Small folks acting like great heroes

Yesterday, we expressed exasperation at senators, justices, mayors, and even presidents who behave like unpolished children before the whole nation, to the great dismay of the people they lead, and children who expect much from their demeanor.

But, on the other hand, it’s heartwarming that from small people, in small villages and far-flung towns, we hear of little folks who behave in a manner that inspires us all. We don’t only refer to doctors, nurses, and hospital attendants, who risk their lives daily in the service of the nation. This isn’t just about policemen and military officers, and men and women who man our borders and make sure that all shall follow the rules, to save the people from death and infection. Again, while we mention of our armed forces being ambushed and massacred by rebels and terrorists while escorting LGU units distributing foods and medicines, there are many unheralded, simple people in the hinterlands and in the urban peripheries, who act with valor, dignity, and honor.

I salute that Cebuano pizza delivery boy who saved all the small tips he got each day. He used the money to buy bread and gave them to the homeless and hungry people in the urban poor settlements. He was only a minimum wage-earner, and he has a family to feed. But he has a heart and a social conscience. How different he is from our senators and congressmen, with their mansions, and their billions, and they don’t care at all. They only come out during campaigns and elections, buying votes and bribing those who count votes and manipulate the counting machines. I know that in many squatter areas, there are many small folks helping with their hard-earned money to feed the hungry and give hope to the desolate.

I salute that couple in Tondo who returned the P5,000 to DOLE because they have enough food to feed their children. How different from some politicians who get money from DSWD for distribution to the people but only give out sardines and some kilos of rice, pocketing most of the budget allocated for the poor. I salute that senior citizen in Ronda, who turned over the money she received from DSWD because her children abroad are sending her enough, and others may need the government fund more than she does. I bow my head to the janitor in the airport who returned a bag he found inside the comfort room, even as his own wife is having a weekly dialysis and they needed the money. That bag contained $35,000, and he even refused the $200 offered to him.

Not all men are rascals or scalawags, even at the most trying times. While many of the rich and powerful are cracking their heads, trying to think of more ways to amass more money, power, and influence, and in so pursuing, to cheat the government of taxes and deny their workers their wages and benefits, there are few men of honor and integrity who can still be trusted and who will never steal. A story is told in the Bible of that widow who offered her last coin to the temple, while not being sure where to get food for her children. On the contrary, there was a rich man who always announced his big contributions, like politicians today, who need a network of reporters to publicize their donations.

My four grandchildren aged three to six all broke their “alkansiya” and offered the money to our maids, drivers, and laundrywoman. I was touched, as I reflect that if only for these few honest and kind-hearted human beings, and small kids, God may decide not to destroy the world, as he burned Sodom and Gomorrah. If only for the purity of Noah, the Lord saved his family from the great flood that destroyed humanity. Small folks with great hearts and consciences and little children are saving us all from the ultimate perdition of COVID-19.