miracles still do happen

It started out as a tragedy. Then it turned into suspense. Now it’s ending with cheers and joy of tears. And it’s not even a film or a soap opera. It’s the real-life drama of rescuing 33 Chilean mine workers trapped for more than two months 629 meters below earth’s surface.

When this story first broke out back in August, I shrugged it off as just another tragedy that the mining industry is full of. And to be perfectly honest, I was thinking that the succeeding reports would be that of grieving families lighting candles for their loved ones that they’ve lost, buried somewhere near the bowels of the earth. Never did I expect that a miracle like this will happen.

It was after two weeks that the same story caught my attention again. They found the miners who were able to send a note to the surface saying that all 33 of them are alive and well. Just finding them is already a spark of hope so big I think it captured the attention and interest of people the world over. Since then I’ve watched with great interest the progress report about the whole rescue operation.

Initial assessment said that the miners can be brought back up to surface by Christmas. And it didn’t look good. I was thinking to myself that the longer they stay holed up in that place, the riskier it will be. A huge earthquake has just ravaged their country. If the earth moves again in or around that area, death of the miners is almost certain.

Aside from that, I was thinking that staying in that condition for an extended period can do damage to their well-being. They’ve probably held strong and full of hope up until that point when they were discovered but I’m sure that hope is fading by the day. Besides, I can only imagine the psychological stress they are going through. It is definitely one harrowing experience. And I was hoping they can be rescued much sooner.

Fortunately, the rescue operation took an amazing speed. All of a sudden, they came up with 3 escape plans, one designed to anticipate failure of the other. All making sure that the end result will be achieved. A few days more, and they’ve already bore a hole that reached the area where the miners are confined. And now, I’m watching the 18th man literally being brought back to life. And I must admit I join the cheering every time a miner emerges from that capsule.

Why was I so absorbed about this whole thing, you might ask. I’m not even a Chilean. Chile is halfway around the globe from the Philippines. I didn’t even have relatives or friends who work in the mining industry. What did I care for in all of this? Well, for a few reasons.

One, its reality tv at its best. The individual stories of the miners being presented to the world by news reports from BBC to Euro News to Al-Jazeera are quite touching. One miner became a father to a cute baby without his presence to experience the occasion first hand. Another guy promised his long-time girlfriend they’d marry as soon as he’s back up. And of course, the endless hugging, crying and kissing when the miners were finally able to see their loved ones after the ordeal. These stories are great materials for a tv show. Or a movie. In fact, I’m sure that if it happened in the Philippines, movie producers will already be scrambling for the rights to film it.

Secondly, it’s history in the making. No rescue of such nature has ever happened before. And the planning, engineering work and technical genius that went into it is unprecedented. Sure the Chilean government had help from outside as far as equipments, technology and expertise are concerned. But I must credit the Chilean leaders who put so much effort into this whole exercise. They didn’t give up hope and forged ahead, not letting the earth devour 33 of their men.

Third, and most importantly, it is one story that proves to us once again that whatever tragedy befell men, prayers and faith plays a vital role. Believing that a higher being is there to deliver us from harm. In short, it is one huge proof that at this day and age, miracles still do happen. And all we have to do is to believe.

As the flamboyant Mario Sepulveda (the second man lifted to surface), said "I've been with God and the devil.  They fought.  And God won."