I just read the Inquirer’s op ed column today (August 7) and I thought that indeed, the news about Cory’s death and the aftermath of that now looms even taller than Ms Arroyo and what she touts as her achievements, literally. Talk about Divine Providence.
As I have been reflecting about heaven and earth since yesterday, let me continue that train of thought by saying that the heavens are sending a message here: that if People Power is not enough, rain, thunder and lightning will strike to jolt this government to face the brutal reality that Filipinos have had enough. It is as if the gloomy weather foretells of things to come if change in leadership and the exercise of democratic process do not happen in 2010.
This morning I realized that while reliving the beautiful memories and magic brought about by Cory’s death is akin to a gentle balm to our wounds, the truth is, we need to have our feet firmly planted on the ground and accept the reality that our earthly existence beckons us to do our work and get real.
Our rhetorics about our great capacity to endure, persevere and triumph amidst adversities should be matched by action, otherwise, it is like blowing hot air. Doing is the real test of talk. Unfortunately, this is one of the criticisms often hurled against us. That we are so good with promises but poor in action.
There are so many aspects of our nation’s life that require attention. I don’t even know where to begin. So I thought that I’ll start with something simple. Where I sit and where I do my work, I have made a commitment to do whatever is in my capacity to set the example for others, to be compassionate but not at the expense of sacrificing results or settling for something that is “puwede na.” When we accept “puwede na”, it is like telling ourselves that we are resigning to the state of things and we have no power to change them, that it is okay to accept mediocrity and that we do not have the capacity to excel.
As we are good with talk, so too must we walk the talk. As we are good with exultation, we must do just as well with translating words into concrete action. And that my friends would be the test in the coming days – how to translate Cory’s magic into something that is real.
Imee Alcantara, Inquirer Publications, Inc. (IPI)