ALTRUISM

ALTRUISM... put simply as a selfless concern for the happiness and welfare of other people. It is when you do something for someone without expecting something in return. In today's highly individual and selfish world, it is rather difficult to come across examples of altruism. Sa isang pagaaral nga na ginawa ng Reader's Digest Asia tungkol dito...nagrank ang Philippines as one of the lowest country na nagpapakita ng altruism sa mga tao nito. If you noticed, in western countries...people are more helpful compared to asians... no underlying discrimination on that. Kapag nagkalaglagan ang mga dala ng taong nasa unahan nila, mapababae man yan or lalaki, tinutulungan nila. Although i would not discount the fact that probably the reason why ingat tayo sa pagtulong sa isang total stranger e dahil marami ang mapagsamantalang tao. Cautious lang siguro tayo that's why. Dahil marami ring cases ng crime ay nagsisimula sa sobrang pagtitiwala sa isang taong ngayon mo lang nakilala.

But still, a slightest concern for a total stranger could go a long way if only we are willing to involve ourselves. Of course, with great caution pa rin para di naman macompromise ang safety naten. There would always be that feeling inside you that says...u need to help that person...then you would either decide to go with your instinct, or just shrug it off.

Like what i experience recently that really made me felt guilty. I was on my way home from work. I decided to just walk my way home instead of riding the tricycle para makapagexercise na rin...at makatipid just the same. As I was entering the main gate of the subdivision, nakasalubong ko ang isang lola...she was wearing a robe and a furry slippers. I thought for a while that it was kind of strange for the lola to be wearing that outfit and going out. It was more like pang-kwarto na get-up kasi.. you know, like when you feel like hybernating in your room lang...parang ganon. Adding to that, she looks like she's in a daze...In that instant, i wanted to talk to her, ask her where she's going...coz for me, something was just not right with her. But because she's a total stranger to me...i shrug it off..passed by her...go on with my walking. Although she was still in my mind until i reached home. I even told my husband about her.

Come weekend, we heared mass in the multipurpose hall. After the mass, there was this announcement, a family was looking for their family member who was believed to be missing and that they were gathering info about the missing member. The picture was placed near the altar for the people to check on it...i was so curious because probably deep inside i already knew that i would find a familiar face. Yes, she was the same lola that i run into days ago. I felt really bad about it. I felt that I could have done something during that time, but chose to just not care. Where did the ALTRUIST in me just went when it was needed? Since it was far too late for me to do something about it, i just said a silent prayer that the lola would be found soon by her family. And swear to myself that next time, if i be given a chance to help...i will try my best to help and be more sympathetic with others.