Your mantra for the week: “Greater understanding always opens doors to greater blessings.”

 

Recently, while looking through my files of prayers and poems that I have kept through the years, one caught my attention. It touched me deeply, especially today when much violence—both natural and created by man’s “intelligent” ignorance—are happening in many parts of the world.

 

This is a forgiveness prayer that can uplift the spirit for a few moments, or even longer. But I trust that it will create a lasting impact on you, dear reader.

 

This prayer was found in a small piece of paper beside a dead child in Ravensbrück, a death camp where 92,000 people died during World War II.

 

Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill

But also those of ill will.

But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted on us;

 

Instead remember the fruits

we have brought, thanks to this suffering—

our comradeship

our loyalty

our humility

the courage, the generosity

the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this…

 

And when they come to judgment

Let all the fruits we have borne

Be their forgiveness.

 

May this prayer help you forgive more easily and lovingly.

 

‘Life After Tokhang’

 

Two weeks ago, I attended the historic signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between Life Risponde Foundation and the PNP titled “Life After Tokhang” (LIFT) at the multipurpose center in Camp Crame.

 

The agreement aims to undertake a nationwide, community-based recovery and wellness program for the 1.3 million illegal drug users who voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the start of the PNP’s bloody “Oplan Tokhang” drug war.

 

PNP Director General Ronald de la Rosa, in introducing the keynote speaker, “the Philippines’ First Lady” Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, emphasized that there was also life during the tokhang period, underscoring the 1.3 million surrenderees who are now looking forward to recover from their addiction.

 

However, at this writing, President Duterte has transferred the responsibility of leading the drug war from the PNP to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

 

Nonetheless, LIFT’s spokesperson, Lourdes Arcenas, said the program is still highly relevant. Which means PDEA might adapt it. After all, it “adheres to the holistic approach to recovery, which includes mind, body and spirit.”

 

I trust PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino will read this column as a refresher on what transpired at the signing of the MOA.

 

The attendees at the MOA that afternoon went onstage to proclaim that they were addicts in recovery, just like those undergoing the Alcoholics Anonymous program.

 

Touched

 

I could see how visibly touched Honeylet was in this display of openness, courage and humility.

 

After acknowledging the guest dignitaries headed by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and former Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Honeylet began her speech: “I have miscalculated my expectations to address such a large crowd and even prepared myself to be sweating it out in the heat, not realizing that there was this air-conditioned auditorium… That there are so many who are desiring to recover from their addiction and who are brave enough to come out and say so.”

 

Not a killer

 

Then she recounted how a mother, who had gone to see Duterte when he was still Davao City mayor, related her difficulties with a son who had become a drug addict. Even at that time, Duterte had decided that, one day, he would fight this scourge which other presidents did not dare do, knowing the grave consequences that this would entail.

 

“The President is not a killer, he just wants to get rid of this epidemic that is playing havoc with the very soul of our people,” said Honeylet.

 

She continued that when the President said, “our family lives were happier and more peaceful when he was mayor, he speaks the truth. Today, his biggest desire is to make a difference in the country by changing the form of government to federalism. I assure you, when this comes to pass, he will step down.”

 

She also spoke of the time when she attended a United Nations event recently and was seated beside an American official who was connected with the defense sector: “I was so tempted to ask him for help because we do need help, especially when our soldiers are faced with 10-year-olds who are terrorists with firearms. Our own soldiers have to ask their superiors whether it is right to shoot them. Furthermore, have you ever seen a President who visits the war zone, not only once but several times?”

 

She added: “I think our biggest problem is that many Filipinos do not really love their country. When they are in America, they do not dare to litter the roadside, but here they nonchalantly make anywhere a place to dispose of their trash.”

 

There were moments in her speech when she was teary-eyed. She thanked the Life Risponde Foundation for its desire to help in the rehabilitation of drug users: “The country needs all the help it can get from every sector to end the scourge of drug addiction.”

 

The Patnubay Sa Kaunlaran Ng Cavite At Batangas Foundation Inc., headed by former First Lady Ming Ramos and the group of Connie Yuchengco Gonzales,  responded generously.

 

Among the guests were PSE’s Vivian Yuchengco, SM’s Tessie Sy-Coson, MVP Group’s Mike Toledo, Secretary Datu HJ. Abul Khayr Alonto, Sal Panelo, Frannie Jacinto and Cocoy Laurel who sang “The Lord’s Prayer” before the invocation.

 

‘Ballsy’ women

 

I sat for a while with the gracious Mrs. De la Rosa, and when I asked her first name, she quipped, “Nancy, para kaming Ronnie and Nancy Reagan.” Nancy and Honeylet are both Aquarians, who are usually “women with balls” and with more daughters than sons, just like former president Cory Aquino. Nancy has two girls and, of course, Honeylet has only Kitty.

 

When I told General Bato, who is also an Aquarian, how “ballsy” Aquarian women are, he laughed and said, “Totoo ’yan!”