‘Lost generation’

Last Monday, an elderly businessman shared on our Viber group an old article about the sorry state of Philippine education. Sadly, the article did not limit itself to education but advanced the author’s perception that if education is so bad, then the Philippines and Filipinos are therefore doomed to “stupidity.”

The elderly businessman was apparently shocked and so affected by the article that he shared it to get people to pay attention to the issue. Unfortunately, only one person in the Viber group expressed dismay while the rest either ignored it, found the article too long or simply rejected the view.

Later in the day, another article went around regarding the views of The Economist suggesting that the Philippines was in fact doing surprisingly well against all odds. Unlike the article on the sorry state of education, there were more reactions to the piece from The Economist.

A number of people were bewildered by the very optimistic view of The Economist, others admitted that they had never given the Philippine setting “a second look,” while a respected columnist said that the writer/writers may have been charmed by people and companies at the top of the food chain and who were directly benefitting from the economy.

On the other hand, the general population of millions of Filipinos remain poor, unserved and disconnected from the wealth and benefits resulting from the milestones that The Economist glossed over.

As a reluctant journalist and aspiring “storyteller,” I fully understand that all the writers and journalists involved were all doing their job and that at the end of the day, the intention was to draw people’s attention to what’s going on and the consequences that affect people’s lives. We may or may not agree with their views, but by and large the accounts are factual.

Given the right lighter fluid and a match, we could easily start a fire on the question: which style or treatment is helpful for Filipinos? Is it the one that calls out all the ugly things in the system in the hopes that someone or something could be done about it? Or is it the “hopeful,” “inspiring,” positive style of pointing out what many don’t recognize, appreciate or even thank others for?

What we say or do about our situations are both interesting and important because reactions are reflections or the mirror of our mind and soul. They used to say GI-GO or “Garbage in – Garbage out.” Today, kids will tell us, it’s all about the iOS, App and filters.

In the book of Matthew 12:34 Jesus stated: “From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” The more modern version is: if you’re full of it, it becomes obvious. I have struggled for some time to keep my tongue in check, especially as a knee jerk reaction to mistakes or near accidents.

But that is a minor thing compared to the effort of screening what goes in and what goes out from my mouth, my writings and my views. I have even had to make an extra effort of choosing the company I keep because we are warned: “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” – 1 Corinthians 15:33.

Journalistic ethics confines us to not be libelous, slanderous, corrupt or untruthful. What it does not state specifically is to be careful not to discourage, demoralize or rob people of their optimism, hope, even trust in institutions.

Yesterday, a friend shared a poem entitled “Lost Generation” by Jonathan Reed. On face value, the work is just a “poem.” But when you read it to the end, then follow the instructions to read it from end to beginning, you learn the valuable lesson that life and opinions have two different outcomes, depending on the readers perspective:

Lost Generation

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe that

I can change the world

I realize this may be a shock but

“Happiness comes from within”

is a lie, and

“Money will make me happy.”

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

Families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

This is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now, I will be celebrating

the 10th anniversary of divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

Environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

My peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

*      *      *

In case you missed it, please read the same poem line by line, but now starting from the bottom. If you are a cynic, chances are you will swallow the first version like your daily glass of water.

If not, you may have noticed that post-COVID, we have clung to hope harder than ever before, and the prophets of economic doom have been largely ignored by people, little people running micro businesses.

People focus on God, country and people instead of politicians and politics. Climate change and saving our part and place in the environment is now a real thing. Gen XYZ have prioritized mental health and physical well-being and are intentional about entering relationships instead of mere romance.

In an eyeglass shop hangs the sign: Change the lens – Change the view.

Please read the book of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 22 to 23.