GOODNESS ABOUNDS

I AM writing this letter for two reasons: first, to say that not all
is bad in our country and society despite the very negative reports in
the media; and second, to thank and give recognition to a group of
wonderful people whose unselfish actions prove that there is so much
goodness in man.

It is unfortunate that the bad news we see and read about in the media
paints such a sad picture of our country: violence, corruption, broken
families, drugs, and all sorts of crime. Perhaps it is only because
some people prefer to hear bad and sensational news. If we reflect a
little and take time to look around us, we will become aware of the
goodness in many people and the efforts and sacrifices they make to
help others, especially the poor, the handicapped and those rejected
by society. Their good deeds rarely make headlines.

When I was working among the poor and the sick in Mindanao, a young
patient with a complicated virus infection that paralyzed him needed
to fly to Manila to get better medical care. He was very ill and very
poor, and I had to go to Philippine Ailines to arrange his travel
papers. I didn't know how to go about it, but PAL personnel assisted
me with great kindness and efficiency. So on Oct. 15, we were able to
take a PAL flight from Cotabato City to Manila.

On the plane, the PAL personnel did everything to make this poor young
man comfortable. Because he needed to have his legs elevated, one PAL
passenger gave him her suitcase for him to rest his legs on. She
helped out of the goodness of her heart.

When we arrived in Manila, the PAL personnel were not sure whether to
transport the patient from the plane by wheelchair or stretcher. It
was late, but they took the time to find the best means. They decided
to carry him out in a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Then they
cheerfully said goodbye to a thankful young man.

I am sure those wonderful people arrived home very late but with love
and happiness in their hearts. And I am sure their good deed was
blessed by our Lord who said once upon a time, "What you do to the
least of my brethren, you do unto Me."

In this modest letter I want to congratulate PAL for their good
services and pray that they will continue in this way. May they
likewise continue to have kind and efficient personnel.

I also want to tell our people that we must open our eyes to see the
good around us. Not all is bad in our country, for indeed there is so
much good that is not seen. Every kindness we can show, every good
deed we do in the name of Jesus will help transform the world. God is
with us to help us.

Sister Pilar Palau,

Carmelite Sisters of Charity