TSPI employees gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to "walk for life."
SATURDAY, 3:30 AM—a time when everyone sleeps soundly after a tiring workweek. But not for TSPI employees who were up to join Walk for Life at the Quirino Grandstand.
Organized by Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, Walk for Life was a demonstration of people who believe that life is a gift from God, and that we are called to protect and preserve it.
Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI) Executive Director Eduardo Mendoza led the organization in participating in this event. TSPI’s Discipleship Program Development, headed by Mario Galvez, Jr., organized the employee-volunteers who joined the cause.
“As a Christian microenterprise development organization, we try to play a role in advocating the value and dignity of human life, that’s why we encouraged our staff to join the Walk for Life. Sa simpleng paraan na ito, naipahayag natin na sa TSPI, mahalaga ang buhay,” Galvez explained.
LAKAS, HINDI DAHAS
"Lakas, hindi dahas!" was TSPI's battlecry during the Walk for Life
Manila Archbishop Cardinal Chito Tagle led the line-up of key speakers for the event. He challenged everyone to walk for life everyday. “Huwag titigil ng paglalakad para sa buhay. Araw-araw, lakad para sa buhay. Kasi kung minsan, kapag merong ganito [event], ‘Wow, ang sarap maglakad, kasi marami kami.’ Pero kapag dalawa na lang kami o nag-iisa ako, tamad na. Walang mangyayari kapag hindi tayo araw-araw naglalakad para sa buhay,” he said.
To translate this to TSPI life: it is a walk for life in our homes, in our branch, and in our centers. There will be times we’ll feel alone in the walk, and yet we really are not—because the Lord assured us that His presence is with us wherever we go. Cardinal Tagle summed up his speech with a call to active non-violence, to which the crowd chanted, “Lakas, hindi dahas!”
CHOOSE LIFE
Microenterprise is an avenue that TSPI uses to uplift the lives of indigent Filipinos. But more than helping fellow Filipinos improve their economic and financial capability, TSPI desires to see them live Christ-centered lives. As employees who work in bringing people to Christ, we believe in giving dignity and hope to the small Filipino entrepreneurs and farmers.
Walk for Life is one such expression of faith for Rosanna Lim, a TSPI-MBA employee. “Masaya at worth it ang pagpunta. I hope narinig ng government iyong message ng walk namin. I believe na si Lord lang ang may kapangyarihan to take away life. Sana din idaan ng government ang lahat sa due process,” she said.
Text and photos by Christin Alvarez of TSPI Discipleship Program Development.