The Philippine Online Chronicles

We cannot deny our responsibility as a people for what happened last Monday as much as Hong Kong citizens cannot deny their anger and grief. Denial kills and leads to further violence. In as much as we must respect and acknowledge the anger and grief of the Hong Kong people, we too must humbly and courageously admit our responsibility.

We have often sung a song whose refrain is, “Tayong Lahat Ay May Pananagutan Sa Isa’t-isa.” (We Are All Responsible For Each Other)

We are responsible, both government and citizens of the Republic of the Philippines for the violent deaths of innocent Hong Kong citizens.

We are responsible for addressing and removing the roots of violence in our society and its varied manifestations, even in crisis management; culture; politics; economics; media; business, etc.

We are responsible, thus, we will stop blaming others and help one another learn from our mistakes; make amends for these in order to restore each other’s dignity as persons and Overseas Filipino Workers.

We are responsible and we will express our deepest sympathies and solidarity to the Hong Kong people and do so through concrete and public ways.

We are responsible and will stand by our fellow OFWs who may suffer the violence of abuse and discrimination as a consequence of the Manila Hostage Taking.

We are also responsible for creating a culture and environment of peace, justice and compassion both in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Each Filipino, wherever she/he is, is responsible for her country and people. She/he is responsible for her neighbors both at home and abroad.

As we strive to be aware of the depth and breadth of our responsibility as fellow Filipinos and visitors in a foreign land, we do so in prayerful and humble silence, allowing the music to console the grieving and lift up the broken... “Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t-isa….”

Read at the Prayer and Solidarity Program of the Philippine Alliance of Hong Kong,

August 29, 2010, China Chem Building, Tsim Sha Tsui

Fr. Roberto P. Reyes

Lakbay Dangal, Hong Kong

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