UNDESERVED

Who is poor?

The government considers a Filipino family poor if monthly earnings are less than the poverty threshold. The poverty threshold for a family of 5 was at P5,458 per month to meet basic food in 2012.

The same family required only P1,681 in 2006 and P2,042 in 2009 to leave the ranks of the poor.

If non-food needs -- such as clothing, housing, transportation, health, and education expenses, and others are added to the threshold, in 2012 went up to P7,821 earnings a month.

Maketa is interested in Kiamba, Sarangani as the next destination to help. She researched it and found out these facts about this beautiful place.

The Municipality of Kiamba is located in the western Section of the Province of Sarangani. It is a coastal town located in the north of the Celebes Sea. It is positioned at 05 degrees 59 min. north and longitude 124 degrees 37 east. It has a 38 kilometers stretch of regular coastline. It is bounded by the north by the Municipality of T'boli with thick and unspoiled mountain ranges heavy with vegetation; on the south by the Celebes Sea; on the east by the Municipality of Maasim with Taluk River serving as the natural boundary, and on the west by the Municipality of Maitum bounded with Pangi River.

But because that is the hometown of our Boxing Champ's wife, she believes they can help the area. So she researched other areas to help.

Juan was having difficulty with his review. Jacky is encouraging him.

"Hey! Cheer up, sometimes the harder it gets, the harder you fight! There are things that we need to do it alone, like studying, appreciation of the lessons, and understanding the reasons can not be spoon feed. There are things we can not buy like wisdom, I'll pray that God will give us that" Jacky said.

"I know that actually, that is the hard part, you can not force understanding in a short period of time. So I may not understand everything, but I will memorize it just for now without understanding it then, later, I may see the wisdom behind these laws." Juan said.

"That could be a good strategy," Jacky said.

"What you need now is focus, my love, I think," Jacky said.

"When are you coming? Juan asked.

" I'll find a way. I may be there soon when my schedule becomes final, I'm also reviewing some new cases of diseases" Jacky said.

"Ok, Doc!" Juan said.

"Why, you miss me?" Jacky asked.

"The doorbell, I'll see who's there," Jacky said.

"Hahaha, you send me flowers? Thank you, my love, I'm surprised!" Jacky said smelling the roses.

"I can not remember when I send you flowers, so I do it now," Juan said.

That was Floribunda, Hybrid tea, Grandiflora, and Miniatures kind of roses arranged in a beautiful manner of Ikebana.

"I have your flowers here dried and preserved in my books," Jacky said.

"We should have a meeting about our marriage, when can we do it?"Juan said.

" Well, when can you come here in Tokyo," Jacky said.

"Let's do it, I will just surprise you!" Juan said.

Jacky smiled and said good night.

The next day, After his BAR review, he visits the prison and meets Elado. Elado was surprised. "What are you doing here?" Elado said.

"I just want to see you. I have something to give you to read."Juan said.

If you just want to see how I suffer, enjoy it, I deserve it I think. Elado said.

"No, no, that is not my intention, I wish I can help you here a bit. Receive these, my advance Christmas gifts." Juan said.

The New Bilibid Prison. The facility is famous for its severe conditions and overcrowding of its poorer inmates, while more affluent prisoners enjoy luxuries such as airconditioned rooms, jacuzzies, and strip bars, as revealed in several police raids in previous years. All the luxuries were destroyed, and Elado's assets were taken from him.

"Ok, Thanks for the soap, and other groceries. I appreciate it." Elado said.

"I will be back again, just read what I give you," Juan said.

"You know, I really wonder why you are helping me here. I don't even deserve to be visited by you, but you are here." Elado said.

Elado felt sorry and guilty of all his bad decisions, he has murdered many and destroyed many by the drugs and by the prostitution, they operate.

Elado does not know that Ruthie is Juan's sister.

"Well, I just pass to you how I was helped also. How I was forgiven, How I was changed. I hope you get that also" Juan said.

"I have done so many evil things that I may qualify for the death sentence. I don't expect to be forgiven by you and others that I have destroyed. Sometimes I just want to die easy. I tell you this so you will hate me more because that is the truth" Elado said.

Juan realizes that Elado accepts the responsibility of what he has done, he sees his sincerity of being sorry for the evil he has done. Juan thinks, "I will help this man to have a chance to do what is right and what is good in his remaining life.

" Juan, can I ask you something?" Elado said.

"Ok," Juan replied.

"There is a family that I killed all her parents and her brothers because they had reported us to the police. I heard she is in the orphanage. She does not know that I was the one who killed her parents, I want to pay for my sins, I want you to help her for me. She is Myla Cervantes, please find her and help her. I will repay you" Elado said.

"Why what's the change of heart Elado? Ok, I will find her out" Juan said.

"I'm tired of being evil, I think. How about you, why you are here?" Elado said.

"Well just giving back the unmerited favor I have received by giving you the same favor," Juan said.

Juan thinks of "Grace" which means, unmerited favor. Favor is given for a wretched sinner like me that deserves to die, but given this favor not by works but by believing that Christ the Savior can save an ungodly person like the criminal in the cross with Him. He accepts and recognizes his sinfulness and believed Christ that he requested Him to remember him in Christ's paradise. Jesus said, "You will be with me in paradise!"