Free Tibet: Self Immolation and Human Rights Protests

I was stunned. My friend at work told me about the self-immolation happening in Tibet. I was browsing the news on CNN because of another breaking news on North Korea and came across the plight of Tibetans.

I admit I haven't been paying much attention on current events. I was not as involved in the news as I was before in my university days. I thought there were only bad news that would leave people discouraged and disheartened. Now, I realized living and knowing is not about us anymore, it's about how we can voice out the pain and agony of those who can't shout and tell the world of their sufferings.

Having born in a democratic country, I am grateful to God for the freedom to live life just as we want it.  Unlike those in other places such as Tibet, they are protesting on their right to live as citizens of their homeland. Invaders have destroyed their shrines and monasteries. Political prisoners are tortured and their natural resources exploited.

What is heartbreaking is the desperation of children. There are teenagers taking part of the protests, some injuring themselves as they heed justice and freedom. Teenagers in our country enjoy lavish gadgets and lifestyles Tibetan teenagers just dream of.

They see, feel and experience the threat to eradicate their culture and heritage.  Imagine living in your country where your own flag and national anthem are banned.  Children are beaten, tortured, improsined and killed because of their awareness of the life they are now living.

A sudden increase in protests and self-immolations have been signs of their cry for help.  All I can do now is help their voices go across this country and the nations of the world. I am still a believer. I believe in the power we have in us. I believe in hope that is God-given and I pray for peace in Tibet.
I hope that everytime I am tempted to complain and whine on petty things, I see their images in my head and remember there is so much more to life than superficial vanity. I want to hope for them and pray for more people that they will soon enjoy life to the fullest just as God intended it to be for all of us.


KNOW MORE:
Free Tibet

"Kunchoek Phelgay, a monk, set fire to himself an hour later in front of Tragtsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery's assembly hall in Ngaba, Eastern Tibet. He died at the scene and his body is in the monastery where monks are praying for him."

(source: http://www.freetibet.org/news-media/na/two-young-men-die-protest-against-chinas-occupation-tibet)

An Epiphany in Anawangin Cove, Iba, Zambales

When I went to Anawangin Cove in Iba, Zambales last weekend, I realized one thing… an epiphany I believe I should have encountered years ago.. but perhaps, it was just the right time for me to realize. Maybe I was just busy doing other things which required me to be stationary. I needed to finish my graduate studies and the ministry at church was just getting started. Now, it seems as if I entered a new season and doors are opening everywhere.

THE WAVES WERE DIVINE. The waves splashing through the mysterious brown rocks along the shore in Anawangin Cove were divine. The wind carries the waters and make them touch your skin, as if whispering something. There is something enigmatic with such a scene… That’s when it hit me. Going to different places is not just for fun. Travelling and experiencing the world in different views and angles, in the eyes of different people help discover you. It was only then I realized the purpose of roads, vehicles, boats and bridges. God created and trained mighty engineers and great inventions for people to bridge territories and see the beauty of His creation. I agree to what He said, “It is good.” I believe God wants us to open gates of this earth and capture the exquisite beauty of His creation. After all, why would God create an earth so vast and astonishing if He doesn’t want it to be to seen?

DISCOVER. Everytime we see and discover a new place, a new community, we discover people and learn life through their eyes.  As we unravel a whole new world that exists beyond the walls of our bedroom and workstation, we uncover the secret chambers of our hearts… our visions extended, our perspectives broadened.

This is the purpose why I travel.

Makati Skyline in the Philippines

I am a believer. Whenever people ask me if I want to go abroad to work, I would always say “Naah. I’ll stay here.”  Some pessimists wonder why not just go out of the country and earn more in greener pastures?

I just know it in my heart that no matter what we hear and see today around us, the sun will always shine in our nation and will be brighter than ever. I used to work in one of the most beautiful buildings in Makati – the RCBC Tower, and look through the clear glass windows at 4 or 5AM during my break and see the beauty and calmness of the sky above Makati. I thought, Philippines will have more of these. That was about five years ago, and I still believe it. Now, as I travel around Metro Manila, I see towering condominiums and buildings… and smell progress and development.

We can not always depend on what others say. If we know in our hearts we have the will and faith to see through everything, they may not come along and support every endeavor we have screaming within us, we just have to continue running and finish the race. I believe it is God-given. It’s called faith.
Cheers to all Filipino believers.