The First lesson we learned from Anatomy back in Medical School was to respect the dead. Dr. Decano would tell us not to flunk his examinations, however hard it was, as a way of thanking the cadavers for donating their bodies to science, so that we can at least help the living.

It is ironic that we were suppose to learn our humanity from dead.

I expected the same from our leaders. Then again in the face of this senseless tragedy, our Mayor decided to dump the cadavers in a garbage pit. Apparently, he was thinking of Infectious Diseases. Apparently, he was not aware, that infectious diseases are mostly parasites, feeding on host cells and DYING when the host Dies. Apparently, he was not aware that viruses are crystalline structures when seen outside its host cell. Apparently he was not aware that it is the living who transmit the disease and not the dead. Apparently he did not consider the mass option burial that the Mayor of Iligan City espoused. Apparently.

Apparently, I do not want to be like them.
That is why I organize medical missions without political, religious and social underpinnings. Don't get me wrong because I do have my share of trysts and machinations. I have hurt people and have been hurt by people. But in the face of all these disenchantment, I'd like to be in the side of those who heal rather than those who destroy.

I would like to be in the side of those who seek understanding rather than those bounded by fear.

I would like to be in the company of people who believe that human dignity is worth more than gold, religious fanaticism or the wealth of nations.

In behalf of the victims of Tibasak, Macasandig, my thanks to the donors and countless volunteers who have in time and again gave their souls and humanity so that the rest of us can have a chance at life.

This is my ode to the volunteers, to Tibasak, to my childhood place who has given me so much of my life and asked only that I remember her.