The privilege of serving others

In the spirit of recommitment to self-lessness and community service, individuals, businesses, and educational institutions are equally urged to declare their dedication to doing what is right. On a personal basis, it is called moral uprightness. In a corporate or organizational setting, it is labeled as social responsibility manifested in the kind of advocacy you choose.

The motivation underlying a pure advocacy or good corporate citizenship must be transformed from anger and despair about a depressing state to compassion and love for the afflicted that can provide a platform for change and development. This is not to deny the legitimacy of noble anger or courage or injustice of any kind. Rather, we seek to work for the love of our countrymen instead of against the evil people or institutions that bring forth the malady and malaise of any kind.

In reality, doing the right thing can demand enormous sacrifice. When we feel tempted to avoid squabbles instead of doing what we know we should do, just believe that things do have a tendency to balance themselves out. If we turn our backs on opportunities to make things go right for our families, friends, constituencies or even strangers, don’t be surprised if, somewhere down the road, people we meet take the same easy road rather than help us out of the rut.

In an organizational context, it means not only avoiding monstrous wickedness; it is actively doing what is value-driven and admirable. Since business corporations comprise a significant portion of the world’s largest economies, they have as much potential to improve or destroy lives as do wars. Many socially responsible companies, however, realize that they should put some idealism back and become a force for positive change. As Gandhi admonished, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” His simple teaching has philosophical overtones. If we want a loving, compassionate milieu, then we must become loving and compassionate ourselves. We should make doing the right thing a way of life.

Simbahayan 400

In its 400th year, for example, the University of Santo Tomas fires the burning Thomasian spirit of charity and service — of doing good by carrying out the university’s mission of building the Church, the home and the Philippines. The laudable program is dubbed Simbahayan 400, which stands for “Tomasino para sa SIMBahan, TaHAnan at BaYAN.” It aims to launch 400 activities that will heed the call of the Church to serve marginalized communities all over the Philippines this year. The program will be pushed to success by the volunteering character of UST alumni, students, faculty members and administrators. And since UST has produced a significant number of priests, bishops and archbishops serving all over the country, spreading the gospel of lending a hand will come easier.

From the time it was launched Simbahayan has put in motion 50 community development projects, the very first of which was launched in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Other areas include Baguio City; Jaro, Iloilo; and Capiz, among others. The University has linked up and partnered with other non-government groups like Gawad Kalinga, Couples for Christ, ABS-CBN Foundation, and Focalare to help identify the communities and beneficiaries that need to be served.

The alumni have various options to help the project based on their expertise and resources. There are educational enrichment programs for teachers, development of environmentally sound communities for architects, and engineers, development of parks and playgrounds, sharing crafts or lecturing for families, medical missions for doctors, nurses and other health professionals, livelihood projects for businessmen and entrepreneurs. The list goes on and on. Indeed, there is a long list of possibilities on how Thomasians can help, and everyone is encouraged to contribute time, skills and funds in doing good via Simbahayan — a UST quadri-centennial banner program that shines in its purpose, and taps every Thomasian’s heart to show real love and compassion. Doing good should be part of our everyday lives. The following insights provide valuable help on how organizations and individuals can do it well:

• Value intangible rewards. Bestow good fortune on others not for recognition or gain but for the welfare of those we have helped. Expecting rewards or praise whenever we extend a hand to pull those who are in the dark into the light should be far from our mind. The value of the intangible awards we receive for doing what is good is more valuable than the tangibles. A company or a person can’t take a trophy to the grave, but corporate or personal reputation and a good deed performed will continue to live long after its existence.

• Protect our moral integrity. If we can help it, don’t turn away an opportunity to do good. Let’s do it, not just to win the respect of others, but more importantly, to gain our own self-respect.

• Avoid a false sense of altruism. Selfless service is a myth, because in serving others, we also serve ourselves. This is important to recognize so we don’t fall into the trap of pretentious service to others’ needs and develop a faulty impression of generosity.

• Emphasize trustworthiness in our everyday activities. Engender the trust of our publics and fellowmen when making decisions in our everyday life. For when we trust others, they will trust us in return.

• Don’t cut off from the misery of others. We must allow our hearts to be broken open. As we let the pain in, we become a vehicle for transformation, and if we block the anguish, we prevent our own participation in the country’s attempt to heal itself.

• Set a good precedent. When we do the right thing, we inspire others to do the same. And if people see us doing the right thing, they will feel inspired to do likewise. The influence of our actions can tremendously impact the behavior of those around us. And as we work together we must move from an “us-them” consciousness to a “we” mindset.

A good deed is directed at a specific community rather than at us. We serve for the benefit of others, and not for our own satisfaction and glorification. We are sowing seeds for a cherished vision to become a future reality, and our fulfillment comes from the privilege of being able to do this work.

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E-mail bongosorio@yahoo.com or bong_osorio@abs-cbn.com for comments, questions or suggestions. Thank you for communicating.