Last December 25, 2010, at a conference in Hotel Elsereine Osaka, Japan, I had a chance to meet a former senator of Thailand, Ma’am Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata.
When I first saw her, I felt the aura of the late President Cory Aquino—strong, patriotic, intelligent speaker, has love for her people, and fights for equality and “real” freedom. Even though I did not know her that much, I felt much honored to sit next to her.
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| it is a great honor to stand next to a hero like her ;))) |
During lunch, Ma’am Prateep and I compared the situations of each of our native lands, Thailand and the Philippines.
· Government
o Same- appears democratic, but really militaristic
· Health
o Same- most of the hospitals with excellent services are only for the rich.
o If I heard it right, Ma’am Prateep said that many Thai children were suffering from malnutrition three years ago. But, some kind-hearted Thai people are helping these kids improve their weight through feeding programs.
o I also mentioned the Millennium Development Goals during our talk. I even recited some (I haven’t memorized all hehe). I told her that these goals should be accomplished by 2015 and some of these goals are almost accomplished.
o She also said that Thai teens love to eat meat more than vegetables. (same here!! =D )
· Education
o She told me that she became a laureate of the 1978 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. She has also met the late Pres. Corazon Aquino. I was wondering about the great things that she has done to Thailand. I did not know it until I researched her name on the internet.
o I told her about the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence (but I did not mention the name for some reasons): that it is an organization whose activities address to the most pressing issues regarding Health, Environment, Governance and Education in the Philippines; that it encourages the youth to speak out and let their voices be heard; and that I AM ONE OF ITS MEMBERS (lol).
I asked her if there are movements or organizations like the one I am in (ALEx) in Thailand. “You, Filipinos, are very lucky. You can express whatever you feel to anyone whom you want to express your feelings to because you know how to speak English. You can live anywhere in the world since you know that language and you are good speakers. But, unlike you, Thai children are not taught English in school”, was her reply.
Just recently, I have watched “Crazy little thing called love”, a Thai romance film. The main characters are high school students, and they have English class. Well, perhaps, it was during her time that students are not taught English in Thai schools.
· Current events
o I told her about the hostage taking in Manila, wherein some Chinese were killed, which resulted to the “hate” of the Chinese living in Hong Kong to the Filipinos.
o I also mentioned about the crowning of the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj, which canceled the entire negative aura that happened in Manila.
I really had fun talking to her. She is so kind and approachable, so mother-like.
Since we left the conference early so that we could go to the train station on time, I bid farewell and suggested her to visit the Philippines again if she has time. :))))
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| From left to right: me, Mr. Hamano, Stephanie, Ma'am Prateep, Ma'am Prateep's husband, and other guests |
I don't know why but I see myself as one the Prateep Ungsongtham-Hatas in the future. Though my efforts are not that great, I know I can influence others in my own little ways and that influence can change the world.
About Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata:
Prateep was born near the Bangkok slum area of Klong Toey, and is still living there.
At an early age, she experienced hardships: his father's business of raising chickens and ducks, which was their main source of income, was not saved (their chickens and ducks died because of a sickness for which he could find no cure), their house was demolished by the Port Authority and they had to transfer to another area.
In spite of these hardships, she persevered: she found some ways on how to earn money such as buying candies from the market and selling them to their neighbors. And at age 10, she went to work since her family could not finance her schooling anymore. She worked as a packager for firecrackers,
chipped rust and painted and cleaned the funnels of cargo vessels in port and polished handles in an aluminum pot factory.
She persevered and finished a teacher training course. With Gandhi as her inspiration,
she did a lot of heroic deeds to help her fellow Thais and because of that, she became one of the laureates of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service during August 1978.
Despite the award and the recognitions that she received, she remained grounded. She even used all the cash prizes and donations that she has received in building a school for the Thai children who live in the slums.
"One must have an aim and keep it. Problems will follow problems and if they are avoided one cannot get through. Have an aim and keep going. Stay and face all the problems. Do not back away."
- Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata
(click HERE to know more about her) 
