Kindness as a Universal Religion: Stories of Compassion Across Faiths and Borders
The Philippine Constitution enshrines the fundamental right to freedom of religion, a principle that allows diverse spiritual paths to flourish. Across these varied beliefs, a common thread emerges: the profound advocacy for kindness. The Roman Catholic Church, as the predominant faith, teaches compassion and charity toward others. The Muslim Quran emphasizes brotherhood and unity among people. Protestant denominations often highlight the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Iglesia Ni Cristo successfully fosters kindness within its community. Even figures like Apollo Quiboloy and the late Eliseo Soriano, both from Pampanga, have preached kindness as a core virtue. In everyday life, performing a single good deed can uplift the spirit, refreshing both the giver and the receiver with a sense of fulfillment and connection.
Unexpected Shelter in Zamboanga
In 1972, a journey to Dipolog City, Zamboanga, turned into a test of human generosity. The author and a companion, seeking to conceal a pregnancy from judgmental eyes, planned to stay in the city but faced financial constraints. After a friend offered a cold shoulder, they recalled a kind stranger met on an airplane: Carmen Navalta from Ipil, Zamboanga. Upon seeking her out, they were welcomed like long-lost relatives. Without hesitation, Ms. Navalta and her husband provided food and shelter, never mentioning rent or contributions. Their warmth left an indelible mark, even though the husband's first name is now forgotten after 54 years. This act of kindness, rooted in pure compassion, highlights how strangers can become saviors in times of need.
Generosity in a Texas Garage
Decades later, in 1990, the author faced another financial shortfall while attending an international conference in Dallas, Texas as a Philippine delegate. With a limited budget insufficient for a 45-day hotel stay, a call to Filipino residents led to Lourdes Masa. She offered her garage, humorously noting it might be too small, but the author's reply, "Beggars are not choosers," won her over. Ms. Masa, originally from Molo, Iloilo, fetched the author immediately. Her family, though not wealthy, joyfully shared what they had, making the author feel at home. After a week, she invited fellow delegates to stay, so three people enjoyed the comforts of a house in Texas for a month. By the conference's end, the Masa family had become dear friends and benefactors, their kindness forever cherished in memory.
A Home in Sampaloc's Dilapidation
In 1966, as a student at the Philippine Normal College from Masantol, Pampanga, the author felt lost and homeless in the city. By chance, they encountered Leonor "Nene" de la Peña and her family, who lived in a dilapidated house along the railroad tracks in Balic-Balic, Sampaloc. Nene, a plain housewife, graciously took the author in, treating them like a son. Her husband, Yoyong, worked as a security guard at the Opera House, and they had seven children, all living on the poverty line. Despite their financial struggles, the de la Peñas were rich in kindness, providing the love and support needed to finish college and secure a teaching job in Quezon City. Their children remain close relatives today, a testament to the enduring power of familial compassion.
Kindness as a Lifelong Practice
Ms. Navalta, Ms. Masa, and Ms. de la Peña exemplify how kindness can be practiced as a religion in itself, transcending formal doctrines. Their stories, spanning from Zamboanga to Texas and Manila, illustrate that acts of generosity are not bound by geography, faith, or wealth. These narratives remind us that in a world often divided by differences, simple gestures of compassion can bridge gaps, heal wounds, and create lasting bonds. As the author reflects, the kindness shown by these women has left an indelible imprint, urging others to embrace such virtues in their own lives.
