Solidarity: A Holy Week reflection
AS WE move into the depths of our observance of the Holy Week, we need to include in our prayers the future of our country. Some may think that our pieties have nothing to do with our collective realities. However, unless we live what we believe beyond our personal piety, we’ll never experience genuine faith. Faith after all, is an integrated virtue. Its effects should be concrete in the integration of our entire personhood. It must integrate our personal prayers and choices with those who we love and pray with as a Church.
We need to be reminded that God’s salvation was not for a specific individual. It was humanity in its collectivity that was the subject of the Divine’s redemptive act. And although there is always individual effort involved in the salvation of souls, this is not without connection to what is expected of us in relation to our fellowmen.
When applied to the current state of our politics, it is important to be reminded that like faith, politics is a communal activity. This is something many have forgotten especially with the reduction of civil and political rights to mere expressions of individualism. But as Pope Francis remind us in Fratelli Tut t i :
“Individualism does not make us more free, more equal, more fraternal. The mere sum of individual interests is not capable of generating a better world for the whole human family. Nor can it save us from the many ills that are now increasingly globalized. Radical individualism is a virus that is extremely difficult to eliminate, for it is clever.”
Quite ironic that the “demos” (people) of democracy have been forgotten. Often buried in the noise of individualistic expressions like “it is my choice” and “respect my opinion.” Indeed, it is important to value the count of each person’s vote and respect every individual’s voice.
of my deep passion in the preservation of heritage, history, tradition and promotion of our local culture. That is why I am elated to be here because I know that through this MOA, we can continue that advocacy for the Kapampangan culture,” he said.
He added that this project may be a source of motivation and encouragement to every Filipino and foreigners to learn more about the Kapampangan culture and the practices that are still being observed nowadays.
Meanwhile, CDC President and CEO Manuel Gaerlan expressed his appreciation for the partnership which will be entrusted to the Aguman Sinupan Singsing, Inc. and will benefit the public – Kapampangans and non Kapampangans alike.
For his part, Aguman Sinupan Singsing, Inc. Program Director Michael Pangilinan emphasized how the said project could help in supporting their programs.
“It’s about time that Kapampangans look back into their culture and promote it, not just to themselves but also to the world. And I believe that CDC is the perfect avenue for that – it being a global gateway to the world and to the Kapampangan culture,” he said. (PIA 3)