Tears In Heaven
I almost shed tears while warming up at the lounge of Fitness First. I’m preparing for an early morning work-out when I read from the Inquirer the story of a young girl, Mariannet Amper from Davao, who committed suicide because of desperation. Prior to her death, she requested $ 2.35 from her parents for a long overdue project. Both struggled to produce the amount, but when the father was able to borrow money, it was too late. My emotionswas moved because I am also a father to a little girl and I also understand what it meant to be poor.
During the wake, the parents retrieved an unsent letter to “Wish Ko Lang” (can I wish) charity program and the letter is about the young girls’ request for a new bicycle, good health for her dad and a job for her parents. A diary was also recovered that revealed her eagerness to study. Her 2 days absence (for lack of money) is like a month, according to her.
I can’t imagine the emotions and thoughts of the father for what happened to her girl. If I’ll be on his shoes, I would like to die with my little girl. All that is left on my self esteem will be stripped off. The thought of failing to provide for my precious one is death in it self. Though, the parents are partly to blame, this unfortunate incident could be society’s own doing. We have unequal distribution of wealth, the catholic church’s resistance to population management, funds for public service either goes to debt servicing or corruption. We have greedy people, those who don’t care, and so on and so forth
I asked myself, am I doing enough to add value to Filipinos that needed the MOST help? Suddenly, my own worries and problems became insignificant compared to what the young girl have gone thru, her young soul crumbled in the midst of society’s harshness.
Then I thought of the unfairness of life, and asked myself again the “why’s” I used to ask when I was still a kid. Why others can eat three meals while others can’t? Why others have good toys, good dress and can go to good school while others can’t ? These are the same questions, that to this day, I struggle to accept the answer. It seems, though, that most of our country men are not interested in addressing the problem that is smacked right in front of us. While a privilege few can spend $ 465 in one day, most, however, struggle to keep their heads afloat with $ 2-3 for a family of 4, a day. Leaving this country for good, at least to me, is not the answer.
While the indicators have pointed to an improved economy, but in contrast, studies also showed that the middle class is shrinking and the unequal distribution of wealth has worsened. Who is benefiting, then, of the improved economy? Certainly, not the girl and her family.
Please read the news article to understand why I am ranting this way. My prayers are with the parents, specially the father. My prayers too, are for the leaders (political and business) of this nation to have the wisdom, political will and generosity to address poverty. And I also pray for the Fear Of The Lord to settle in this country to get rid of the corrupt, greedy and the cheats.
Aside from the prayers, lets get our acts together to fight poverty:
- In our own little way by being the big brothers to our less privileged countrymen.
- Capable employers to give more to their employees and communities.
- Rich barangays to assist the poor ones.
- Aside from giving them fish, the less privilege should be taught how to fish with the opportunities and means to do so.
- A comprehensive population management, minus, abortion.
Related News: President released additional P 1B to fund Hunger Project
Update (11/15/07)
Update (11/10/07)
Update (11/09/o7)
- Gov’t. takes responsibliltiy for the unfortunate incident
- Mariannet Amper got her wishes even at death
16 Responses to “Tears In Heaven”
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[...] Last November 2, a young girl of 12 looped a thin rope around her pretty, fragile neck and hanged herself inside their makeshift home. It was said that she did this out of desperation that she and her family will be stay in the muddy pools of poverty forever. But this despairing child also had her dreams: a new bike, new shoes, jobs for her mother and father, and to be back in school. She wrote these in her diary. Was she able to write down her thoughts of ending her life as well?A lot have already expressed their sympathies for this girl and her family. It was said that she and her sad story have put a face on poverty. Or maybe, more importantly, it has given us the intermittent jolt that we need to be reminded that we aren’t all comfortable and well-nourished. Some also said that this story of Mariannet should make us remember the lies that our government officials feed us. But then, even if our government lie to us, steal from us, cheat on us, it is also important that we, ourselves, should try to contribute to building our society and help our brothers in need. [...]
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[...] year old girl Placeholder: Trickle-Down Economics Bikoy: There are millions of Mariannets Sonnie: Tears In Heaven Francis: Hush now, little [...]
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I only heard about this sad news on tv when I got back from the office. It is to heartbreaking to think that a 12 year old girl could think of killing herself because of poverty, desperation…
Let us pray for her soul,
Deb’s last blog post..9 Most Important Things?
Hi Deb,
This is not only sad, but disturbing story as well.
$465/day? how does one come about in spending that much money in one day? I’m already forcing myself spending anywhere over $5 (here in the States and back home in Davao)… this is a sad, sad, story you have..
I felt bad about that incident too that I wrote a post about it in my blog.
It’s so sad that things like that do happen because of poverty. What makes me more sad is that the child committed suicide.
Maki’s last blog post..Material Girl
@ WalangBalutSaStates– We have both extremes here, and a few in the middle.
@ Maki– This is a wakeup call, each one of us should do our part
Sonnie’s last blog post..Beowulf In Digital 3D
Aside from poverty, we can learn a lot from her death. I watched her 2 siblings in ANC Crossroads. Apparently, she had attempted to slash her wrists as witnessed by the brother.
So this calls to mind that we need to educate ourselves on suicide prevention. Suicide is a preventable public health problem in the Philippines if we just know how to detect the symptoms. Suicide should no longer be considered a taboo topic, and that through raising awareness and educating the public, we can SAVE lives.
I made a page for suicide prevention:
http://aboutmyrecovery.com/suicide-prevention/
noemi’s last blog post..Suicide, Media and Mariannet Amper
Hi Noime,
You’re correct. As young people are exposed more on the realities of life, they should be educated on this. Thanks for the visit
The death of Mariannet is just one of the countless deaths inflicted on innocent children by the greed, corruption and cruelty of the adults. If it pricks our conscience, then the tragedy has served a good purpose. If as you suggest, each and everyone of us does our share in our own sphere;such as, paying our household staff fair wage so their own children will not be pushed to the edge of the cliff.
mgrp’s last blog post..A Case Is Won, But Fight Goes On
I felt really bad with regards to the news about Mariannet death, especially with the fact that fate should allow such an event to lead the people to realize the graveness of poverty in our country.
I just hope with such a realization, people will learn to act and see what they can do, even in their own little way….And I mean action….
Jenny’s last blog post..Mariannet Amper: Death Driven by Poverty….
Pls. include electing better government officials.
Arbet’s last blog post..Blog @ AWBHoldings.com in 2.3.1
It’s so damn sad that these kind of things are happening in this “modern” world…
It’s revolting to hear a politician (2 nights ago) with 3 millions euros in his account saying on television that he has a medium money income situation… and what’s even worst is that this scum is not the only one out there
nicusor’s last blog post..Not Another Search Engine?
The greedy, the selfish, the parvenus, these waste products of our society don’t care about those in pain. Their restrictions of the brain and soul surface won’t let them move a finger, make a step and go out and help someone in need.
As the world is being controlled by this kind of animals, faith is the only remaining solution…
Kind regards,
Maria
Maria’s last blog post..Irish Mortgage Brokers
@ Nicusor- greed and corruption is everywhere. The love of money (not money itself) indeed is the root of all injustices in this world
@ Maria- your so kind, you just called them animals, I would have called them beast
. Thanks Maria for visiting and adding me in your technorati fave.
Yes, “comprehensive population management” should be one of the solutions – but would the church be willing to relax their stand on condoms, birth control pills, and other “artificial” contraceptives. A church official was quick to blame everyone for the tragic incident. Would they be willing to look inward and admit that they’re a big part of the problem?
Lester Cavestany’s last blog post..How The Philippines Overpowered Poverty (In Memory of Mariannet Amper)