Kara David reminisces on her reporter days, calls on everyone to have an open heart for others

Although Christmas is nearly a month over, Kara David has shared a message of humility, love, and compassion, citing her early days as a reporter.

In a YouTube video posted Tuesday, the anchor said that even in today’s health crisis, hope and comfort could be found in those who had an open heart for others and called on everyone to be that kind of person.

“Nawa’y maging kanlungan din tayo ng malasakit para sa ating kapwa,” she said.

She cited three experiences with indigenous people that opened her eyes to the things that matter and these were all times when she needed help.

First was in Mindoro Occidental when she was separated from her team while looking for an endangered tamaraw at night without food and water.

“’Di ko alam kung papano ako makakabalik sa aming camp ta’s may nakita akong parang mga alitaptap [na] mga sulo pala ng mga katutubong Mangyan. Sila ang sumaklolo sa akin,” she said.

Next was in 2001 when one of their directors for a documentary fell into a ravine in Mindoro Oriental. Although equipped with a first aid kit, it wasn’t enough to help him.

“Gumawa sila ng papag na kawayan tapos tulong-tulong sila, binuhat nila, hanggang makarating kami sa ospital,” Kara narrated, reminiscing their four-hour walk.

“Pagdating namin don, wala silang hininging kapalit. Natural lamang daw sa tao ang tumulong sa kanyang kapwa,” she added.

One that she “will never forget” was when she and her team were flooded and close to danger, until indigenous people came to their rescue.

“Hindi namin sila kilala. Nakatira lang sila sa may kagubatan tapos nakita nila na kami’y nahihirapan,” she said.

“Nagkapit-bisig sila, sinuong nila yung rumaragasang tubig at iniligtas ang bawat isa sa amin,” she continued.

Kara shared that when she was starting out in the industry, she wished to cover the government and big personalities. However, she was placed in the mountains with indigenous people.

“’Yung mga katutubo nung time na ’yon, pinandidirihan ’yung iba sa kanila, tinatawag silang primitibo, walang pinag-aralan, hindi raw naliligo at walang sibilisasyon,” she said.

The anchor and host also admitted to having the same mindset before, without meeting them yet.

“Madali kasi sa atin manghusga sa mga taong ’di naman natin kilala. Madali para sa atin yung manghusga base lamang sa ating nabasa o narinig sa ating kapwa,” Kara said.

“Nung naranasan kong makipamuhay sa mga katutubo, doon ko napagtanto na nagkamali pala ako,” she added.

The host also used to question the setting of Jesus’ birth, but now realized why it happened in a manger and why it was attended by shepherds.

“Mga simpleng pastol ang nakasaksi ng pinagpalang araw na iyon dahil ang tunay na kahalagahan ng isang tao ay hindi nasusukat sa edukasyon, yaman [at] estado sa lipunan,” she said.

“Ang taong pinakamahalaga ay ang taong marunong mag-bukas ng kanyang puso sa iba,” Kara added.

The anchor and host delivered this Christmas message at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. – RC, GMA News