The first time I heard my uncle (Benny Quiñones) mention her name, I was curious. Did I hear it right? Did he just say “his Lola” (granny) is coming to the Philippines to attend the Asian Forum? I was not surprised to know that someone from another country would attend the event. That was already expected. It was when my uncle said Lola Ruthie from the U.S. will attend the Asian Forum that my curiosity got stirred.
Who is Lola Ruthie? Why is he my uncle’s Lola? (I know my uncle’s maternal and paternal grandparents have all passed away some time ago, so how come he’s talking about a Lola?) How old is she? Would it not be a hassle for her to negotiate the terrible Manila traffic?
Lola Ruthie, I found out later, is the grandmother of my uncle’s wife (Olga Quiñnones). She is Tita Olga’s mother’s aunt.
On the first day of the Asian Forum, October 17, 2007, I met Lola Ruthie for the first time . She was dazzling in a light green Filipiniana terno. She was all smiles to everyone she met, including us, the volunteers. I couldn’t believe she was that agile. She doesn’t look like Tita Olga’s grandma. She looks more like my aunt’s aunt who is probably 30 years younger! Lola Ruthie looked much younger than I imagined her to be. She was so accommodating to everyone who approached her. It was like we were all her long lost friends when we actually met for the first time.
I had no slightest idea about Lola Ruthie’s charitable work in the Philippines apart from the fact that she would cut the ribbon to officially open the Art Exhibit of the Asian Forum. That was all I knew as I was assigned to hand over to her the scissors which which to cut the ribbon. I was intrigued even more when a co-volunteer told me that she and husband Larry Norton were their sponsors. Sponsor of what, I asked. Sponsors of their training course, the Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Course (YLEC). My co-volunteers marveled on my ignorance about On Eagle Wing’s Foundation, so they related to me how the Foundation helped change lives of the young people who attended the entrepreneurship training.
The Nortons’ desire to give to this generation is awe inspiring. I have profound respect for people who generously and voluntarily give. But from my perspective, greater are the people who help train the youth and future leaders. I happen to believe, to put an old Chinese adage differently, that a fellow who “gives a person a fish” would enable that person to eat for a day, but the one who “teaches a person to fish” would enable him to eat for a lifetime.
The On Eagle Wing’s Foundation has helped a number of young people to become entrepreneurs through the YLEC. It is a six-month course consisting of intensive, 4-hour once-a-month classroom instruction followed by a do-it-yourself practicum in between.
That, for me, is teaching the younger generation to fish. Instead of just giving them money, they are being trained to make money.
Such a noble goal. Our Filipino youth needs to have a wider perspective of how to live and lead. This is what YLEC has done for them. YLEC was made possible by people who were willing to finance it. I feel a deep sense of gratitude on behalf of the Filipino youth to Lola Ruthie, Lolo Larry, and Thomas Grime - the founders and current Directors of On Eagle’s Wings Foundation – for being instrumental in enabling young people to take hold of their future by learning how to fish.
Being a Filipina youth myself, I am inspired to have met and talked to a generous and purpose-driven woman like Lola Ruthie. No one would begrudge her if she spent her money for herself – after all, she is well advanced in years and she deserves to enjoy the fruits of her labor. But then, she chose to give and be a channel of blessings for the benefit of the YLEC participants.
I can name a few women who remind me of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Lola Ruthie tops the list of virtuous women I have met so far. Her enthusiasm, agility, and purpose-driven life at her age sum up my impression about her life – she lived it well and gave her best like the good steward in whom the Lord God is well pleased.
I am honored to have met her.
Karen Quiñones
Volunteer
Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy 2007
Quezon city, Philippines
Email: oh_khaye@hotmail.com
http://kayebride.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Lola_Ruthie
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During the Asian Forum, I wondered who this couple was [see photo]. I wondered because although advanced in years, it amazed me that they actively participated in the Asian Forum and even moved about the trade exhibit. As we opened the Art Exhibit, it was there that I realized that she was Lola Ruthie whom Ben would talk about every now and then. It was indeed a pleasure to meet her. Now Rosanne and I are eager to meet Olga. I always say that since I met Ben, so much changed in my life [positively!]. That makes Rosanne and I excited to meet his better half.
Romulo S. Romero
Managing Director
OTi Consulting Philippines, Inc.
Tel. +632 8884490-91
Fax +632 8884492
Mobile: +639189199293
Email: rsromero@oticonsulting.com
Web: www.oticonsulting.com
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First of all, I’d like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend the Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy (October 17-20,2007, University of the Philippines, Quezon city) Earlier on, I was apprehensive that my parents would object to my participation in the Asian Forum because I had just been released from the hospital for a minor operation. But my strong desire to attend an international event, which would be my first international exposure, led me to pray. I believe God moved my parents to allow me to attend this once-in-a lifetime event.
On the first day of the Asian Forum, I have learned so much from all the people I’ve met. I was assigned to the Ushering team, and that gave me the opportunity to apply the things I’ve learned as a Communication Arts graduate. I assisted in registering foreign delegates, took time to talk to them and to give them a glimpse of the many wonderful things in the Philippines and its joyous people. This exposure gave me a rich field in which I could practice my public relations skills. Despite the Volunteer’s hectic work in the physical preparations for the event, and even heavier workload during the registration of delegates, I found joy and fulfillment in what I was doing. I simply felt excited about this great experience and I made a lot of new friends, not only from the Philippines but from other countries as well. I felt my life’s horizon expanded beyond the usual borders of my daily grind and that my worldview broadened about people, the economy, and our environment. Most of all, I learned from the Asian Forum workshops how to be socially responsible, starting with the immediate tasks assigned to me and the bigger tasks that lie ahead of me.
Then one day, on October 18, the National Youth for Servant Leadership (NYSL) invited me to a meeting with some guests from the U.S. – Mr. Larry Norton, Lola Ruthie, and Mr. Thomas Grime from On Eagle’s Wings Foundation. Being a new member of NYSL, I was not privy to the meeting’s agenda. But as I attended the meeting and listened to the testimonies, I learned that NYSL particularly the founders and old members have gone through a lot of productive learning experience. Consequently, I was deeply inspired to commit my time and effort to the ministry of NYSL
In that meeting, I learned a lot more from Lola Ruthie. I was moved when she told us that they (Lola Ruthie, Mr. Norton, and Mr. Grime) have always prayed for us, although they did not know us by name. I realized how much we meant to them. I was highly encouraged by the leadership by example they have modeled for us. They have taught me to also pray for them as they have prayed for us.
Today, I always pray that God will pour double portion of manifold blessings to Lola Ruthie and the OEWF. I will never forget the assistance they extended to many indigent youth from my village. I am grateful to the Lord for their continuing commitment to be a blessing to youth organizations in my country.
Noelle Contessa Y. Paz
Member, NYSL
Bagong Silang, Caloocan city
MetroManila, Philippines
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I truly appreciate your action of stepping out in faith in taking practical steps of establishing an alternative economy, by way of investing on SREs (socially responsible enterprises). You are an example of someone living out his faith in God, as faith without work is dead!
I am really, really grateful to the Lord for giving me a chance to work with (Kuya Ben Quiñones), Ate Olga (Quiñones), Lolo Larry and Lola Ruthie! I see God’s work in your lives as available vessels for His noble use for economic transformation in our time. Thank you very much for all your sacrifices…..your efforts….. and for investing your talents and resources in helping transform the economic landscape of the Philippines!
I also see God’s faithfulness in your lives…. that as you all make yourselves available for His use.. and make His kingdom and His righteousness a priority, God never lacks in providing everything that you need… and even beyond.
For this year, I pray for more of God’s anointing to be upon all of you; and declare more wisdom, good health, prosperity, favor, discernment and peace to be with you and to your loved ones as you continue to serve in the kingdom of God.
Hilda Panganiban
Executive Assistant
Tekton Business Development Organization
Room 104, Institute of Small Scale Industries (ISSI)
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon city, Philippines
Email: because710@yahoo.com
