During the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, the world stood in awe as buildings swayed but did not collapse, and cities that had withstood a tsunami rose with precision out of the destruction. Such is not mere luck but a product of design. It is this that we, in natural disaster-laden nations such as my country, the Philippines, do not have: a design for how to innovate before disaster strikes, and for how to build not only what was destroyed but also what is supposed to last.

Every year, the storms hit our islands with a schedule. Floods engulf homes, landslides wash away villages, and earthquakes disturb both the earth we stand on and the future we believe in. Still, every year, we continue to rebuild in this vulnerable manner: with makeshift construction materials, unplanned communities, hit-or-miss engineering, and stopgap fixes. It is as if we have not believed what all those loops of storm-damaged roofs and overflowing rivers have been trying to teach us. The resilience of our nation is anchored in neither preparation nor readiness but in tenacity and faith.

I have wondered for a long time why we respond to disaster situations by treating these events as if they are matters of destiny instead of problems to be solved by creativity. The Japanese did not wait for another disaster to teach them lessons; instead, they researched, designed, and created. They erected buildings that can dance with earthquakes instead of toppling with them. They developed flood-resistant housing and disaster response strategies that work faster than panic can spread. Creativity is their means of surviving. Here, innovation is considered a luxury—a byline for public speaking, but not for offering life-saving strategies.

We have more excuses than inventions in the Philippines. We have reasons for not progressing: it is because we are a poorer country with inefficient bureaucracy and corruption. These reasons are like natural disasters. We do not need billions if we have innovative minds. We can build on top of each other instead of focusing on constructing something anew. We have architects here who can design houses that can withstand floods. We can create efficient warning systems even in barangays. We can transform schools into safety zones instead. We don’t have a shortage of resources, but a shortage of vision.

I have watched communities struggle to reclaim themselves, time and again, after each storm, only to have it all taken away with each subsequent typhoon. “There is a tragic symmetry in all this. We treat the wound but not the skin beneath. Aid trumps resiliency. We measure innovation, not donations.”

Our government, with all its agencies and funds, must lead by example in adapting to technology. The floating houses in Japan, sensors for earthquake detection in Indonesia, and flood walls in the Netherlands did not come from conceptual discussions. They resulted from hard work on innovative research. The Philippines has talented minds working in engineering, architecture, and environmental endeavors. Still, they often leave for other countries because their design concepts are frequently overlooked in a bureaucracy that would rather hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony than undertake something truly groundbreaking.

However, this problem does not only lie with our government. It is a cultural problem. We are naturally resilient, but we’re not innovative. We are accustomed to adapting, coping, and responding, but we rarely change the system that continues to disappoint us. We’re proud of this culture, known as bayanihan. We celebrate this beautiful thing called bayanihan. However, bayanihan must change. It must change because it has to work towards becoming collective intelligence—that which conceptualizes, designs, and safeguards. What if we combined science and bayanihan? What if?

We cannot halt the storms, earthquakes, and floods. We cannot replace blue skies with clouds. We cannot stop birds from chirping. We cannot bring human lives to a standstill. We cannot halt progress. We cannot halt evolution. We cannot control nature. We can, however, put an end to predictability. We can put an end to the victim mentality. We can do this one way: through innovation. Not foreign innovation. Not borrowed innovation. We need homegrown innovation. We need innovation that comes with thought. We need innovation with integrity.

The title above is in Latin, the reader can translate the same using on-line translation and Latin Dictionaries.

As of this writing Typhoon Fung-Wong local name UWAN is hitting land at the Norther Central Luzon Area. After Typhoon Tino Uwan came in a matter of days. These two created a double whammy of sorts, a dreadful punch combination that floored us all. It was the painful knock down we felt.

Tino, flooded Cebu, rattled its middle class and saw piles of cars from Sedans to SUVs. Its poor had dangled on roofs while flood rushed on the roads and engulfed their homes. In Places like Liloan, Mandaue and Minglanilla the waters were furious and unforgiving, it was a killer with a purpose and its purpose was to annihilate mostly the unfortunate poor.

Uwan as we speak is sending floodwaters to the roofs of Catanduanes and perhaps yet sadly, we have not known the extent of the damage we will know, leter.

Yet, as a country plagued by typhoons and earthquakes, our leaders had been outlining solutions yet the problems are never stopped because our leaders are pilfering, scheming, stealing from the funds that supposedly addresses these problems.

There will be TINO, UWAN and other four letter tragedies. We will have sorrow and we shall gnash our teeth in anger, but we will bear the brunt of natures fury until we take our boot straps, tighten the laces and kick our corrupt leaders. Ira Naturae et praedatio principum, the sad combination of Natures Fury and our Leaders Pilferage, yes, the poor suffer first.

THESE two should go together if we want to have a healthy and working spiritual life, full of energy to love God and neighbor at the same time. One without the other can only go so far, and in fact creates a condition where we become vulnerable to all sorts of spiritual anomalies.

When there is genuine piety, there is also a deep and personal relationship with God that is nourished through regular prayer, worship and devotion. We can notice a spiritual growth that is sustained by meditation, reflection and self-examination. Virtues would just come about since we would be inspired to follow the example of Christ.

But to have solid doctrine is also important, since it provides us with a solid foundation for understanding God’s revelation and the teachings of the Church. It guides our spiritual growth by offering us a way to understand more and more the mysteries of our Christian faith. It helps us to make sound moral decisions in a way that would lead us to live according to God’s will.

These two components of our spiritual life should be pursued without let-up, especially these days when we are faced with more complicated and tricky conditions and challenges. While doctrine can provide us with a moral framework for decision-making, piety fosters a deep sense of reverence and connection with God, guiding us to make choices according to God’s will and ways.

When we give due attention to these two components of our spiritual life, we would be in a much better position to effectively address today’s social issues. The pursuit of a more just and equitable society becomes more doable and realistic.

We just have to make sure that our piety and our devotion to God and everything related to him has to involve both the body and soul. It has to involve our whole person. It just cannot be purely spiritual or purely material. It just cannot be only a matter of knowing the doctrine, quite cerebral in approach, without some external manifestations, or of practicing all sorts of devotional exercises, without knowing the doctrine of faith.

If piety has to be authentic and consistent in all circumstances, then it has to be lived both in our spiritual soul whose main faculties are our intellect and will, and in our material body whose link to our soul, the principle of life, are the emotions and passions, the memory and the imagination, our temperament and psychological state, etc.

When piety is limited to one or the other essential element of our being, to either our spiritual soul or the material body, then it cannot be consistent. It cannot hold out against that anomaly for long. It sooner or later will fall into the tricks of hypocrisy and self-deception.

We also need to see the Church doctrine as the proper spirit that should animate any human doctrine we may make for some practical purpose we may have in the different aspects of our life—personal, family, professional, social, political, etc.

Thus, it is essential that we learn to know the Church doctrine or the doctrine of our faith such that this doctrine becomes the moving spirit behind our every thought, word and deed, behind our every plan and project, big or small, ordinary or extraordinary.

There is need for us to know how to relate the doctrine of our faith to our daily affairs and to our very serious and big projects and plans, and vice versa. At the moment, this expertise is hardly known, its need hardly felt.
This is the challenge we are facing today as we tackle the increasingly rapid, complex and complicated developments.

In a world obsessed with material possessions and fleeting achievements, true progression lies not in external validation or accumulating wealth, but in cultivating intangible assets that no one can take away. These inner strengths and skills form an unassailable foundation, empowering you to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, confidence, and unwavering determination. By focusing on these internal resources, you build a life that is not only successful but also deeply fulfilling and resistant to external forces.

Beyond the Tangible: Cultivating Intangible Assets

The traditional markers of success – a prestigious job, a large house, a substantial bank account – are all vulnerable to external forces. Economic downturns, unforeseen circumstances, or even simple bad luck can strip away these material possessions, leaving individuals feeling lost and vulnerable. True advancement comes from cultivating internal, intangible assets:

– Knowledge and Skills: The accumulation of knowledge and the mastery of valuable skills are foundational to progress. These assets are secure and enduring. Continuous learning, skill development, and the pursuit of expertise create a sense of self-reliance and adaptability, enabling you to navigate change and overcome challenges. This includes both hard skills (technical proficiencies) and soft skills (communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking), which are equally valuable in today’s dynamic world.

– Resilience and Grit: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere through adversity is a crucial component of progress. Resilience isn’t avoiding hardship, but overcoming it.. Developing grit, the combination of passion and perseverance, allows you to maintain focus and commitment even when faced with obstacles and discouragement. This inner strength enables you to weather storms and emerge stronger.

– Relationships and Networks: Strong relationships buffer against life’s challenges, offering support, guidance, and belonging. Investing in these connections builds resilience and well-being.

– Health and Well-being: Physical and mental health are fundamental to unstoppability. Prioritizing self-care, including regular exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and stress management techniques, is essential for maintaining energy levels, focus, and overall well-being. Neglecting these aspects leaves you vulnerable to burnout and decreased resilience.

– Self-Belief and Confidence: A strong sense of self-belief and confidence is the cornerstone of unstoppability. This inner strength stems from self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a belief in your ability to overcome challenges. Self-confidence grows from realistic goals, celebrating successes, and learning from failures. This inner conviction empowers you to take risks, embrace challenges, and persevere in the face of adversity.

– Purpose and Meaning: A sense of purpose and meaning provides a powerful driving force. Purpose-driven work increases resilience to setbacks. This intrinsic motivation fuels perseverance and resilience, making you unstoppable in the pursuit of your goals.

Building an Unassailable Foundation:

Cultivating these intangible assets requires conscious effort and consistent practice:
– Continuous Learning: Embrace lifelong learning, seeking opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

– Mindfulness and Self-Reflection: Practice mindfulness to cultivate self-awareness and manage stress.

– Goal Setting and Action Planning: Set clear, achievable goals and develop action plans to achieve them.

– Seeking Mentorship and Support: Connect with mentors and build a strong support network.

– Prioritizing Self-Care: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
– Embracing Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

The Unstoppable Mindset:

The pursuit of unstoppability is not about avoiding setbacks or achieving effortless success. It’s about cultivating an inner strength and resilience that enables you to navigate challenges with determination and grace. True resilience isn’t merely surviving hardship; it’s about cultivating an inner strength that allows you to navigate challenges with grace and determination. It’s about developing a mindset that views setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities for growth and learning. This inner strength is built through self-awareness, self-compassion, and a commitment to continuous self-improvement. It involves recognizing your own capabilities, understanding your limitations, and developing strategies for overcoming obstacles. Resilient individuals possess a deep-seated belief in their ability to cope with adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. They are adaptable, resourceful, and optimistic, even in the face of significant challenges. This inner strength allows them to approach difficulties with a sense of calm and purpose, maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Ultimately, cultivating inner resilience is an ongoing process of self-discovery and personal growth, leading to a greater sense of self-efficacy and a more fulfilling life. By focusing on these intangible assets, you create a life that is not only successful but also deeply fulfilling and profoundly resistant to the inevitable ups and downs of life. This is the true essence of being unstoppable. It’s not about avoiding the storms, but about building a ship strong enough to weather them.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!