4 Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
When does less becomes more By Jinky M. Arnejo
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” –Anais Nan Everyone has the courage but not everyone has the right perspective of what it is. The courage to dream, the courage to choose and the courage to act can transform the blench and the constrict into the progressive. First, the courage to dream beyond limitation and beyond all circumstances, it is what brings us more to reality than mere fantasy. Why? Dreams help us realize, move on and just go on. It defines what’s within for it shows our own views and wants. Everything adds up as inspiration. Second, whenever there is a dream there is a choice, we must have the courage to choose. To choose where our dreams may fall, on goodness or on bad. To choose where we may fall, on less or on more. Sometimes choices are held back because of our weakness to temptation but it is up to us to decide. Lastly, the courage to act, it is when we move and apply everything and it is the hardest and most
sacrificial of all. Having the courage to dream, the courage to choose and the courage to act is just like the little boy who shared the small he had to thousands. It was during the time of Jesus Christ, and people where gathering just to see him, especially children. The little boy dreamt of seeing Jesus, decided to see Him and so he did. There was a situation and Jesus asked if anyone had food. Pretty sure if it was the only thing you had, you would really have doubts of giving it. Though, the boy gave it anyway and the food he had was able to feed thousands. See? Everything is just dependent to one’s courage, the boy showed it through generosity. For his dream, he chose and acted. Less became more. We must always have the courage to dream, choose and act because that will always helps us to transform less into more. As Mary Curie would say “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.
News 6th RAFI Triennial Awards nomination caravan goes to XU sat-sun | MAY 10-11, 2014
Editorial : mindanaostarbalita@gmail.com; rolando_sudaria2000@yahoo.com Advertising : mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
By Stephen J Pedroza
Do you know anyone from your community who is worthy to be called a hero? The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), in collaboration with Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), has brought the search for the next RAFI Triennial Awardees to Cagayan de Oro City and the rest of Northern Mindanao. A forum held at AV8 of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan last May 2 drew together representatives from various nongovernment organizations (NGOs), government offices, business sector, civic and people’s organizations for the call for nominations of deserving Filipinos who work to uplift the lives of the poor and the marginalized. RAFI extended the nomination until May 31 this year to gather a varied set of candidates in this part of the country. “The spirit of this award is to recognize the people who are making change in their communities behind the limelight,” said Roel R Ravanera, executive direc-
tor of XSF, the partner institution of RAFI serving as a focal organization in Mindanao. RAFI, a Cebu-based organization, confers the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual to a commendable person (at least 30 years old) who has poured in selfless efforts and dedication to be a catalyst of change in the lives of the less-privileged in the Visayas and Mindanao. “This country has a lot of heroes who are making a difference in the grassroots communities and that is something to be proud of,” said Dr Jocelyn B Gerra, executive director of RAFI- Culture and Heritage. “You can nominate those who really work underground, who are inspiring others and who are our role models.” On the other hand, the Eduardo Aboitiz Award for the Outstanding Institution honors an organization which has been in existence for at least three years, has an unstained track record and demonstrated integrity, leadership and compassion in its service to the society.
“The nominees don’t necessary have to have an educational degree. We accept stories from all walks of life, stories of passion and love in developing the lives of fellow Filipinos,” Dr Gerra shared, relating the story of the 5th Ramon Aboitiz Awardee for Exemplary Individual, Rene “Tatay Ete” Vendiola who didn’t finish high school but was able to push his environmental advocacies and to build his own forest in Negros Oriental. Before coming up with a shortlist of nominees, the search committee of RAFI composed of representatives from the academe, media, business chambers and NGOs will conduct an intensive screening process through paper and people trails to validate the candidates’ credentials. “The screening process usually takes eight months to more than a year because we check their accomplishments intensively. There will be interviews from time to time and we will go to their communities,” Dr Gerra said. Nominations can still be made even after the deadline. However these
will only be included in the next awarding season (in the 7th). Self-nomination is not allowed. There will be five finalists and a grand winner for each category. Aside from the trophy and the cash prize (nearly half a million pesos), the winners will be given the opportunity to travel across the Visayas and Mindanao to impart their achievements and challenges in their respective fields. The award-giving body was established on December 6, 1996 during the 30th anniversary of RAFI as a tribute to the philanthropic feats of its founders Don Ramon Aboitiz and his son Don Eduardo Aboitiz. *** You can download the nomination form here: http://www.rafi.org.ph/ event/nomination-form/ For Mindanao nominations, submit accomplished forms to Xavier Science Foundation, Inc., Manresa Complex, Fr Masterson Avenue, Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City or send them electronically to chbemata29@gmail.com.