Beyond Ourselves (Day 7)

Beyond Ourselves (Day 7)

by Rey Laguda

(This is the DepEd USec Rey Laguda's Day 7 of 50-day journey being serialized here with his permission, culled from his Facebook account. - Blogger/owner)

Since 2010, there was no respite from disasters that hit our country. In 2010, Typhoon Juan hit Region 2. In 2011, Typhoon Sendong hit parts of Visayas and Northern Mindanao especially Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities. In 2012, we saw Typhoon Pablo ravage Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley followed by an earthquake in Negros Oriental. In 2013, it was Bohol and Central Visayas' turn to have a major earthquake. As if it weren't enough, Typhoon Yolanda broke records affecting six regions. There were relatively small but damaging typhoons that followed in the ensuing years - Glenda, Ruby and Nona, to name a few. Indeed, we are in the ring of fire and in the typhoon belt. Aside from these natural disasters, we have seen the sad effects of human induced disasters like fire, violence, and conflict.

I had just come from a psychosocial debriefing session in Angono, Rizal for teachers who were involved in a recent bus accident. Br Armin asked me to say something and I couldn't help but remember heroic acts in times of adversity. I spoke about how my experience in DepEd over the last six years was characterized by attending to one calamity after another. And yet, more than the damage and destruction, what struck me were the human acts of resilience, survival, kindness, generosity, and love our people have shown throughout.

Go for AA Chanel in Artista Academy

My fellow Bacolodnon, Negrense, and friends, it's time to vote for Bacolod's Pride at the Artista Academy by using your cellphone.

AA Chanel

Let's go for AA Chanel.

On your message box, type AA CHANEL and send to 5656 to Smart or Globe network.

One text is one vote (at only P1 per text) for 16-year-old Chanel Morales of Bacolod City.

Chanel is the only bet to stardom, who represents the pride of Bacolod, Negros  and Panay to TV5's Artista Academy reality show.

She's the daughter of Royce and Emie Morales of Bacolod and she was former  trainee and segment host of a giant TV network's local station in the city.

Chanel is now on Top 3 of 8-girl finalists, but she needs our votes to stay on top until October's final night.