I noticed that the Inquirer has been covering events that concern misdemeanors on the part of government officials, police officers, military men, etc. I think it is good that these misdeeds might be made known but better still if they are brought to justice.
But I was thinking that it might be good and even better for the Inquirer to report about ordinary Filipinos who have done heroic deeds for family and country. Our people need models to remember and to emulate. If all they read in the papers is sordid behavior, they might not be inspired to do better. They might even be incited to imitate the bad example.
I was thinking maybe the Inquirer can have a section or something on “Unsung Heroes.” I suggest that people who have already passed away and whose lives continue to bring much good to the present be featured in this section. They must be very ordinary people that our citizens can identify themselves with: a teacher, housewife, household helper, tindera, policeman, lawyer, town doctor, barber, farmer, fisherman, etc.
There might be a housewife whose husband died, leaving behind five children. Then this woman had to start working by making children’s clothes or cooking ulam (viands) to sell, to provide for her family. But with hard work and faith she raises all the children into successful professionals and even makes her own business prosper.
If people get to know about this feature, they might propose featuring their deceased grandfather or mother who worked hard to change the lives of the children. There might be people who want to honor their parents or grandparents in this way.
Let’s share good news.
—FR. CECILIO MAGSINO, cesmagsino@gmail.com