BBP Principle #2...Love with Self-Sacrifice!
BBP Principle #2...Love with Self-Sacrifice!
There is a nagging reality within the Filipino-American community that despite an estimated 2.5 Million Filipinos residing in the USA , it has not achieved any political clout worthy of its potential. I have been a resident of the USA since 1981 and frankly, I am yet to see any worthwhile semblance of such influence or clout and if ever it did, it is still a pittance compared to what we could achieve if only we can get really organized. There appears to be a dearth of notable/credible leadership in the Fil-Am community, especially in the secular sectors, continuously and hopelessly plagued by indifference, bitter envy, jealousy and self-centeredness inevitably resulting in selfish rivalries, factionalism and dissension. It is not unusual to see 2 or 3 organizations representing a common constituency with each so-called leader trying to negate and indeed, discredit whatever good the other competing group is trying to accomplish, resulting in the stunted growth of each one. Perhaps, it is time for our erstwhile community leaders to heed Galatians 5:13-15 which states…"Remember that you are called to live a life of freedom but not a freedom which gives free rein to the flesh. Out of love, place yourselves at one another’s service. For the whole law is fulfilled in this one saying: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go biting and tearing one another to pieces, I warn you that you will end up in mutual destruction."
One has to wonder what it will take for the Filipino-American community to really get out of its doldrums and be a tangible force to reckon with in the US political and even economic scene. For example, did we ever realize that with so many registered nurses of Filipino descent working in the USA , the US health industry could possibly be crippled if and when they decide to not go to work for a week or two? What if these nurses did make that financial sacrifice and instead of asking for higher wages or better working conditions, they instead demand, for example, the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill currently still pending with Congress which is still withholding from these hapless veterans the benefits they so rightfully deserve? I bet you that this bill will pass with such an expediency you would not believe possible. This is perhaps wishful thinking at this time but I am always hopeful that the Filipino-American community would readily see that it has so much potential if only we could get our respective acts together. This is the reason why one of the 5 basic principles expounded by Bangon! Bagong Pilipinas (BBP), an advocacy/movement dedicated to the moral, economic and political transformation of the Filipino people, is... "Love with Self Sacrifice".
The Book of Ist John 3:16-18 states…"The way we came to understand what love is that Jesus laid down His life for us. We, too, must lay down our lives for one another. I ask you: How can God’s love survive in a man/woman’s heart who has enough of the world’s goods and yet sees a brother/sister in need and ignores it? My children, let us love not only in words but also in truth and in deed." Presently, Gov. "Among" Ed Panlilio of Pampanga has shown us a prime example of this kind of sacrificial love. Forsaking the comforts and peaceful sanctuary of his priesthood, he decided to enter the political arena fraught with uncertainties, intrigues and political infighting. Like fish out of the water, he is currently struggling against the political Goliaths of his province who recently, are trying to destroy and outmaneuver him with a "recall" initiative. Incidentally, he will be in the Los Angeles area for a dinner fund-raiser ($30/person) on Sept. 6, 2008 starting at 5 PM at the SIPA facility located at 3200 W. Temple Street , Los Angeles , CA . He needs our moral and financial support. Please call (213) 388-9925 for reservations as there are limited seats available.
Needless to say, Filipino-Americans need to realize that this call for "love with self-sacrifice" does not and should not only extend to our own immediate family’s needs and concerns but must filter down to the least fortunate of our beloved countrymen. Indeed, one does not need to be rocket scientist to realize that the impact of the true/sincere practice of sacrificial love in the context of biblical perspectives is quite explosive. Then and only then can the Filipino-Americans, many of whom profess to be Christians anyway, rightfully live up to its noble calling as the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" thereby, establishing the long-overdue political/economic clout and influence which has eluded our US-based community throughout all these years…Di ba?
Atty. Ramoncito Poblete Ocampo, "Bro. Ramon", a practicing lawyer in CA, currently serves as the President/Stewards’ Servant of BBP and available as a resource speaker. For details, please log on www.globalhello.com/bbp or call (213) 388-9925.