i just can't let the day pass by without expressing my disgust over the news that Julia Campbell, the US Peace Corps Volunteer from New York, who was reported missing last week was found dead on a shallow grave in the mountains of Banaue. according to the news, she was last seen hiking alone on April 8 near Batad, which approximately is 1.5 kilometers east of Banaue town. being no stranger to adventurous exploits, though it might not have been the smartest move (exposing herself to imminent danger), you can't blame her for trusting us, the same people whom she learned to appreciate and love and dedicated her last two years of life upon, to not hurt her. the same people, from our own race, whom she started serving almost two years ago in expense of her American life. if it was really our kababayan's who did it, it'd be really sickening in the strongest possible terms. sadly, the evil is so rampant in our world today :(
see, this woman gave up her life for the sake of helping others, who apparently were us, Filipinos. when i heard in the news about her disappearance, i started to research about her volunteering and i was blown away by this woman's heart (you can read her personal blog here: juliainthephilippines). but hearing that tragic incident that ended her life, oh man was i disgusted. should there be people who needs to be grateful, it definitely should have been us. and what, pay her back with this? she's the perfect epitome of "giving and not expecting in return" as she contributed and had nothing to expect in return. a perfect stranger who helped this nation become a better country in her own ways. not unlike these damned and crooked politicians, who can't even lift a finger to help others unless there is media around to show off their fake deeds. sorry, i'm gonna puke..
she was weeks short of finishing her two-year commitment of volunteer work (teaching English at public schools in Sorsogon and Albay) and head back to New York this June. what i loved about her is that she willingly embraced our culture and can even speak Tagalog fluently, as her blog suggests. but her life abruptly came to its end. words are not enough to express what i feel about the incident..
i am very sorry for your loss Julia. you have touched lives of many of my fellow countrymen. though i wasn't one of them, i felt your love towards my people through your deeds. may you rest in peace..
