By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
The salt of the earth
I woke up one cold morning in time for the 5.30 mass officiated by Fr. Tito Caluag. We are aleady in the month of March and yet we are still feeling the air of December. Bugnaw pa gihapon ang hangin. Ug sawinaray pa “ka upay imook”. Nindot pa gayud ibukot.
But I’m happy that dili na loadload ang cignal. PLDT has a promo of adding only 100 pesos to your monthly internet landline connection and everything will run smoothly. Kaniadto ug magulan wa gyud kay tv.
I’m feeling nostalgic. Our days during covid times started with the daily mass with my husband waking me up at 5:30. He was an early riser and I’m not. Amigong amigo gyud naku ang katre. I do my planning in bed for my day to day activities and organize my thoughts on what to write before transferring to my wheelchair beside my bed. This wheelchair has never been used for its intended purpose. Thanks to my therapist. Dili mosugot nga akong gamiton kanunay ang wheelchair. He said that I should not be dependent on that char and that I must walk no matter how slow or difficult it is for me to walk. Otherwise, I could be a psychological cripple for life. My therapist and the people around me, including my relatives and friends are salt of the earth.
My thoughts today brought me back in time to Edsa. It was a shining moment for the nation that showed the best in people power. It was a bloodless revolution. What we had then were prayers, flowers ug ang rosaries. The hearts of soldiers softened seeing a humongous crowd with just flowers and the rosary as their armour. That was our shining moment as a nation. That was 39 years ago and yet we are almost back to ground zero. But the people involved in the Edsa Revolution are also the the salt of the earth.
But there is still goodness that remains in the heart of most of the people, despite and in spite of the political, economic and social turmoil besetting our country today. There is always that invisible pair of hands that protects us from perdition. Though we are but a small voice, we are a strong voice. Kita man kaha ang haring lungsod. Edsa happened because of the goodness in us. And the revolution was just a reflection of that goodness – the goodness fo the salt of the earth.
This week is sad for us in our hometown. God made a bountiful harvest and 5 neighbors of ours passed on: four last Sunday and 1 two days after.
The arts, heritage and culture community feel very sad for the passing of Bohol arts icon, Marianito Luspo. Marianits, as I call you, sail on and be in God’s warm embrace. You were a salt of the earth.
From Tito Calauag’s homily of today: Be the salt of the earth. And let Edsa live in our hearts.
