The Wrath of Milenyo

I AM at the tail end of an unexpected and quick trip to the United States. Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga and I were invited to a few cities and meet with different groups who wanted a more intimate and focused discussion on the most popular local and international movement emanating from the Philippines. As Gawad Kalinga begins an earnest campaign dubbed GK1MB ("Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani" -- Gawad Kalinga One Million Heroes) to increase massively its already outstanding corps of volunteers from several tens of thousands to one million by the end of next year, it is also stepping up its partnership network in America. I was invited to witness the various gatherings and also contribute my thoughts about the prospects of the movement.

Actually, it is obvious to anyone who is truly curious that Gawad Kalinga (GK) is, indeed, becoming very popular. From the mid-1990s, Filipino-Americans have been monitored to steadily getting more interested in matters affecting the Philippines, especially the very political ones. From simply talking about their jobs, their kids and their vacation plans, they began to include issues of governance and today continue to strengthen this trend. GK appears so much like the mechanism that they can participate in and own as well, a mechanism that is being fine-tuned to becoming a major channel through which deep-seated aspirations and dreams of a people can manifest through.

Landing in Chicago quickly affirmed the positive awareness that many Filipino-Americans have of GK as strategic personalities had asked for the chance to have a meeting with Tony Meloto over a sumptuous meal. They all carried a hunger for good news and the latest developments on GK. Later, I learned that many Filipino-Americans in the Chicago area had been contributing to build GK villages in several areas in the Philippines.

During the meal, a Filipino-American doctor from Decatur, Illionois, Charlie Capati, arrived to lay claim to Tony Meloto. Decatur is about two hours' drive from Chicago and is where Dr. Capati has worked as a radiologist for the 28 years. Charlie was due to retire when he met Tony and his son-in-law, Dylan. After that encounter, Charlie's plan completely changed. He decided to donate three GK villages although he did not have the cash to fund them -- which meant he not only had to defer his retirement to raise the required money but to work extra days every month.

Charlie's generous donation was made on impulse, of course, but at the same time it was an expression of a strong inner desire to help his motherland. Gawad Kalinga gave him the vehicle through which a personal dream could be actualized. Beyond himself, however, Charlie shocked and then inspired some of his friends and colleagues in the profession enough for them to fund the establishment of more GK villages. He continues to do that and just convinced a few Filipino-American doctors in his
area to give almost P2 million for the GK relief effort in the Bicon region.

Stepping up to the humanitarian plate is another Filipino now based in the United States. Cito Lorenzo was the first to give Gawad Kalinga 100 houses after a series of four typhoons hit Luzon in November of 2004. Still secretary of agriculture at that time, he also facilitated the rescue of GK volunteers who were the first group after the Philippine army to have brought relief supplies to Infanta town in Quezon province. Unable to leave Infanta by land and sea to gather more supplies and volunteers due to continuing inclement weather, the GK volunteers sent an SOS to Cito, who immediately coordinated with the National Disaster Coordination Council to allow the volunteers to ride military helicopters out of devastated Infanta.

Now a fulltime GK volunteer and advocate, Cito moves around the United States to address various Filipino-American groups so that they could join and support the nation building effort of Gawad Kalinga. Upon hearing of the damage that Typhoon "Reming" inflicted on Bicol and Marinduque province, Cito pledged two GK villages to Tony Meloto in the hope that many others would be inspired to also do their share.

With Cito and Charlie showing the way, Gawad Kalinga and US-based Ancop Foundation volunteers are starting a campaign for Bicol and Marinduque. The generosity of two individuals will be the springboard of inspiration that defines the essence of Gawad Kalinga work. Last night, Filipino-American Ernie Delfin who is a dedicated Rotarian VIP in his county gathered the key officers of different Rotary Clubs to meet and personally listen to the vision and mission of Tony Meloto and Gawad Kalinga. Of course, Tony made a special pitch for the typhoon victims of Bicol and Marinduque as well.

I have monitored through email and personal testimonials of friends the love for the motherland that is steadily manifesting in Filipino-Americans. It is ironic but very welcome that this patriotic nostalgia for their home country comes when they have become responsible and productive citizens of the United States. What started out as a brain drain is yet poised to return as more than just brain gain. New knowledge from new experience and lots of self-sacrifice will be contributed to the motherland by those who had left her. But with that knowledge will come resources that can be permanent investments that will never be
expatriated.

Hard as it may be for some to believe, my visit affirms the cliché about "once a Filipino, always a Filipino." After so many years and decades, Filipinos in America have not forgotten.

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Responses may be sent to jlmglimpses@gmail.com.

Previous columns:
Impasses – 12/01/06
An anatomy of corruption – 11/24/06
The man with the hoe – 11/17/06
Landlessness– 11/10/06
Explosion or implosion – 11/03/06