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For You are the Bloom of Rainy Days, the Storm of Summer*

You are the silence that seldom comes,
In your voice we hear of days past and years ahead
Of joys and sorrows, light and darkness
But always, of the truth in these.

You are the belief that is often uttered
By equally assertive voices from beyond the mountain ranges
Of people diminishing the myth of destiny
And their triumph becoming that of humankind

You are the courage that gives strength
So that every journey ends with victory
And every victory becomes another beginning
As the battle of right and wrong rages.

You are the word that soothes
Amidst the almost dying hope
That naturally comes with a defeat
And makes us all think.

Still, you are the act of defiance
To reach that goal
No matter the odds
And makes us all wonder.

You are the fighter
That attacks the enemy
With all your might
And makes us all proud.

You are the sound of the unheeded
That wakes us all from sleep
For you are the bloom of rainy days,
The storm of summer.

* poem written by an associate of Jean Macliing as a birthday note

 

Crossroads: Jean Macliing, development

worker par excellence

Written By: editors on October 9, 2011 No Comment

By MARY LOU MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

I came to know Mother Petra first before I met Jean. So I would not wonder why Jean was the way she was: indefatigable worker, pioneer in many development projects and endeavor, active social action worker, mother and friend. She had matched her words with fitting action, her actions she mixed with careful study and deep knowledge accompanied with vision and her vision was matched with the necessary methods and means for the goal to be accomplished. And she would not even claim credit for such work.

Jean was not one to shy away from venturing into unchartered seas of civil society work or the social action realm. If the people need it and need it fast, she was one to be there “nagpupuyat na dilat at nagkukunot ng noo”. Meeting her during the formation of support groups for the Chico dam struggle, she was cool under pressure but quick to castigate officialdom as the indigenous peoples were being harassed and discriminated.

She embodied the term “trailblazer” where we mere mortals followed in her steps. Her work for example with Katinnulong Daguiti Umili iti Amianan (Peoples’ Partner in Northern Luzon) as the first regional director for an NL wide service and development institution is still to be equalled. We had hoped she would pick up doing consultancy work again but her death clipped that. She was director for this and that, the first in this and that. She wanted no trophies for these managership and with deep humility she accepted citations often saying she did not do these things alone, she had the company of dedicated development workers.

Even in her personal life, Jean was wonder woman. Jean’s decision not to undergo an operation as the chances for recovery were slim of her aneurism was her way of saying the money for the medical care would be best given to those more in need, not to her, not to her family.

If only that kind of selflessness we can see in our public servants who demand that the best be given to them for just sitting on their butts.

Her dorm at the St Andrew’s Seminary became our tambayan, cafeteria, a rest from the weary ride and a welcome bed for the night.

I had the rare privilege of witnessing the budding courtship of Ed and Jean and the eventual marriage and children. We often see each other in development work seminars, fora, ecumenical fellowships and Cordillera Day celebrations and often continue where we left off in the conversation.

We often called her the “civilian bishop” for her circle was the Church and she somehow knew the secret codes the bishops used to be moved into epiphany and action. She is a friend through and through and would not hesitate to tell you the bad news or foretell the bitter reality. However, in times of need, she will move mountains to aid you in problems.
 

During the relief operations for the earthquake of 1990, she connected me with the social action desk of the Episcopal church so relief goods can be brought to the Nueva Vizcaya mountains in the quickest way possible.

Through their help, the load of servicing the communities cut off by landslides and rock falls became lighter, easier and less stressful. She was like this, she would squeeze friends and advocates for help they could extend, always going the extra miles.

It is with great sorrow then that we learned of her untimely death at such young age. And you begin to question the injustice of the universe. Why are the good ones dying young? Why are those who have given of themselves so unselfishly dying young?

Jean, friend and comrade, salute on your passing over. The packed Cathedral at your wake and funeral, the solidarity messages and condolence are our way of saying you have left a legacy worth the gold of the Cordilleras.
 

Farewell, dear friend and we hope we could travel the journey you started.# nordis.net