I begin today’s article with a story about a friend that people used to call “the Devil” or a “Demon.”
When I first heard someone mention his name, I was really shocked. In a country that is supposed to be deeply religious, there are many places where you don’t even say the devil’s name or make references to him. But here was someone whose “friends” and a lot of his enemies call “Demonyo.” The guy apparently had a reputation in business and with women, so much so that it was never quite clear if the moniker was an insult, a label or backhanded flattery.
I eventually got to know the guy and would do deals or try to do deals with him on and off. Never once did I experience any malice or wrongdoing on his part, so I kept the friendship warm and treated him with respect. Unfortunately, his negative nickname persisted, and I don’t know why it bothered me, but I actively corrected every person who would refer to him as “Demonyo.”
Every time someone used the moniker, I would stress that our words or speech give life to what we utter and would cite Proverbs 21: “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue,” just like when people call children or others stupid, lazy or “Demonyo” and it takes root and bears fruit. Although he never mentioned it, word must have gone around and reached him because even to this day when there are no deals to be made or parties to meet up at, he still reaches out, sends out a message and, to top it all, his recent posts and messages have been “spiritual” and prayerful!
Recently, I noticed how so much cynicism and criticism persists in the social space of Filipinos and how many of us are now constantly cursing, putting down or declaring how helpless, hopeless and useless Filipinos and the Philippines has become. For purposes of transparency, I fall into that behavior every now and then, and I have been known to tell young adults to study abroad, get a job there and find a better future. But I try really hard not to curse the country or “Filipinos” the way others habitually do, as they declare our country hopeless.
While it only comes second to the oldest profession (prostitution), I would venture that being a critic is certainly one of the oldest jobs in human history. There are even books in the Bible that talk about how one prophet was offered a lot of riches just to curse the Israelites as they journeyed to the promise land. In Numbers 22:1-21, King Balak of Moab offered riches and reward to Balaam if he would curse the Israelites.
It tells about how God declared, “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you.” In our compartmentalized approach to information, we assume that all that was “only for Israelites,” completely forgetting we are all “Children of God,” that as “Christians” we are called by the name of Christ, etc. Remember how we used to declare that the Philippines was the ONLY Christian nation in Asia?!
I suspect that this generalized or generic cursing or criticism of the Philippines and Filipinos is part of the cultural mindset we have of avoiding direct confrontation or reference to people, authorities or specific institutions. We actually think that if we don’t name names or we send it out as a “To whom it may concern” criticism, then we are able to boldly express our opinions without making enemies or getting sued for libel. Others, of course, do it as their form of therapy against politicians and everything wrong in the country.
But the truth of the matter is that when we habitually lash out and curse in generalities, it’s equivalent to stabbing or slashing with a double-bladed weapon. People who call Filipinos stupid, gutless or idiots affect individuals like me because I associate and identify with the term Filipino. I am Filipino. Every time I attend a church service and a pastor or speaker makes generalizations about how “The Media” is doing so much harm, I almost want to stand-up and say: “Ah, excuse me, over here in the back...” Even without malice, the branding or generic labeling still rubs us wrong. By grouping us as lazy or stupid Filipinos, has it ever occurred to the curser that (more often than not) they too, happen to be “Filipino?”
In a time when social media is full of people promoting concepts such as “manifesting things to happen in your life,” surrounding yourself with positive affirmations and messages or choosing your community, why do we allow the negativity, cynicism and curses to go forth and multiply over our nation, our people and upon us?
Last Friday while driving towards “downtown” or Roxas Boulevard, the question of what’s next for me popped up. I found myself saying probably not mainstream media because it has become a trap for the guy on the seat. While the new generation is trying hard to “Be Yourself,”those who work as hosts and anchors can’t. Instead, they have to dish out what the audience wants or listens to.
They want you to be “hard-hitting,” critical, analytical and entertaining. More often than not, it involves shoveling and pitching all the negative things about the country, the people and our institutions. I’m all for addressing issues but only if we can actually get someone to fix them. Otherwise, we will all be better off fixing ourselves, our homes, our family and let God sort out the rest!
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