Moving on in these trying times

Two weeks after supertyphoon Yolanda ravaged parts of Central Visayas, we take stock of how our people and our country heroically weathered it, thanks to God. He shook us out of our smug complacency last Oct. 15, the Ides of October, with a 7.2 earthquake centered in Bohol. He followed this later on with floods in many parts of the country. And then, Yolanda. This Bystander would like to think that instead of these catastrophic events being signs of His anger, which we certainly deserve for our sinful thoughtlessness, they are manifestations of His loving concern for us that we return to Him in faith and love.

Especially since today is just 32 days before we observe Christmas, the anniversary of the humble birth in Bethlehem of the Baby Jesus, our Saviour Jesus Christ, over 2,000 years ago in a tumultuous time then, like ours today.

After the recent catastrophes we have gone through, in the wake of the loss and injury to thousands of victims, their homes, towns and cities, we are already receiving God’s early Christmas gift to us. This is in the overwhelming worldwide largesse that has arrived, and continues to flood in as never ever before, for our mostly afflicted central Philippine area. A largesse, not only in food and goods but also in loving volunteer service and consolation for countless victims. All of these coming in from the rest of the country, including victims themselves! And even much more from other countries, including those we have had and continue to have difficult relations with.

Multimedia reports all these, even under trying and dangerous situations, so that we may keep in touch. Particularly uplifting was a Facebook page photo reproduced in the press and TV showing “for two days, the iconic Empire State Building in New York… bathed in the red, blue, yellow and white colors of the Philippine flag to show solidarity with the Filipino nation following the devastation brought by supertyphoon Yolanda.” May God bless them all for making us realize that we are not alone in these times of horrendous loss, grief and desolation.

Pope Francis and our Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, among many others, have prayed for us and with us through all these, reminding us that simple celebrations are truly in keeping during this birth anniversary of the humble birth in Bethlehem of the Little Baby, our loving Saviour.

And now for a Bystander-ing report on what a couple of women’s organizations I belong to are doing through all these for us.

Zonta Clubs of Cebu 1 & 2 are observing November as Zonta Month. Thursday last week, the 14th, we of Zonta Club of Cebu 1, celebrating the 45th founding anniversary this year, held our monthly general membership meeting at the Cebu Country Club. After the mainly business meeting, considering finances, membership, preparation of project sites, and updates on a scholarship form, we also took up plans for our upcoming 45th anniversary on Nov. 25 this year, including ticket sales, venue and guests, particularly Gov. Winnie Teoh and her visiting group.

Our awarding of Top Young Women Professionals followed. A profile of “The Honorees’ Successful Journey” followed. They were 1st Placer Beverly Balagan, a 5-year Baccalaureate in 1952 of the Cebu Velez General Hospital. Others included Belleza Levic; Romelyn Icot, a 6th placer; Nikki Javier; Shela Heruela, and Kyzia Kintanar.

Zontian Dr. Mila Espina as moderator, interacted with the honorees. Awards and flowers were presented to the honorees, including their Alma Mater, the Velez College of Nursing as among the Top Nursing Schools of the country. Zonta 1 president Lucille Colina and area director Anita Sanchez were the presenters. In this connection, I am proud that my two nurse daughters, Amelia V. Macalua and the late Raquel V. Villalon, were among the earlier 5-year baccalaureate program graduates of Velez College. This was followed by the Velez College success story recounted by Velez College administrator Nona Velez. Our Zonta 1 past president Stella Bernabe gave the closing remarks.

The Musiko Amigos Singing Group rendered the invocation and national anthem, musical interlude and the musical finale.

On Saturday, afternoon, the 16th, Zonta Club of Cebu 1 presented the Zonta/Tanchan Scholarship Recognition Program on the theme, “A Journey towards Academic Excellence” at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall.

I came in at the second half of the program after handling our Cebu Women’s Network monthly “Women’s Kapihan” on Radio Station dyLA (which I shall report on at length next week).

Guests at the Zonta/Tan Chan Open Forum were eight outstanding BSED scholar-graduates, all teaching in Cebu’s outstanding public and private schools.

They were Juliet Tandoy, Daniela Jayme, Joevie Alvarado, Manilyn Narca, Risty Alana, Nimpha Balutang, Rhodea Baqueros, and Daisy von Dy. More on them on them and the Zonta/Tan Chan Scholarship Program will also hold for next week. Congratulations!

These outstanding women achievers and their respective accomplishments complement the earlier massive disaster and tragedy for their communities and the country, respectively, and worldwide outpouring of sympathy and support in these unusually outstanding months of October and November this year. For all of which, God be thanked.

Until next week, then, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!