Perspective

The Reality of Life

2023-12-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

As we grow in age and wisdom, we realize that life is multi-faceted. There are different ways to understand it. But the question is not about listing the ways. What is important is the willingness to understand, which many people find it hard to do.

Sad to say that only few people give their best to understand the multi-faceted of life. If only people will make the effort, then there will be a genuine dialogue that leads to peaceful co-existence. Perhaps, it is not only about peaceful co-existence. It is about making our life meaningful.

This is Christmas season, which is a season of merry-making by children. Christmas is not anymore for old people because they have already surpassed the merry-making stage. This season must be a reminder for old people to get into the reality of life towards the essence of Christmas, that is, Jesus is born for us.

People may not be able to understand this essence of Christmas since they have different outlook on it. But only when people understand that the season is what made for us, then life as a whole becomes meaningful.

Have a very Merry Chrismas!

The Presence of the Dean and the Faculty Frolics 2017

2017-03-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

I realize that the participation of the dean of college in the activity of the faculty cannot be underestimated. Last February 16, 2017, the college of arts and sciences won the 2^nd place (or First Runner Up. The champion of the contest was the College of Education) in the faculty frolic under the big college category. All I can is that the participation of our dean is a big factor to the success of the contest.

His presence from Day 1 up to the last day of the practice serves as a sort of intimidation. It is of natural instance that when the superior is present, the subordinates would attend the practice without any second thought. He was there from the beginning until the end of every practice observing and assisting in whatever way he could in the finale part of the presentation. In short, all I can say is that his presence is intimidating, yet inspiring at the same time.

Second, his interest in the contest led him to participate by joining the dance during the finale. By the way, the concept of the presentation was about GOT TALENT where each department has to give a 2-minute presentation either dancing, or singing or short, funny drama. After each department did their part, together, the CAS faculty-participants, would gather in the middle of the stage and have the mass dance before doing the exit. And the dean was joyously dancing with all his heart out.

And lastly, his support is unwavering by providing us with arroz caldo during the practice. The practice was done from 6:00 to 7:30PM. Undeniably it was a time for dinner, but yet he took the initiative to be the provider to our hungry stomachs. Thus everyone was energetic and cooperative throughout the practice.

So, every time there is an event like the faculty frolic, expect that teachers would do their best to bring out their natural talent only when the head of the unit is actively present, participating and supporting the group with the end in mind of achieving the goal, that is, of winning the contest.

The Fuss of Apologizing

2015-12-15T19:25:00.003-08:00

It was during the month of October that the old conflict between the Aquinos and Marcoses surfaced boldly. President Pinoy answers the media that the Marcoses should apologize the Filipino people for the atrocities they committed during the dictator's regime. And the young Senator Bongbong also answers the media that being elected in various positions like his mother into congress and his sister as governor of their province is an indication of vindication. That means that people have already moved on as what the young senator claim. First, I am puzzled why this thing has to be an issue again as we approach the 2016 election. Let me give some simple analysis to their claims, and then conclude with my opinion.

The president is suggesting the Marcoses should issue an apology to the victims of human rights under the latter's watch. Does he mean that all the Marcoses belong to the first family should do so? Senator Miriam Santiago has already said that she did not see the young Marcos killing or raping or violating the penal code. She also recalled that that time of former president's reign, the young Marcos was still very young. She should mean that he did not have any hand in political ruling and decision making. Bongbong emphatically says that what wrong did he make to make him pay for the things he did not do so. What i see here is that the father's wrongdoing is not his. The wrongdoings of other people cannot be passed on to his children.

In morality by Glenn, the imputability lies on the doer of a thing. If the doer did something wrong, he is imputed by his act and he is to be blame. And the young Marcos and Senator Miriam have the same point. But why Pinoy is insisting that they, the Marcoses, should issue an apology? If we follow the point of the president, I think, even the children of the children of the dictator should do so who had stayed in Malacañan. It is for eternity that they would carry the burden to apologize the people, as if they all inherit the original sin of the doer.

How about treating the election to power as vindication? Again the statement of the young Marcos is ambiguous. Some would deal the statement as the three Marcoses - the senator, congresswoman and the governor. Vindication is applied only to the senator because those who voted him are Filipinos coming from the whole country while the other two are from their own populace. This can be compared to arroyo's ascendancy to power as congresswoman after being labeled as the unpopular president mired by accusations of graft, corruption, plunder, etc.

To sum up with my opinion, the young senator has nothing to do with his father's wrongdoings. If the president says that the people would not allow another Marcos to sit in the palace, it would be the decision of the Filipino people to decide. If he is elected, then that would be another vindication.

Being Someone

2015-12-08T22:08:00.000-08:00

Why I am writing this piece of opinion? It is to show to others that being employed with particular job prescription (or identity) like being a professor or government employee is better than being a businessman.

A good friend of mine was sharing this simple but profound thought about the importance of identity. This happens in the midst of our petty business talk. Both of us are regular employees, earning minimum wage. But our situation is compensated with passive income offered to us by a very good friend of ours who is into business. Our friend is very successful in his career as businessman.

But what transpired in our conversation is his realization. My friend said that being employed is totally different from someone who engaged in business alone. His thought became clear when he made a distinction between a businessman and being employed as worker. He used me as an example - wherever I go, I will be easily identified by anybody else as an instructor of a certain university without identifying me with money. In short even though i am without money, I still am called an instructor. It is because money is not the defining factor of my being a teacher. But a businessman is not the case. He is identified as such with money. If a businessman has no more money, he cannot be called anymore as such.

Thanks for the thought, my friend.

Corporate World has no more rooms for Married Individuals

2013-08-17T03:06:00.000-07:00

Married individuals are human beings with needs in life like food, clothing and shelter. Being married comes from various ages of any person according to their plan as lovers and the plan of God. When one enters into this life, his status changes too. This is an opportunity given to all for free. It is considered the greatest moment in one’s life where life is now settled with the sense of direction. But this opportunity is not at all a happy thing in the corporate world. Being married is treated without the sense of direction for commodity-type mentality.

Corporate world has set the standard for its people in manning and operating its business machinery. This standard is making the institution as center of excellence with maximum profit in the guise of service in catering the needs of the consumers. And so the qualified people could be part of the machinery are the single and young people. These are the two criteria, aside from the “whom-you-know and what-you-know scheme,” that they see deem fit within the definition of excellence.

They need single people because, first and foremost, they can extend their working time according to their discretion within and beyond the bounds of their role. Single people are free from family obligation and could give their service 24/7. And secondly they hire young people because they are energetic, smart and strong. Usually people are considered young are from 21 to 25 years old. (Just look at the ads of many establishments!) Maybe the criteria of idealism and enthusiasm are part of “excellence.” With these perceptions, we may infer the opposite that being married has none of the above to be part of excellence.

Excellence is a cruel term in my opinion. Excellence discriminates married people from having the opportunity to be part of the corporate world despite of one’s merit. These two things – being married and having the merit – could not make you qualified to be their working forces. And this is how the corporate world upholds and defines their standard. Is this something similar to contraceptive-mentality where the message is this: while you are still young, energetic, and idealistic, “stay single yet coz we need you!” and to those who are married and old, “sorry, we don’t need you anymore!”

Why only in the Philippines, known as the only Christian nation, do these things happening? Many Filipinos who are married and old (26 years old and above) find themselves difficult of getting employed and the only option left is to go abroad. Employers from the foreign lands seems to know the meaning of “being human” than Filipinos. These foreigners understand well that even married and old people could be part of defining excellence because they believe in them that they have the energy, they are smart and strong to be part of the corporate world.

This is the saddest part in Philippine history. We are known to be champions of democracy before the world, but in reality, we never understand the essence of democracy of freeing people from discrimination. Instead of becoming icons of being human and Christian, we become the icons of inhumanity and paganism, for we prioritize profit or money at the expense of young and single people. I hope that young and single people may see this ugly reality defined by the corporate people. No wonder we are the only persons to be blamed of indignity and cruelty.

Bridge and Peace

2013-07-13T03:04:00.000-07:00

In reading the full text of Pope Francis on his remark during the audience with the representatives of the diplomatic corps, two things catch my attention. First is about being the bridge. He said that it is difficult to build bridge among people while forgetting god, and to build links with god while ignoring other people. The second point is about the definition of peace. He said that there is no peace without truth, and when there are many truths!

The first point defines the term bridge in a divine way. Being the bridge means building a unique community of people and of god. It is not an ordinary community. It is a sacred and divine community, a presence of the holy. Thus being the bridge must be a lover of people and of god. He does not divide people and separate them from god. It is impossible to think of a community without god, and it is unimaginable to conceive a community with god while excluding other people.

The second point defines peace in the presence of truth. Truth becomes as the compass or guide towards the path of peace. But this truth is not any truths. It is a truth believed by all. Thus peace means unity in mind and heart by all people. It is a unity in mind where all people are one in believing and understanding of truth. It is the opposite of relativism.

Pope Francis brings to the surface the real meaning of community - a community that is divine, composed of people and god, and by having god as the originator of that community.

Is RH law pro-abortion?

2013-06-15T02:38:00.000-07:00

Last semester of the academic year, I kept on following the progress and stages of the controversial issue on the reproductive health, which is now a law, and its continuous opposition by the Catholic Church. The church is the staunchest protester against the issue. I even downloaded the whole text of the then Reproductive Health Bill 4244 and shared it to my students.

I read the whole text of the bill, and it says nothing about promoting abortion. In fact the bill is really against abortion. But what I suspect about in the allegation of promoting abortion is that one of the contraceptives under the artificial family planning has the abortifacient effect which the church is referring to. But again, in the final text, which I now a law, pro-lawmakers have made clear that the contraceptives with abortifacient effect should not be make available. Instead on contraceptives with non-abortifacient effect be made available. It also gives directives to the Department of Health to see to it that there are no contraceptives be given, made available or distribute which has the said effect.

The second point is this, that those women who ask for post-abortion help will be assisted by health institutions. It is their obligation to ensure their physical health because the bill is for the good health of the citizens. It shows that the law is really humane on these people who even underwent the illegal process of aborting their own child, and who are on the verge of dying or when there is danger to their health.

Now, let us tackle the question. Is the RH Law pro-abortion or not? The answer is a big NO. Where does my answer come from? It comes from the reading of the whole text of RH Bill 4244 or RH Law 10534.

Ex-Priests to Politics and the Catholic Vote

2013-05-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

As far as my consciousness is concern, only the time of GMA’s regime that some of the men in cloth are courageous enough to disobey the age-old centuries Church’s law and get involved in politics. They are suspended from their ministerial service because of such act. But they are ready to give their selves in civic service for the great number of people, regardless of their beliefs.

And for the past three consecutive elections, only Among Ed won and got into the arena of politics in the first election, but later on was unseated by his opponent after election count was done and proclaimed the latter as the real winner. For the second and third elections, he never did it even running under the ticket of the present administration which represents good governance.

There are three priests, as far as I know, aspire to become public servant, i.e. Fr. Ed Panlilio on Pampanga’s gubernatorial race, Fr. Leo Casas on Masbate’s gubernatorial race, and Msgr. Cris dela Cruz on Zamboanga’s congressional race, and all of them did not make it. This is a very sad experience for the Catholic people as a whole. Where are they? I am thinking about the support of the Catholics to these fellow Catholics.

A tiny part of the congregation has grouped themselves for a cause after the devastating defeat of being passed the reproductive health bill into law by the current administration. That cause is to try to prove that there is such a thing as Catholic Vote. This is to counter the survey conducted that most of the Catholics are supporting the RH Law. Sad to say that the stalwarts of this Catholic vote did not include these ex-priests in their list of support for good governance.

In the first place, these ex-priests did not abandon their service to the people. Their service even expands from serving the Catholics to non-Catholics as well. These men of the cloth are also citizens of this country. But why this movement did not give their support? Is it because out of obedience to their teachers and their teachings of the Church? Where is the sense of common good? Even the Ang Kapatiran Party, as supported by the teachers of the Church, promotes that idea as part of their social justice ideology.

These Catholics did not live up to their identity as ‘Catholics.’ If the word catholic means universal, then they should not only deal the issue on pro-life alone. I am sure that these ex-priests also embrace the idea of pro-life and live the ministerial service for greater service such as for the common good. It is with deep regret that within the catholic congregation, they do not support each other for the common cause to fight the evils in the society.

What do we have here is a picture of division and discrimination within the catholic fold. The men in authority are throwing their all-out support to this catholic vote movement for the purpose of getting the number of lawmakers who are pro-life in the congress. And still these same people did not encourage their flock to throw their support for these ex-priests in the name of disobedience to the Church law.

Traditional People or “Tra-Ple”

2013-05-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

Election 2013 is over for senatorial and local contests. People have spoken their will through voting, and the winners have already been proclaimed. What is the next step after the national and local events? It is time for the winners to prove their worth and to put their agenda into practice. This is the usual scenario we witness ever since we become citizens of this country.

We have a democratic and republican system of government in the Philippines. Yes, any one is entitled not only to vote but also to participate in the election by being a candidate, provided he is qualified to be one. And this is the democratic spirit where all citizens are given and treated with equal standing with the rest. But not everyone’s wish is granted.

Only few of the citizens are blest with power and authority as vested by the people according to the Constitution of 1987. One political analyst has said that there are only 14 families who rule the country. And these ‘14 families’ are being called ‘political dynasties’ where family members and relatives are holders of such positions in the government.

The rise of these families is caused by two-fold causes. The first one is their good performances. The eldest Binay in the government has vindicated that their victory in the election is based on their performances. He has two daughters in the Congress and a son as mayor of Makati. I would like to agree with him that performance is one of the indicators of peoples’ choices, just like the Dutertes of Davao City. The other cause is not stemming from the politicians’ performances. And what is this?

If there is such thing as traditional politicians, also known as ‘trapos,’ I believe that there is also other phenomenon to explain the rise of these families into power. This is now on the part of the people, who, at the same time, the source of politicians’ power. They elect their candidates not according to their performance, but according to their traditional names. In short people choose them because they are carrying and inheriting influential names. And sad to say, the winners they have chosen are poor in their performances.

Why do I say this? It is because the electors do not mind about their performances. What is important to them is to place people in positions because they feel comfortable with them for the reason that their parents or grandparents have done something great for their constituents. Through this Filipino trait called debt of gratitude, citizens perpetuate them in power despite of their poor performances.

From this perspective, I could say that the kind of leaders in power reflects the kind of the majority of the electorate. There are the traditional people or “tra-ple.” Sometimes it is only ourselves to blame when the political affairs fails. We fail to play the game fairly. If we think we are contented and satisfied with the way we think, I guess we are wrong. We are always the losers in this scenario.

As Filipino and Catholic and the RH Law

2013-03-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

The RH Law 10354 is the approved version of the former RH Bill 4244. It is a controversial issue both for the pro-life and the Catholic Church. They consider the law as anti-life because of the promotion of contraceptives as under the artificial family planning. There are two words to bear in mind – contra as against and conception as life. Thus it is labeled as anti-life. The stand of the Catholic Church is pro-life, and it is against the teaching of hers.

As a professed Catholic, my stand is a clear no to the RH Law. And anybody who belongs to the circle of the Catholic Church must take the conservative approach by saying no to RH Law. But on the other hand, as a citizen of the country, I must look myself in the bigger picture. There are many people living in this country who are different from me. I am a Catholic and others are not Catholic, or not all Filipinos are Catholics and not all Catholics are Filipinos in this country.

Therefore, in the spirit of fairness and democracy, I think I have to consider the law. There are people who are pro-RH based on their beliefs and cultures. I must not deprive others who are for it. In this sense, there is this genuine exercise of conscience. Since I am a Catholic, I will act according to what I believe by using only the natural family planning method.

I am sure that our Catholic leaders will not give up in its advocacy to promote life and abhor that which promoting death. The RH Law is likened to the apple in the Garden of Eden. It is the duty of our religious leaders to strength the morals and faith of her followers so that they will not succumb to the temptation of using the contrary method.

Phenomenal Discrimination against Women, Married and Age-Statuses

2013-03-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

I was lecturing on Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy when this thought came to my mind which is not about feminism. Beauvoir’s philosophy is about feminism. Feminism is a philosophic idea that would go against the mentality men-as-dominant in everything, from simple concepts to great application in life. There are two extremes of feminism – liberal and radical. The liberal feminists are already on their half-way battle (the right to suffrage and equality in salary), while the radicals are still on the genesis of their cause, like same-sex marriage and women ordination to priesthood. But there is another kind of discrimination that I describe as very terminal. It is all about against married-status and age-status.

If feminism has arisen due to patriarchal mentality where men are considered as first-class citizens and the former as second-class, this phenomenal discrimination is done in the name of production. Production is the name considered as the key to success to business people. Production is the aim for these people because the logic is this, that the more the production, the more the profit. All of them have one goal in life – it is more money.

In this kind of situation at this particular period of history, the once-upon-a-time important term ‘human’ is not anymore thought of this time. Still the term finds its place in the language of love, but all is superficial. Love for human has no more room today. Look at the classified ads or places in any establishments where you find the tag FOR HIRE, there and then you will find discrimination. It is a discrimination of a kind in terms of age-status and civil-status ‘must be single.’

What do the single have in life that they are the choices of companies today? One word would describe them, and that is they are free. Singles do not have responsibility. They own the time. And ones their employers would demand for extra time, they are always available. On the other hand, married people have responsibility towards their children and their spouses. Thus they are not all the time available. What about the young compared to the people of certain age or shall we say ‘not fresh graduates?’ The young people are vibrant, energetic and easy to trained, while the graduates after 10 years are treated as none of the above.

In this form of discrimination, the feminists’ cause is not yet resolved. If women are married and have reached a certain age of disqualification, discrimination goes on and on. The mentality of men as greater than women has expanded in scope and expounded in meaning. What would be the best resolution to the imbalance of humanity? I guess critical thinkers are finding ways to construct a new paradigm to go against the tide of divisiveness.

Laws of man dwindles the Catholic Faith

2013-02-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

Last Monday (February 11, 2013) the whole world heard the shocking news about the resignation of the pope as leader of 1.2 billion Catholics. As a Catholic, I am saddened by the event. And after learning about the reasons of his immediate resignation, I begin to understand humanely. His Holiness’ decision opens a wide array of insights regarding the nature of power and service. And there are a lot of ideas pouring in through social media.

One of the bishops’ emeritus of the Philippines explains the highlight on why the pope declares the celebration of the faith since last year. One of them is the statistically decline of the faith of Catholics especially in Europe, which is considered as the seed of Catholicism, and other parts of the world. And I agree with his idea. And expectedly there is mass exodus of Catholics whose faith is dwindling and looking for steady faith. What is the usual cause of this phenomenon?

In one of the discussions in my class on religion, a student raised this question whether a person can still be saved without going to mass everyday because deep in that person’s heart he has that lively faith in Jesus. I asked her for the reason of the person’s not going to mass. And she said that he got discouraged to go to mass because of people in the church who are not acting as religious for which they are called for.

This is an example of which many of our religious leaders not serious with their calling. They run the church in accordance with the standard of the world. Sad to say, I have been witnessing this act of theirs ever since. Running the affairs of the church by using the standard of the world confuses their followers. What the followers are expecting is seeing these religious people doing and continuing the mission of Jesus with the laws of God as tool.

It is indeed a contradiction! There can be an inch of compatibility between the law of God and the law of man. The laws of God show the way in leading the people to righteousness. But the laws of man seem to be the best option for them in running its affairs. I agree with the opinion of another student that it is not the genuine love of God that is present in their hearts but it is the love of money. I hope and pray that the next pope of the Catholic Church will be someone who can reproach the religious leaders to do their sacred duty and enforce to study theology, not on education and other mundane disciplines, to better carry out their mission entrusted by Jesus to them.

Action Legitimizes Religion

2013-02-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

I ask myself if what I am writing makes sense. It is because it is going to be religion. I understand that religion has its own territory. When people of certain religious group finds intruder, i.e. saying something against or attacking its territory, they get hurt and offended. And the natural impulse is to defend it. In theology there is a subject that devotes on how to defend religion called apologetic.

But there is another way wherein religion is being intruded. This is something very subtle because it is an indirect offense, but its effect is really deadly. By this I mean the presence of technology that gets the attention of people away from religion. It is because technology is something that is entertaining, concrete and satisfying. I am not saying that religion is not entertaining, concrete and satisfying, but it is not felt.

I believe religion calls for action. It is action that concretizes the abstract. And if I am not mistaken, Vatican II proposes that witnessing is needed in this present and modern world. It is a basic idea like when we express our love towards the beloved, we do something unusual, but it is extraordinary, in order for the beloved to see our intention and love. Thus, what is abstract is now being felt.

St. James in his letter also affirms that faith without action is dead. It means or we can infer that non-action makes faith soul-less because a body without soul is not anymore a body. It is simply a cadaver. Cadaver signifies that there is no soul present in it. Conversely faith becomes alive when it is accompanied with action. It is action that becomes the principle of faith in the midst of technology by making faith entertaining, concrete and satisfying.

A person claiming to be Christian believes in what Jesus Christ did and said. If that person puts everything what Jesus did and said into action, that person is successful in making his religion alive. It is the religious person, in participating in the mission of the Church, who gives life to his religion. I do believe that our action as Christians legitimize our religion. But if people who does not put the words and works of Jesus into action they are killing their own religion. They become the modern walking cadavers and intruders within the territory.

The Alarming Increase of Mendicancy

2013-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

I was traveling on my way home during Christmas break. I was riding a public bus. Along the way, there were parts of the road which were under renovation and this cause one- way passable. There were many children plunked near the transportations and asking for money from the passengers. And the thought of Christmas came to my mind that it is a time to give and to share. And so people gave a peso or two.

In those days I was in need of money, and so I went to the ATM to withdraw. When I pushed my ATM card and was about to press the PIN code, suddenly a man in his mid-40s just appeared right me, extending his hand and asking for money. It took me a second to retrieve my card in a hurry because I was confused whether that man was indeed honest in asking for money or had other intention, i.e. to cause me harm. (It was an excused act because crime in broad daylight could just happen anytime. In fact burglary is rampant.)

Throughout the vacation, one thing is very clear to me, i.e. there is rise of mendicants everywhere. And so several questions came to my mind like: Does it reflect about the reality of socio-financial problem in the society? Did the local government not regulate the economic condition for the good of their constituents? Why are there many children becoming mendicants? Did their parents give them permission to do so? Or did the parents encourage them to ask because they do not have decent jobs or no food on the table?

These are some of the questions that I cannot find the answer. There are only two conflicting approaches I know regarding mendicancy. From the teaching of the Bible, it tells about the role of giving and helping the poor and the needy. When we do something for the poor, we do it for Christ. And from the 1987 Philippine Constitution that tells us about anti-mendicancy because it teaches these people how to be lazy or instilling the wrong values, instead of hardworking and patience.

Up to this moment of writing, my limited mind is wandering what would be the best approach to this social problem. All I know is that poverty breeds criminality due to hopeless and ‘survival of the fittest’ situation. All I know is that the right way to tackle this situation is to give a broad and long-term solution like investment and employment. In that way the government makes the economic surging concrete by benefiting not only the rich and the business sectors but also the poor and the needy.

Career Alone is Stupidity!

2012-12-15T23:50:00.000-08:00

There are many naïve people in the society, religiously affiliated, preach about the kingdom of heaven and ignoring the reality of earth. So they get busy injecting with their doctrinal preaching of self-denial and charity or service on their charges, but they never practice such doctrines. They never will because their minds are on the benefits which are, in the first place, of the things supposed to be for ordinary men and women. And they have all the time hanging around the malls on weekends, instead on charity works and missionary calls.

But all these doctrinal preaching are deceiving, a thing can be considered as stupidity. The reason is this that ordinary men and women not clothed with an expensive and immaculate textile are not professed to live that kind of life. They are persuaded by their know-how to live, embrace, and imitate the virtues and rules they were supposed to dedicating their lives to their almighty. They want their charges be intoxicated on the concept of ‘career alone’ with their deceiving doctrines. And some people show their affirmation because of emotional and religious impulse with the promise of rewards here and in the afterlife.

The best thing to do in that kind of abnormal situation is balanced life – career and life – of their charges. Career refers to the kind of work applied and employed by the charges in their institution. And life is the means in achieving quality life as ordinary men and women. And in case you do not know what it is, just look at their own lifestyle, for they exhibit it. That is a balanced life meant not only for them but also for their charges. They find themselves impossible to live by career alone, thus it is a blunt stupidity on their part to preach ‘career alone.’ They deserve the promise of eternal damnation.

Morality in Crisis!

2012-11-17T23:46:00.000-08:00

Morality is in crisis! Morality is a topic that turns away peoples’ attention. Many do not want to discuss it. What are their reasons? Is it simply because morality is considered as a private thing and it serves as constraint to one’s freedom? Or some other hidden motives to meet the dark end?

How do we define morality?

The definition of morality is by nature broad in scope. It encompasses all actions and transactions in daily human affairs. Morality in its universal definition is ‘doing good and avoiding evil.’ Everybody understands it by people from all walks of life. And this universal definition is applicable to any philosophical doctrines and religious beliefs.

This is where the universal notion of morality comes out in different pictures. It is clothed with and fit according to one’s philosophical and religious notions. It is interesting to note that though it is clothed with different colors, still the highlight of its universality is always present, except for one thing: the scope becomes limited and defined to cater the selfish needs of some people.

Morality in Crisis

This is where the crisis of morality lies. People with selfish needs choose just a portion of morality. The universality of morality becomes the particularity of morality. It is a morality not well-rounded, not faithful to its definition.

In order to see and detect them, there is no need to read books about the subject or consult a moralist. By understanding the definition itself, one can deduce how it is being shortcut. Just open our eyes to see them around, especially the practices in action and transactions.

Innocence of the Poor

2012-10-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Authority is taught by the Church as gift from God. St. Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, writes about authority as of divine origin. If that is the case, then the holder of authority cannot have the luxury of abusing that power. But such the case is not the case at all.

Those in authority are known to be knowledgeable enough on how the institution works. And if such people in authority enjoy such knowledge, it is not far from reality in using it at her disposal. The privilege of having that disposition can be exercised in two ways – for the good of the institution and of others, or for the good of the institution but at the same time at the expense of others.

People working in the institution are innocent of what is really happening above. How does the organization work is not really their focus. Some of these people are by nature submissive to the imposition of the rules, either for their advantages or not. And some are just trying to go with the tide, but deep within them are full of ill-feelings of discontentment and low morale.

But since we are talking about authority being classified as of divine origin, those in the higher ups must have pondered enough the definition and implication of what authority is. That power is not inherited. That power is given. It is a privilege. And so it goes with great responsibility. The action of taking responsibility should be in equilibrium with that of one’s calling – as a Christian.

The realization should be this, that one must learn that authority as privilege does not come first. Before one is given the authority, one is being called by Christ to be his follower. And that should be the identity one must be aware of. What one becomes of the present is not all the case. It is not in isolation by discarding what was before, because discipleship comes first, then authority.

Dualistic Life

2012-09-15T01:42:00.000-07:00

The mandate of Jesus

When our Lord was about to ascend into heaven, he gave a mandate to his followers – the Church as People of God – to continue the mission of the Father. He fulfilled that same mandate entrusted to him by His Father in heaven. And that is exactly the mission by which the religious leaders have to comply by responding to the holy and divine call. That is character of their religiosity, their specific purpose. That is the kind of mentality should have been inculcated during their formation years, and to be manifested in their being religious and servants of God and the Church.

Doing Business

The mentality of doing the will of God - to continue the mission of the Father - should serve as the motivating factor in doing their daily task wherever they are assigned by their superiors. Doing business and gaining money is not part of their identity, and definitely an unbecoming as doers of the will of God. If any of this individual is engaging in such activity, that person has no place in the Church of God. The Church should not be mirrored as business institution where profit is the sole manifestation in their daily dealings with people. Theologically speaking the Church is a visible sacrament where salvation is distributed. Thus their concern should be the salvation of theirs and the people whom they are serving.

Dualistic Mentality

A professed religious person, sometimes, is the cause of confusion and scandal among his adherents. While these sacred people teach about the need to continue the mission of the Father, in their actions, they show exactly what the opposite is. And sometimes when the adherents criticize their wrongdoings, they have a bunch of encyclopedic reasons to apologetically justify what they do. The demarcation line of what is true or wrong identity of a religious is not clear anymore. What is left is double standard or dualistic kind of living. It is a living that contradictory binds the sacred mission of the Father and doing business by gaining money.

Perfect example

Living a double standard life produces negative consequences. And these are the weakening the faith of the ordinary people, confusing what we ought to do, and how to live our life according to the divine call. Many clerics, despite of their knowledge of the canon law, have made a realistic decision and follow the course of action according to the desires of their hearts. Two priests from Luzon and another couple of priests from Mindanao follow the call of political mission. They exit the convent to avoid further scandal and confusion. It is from this paradigm, I hope, that those professed religious people whose lives are identified as double standard must think several times and make the greater sacrifice to leave the comfort zone, or be reformed and faithfully follow the divine call of continuing the mission of God. If their hearts are the desire for wealth, then go into business, rather distorting the image of the Church.

Corruption in the Church

2012-08-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Some Filipinos experience the reality of poverty in the midst of their life. They don’t have the opportunity to land a good job or no job at all. This economic reason affects their financial status. Indeed money as we learn is not is the sole measure of man’s happiness. For Aristotle, it is the well-being of the person, ranging from economic, financial, to intellectual and spiritual too. And so this people develop the mentality of blaming the government as the cause of all miseries that poverty brings to humanity.

But it would be unfair to blame all the consequences brought by poverty due to corruption to the government alone. Its leaders and workers are not the sole cause of every the mess. It is a fallacy to think that way. It is true that the government is the lead institution to serve the people. But it has its own limitation. They are only human beings prone to commit mistakes, being lured with the false promises and pleasure the world is offering, and lack of spiritual and moral guidance from the known spiritual gurus of religions.

In the history of our country, the vanguard of morality is the Catholic Church. The role it plays is always crucial in the development of our country. See the EDSA 1 and EDSA 2. Thanks to them and their effort of bringing hope, and with courage, leading change in the society. They provide moral guidelines for the electorates when local and national elections come to choose upright candidates.

Just like the strategy of Pinoy in abolishing the use of siren or wang-wang, can the leaders of the Church also do that among their ranks and files? Can the religious leaders imitate the principle of leadership by example? Can they walk the talk? In the church, corruption is not new anymore. There are some types of corruption that are obvious - in terms of money, moral values, business transactions, etc.

Corruption in Government

2012-07-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

Corruption is a subject in any morality perspectives – religious, ethics, politics, etc. It is considered by many as immoral in the sense of taking something from somebody what is not yours. It is an excess on the part of the taker but lack for the recipients. Thus it is wrong and unethical and not just.

In the Philippine setting, corruption is rampant in all aspects of the society. And this is the reason why our country is included in the top most corrupt countries in the world. Politicians are the most suspected contributors to this dirty image. And second in line are the workers in any of the government agencies – to name a few like the DPWH, CHED, BIR – collecting fees beyond the required mandated law.

The consequences of practicing corruption are very serious. If corruption is an immoral act, its implication is the lack of moral values among the people. We have a present president whose policy is based on the campaign slogan ‘Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap!’ The question is this, how to fight corruption or stop this practice? The answer is the inculcation of moral values upon the politicians and workers in our country.

Pinoy is taking the challenge of being the implementer of the rules and regulations of the institution, so as others would imitate. In short, he is employing the strategy of leadership by example. It is our hope that workers in different agencies of our government would also follow the president by fulfilling their duty in doing what is right and just.

Modern Opium

2012-06-22T01:07:00.003-07:00

It’s not all about drugs in literal sense that I will be talking about here. But the word opium is indeed a kind of drug which, nobody could deny its effect, can insinuate people to a temporary relief and make-believe. And the famous and most criticized German philosopher Karl Marx has made the term to describe how the people are being insinuated by the religious leaders.

Two things are to be highlighted regarding his contention on religion as the opium of the people. First is to let people experience a temporary relief from being deprived material wealth. They are the poor people from economic point of view. And second is for the promoters of the belief to maintain their status quo – their lifestyle - on the pedestal of luxury.

I would like to disagree if there will be someone who would say that it is still happening today. What I am referring to is the first argument. It is for the simple reason that people are now educated. They develop the sense of responsibility and independence from false belief of just be contented. The consequence of this is that their status quo is now on the ground breaking.

And the second reason is still prevailing today. They would resort to any recourse to retain and maintain the status at the expense of the insinuated. Addition to that is, the worst recourse is the manipulating His words. This is the modern opium. It’s not only the insinuated could absorb. Even other people could inhale its dubious effect. It is upgraded opium at the present history of mankind.

Perspective

2012-06-12T18:22:00.002-07:00

The word ‘perspective’ is synonymous to other terms such as views, outlook, and insight. Steven Covey, author of the book The Seven Highly Effective Leadership, uses the term in forming effective leaders in any existing organizations. But Covey employs a more sophisticated expression than perspective as the ‘paradigm shift.’ These terms ‘paradigm shift’ and ‘perspective’ convey the same meaning – looking things from one’s vantage view.

And this is exactly why the title of this blog is ‘perspective.’ From my daily observations, I find people approaching a particular topic coming in different perspective. Be it in simple discussion or formal debate, some people find it irritating to listen while others ignore them at all. But personally I discover myself finding pleasure in appreciating their perspectives with openness and welcoming, even though their views not sharing the same as mine.

By spending time in listening and trying to understand their perspective, the gesture of being accommodating and welcoming is present. I find this as a sacred value because I learn how to respect their structured self-expression. This also makes me realize that I am no holder of absolute knowledge. I remain cautious that I am limited by my thoughts, feelings and circumstances that influence my perspective.

For the sake of knowledge I intend to write on this matter. Being a lover of wisdom I learn the art of appreciating the perspective of others. And in doing this I learn how to respect, accept and understand them as persons packed with perspective. I do believe that when people hold on to their perspective with conviction, they are able to deepen them, and develop them into a whole doctrine that gives meaning to their existence.

Philosophy Seminar

2011-10-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

The first time that all philosophy teachers in this south-western part of Mindanao gathered for "Philosophy Beyond The Classroom" seminar held at University of Mindanao Audio-Visual Room last 22 October 2011. This gathering was spearheaded by the head organizer, Mr. Ryan Maboloc, a philosophy professor of the Ateneo de Davao University. This is an offshoot to the future Philosophical Association of Mindanao.

(Photos in sequence) “Philosophy and Public Policy” by Dr. Sherlito Sable of USEP, “Moral Phenomena of Conflict in Contemporary Filipino Society” by Dr. Romulo Bautista, “Epistemology of the Overlap” by Mr. Raymond Pavo of UP-Min, “Debates in the Philippine Left” by Prof. Randy Ponteras of UM, “A Strategic Approach to Market Reconstruction” by Mr. Redentor dela Rosa of CMU, and “Beings Like Ideas Make No Sense” by Mr. Armando Parantar of UIC.

On Sex Education.....

2010-07-27T00:09:00.001-07:00

There are some articles on sex education I have written like

Parents and Sex Education
Do college students nowadays need sex education?

Just click to http://arnel-m.blogspot.com/