We thank God that such mishap was given short shrift and put in its unmalicious place as a mere glitch.
Last Sunday, the 4th day of November at around 7:00 pm, the Tower Cross of NSDA Parish “caught” fire. Speculation, expectedly, had their field day. A simple case of short-circuit / faulty wiring (plastic/neon light) was the most sensible “cause” of the mishap. But the doomsayers and omen-mongers must have jumped into the shallow pool of MASAMANG PANGITAIN – a common resort of people who are so bored in the conduct of their religious duties that any trifling “event” gets them a – trembling with dire speculations and predictions: all in the name of free thrills. Because – as we’re all been reminded since childhood – an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
The good thing about this is Madam Mayor Cristina Diaz’ hands on response to the matter. She, together with the Bureau of Fire Chief and other fellow were there just moments after the alarm was sounded. Very hands on indeed, for right after coming on to the scene with the firefighters she had mobilized a couple of trucks (with booms) to help if needed with the evacuation of people and/or movables. A most touching instance of exemplary governance for it bespeaks a continuing concern on her part for a very crucial section of her constituency: the church and its priests and workers.
As for idle busybodies who are apt to spout predictions at the drop of a hat, they must have been greatly disappointed by what turned out to be merely “a flash in the pan,” so to say. They could not go on in their course of traducing the faith/faithful with their easy turn-around style of loyalty.
In conclusion, we thank God that such mishap was given short shrift and put in its unmalicious place as a mere glitch. For, positively speaking, this is a sign that we should ardent our faith (PAIGTINGIN PA ANG ATING PANANAMPALATAYA). According to the theologian Suares, in a living religion it is doubt that makes heretics; in a dead religion, there are no longer any heresies. But the kind of doubts exposed by this trivial event is of the shallow malicious kind: a devilish manoeuvre if I know one.
The kind of principled leadership evinced by our good Mayor emboldens us to say that she well deserves the approval of her constituents here in San Mateo – Mabuhay!
