9/11-like effect in Robredo’s demise

The national emotional outpouring that attended the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo reminds me of the effects of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the American population.

To recall, the horrific tragedy that happened 11 years ago was linked to militants associated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda. Nineteen Islamists hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against United States targets, specifically the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.

The attacks killed more than 3,000 people, caused massive damage and triggered major initiatives by the Bush administration to combat terrorism worldwide.

The terrorist attacks cut a wide swath of destruction. However, the psychological injury was more difficult to deal with because it was so widespread and many couldn’t come to terms with the senseless killings.

The psychological wound was so deep that according to a Time Magazine article written shortly after the attacks, people consciously avoided recalling the tragedy by naming it 9/11. The numerical title was to serve as a shield against having to name—and thus feel—the tragedy each time it is discussed.

The same article said data gathered from text pagers in 2001 (at a time when text messaging was not yet developed), revealed that sadness, worry and a rising fury were the three great emotions that defined the day. This was when black smoke continued to billow from the Twin Towers, the identities of the perpetrators and their motives remained vague and the number of deaths was still uncertain.

When the narrative of 9/11 fully emerged, it triggered a “coast to coast wave of soul-searching and many Americans are making big changes in their personal lives, prodded by two lessons from the tragedy: Life is precious, and time is short,” according to a report by the Associated Press dated Sept. 20, 2001 that I pinned in my files.

The story goes that many people made life changing decisions, from career shifts, dumping lovers to joining the army. The themes in the thousand and one anecdotes post 9/11 point to living more meaningful lives by going back to one’s passion and finding the guts to do it.

The same themes are being discussed in the case of Secretary Jesse’s passing, but in the context of honest public service and making a difference in the lives of others.

If Secretary Jesse Robredo didn’t perish in the plane crash, we would never have known his innate goodness, integrity, simplicity and humble service, qualities that are worth emulating. That such a public servant worked in quiet dignity within the Philippine political setting is beyond belief and only adds to his honor.

Almost instantly, young people are talking and sharing posts about Secretary Robredo’s life and virtues in social networking sites. I heard many passers of the recent nurses’ exams were moved by Robredo’s example that they now want to serve in local hospitals and serve the needy rather than look for jobs abroad.

Newly appointed lady Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno likewise referred to Secretary Jesse in her statements after learning that she was to steer the High Tribunal for the next 18 years.

Secretary Robredo casts a psychological influence on every individual, in the sense that his life prompts us to step back and regain perspective.

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A postscript needs to be written about the golden jubilee celebration of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Tabunok, Talisay City last Aug. 19.

In line with the parish’s 50th year, Archbishop Jose S. Palma has declared Aug. 19, 2012 to Aug. 18, 2013 Year of Grace. The parish church has also been declared a Place of Pilgrimage where the faithful can avail of plenary indulgence if they participate in prayers and practices prescribed by the Church.

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes blessed the Jubilee marker ahead of celebrating the afternoon fiesta Mass. By way of framing his homily to local parishioners, Bishop Cortes lifted a few lines from the message delivered by the late Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee Year 2000:  to “remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI made sure to be part of the festivity by imparting his apostolic blessing to all those who assembled for the celebration.