The story I am to tell you does not actually depict an
exact match to the literal definition of Corporate Social Responsibility,
although to an extent, I tried to muster the setting and the actions done as
close in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility.
As
a business administration student, I’ve been brand-ironed to not only have a
Vision/Mission statement for every course, task and group I take and be
integral to it, but also to realistically act as if I’m the boss in everything
I’m in. The boss part wasn’t much of a surprise since it’s already been
conditioned and just waiting to be realized, and also an obligation for my
career, but a reminder to such things can do really well no matter how much you
are aware. It stuck to me and it went long ways. I started to treat almost
everything professionally, as if it can also be productive to emotions. I
realized it couldn’t mix, of course, in which I had to change. I was in that
process but I didn’t take away too much principles I’ve been running along with
such as treating myself as a company with a Vision/Mission statement based
partly on my advocacies and personal philanthropies. “Everything has to be
integral, as much as possible", I always said to myself and to my friends
a pinch from the effect of working as a group. Okay, maybe it didn’t change too
much. Though, technically, such things are called as principles when we’re not
being professional. It doesn’t differ too much, really, nor did it stop me from
treating the things I do professionally, even though it might not look it
(It’ll be my little secret).
As I said, “Everything has to be
integral, as much as possible”, temptations began to arise out of nowhere as if
those words were a trigger, and it made it really hard for me to say no to
things that can really distort my principles and personal philanthropy. It got
really stubborn in some point until I gave in and relied to my impulsive
attitude of heading the other direction. Specifically in this story, it meant
that I take temptations as opportunities even though the temptation will cling
itself to you like an effective narcissistic diva, urging you take the easy way
out, the way of temptation. But opportunities or temptations, none will be
considered when faced with an occurrence that requires you to respond, in
which, an occurrence I reluctantly share to you for so many reasons based from
my principles.
My routine for going home from school
was usually a walk and sometimes a stop to rest at Sacred Heart Parish (Makati)
before I head on to the destination. For me, the place itself, Sacred heart
Parish, and not the administration, seemed to be consistently presenting
various ways of assessing your reaction to what they present that is to be
either temptation or opportunity. So far, I’ve considered quite a number of
temptations as I failed to take them as opportunities, but the effect of
committing to an opportunity for the humanitarian welfare always seemed to bush
off that guilt when you neglect an opportunity. Basically, what I mean is,
opportunities are taken, usually known for a founded purpose whatever is right
for you. Temptations are to be yielded when the bad side of your moral crisis
seems to have made you succumb to it more. So far, for me, with no intention of
bragging, everything were dealt as opportunities, except so far, for one.
Around early June 2014, as I did my
usual walk after school, I thought I could stop by and rest at Sacred Heart
Parish since it was quite hot as usual, and not to mention twice as hot since I
was sporting corporate attire for the day. I first sat at the bench inside the
area and enjoyed the air brushing through my face and thought that I should
head on inside the church. I roamed around for a bit and before entering the
side entrance of the church, I saw what I presumed as a father with a very
fragile looking son. The father and I exchanged looks which directly meant that
the father and his son weren’t the only ones who knew that they needed help. I
looked away, as if I accidentally placed my eyes on them, not because I didn’t
want to help, but because I was certain that I couldn’t give enough. I have
just recently bought supplies and printed surveys needed for my courses, but
such reluctance didn’t shrug itself easy given the appropriate excuses. I
entered the church and sat at the church bench just behind them, but on the
other end. I did my usual prayers, but it was just to soak up some confidence
of approaching besides some assessment on whether to give or not. Reasons spoke
up as to why I shouldn’t; temptations. Reasons spoke up as to why I should:
opportunities. But there was one other thing that just crashes and is as
effective as a literal crash. That other thing just couldn’t be defined, but
can be done so through actions only. I didn’t feel as if it was an opportunity,
neither a responsibility, but my personal desire. I didn’t need reasons to back
me up, I couldn’t think of recognition as appropriate for it, as we do when
opportunities as in stake. Gradually, it led my body only to realize what had
awaken from me which controls my movements was spontaneity, and an internal
control that was hard to stop or too good to cease which was desire. I had
tilted my head to where they supposedly were and saw that they’ve fled, but not
have gotten far. I found them at the adoration chapel, with quite a number of
people inside. When most of them had gone, I went inside and sat down at the
top of the shoe shelf. I saw him, distraught, beat up, worried and tired. I
clenched my fists thinking that no man deserves to be what I’ve just seen,
until I thought about what their reasons could be, until the intensity has
stopped me from thinking more. I walked up to him as he raised his hands at
chest level with an open palm and tried to explain to me the situation, opening
the medical envelope which was too hurtful for me to have him continue as I
said, “I’m sorry, but this is all I could give.” I gave him all the money I had
left at the time and I knew it wasn’t enough. I gave him an amount less than
200 Pesos. “I wish I could give more, Kuya,
but this is all I really have.” I told him. I then asked him for his name and
he explained the situation. His name was Jesus and his son’s name was
Christian. His son needed to be injected to at least suppress his bad condition
in a “good-enough” amount of time until they could save enough to have it
cured. He told me his story, a story that serves as an example and a reason how
it couldn’t be much harder for us than he has it. His wife died not too far
from 3 years as I recall, and he had just recently lost his job, already
applied for a new one which he has been promised as long he was willing to wait
for about 2 months. I asked him how much he needed, and he answered 800 pesos.
It was feasible for me to offer that kind of money but my reluctance to where
I’ve spent my money no matter how important had not yet waivered. I couldn’t
much remember what had happened since this is the first time I’ve only gone
through it again, as I do not really like remembering most of the good things
I’ve done out of heart nor sharing it to people. He had told me his gratitude
and a couple of some traits to compare me with. I promised him that I would
give back more, and I’ve told him that I stop at the Parish at times when I
walk home. But so far, up until now, I haven’t seen them. I remembered
exchanging farewells with each other and brushing my hand to his son’s head.
For so long now I’ve associated myself as a
company, my principles and personal philanthropies as my vision/mission
statement and values. I asked myself whether I may be able to live at least
like I do now and see these people around me, hanging on to the chance that
someone might help them, until they consult desperation to lead them to
notorious ways of handling the situation. Seeing underserving people on the
top, with the chance that they believe that people could be easily entertained
by money, no matter how much, would crease the name of humanity in which they
are not present of their humanity as it falls under the control of their own
construct to the point that temptation is the only opportunity to what others
might think of them. It turns now that everyone has fear instilled in the place
of faith, fear directing them to further pain making them believe that faith is
the residue and fear, the foundation. It’s such an irrelevant and vague factor
to consider because of the specific things that are said to ought to be handled
first when these are things that should be handled first. People are trying to
solve the problems without scrutinizing every detail of the problem not even
knowing whether it has a solution or we’ve just been complaining over and over
again. What’s worse is, they try to do it with the notion of the thought that
there are people who do not have good in them left, reinforcing their
withdrawal to even come up with a solution.
Social corporate responsibility
promotes and performs great effects toward where we’d rather be, but the direct
solutions must come from all of us no matter what kind, term or form of help
one can offer as we must consider ourselves as a team. But with such situations
and fear that doesn’t make it look feasible to remedy anymore, a reminder that
tells us that there is still good in all of us can be a good start with some
guidance by a leader, would be enough to make a sound finish.
Contributed by: Jan Miranda, a student from Mapua Makati
Disclaimer: This post was approved to be posted here by its author
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