(Last of two parts)
Last week, we met Sr. Constance Tecson, OSB, a nun who went viral online for determinedly directing traffic outside St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) in downtown Manila.
Rain or shine, this sister, who appears younger than her 57 years, searches for the root cause of the perennial traffic snarls that plague the area and dedicates herself to easing the congestion.
A staunch problem-solver, Sr. Constance, whose main responsibilities revolve around finance and priories, says: “Directing traffic is not my assigned duty, but the situation calls for it, so I respond. Traffic is a huge problem for all of us, so when I am in a car that has a driver and the traffic is bad, I get out and see how I can help.”
A certified public accountant, Sr. Constance also helps manage scholarships, repairs and cemetery plots for Benedictine sisters. Recently, she was asked to help out with certain properties, so she was promptly enrolled in a real estate course.
“Wherever there is a need, I do my best to fulfill it,” she says.
Y, a family friend, narrates a telling story. On her way to Tanay, Rizal, for a meeting with some of the sisters, including Sr. Constance, Y happened to look out the car window. Who else did she see on the roadside, but Sr. Constance, who for some reason was jumping up and down?
It turned out that Sr. Constance, on her way to the same meeting, had stopped to help a homeless kariton seller flatten some boxes to fit into his pushcart—by jumping on them.
A modern-day good Samaritan, she literally stopped by the road to help the vulnerable. A need—and an opportunity to help—can arise at any time.
The Benedictine sisters help the homeless and the urban poor through their Tuluyan Centers, drop-in sanctuaries that provide food and showers, plus basic education and livelihood training programs. (See my column on April 30, 2020, on how Tuluyan Centers helped the homeless during the pandemic lockdown.)
After being equipped with enterprise skills, some of the people they helped gained enough confidence to return to the province to make a livelihood there.
Rather than complaining about poverty or traffic, Sr. Constance and her fellow nuns roll up their sleeves and dive into where the need is great.
How do parents likewise raise children to be problem solvers—resilient, adaptable, and willing to jump in and get to work?
“Everything starts with values,” Sr. Constance says. “The right attitude and discipline start at home. If you have strong family ties and open communication, these things build your children’s confidence. Parents should train the children how to have responsibilities and perform simple tasks, even just washing the plates. It’s not enough to develop the hands, but also the mind and the heart. Start with simple things, and then little by little, children’s sense of responsibility will develop.
“Once good habits are formed at home, they can continue outside the home. The child will say, ‘I know how to wash dishes, so at Jollibee, I know I can clear my own tray.’ At school, the child will say, ‘Because I helped my parents with their chores, I know I can help teacher carry the books.’ Actually, children enjoy having responsibilities. They feel good knowing they are capable.
“Parents should lead by example and demonstrate responsibility. There is no need to preach with words, because it is more effective to show through your personality and actions.”
Sr. Constance bemoans the rise of social media, which also contributes to the culture of negativity. (See my four-part column series starting July 4, 2024, on the detrimental effects of social media on mental health and how we can combat these.)
“Because everything is on social media, I understand you have to check your phones,” says Sr. Constance. “But not all the time. Rediscover the time to read physical books, to pray. During mealtimes, set aside your cellphone to share your experiences. There is a time for everything.”
Queena N. Lee-Chua is with the board of directors of Ateneo’s Family Business Center. Get her book “All in the Family Business” at Lazada or Shopee, or the ebook at Amazon, Google Play and Apple iBooks. Contact the author at blessbook.chua@gmail.com.