Beholding The Future

ERNESTO E. MAIPID, JR.

At the breakfast table on a Sunday, I challenged my three granddaughters, Nala, Anya, and Lexa, to answer this question. ‘Why do people give you gifts on your birthday?’ I told them I was not after any ‘right’ answer. But I needed from them ‘a well-thought-out answer.’ The younger twin, Lexa, raised her hand and asked for clarification: ‘Papu, what is ‘a well-thought-out answer’? I choked and was not quite ready to give her my own explanation.

The previous night, the family gathered for Lexa’s 6th birthday and her older twin, Anya. They received a lot of gifts from family, and I saw how happy and content they were. Seeing them like this, I thought it was the best time to open a discussion with the little ones on the value of giving time and treasure. What do they think being thoughtful or thankful means? Do they know what it means to care, share, or love?

My Work with the Underprivileged Youth

I had been reflecting on these conversations with my grandchildren for the past two weeks. I was invited to give a recollection to 9 graduating Grade 6 students and parents at the Padre Pio Gawad Kalinga (GK) Sibol School in Caloocan City, a GK community development program for the poor.

Part of what we had discussed was ‘the things which made us happy and the things that make ‘Tatay’ (father) and ‘Nanay'(mother) happy. On the occasion of the school’s foundation celebration, the Benedictine priest from San Beda College, a private school, said Mass. He touched a chord in me as he dwelt on the GK Sibol with the benefactors of San Beda. He said he hoped one day the children would be pursuing their college in this private school. To which the parents roared and applauded, ‘Let’s pray for that!’ ‘I will!’ I nodded.

Values! I am in the midst of this formidable challenge of teaching values among the poor communities of Gawad Kalinga in my work. I had journeyed long, close to 25 years, and the work is far from done! The work is beyond lifetimes, generations even.

What is important is that WE ARE AT IT and that WE ARE CONSCIOUSLY MOVING IT!

Hope for Their Future

Yesterday, I was up early to ride with a fellow missionary of my children’s generation to the GK Enchanted Farm at Angat. I was to give a talk on the topic of ‘Values’ to our SEED students. The school brings together bright minds from our communities nationwide. The purpose is to develop their skills for agri-enterprise, hoping it will help their families rise to betterment. That will mean journeying with them to see beyond their little, cramped worlds to their potential, opportunity, and growth.

How important it is to make time to listen to their dreams, encourage their small steps, and walk with them out of their poverty.

At 66, I continue to be in the midst of the young, forming them in the way that the Lord presents me with the opportunities. I have 7 grandchildren: Nala, Anya, Lexa, Aria, Tristan, Andres, and Liya. With faith and trust, I accompanied each of them in prayer, as God had formed them for 9 months in the wombs of their mothers. I asked Him to seed LOVE deeply into their hearts.

I am confident in carrying the work God has started in and through me…while joyfully beholding A FUTURE OF HOPE!