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"I read articles about her accomplishments and stories along side with her clutches. I see in her a disabled lady but with a mission. "
Every morning I always see a man sitting in the sidewalk, meters away from our client’s office. He sits on an old cartoon box with his clutch at rest on the wall. In front of him is his precious plastic cup- his main source of income for him to survive each day of his life. There is no placard telling how pitiful he is as he begs for spare coins in people’s pocket. He sits there silently from morning till afternoon, displaying his thin left leg. He is an epitome of a man who quitted dreaming a long time ago. Maybe he had forgotten that he is also a man with a mission in life.
One of the Ramon Magsaysay awardees this year is Gov. Grace Padaca, a former local radio broadcaster in Isabela turned politician. She became famous after ending a dynasty in politics in Isabela. She received the award for Government Service after serving her constituents with candid public service and for being a vocal advocate of “Free Isabela” campaign. She has brought a new image for Isabela during her term as a governor by reminding her people that they are no longer “victims of cheaters and opportunists”. I see her on TV walking with her clutches. I read articles about her accomplishments and stories along side with her clutches. I see in her a disabled lady but with a mission.
She is a public servant.
She is a public servant crippled early in childhood by polio.
"As you can see, her disability was never a hindrance to free her province from a tyrannous administration. "
Every morning I always see a man sitting in the sidewalk, meters away from our client’s office. He sits on an old cartoon box with his clutch at rest on the wall. In front of him is his precious plastic cup- his main source of income for him to survive each day of his life. There is no placard telling how pitiful he is as he begs for spare coins in people’s pocket. He sits there silently from morning till afternoon, displaying his thin left leg. He is an epitome of a man who quitted dreaming a long time ago. Maybe he had forgotten that he is also a man with a mission in life.He is a beggar.
He is a beggar probably crippled early in childhood by polio.
He is a beggar probably crippled early in childhood by polio.
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One of the Ramon Magsaysay awardees this year is Gov. Grace Padaca, a former local radio broadcaster in Isabela turned politician. She became famous after ending a dynasty in politics in Isabela. She received the award for Government Service after serving her constituents with candid public service and for being a vocal advocate of “Free Isabela” campaign. She has brought a new image for Isabela during her term as a governor by reminding her people that they are no longer “victims of cheaters and opportunists”. I see her on TV walking with her clutches. I read articles about her accomplishments and stories along side with her clutches. I see in her a disabled lady but with a mission.She is a public servant.
She is a public servant crippled early in childhood by polio.
***
These are two people with the same disability but with different status in life. One had chosen to receive while the latter decided to give.
We all have our own weakness and disabilities in life; physically, emotionally or even financially. Yet it is not a reason why we need to sit down and pity our situation. Let’s not blame our parents and their genes for being handicapped. Forget the freak accidents or ailments we had which had destroyed our physique and our capability to work. Stop cursing people who once in our life betrayed and hurt us. There is nothing we can do about it. Accept the fact that we are born with all these imperfections. Our imperfections must not be a hindrance for us to fulfill our mission in life. What we only need is to have a different perspective in life by turning our disability into grace.
If only we can find the real mission that is assigned to us then we will all have this enthusiasm to live and to grow. We have all the time to make a move. Making a giant step would not be necessary. Making a small step though will do in order to escape from our old and disabled self. Encourage everyone to help one another to overcome each others disabilities in life. Just like Gov. Padaca, she liberated her people as well from their disabilities by being a model of change in serving the people.
I hope one day, we will not all be beggars of hopelessness and pity but be givers of passion and life.
We all have our own weakness and disabilities in life; physically, emotionally or even financially. Yet it is not a reason why we need to sit down and pity our situation. Let’s not blame our parents and their genes for being handicapped. Forget the freak accidents or ailments we had which had destroyed our physique and our capability to work. Stop cursing people who once in our life betrayed and hurt us. There is nothing we can do about it. Accept the fact that we are born with all these imperfections. Our imperfections must not be a hindrance for us to fulfill our mission in life. What we only need is to have a different perspective in life by turning our disability into grace.
If only we can find the real mission that is assigned to us then we will all have this enthusiasm to live and to grow. We have all the time to make a move. Making a giant step would not be necessary. Making a small step though will do in order to escape from our old and disabled self. Encourage everyone to help one another to overcome each others disabilities in life. Just like Gov. Padaca, she liberated her people as well from their disabilities by being a model of change in serving the people.
I hope one day, we will not all be beggars of hopelessness and pity but be givers of passion and life.
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"As you can see, her disability was never a hindrance to free her province from a tyrannous administration. "
Maria Gracia Cielo Magno Padaca, a Filipino, received a Ramon Magsaysay Award together with other exemplary individuals from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Sri Lanka last August 31, 2008 at the CCP Complex. This prestigious award is one of the highest honors a person from Asia may receive. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Upon knowing of Padaca’s story, I myself can tell you that her story is one that will inspire you. She is a courageous and passionate woman whose battle in the political arena in Isabela can be compared to the battle of the Biblical characters David & Goliath.
Grace was born in 1963 and was crippled early in childhood by polio. She was a scholar and by the age of 21, she became a Certified Public Accountant. She took an accounting job at Bombo Radyo and eventually became a broadcaster, too. She exposed Isabela’s persistent corruption, gambling, illegal logging and other problems that worsened the province’s economy. Isabela was then controlled by the Dy “dynasty” and nobody in Isabela ever challenged their ruling.
To cut the story short, Grace defied the odds by winning as Governor in 2004 and re-elected in 2007 for her second term. With her will and determination, she transformed Isabela into a better and more democratic place. She paid off 2/3 of the province’s huge debt. With the support of her constituents, Grace has improved the transportation, communication and medical facilities of Isabela. She also increased the budget for education and reforestation. She is a leader who empowered the people of Isabela to use their right to elect honest and democratic leaders and to refuse to be victims of cheaters and opportunists.
As you can see, her disability was never a hindrance to free her province from a tyrannous administration. She was an ACTION WOMAN. She had a belief and a strong will. And that was all that mattered. During the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, she received the special award for Government Service.
All around us, we see DISABILITY. The “taho” vendor or the “puto” vendor has a burden over their shoulders. Literally speaking, they do carry their goods over their shoulders. But because most of them lack some formal education, they have to endure the hard life. They lack the mental skills to work in a bank, teach in academic institutions, or build bridges and roads. That is why I strongly suggest that education be prioritized. Poverty itself should ignite determination to succeed in life. Like Lucio Tan, the 3rd richest man in the Philippines who formerly mopped floors in China to become a chemical engineer, and now, he is a rich businessman. And like our very own Sen. Manny Villar, the Philippines’ 5th richest, who was a shrimp vendor’s son. Manny worked all his way to the top.
Every disability, whether physical or the status in life a person was born with, can always be turned to GRACE.
Upon knowing of Padaca’s story, I myself can tell you that her story is one that will inspire you. She is a courageous and passionate woman whose battle in the political arena in Isabela can be compared to the battle of the Biblical characters David & Goliath.
Grace was born in 1963 and was crippled early in childhood by polio. She was a scholar and by the age of 21, she became a Certified Public Accountant. She took an accounting job at Bombo Radyo and eventually became a broadcaster, too. She exposed Isabela’s persistent corruption, gambling, illegal logging and other problems that worsened the province’s economy. Isabela was then controlled by the Dy “dynasty” and nobody in Isabela ever challenged their ruling.
To cut the story short, Grace defied the odds by winning as Governor in 2004 and re-elected in 2007 for her second term. With her will and determination, she transformed Isabela into a better and more democratic place. She paid off 2/3 of the province’s huge debt. With the support of her constituents, Grace has improved the transportation, communication and medical facilities of Isabela. She also increased the budget for education and reforestation. She is a leader who empowered the people of Isabela to use their right to elect honest and democratic leaders and to refuse to be victims of cheaters and opportunists.
As you can see, her disability was never a hindrance to free her province from a tyrannous administration. She was an ACTION WOMAN. She had a belief and a strong will. And that was all that mattered. During the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, she received the special award for Government Service.
All around us, we see DISABILITY. The “taho” vendor or the “puto” vendor has a burden over their shoulders. Literally speaking, they do carry their goods over their shoulders. But because most of them lack some formal education, they have to endure the hard life. They lack the mental skills to work in a bank, teach in academic institutions, or build bridges and roads. That is why I strongly suggest that education be prioritized. Poverty itself should ignite determination to succeed in life. Like Lucio Tan, the 3rd richest man in the Philippines who formerly mopped floors in China to become a chemical engineer, and now, he is a rich businessman. And like our very own Sen. Manny Villar, the Philippines’ 5th richest, who was a shrimp vendor’s son. Manny worked all his way to the top.
Every disability, whether physical or the status in life a person was born with, can always be turned to GRACE.
Delectable Finale:
Everything happens for a REASON, even the most embarrassing disability. But God has a purpose for all of us. He has that great master plan. Pray to God for that special purpose in life. Ask Him what that mission on earth is. And I’m sure that a person’s disability can eventually be a GIFT.
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