on the shoulders of giants

I was participating in a discussion about an initiative in support indigenous peoples in the country. The meeting of minds involved leaders of institutions and development organizations, national and in regional southeast Asia; most—I bet—have risen from the ranks and have contributed much in development work starting even as far back as the mid- or late 80s. Pioneers in development work in their own right.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting one of them, an American, back in Indonesia once in 2004 and it was great listening to how his involvement in the Philippines had started and what he had seen. There was one whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with for a time and had grown to respect and admire for her critical thinking. Another one was a former commissioner in a national government agency, an indigenous leader of his tribe of the Manobos, of whom I’ve also respected for his insights on the plight, culture, and ways of indigenous peoples. Others, while I’ve only just started to know and work with, are leaders and movers in their own communities and networks nonetheless.

And there I was, just in my early 30s and undoubtedly the youngest in the group. I felt that I shouldn’t be there—hardly knowledgeable in affairs that spoke of complexities that transcended geographic boundaries or that began since time immemorial. And yet I was there. Maybe I was destined to be there; there’s a purpose for me being there.

It made a whole lot of difference to learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before. It felt reassuring to hear the experience of trailblazers who have carved paths into the unknown for others behind them to follow. It felt inspiring seeing men and women of humble beginnings who continue to fight the good fight and make grand exploits. It was an honor.

The Bible says, “Do not despise the days of small beginnings.”  I hold on to its promise.