Soulprints - Amyline Quien Ching

Making a 25-centavo coin miracle

These days, a 25-centavo coin is several pesos short of buying anything, not bread, not a piece of candy. Heck, it probably could not even buy a pinch of salt, an attempt of which will have sent one’s ears stinging from manang tindera’s rebuke.
No doubt, the quarter coin has become the equivalent of a social pariah in our purses, a nuisance that nobody would even pick up when seen lounging along the sidewalks.
But are we, in ignoring the small things, losing sight of the bigger things?

Starting small
In a gesture reminiscent of the bible cliché “the last will be first and the first will be last,” the Church has launched a charity campaign hinged on this particular piece of ignored metal.
Borne out of a vision, to help all of God’s people attain the fullness of life, the Pondo ng Pinoy project calls for people to fill up any receptacle with 25-centavo coins. The money may not amount to much individually but when amassed together can fund several projects that would combat poverty, which according to three socio-economic surveys affects 52% of families in Metro Manila and 63% in the whole country. In fact, the project’s call for action reads “Anumang magaling kahit maliit basta’t malimit ay patunging langit.”
In his homily during the mass celebrating the project’s launch in the DLSU System Schools, he likens the 25-centavo coin to the crumb, which may not seem so much to stave off starvation but is more than enough to save one soul.
‘What is the value of a crumb? Nothing. And yet Jesus gave everybody a chance, including the rich man, to win heaven by allowing scraps and crumbs to go the poor man’s way. The 25-centavo crumb is a symbol of an individual’s love for God and compassion for a fellow human. Therefore, no one is allowed to give even just 25 centavos if it is not out of love,” says Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, citing the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

More than charity
According to Brother Kenneth Martinez, Director of the La Sallian Ministry in the College of Saint Benilde, the project is more than just a fund-raising campaign. It is also a movement that would hopefully counter the growing numbness and apathy of people towards the poor and the underprivileged.
“We don’t take notice of them anymore either because we don’t have the time or because we believe that there is not much that we can do. Pondo ng Pinoy allows us to counter this cynicism by starting small.”
With nearly 12 to 15 million Filipinos surviving only with more or less 50 pesos a day, this is not the time to point fingers and look to the other sectors of society for the answer. As Rosales mentioned, Filipinos must help the country rise up. Everybody must contribute a share in the recovery of the country’s soul and body.
“The human spirit is boundless. It doesn’t really matter how much you give as long as it comes from the heart… as long as you have the conviction, the commitment to help others,” says Bro. Martinez.

Gift to the giver
So far, the project has been able to encourage a lot of people to get involve and donate. It is however with the students that the project has gotten the most responses from.
The coordinator of DLSU Canlubang Campus Ministry is in fact quite satisfied with the response of their students to the project especially since they have only been able to inform them of the project through their classes.
“We are really happy that the students are doing their part. We expect more people to participate in the project now that it is integrated in the system. The information dissemination will now be easier and faster,” comments Fides Antonio del Castillo, who believes that the project is also a great way to strengthen their students’ faith in God and love for others.
Several students, who represented their school in the launch, reveal their daily contribution routine. They are proud that they have been able to fill their bottles and are in fact starting on new ones.
‘Sometimes, we would even put paper bills if we have excess in our baons. Ang saya kasi knowing that you will be able to help someone with that little amount of money. Malaki na nga rin siya when you think about it. Kahit sa maliit lang nagsimula, pag pinagsama-sama, it’s a big help to others,” chorused DLSU Zobel sophomores Stefano Juban, Pocholo Catahan, Lealou Algenio, Regina Ambrocio, Patricia Vasquez and Pabelle Manikan.
Filling their bottles may necessitate a little bit of economy but their sacrifices are not for naught. More than helping fellow Filipinos in need, they are, through their efforts, inspiring change not only in themselves but within the country as well.
Perhaps, more than anything else, the project highlights the spirit of sharing and brotherhood that Filipinos have lost sight of in these direst of times. It makes one realize that to make a huge difference does not require one to do one great thing but to give small parts of oneself, repeatedly, consistently and selflessly. And like the mustard seed, the leaven, the crumbs and the 25-centavo coins, these small efforts when combined can create the greatest of miracles.

posted by Amyline Quien Ching @ 11:32 PM