborers.

This is just a simple event in our barangay that is memorable and remarkable one.

That someone who is a good samaritan gives a tribute to the old ones and touches their lives and hearts.

Friends, when is the time you will pay tribute to your parents?

When they will not hear those words and experience the nice moments with you?

It is not too late my friends!

Be inspired by this quotes from William Pen – I expect to pass through life but once, if therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.

Young ones, what are you waiting for?