A new model for business people

I found the story "Salay paper founder works hard to push for fair trade" (Inquirer, 11-25-07) very refreshing and inspiring.

Businesswoman Loreta Rafisura and her family personify the true model for all present and would-be businessmen (or women) in our country. She really has lived up to her patriotism, concern for the environment and Christian upbringing, "exemplifying that Filipino concept of bayanihan" by helping her poor constituents in Salay, Misamis Oriental, taking care of the environment (recycling of paper), and practicing and nurturing the values of fair trade in the many years she has been in business.

I hope many people, especially our top government officials, read her story, especially about how she managed to persevere and succeed in her endeavor. While she has slowly becoming a success in the paper industry, she also helped her people in Salay by providing jobs and livelihood for their families. (A stark contrast to most of our famous and wealthy businessmen who managed to get to the top by stepping on other people's toes.)

Our growth as a nation can start with people like the Rasifura family. If our government will sincerely help and support them, slowly but surely our local industries will develop, inspiring most of our countrymen to help in rebuilding our country and to truly move on to a better life.

But for as long as our high officials are preoccupied with political bickering, stealing money from the people, silencing government critics and manipulating justice for their own selfish ends, we will never know what the good life is. The high economic growth trumpeted by our national leaders will remain just a pipe dream.

Taken from the Letters to the Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer December 11,2007

Eternal Life

I remember one famous person who said,''He who lost everything but God, has gained more than any of the most powerful people in the world but don't have his God by his side.", or words to that effect. It happens to cross my mind every time I see good or bad things happening to people. Later in life, I took these words seriously.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."-Psalm 62:1-2

This is my favorite verse in the Old Testament of the Bible. It gives me hope and strength every time I feel the world bears its weight on me. I know God will never leave us whatever happens to us.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."-JESUS CHRIST.. Revelation 3:20

Anyone who reads this words from Christ will feel welcome. He said that He came to the world not for the righteous, but for sinners. He is truly the Good News. He came in our lives not to make our lives miserable, but to prosper and let us enjoy all His bountiful blessings and gifts in store for us.

In return, we must also return the favor by giving back to people in need of love and His Word. Not only people who are poor in physical wealth, but also to those people who felt they are alone, those who feel as if no one loves them anymore, those who are judged by people, those who are in prison, and other people in need of Christ.

He promised Eternal Life for us all. Let us seek Him with all our heart, mind and soul. We will never regret the outcome.