When my nephew Nonon was still a kid, whenever we would ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he was so sure he wanted to be a magtataho. Another kid I know, Popoy, would answer this question with certainty and confidence that he wants to be a janitor in a mall.
Nonon loves eating taho and he would always excitedly wait every morning for the magtataho vendor to pass by their house just to enjoy his cup of hot taho. While Popoy always looks forward to Sunday to play and dine in the mall with his family.
As adults, we would laugh at their answers thinking they are just kids being hilariously kids because we always taught our kids to dream bigger. Every graduation ceremony, we’d hear students reciting their dream jobs, where most will mention the jobs their parents dream for them when they grow up because at this point in their lives, they haven’t figured it out yet.
God reminds us to look at the world through the eyes of a child because these children see everything in our world without judgment. Nonon recognizes the simple joy that a magtataho brings in his daily life through a cup of taho. Popoy on the other hand knows the importance of a janitor in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the mall so he can enjoy the place with his family without any risk of catching bacteria or virus or even accidentally slipping on a dirty floor.
During this difficult time, our eyes are being reopened like the eyes of a child, to see and recognize the important people in our society whom we have neglected and underestimated overtime. Now we are being reminded how each of them and their roles in our society is vital.
Even with or without a crisis, we are enjoying fresh fruits and the best kind of rice on our table and that would be impossible without our hard working farmers. A big thanks to our grocery staff because we are still able to restock toiletries and disinfecting detergents to keep our homes safe and clean from the virus. Salute to the fast food staff for preparing food for the residents and frontliners who are relying on their services. We also commend the continuous efforts of our delivery men so we can stay at home and stay away from the risk of being infected. To our responsible leaders, who are providing us with aid, especially those who are not earning during this difficult time, thank you.
To the national media and parish media who are keeping us informed and alert from time to time, and most importantly, to our medical frontliners whose safety and healing of everyone depends on their caring hands, you are admired. A big salute to everyone who is giving their best to heal our nation. Let us all take a time to acknowledge their hard work during this time and may we always remember to include them in our prayers.
We hope that even after the crisis, we will endlessly recognize and respect the importance of these workers in our society. Like a child, may we never forget not just the joy but the convenience that these workers bring in our lives.
