Work With the Poor

Cherry May Pili, 17 years old, the eldest and one of the three surviving children of the Pili family, victim of a massacre by a madman in Hornalan, Calamba last May 18.

We visited their place last June 14, 2008. Both her parents – Gerry and Glo Pili,  active members of CFCFFL, together with their 3 other daughters died in the incident. Surviving the massacre aside from Cherry May are 8-year old Erica, and Angelito. Erica is still in the hospital and Angelito, who escaped unscathed but traumatized, is in the care of his other relatives. Angelito has resumed going to school and was even excited because of his new clothes and accessories courtesy of one of our community’s kind couples.

Cherry is indeed a beautiful girl and the smile on her face would make you think everything is back to normal. Yes and No. She had been working in Yazaki Torres in Batangas for 5 months when “it” happened. This picture was her pose when I asked for a little cheer while taking the photo. This was her smile that later turned to sobs of grief as she recalled the incident. At the back of her head is a scar where a bullet (from an Armalite!) grazed her skull. Her right ears and lips look okay now but they used to be swollen due to wounds. The bullets that passed through her right shoulders damaged many bones and  left black scars. Though her right arm still does not have strength she can still move the fingers of her right hand. Due to this injury, she is unable to use a crutch because of the severe pain in her upper body. She can sleep only by lying on her left side. Her left foot was smashed by a bullet. The wound is so severe that she is still unable to walk. She has to be carried by her relatives to go to bathroom and to move around. The community is still trying to find a wheelchair for her. She is still in pain but is recovering.

As of now, she lives in the home of her grandparents who are also CFCFFL members -  Bro Elias and Sister Norma. They said that they plan to build a small house for their three surviving grandchildren near their own house, far away from where the massacre happened. Cherry’s request is that house be made of concrete, the window high and the door to have a proper lockset. As she mentioned this, she began sobbing. Living in an unsecured house, they were easy prey to the mad killer.

We promised to help with materials and that is what Bro Elias is asking for. Their family clan can take are of the construction work.

This is one “restoration” work that we can work together immediately. A new house will help the Pili children to resume life. They now have to fend for themselves with the help of the grandparents. Of course, life will not be the same without their parents and 3 siblings. But the smile on Cherry May’s face is a reason to hope.

 In the picture (R-L) are Bro Elias, their youngest daughter, Sis Norma, Sis Mila Galang (wife of Cluster Head) and Rose Salazar (wife of the author)

As we lie comfortably in bed in our secured home, and able to move freely, let us offer a short moment of prayer for the Pili Family. Let us be Christ’s instrument of compassion and turn into reality their simple wishes and hope.

Thanks and God bless us all!

Art Salazar

District Head

District of San Pablo, Laguna