I do not know Given Grace Cebanico personally, but I am very affected of what happened to her. I am not sure why; maybe because she was also from UPLB, a fellow iskolar ng bayan, and I know the everyday struggles of being a UP student. I know how UP students live their lives, I know how they strive to be better individuals, and I know how they wanted to give honor to their families. Given Grace was a victim of human savagery — robbed, raped, and killed. UP is not a Catholic school, but it does not mean that UP people are not religious. Given Grace, based on the articles written and the stories told about her, was a very cheerful, friendly, intelligent, and religious woman. She was a very promising lady. She is very loved by her family and friends. And even those people who are not in her circle of friends only have good things to say about her. She always had her smile on her face. She always had time for God.
When I heard the news about her death and after reading articles about her, I was moved. I could not believe it that I was crying for someone I do not know. Believe it or not, the last time I cried before this was when my sister died in 2006. I, myself, was wondering why I am so affected by her untimely death. I had this feeling of extreme anger toward those criminals who did this gruesome crime. How come that they were able to do this? What kind of heart and soul they have? Her fate made me feel very sad. Why this lovely woman had to experience this, when she only had good things to offer to every person she knew? Why God let this thing to happen to one of His faithful daughters? We have so many questions. However, as what Given's father said, "We don't understand, but God understands."
This event made me realize so many things about myself. The world is very cruel that many people are not afraid to do things like this. No matter how good and God-fearing you are, nobody is totally safe from the hands of evil. Most of all, Given Grace made me realize that life could be so short and we do not know when is our time to go. Given Grace, though given only 19 years to live on earth, offered most of her life serving God. She used her talents in singing and preaching in giving praise to the Lord. The videos shown while she was singing and praising God showed us how happy she was in serving the Lord.
I used to be very active in church activities when I was in high school and college. I was a member of a church choir then, I was a lector, I was sometimes given the chance to talk about the Word of God, and going to church was constant for me. When I started working, I felt that I was too busy and had no much time for serving God. I am not serving God anymore; going to church is very occasional for me now. I had this reasoning that I would be serving God again when I retire from work, maybe when I am around 40. I would just be putting a small business, and I would have much time for God. However, Given Grace made me recognize that I am not sure if I would be given that chance of reaching 40 and be able to avail of the early retirement package and just put up a business. God can take me anytime. Moreover, it is not true that I am too busy and that I do not have time to serve God. I always have time; it's just that I am opting not to use them to serve Him.
Today, Given Grace will be laid to rest. I was really thinking of going to her funeral, but I realized that I need to be in the office today. I may not be there physically, but my heart is with all those people who mourn and grieve for her loss. I am one of those people who are saying goodbye to her with heavy heart. And I am also one of those many people who say thank you to her for touching our lives and making us understand that we always have time to serve God.
Given Grace, we know that you are now with our God and you are very happy there in heaven. Your name says so much about you, and you are indeed a blessing for many people. I am sure that you will forever live in the hearts of the many people you touched.
