Manalig nang Walang Pag-alinlangan at Huwag Pairalin ang Kayabangan

Manalig nang Walang Pag-alinlangan

At Huwag Pairalin ang Kayabangan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Hindi madali ang basta na lang maniwala sa mga bagay na hindi nakikita. Lalong hindi madaling gawin ito  ng isang tao na ang palagay sa sarili ay “napakatalino” na dahil sa maraming kaalamang nakuha sa mga sa mga libro at mga ibinahagi sa kanya ng mga guro. Subali’t paano na kung may mga katanungang hindi kayang sagutin maski ng agham o siyensiya? Basta na lamang ba itong ipagkibit-balikat at isasantabi?

 

Hangga’t may bahid ng pag-alinlangan, halimbawa,  ang pananalig ng isang tao sa Pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat, hindi mamamayani ang takot sa kanyang puso sa paggawa ng masama dahil sa kanyang kaisipan, walang nagbabantay sa kanya, walang manunumbat, at siya lamang ang tanging nakakaalam kung ano ang tama o mali. Mas gugustuhin pa niyang mamayani ang kanyang pananalig sa mga batas ng pamahalaan.

 

Hindi maikakaila ang tibay ng mga bagay na tinatakan ng mga simbolo at kasulatan na may kinalaman sa Manlilikha. Sa kabila ng kung ilang libong taon na ang lumipas, may mga bahagi pa ring natira upang patunayan na ang mga nakasaad sa Bibliya ay totoo. Dahil sa tuluy-tuloy na pananaliksik, tuloy din ang pagtambad sa mata ng tao ang mga katunayan na noong unang panahon pa man ay nandiyan na Siya at pilit nagpapahiwatig ng di-masukat Niyang kapangyarihan. Maraming mga nadiskubre ang hindi maipaliwanag hanggang ngayon na sa halip na pagtuunan ng pansin, ay mas pinili ng taong laktawan at pagtuunan ng pansin ang paghalughog sa napakalawak na kalangitan gamit ang sarili niyang kaalaman. Nag-aalinlangan ang taong umamin na may Isang napakamakapangyarihan sa lahat na siyang dahilan ng mga hindi maipaliwanag na mga bagay sa sanlibutan at sa kalawakan.

 

Gusto ng taong mas kilalanin ang kanyang kakayahan at kaalaman kaya kung anu-ano na lang ang kanyang ginagawa tulad ng pagbuhay ng isang patay sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatibok ng puso nito gamit ang isang makina, pagpupunla ng isang buhay gamit ang isang bahagi ng tao na matagal nang namayapa, pagbabago ng mga likas na katangian ng mga tanim at hayop, paggawa ng mga sasakyang nakakarating sa ibang planeta, at iba upang maihalintulad siya sa Diyos.

 

Subali’t sa kabila ng mga kaalaman ng tao para ipakita na siya man ay maaaring umaktong Diyos, bakit hindi pa rin niya mapigilan ang mga dilubyo na dulot ng  mga mapaminsalang baha, bagyo at lindol? Bakit hindi  niya mapigilan ang pag-alburuto ng mga bulkan sa pagpakawala ng kanilang kinukuyom na lakas na pinaghalong abo, mga bato at apoy? Bakit hindi niya  maawat ang pagtigang ng lupa sa ibang kontinente upang magresulta sa malawakang gutom dahil sa pagkalanta ng mga pananim? Bakit hindi niya mapigilan ang pagsibol ng mga bagong sakit na nagdudulot ng pinsala sa iba’t ibang dako ng mundo?

 

Saan hahantong ang kayabangan ng tao? Bakit hindi na lang niya pairalin ang pananalig na walang pag-alinlangan nang sa gayon, kahi’t papaano ay matanggap niya na ang mga nangyayari sa kanyang kapaligiran ay hindi saklaw ng kaalaman niyang may hangganan?

 

Dahil nananaig ang kayabangan kaysa pananalig, ang tao ay hindi magkakaroon ng takot sa puso , kaya siya ay makakagawa ng masama sa kapwa. At lalong hangga’t  nasa kaisipan niya ang magdiyus-diyosan, ang mundo ay hindi magkakaroon ng katahimikan …dahil hindi lang iisang tao ang may ganitong paniniwala…marami – silang  gustong umangat sa pamamagitan ng pagtapak sa karapatan ng iba…silang mga lango sa kapangyarihang dulot ng pera, kaalaman, at katungkulan!

 

 

Ang isang Tao ay Puwedeng Maging Lider Batay sa Likas niyang Talino at Ugali

Ang Isang Tao ay Pwedeng Maging Lider

Batay sa Likas Niyang Talino at Ugali

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ambisyong palpak ang bumubulag sa isang tao na gustong maging lider kahit sa simula pa lang ay alam niyang hindi niya kayang gawin ito. Hindi masama ang mangarap o mag-ambisyon pero dapat ilagay sa ayos upang hindi pulaan ng iba. Ang ganitong sitwasyon ang nakita, hindi lang ng buong bansa, kundi buong mundo nang magdagsaan sa COMELEC ang mga may ambisyon na maging Presidente ng Pilipinas. Ang nakakabahala ay ang isipin ng mga taga-ibang bansa na kaya pala ganito ang kalagayan natin ay dahil sa mga may sayad sa pag-iisip na gustong maging Presidente. Ang karamihan sa nagparehisitro sa COMELEC ay halatang pinag-aralan ang mga kilos at sasabihin upang makakuha ng atensiyon kaya nagmukhang kawawa dahil pinaglaruan lamang ng mga usisero at taga-media. Sa panahong yon, naabuso na naman ang Kalayaan at Demokrasya dahil sa mga taong hangal at may sayad sa utak. Hindi dapat gamitin ang Demokrasya upang “malayang” gawin ang lahat ng gusto, lalo na ang pagsalaula sa sagradong pagpili ng Presidente ng Pilipinas. Hanggang kaylan tatagal ang ganitong kahinaan ng COMELEC, na sana ay may pinatutupad na mga alituntuning maayos, walang mga butas na nasisilip ng mga taong may diperensiya sa pag-iisip? Repleksiyon ba ang kahinaang ito ng uri ng mga taong nagpapatakbo ng nasabing ahensiya?…nagtatanong lang.

Hindi madaling maging lider ng isang maliit na grupo man lang, lalo na ng buong bansa tulad ng Pilipinas. Mapalad ang isang taong may likas na katalinuhan at ugali na angkop sa pagiging lider, dahil ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya ang kumikilala sa mga ito, kaya hindi na niya kailangan pang ipilit upang mapansin. Lumilitaw ang mga katangian niya sa mga kalagayang hindi inaasahan tulad ng kalamidad at agarang pagbigay ng tulong sa iba kahit sa normal na sitwasyon. Subalit maliban sa dalawang nabanggit na katangian, dapat mayroon din siyang tiyaga, determinasyon o katapangan, at pasensiya. Sa madaling salita, ang isang taong likas na matalino, kahit pa nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo, at mabait, ay mahihirapang maging lider kung wala siyang tiyaga at pasensiya, lalo na kung walang determinasyon o tapang sa pagpapatupad ng mga panukala, o utos na dapat masunod. Ang mga iyon ang maglilinang ng respeto para sa kanya bilang lider.

Si Manny Pacquiao ay isang halimbawang nag-ambisyong makilala ng tao. Natanim sa isip niya ang masidhing pagnanais na maipakitang ang kahirapan ay hindi dapat ituring na hadlang upang umunlad ang isang tao. Nagtagumpay naman siya – sa sports. Subalit naudyukan siya ng mga nakapaligid at may balak gumamit sa kanya, na pwede siyang pumasok sa pulitika na ginawa naman niya at nagtagumpay bilang kongresman ng kanilang lalawigan. Tulad ng inaasahan ay ampaw ang tagumpay niya sa pulitika, walang laman, walang sustansiya dahil nakikita namang hindi niya kaya ang trabaho bilang kongresman. Kung gumagalaw man ang opisina niya, ito ay dahil sa mga taong sinusuwelduhan niya upang gumawa ng mga panukala, kaya hanggang pirma na lamang ang papel niya. Nakita naman ng buong bansa na ang panahon niya ay nagamit sa mga ensayo at pagsabak sa boksing. Hindi pa nakuntento ang mga hangal na umuuto sa kanya, dahil gusto pa siyang patakbuhin bilang presidente ng Pilipinas! Ngayon, dahil sa katanyagan niya sa boksing, sumabak na rin sa pulitika ang iba niyang kaanak, lalo na ang asawa, siyempre, dala kasi ang apelyidong “Pacquiao”.

Masakit na sa tenga ang parang sirang plakang linya ni Pacquiao na, “gusto kong makatulong sa mga kababayan (o kapwa) ko”, dahil malabo itong matutupad kung ang iniisip niya ay “gumawa”  ng mga panukala na maaaring hindi maaprubahan, at kung maaprubahan man ay hindi rin maisasakatuparan tulad ng mga libo-libong panukala na inaagiw sa kongreso at senado dahil walang budget. Kung gusto niyang tumulong, lumabas siya sa pulitika para hindi siya magamit ng ibang pulitiko, magtayo siya ng mga boxing gyms sa buong Pilipinas at Foundation para sa mga scholars, at higit sa lahat, ng mga negosyo upang magkaroon ng mga trabaho… ganoon lang ka-simple at wala pang gagamit sa kanya. Sa madaling salita, pasukin niya ang larangan ng negosyo at maging pilantropo, tulad ni Henry Sy ng SM. Huwag na niyang dagdagan ang mga panlolokong ginagawa ng mga pulitikong nagkaugat na ang mga puwet sa pagkakaupo sa kongreso at senado dahil sa hangaring magpayaman. Huwag na niyang dagdagan ng batik ang nagpuputik nang dumi ng pulitika sa Pilipinas.

Ang tao ay hindi dapat maiinggit sa tagumpay na tinatamo ng iba. Ang ugaling maiinggitin ang lason sa kaisipan ng isang taong baluktot ang takbo ng isip. Tulad ng isang taong nakilala ko na nakabalita lang na tatakbo sa pagka-meyor ang kaklase niyang dating councilor sa kanilang bayan, ay gusto na ring tumakbo para sa nasabing puwesto, dahil hindi hamak na mas matalino daw siya, kaya valedictorian siya noong gumadreyt sila. Sana binalikan niya ang nakaraan nila noog nag-aaral pa sila, dahil nagkuwento ang pinsan niyang kumpare ko, na ang kaklase niyang tatakbo sa pagka-meyor ay magaling makisama, nagkukusa sa pagkilos kung may mga school activities, nangunguna sa sports, at higit sa lahat, may lakas ng loob. Taliwas naman sa ugali ng pinsan niyang makasarili kaya walang barkada, at umiiwas sa mga gawain kung may school activities. Ayaw daw paawat ang pinsan niya kaya nag-file ng candidacy.

Hindi dapat magyabang ang taong may ambisyong maging lider. Walang masamang gumamit ng lakas ng loob sa pagsuong sa pulitika. Lalong maganda kung magsimula sa ibaba, maliban na lang sa mga taong miyembro ng mga pamilyang nakababad na sa pulitika, yong mga tinuturing na “political dynasty”, kaya naging senador, kongresman, gobernador o meyor agad. Subalit para sa mga nag-aambisyon pa lang, dapat ay magsimula sa unang baytang ng pagsisikap – sa pinakamababa, tulad ng barangay o homeowners association o non-government organization (NGO). Doon masusubukan ang kanilang kakayahan at pagkatao kung angkop sila sa mas mataas pang tungkulin. Kung ang taong may ambisyong maging barangay chairman, halimbawa, ay hindi naman pala marunong makisama o tumutulong sa mga kapitbahay, kalimutan na lang niya ang ambisyon at magtraysikel na lamang, sigurado pa ang kita at hindi siya hihingan ng tulong, sa halip ay siya pa ang babayaran….. ng pamasahe.

Humanga at tumulong sa mga kaibigan o mga kakilalang nasa larangan ng pulitika upang lalo pa silang magtagumpay, o di kaya ay kahit sa mga hindi kilala ngunit maganda ang mga hangarin para sa bayan. Kailangang marunong tayong tumanggap ng ating kahinaan at kakulangang mga katangian, kaya hindi tayo pwedeng maging isang epektibong lider. Sa isang banda, kung hanggang suporta lang ang kaya, gawin natin ito ng maayos at taos sa puso, dahil kung hindi matibay ang suporta ng isang lider, magiging dahilan ito ng kanyang pagbagsak, na upang maiwasan ay kinakailangang suportahan, simpleng tulong nga…..mahalaga naman.

Before we give instructions…first, we must be good followers

Before we can give instructions

…first, we must be good followers

By Apolinario Villalobos

We must first do the things that we want done to show that they are possible, before we can expect others to do the same. This is about the possibility of results that we expect. In short…do first to prove, then, give instructions or demand for similar results. For all those things, we should be patient.

This expectation, however, is situational. If we are the employer, we have all the right to be followed as our subordinate has no choice. To have some kind of good results based on our expectations, it is necessary to show our subordinates what should be done. On the other hand, in a situation where the parties are on equal footing, instructions should be given with subtleness or lightness, hence, co-equals are given the choice to follow or not.

Respect to the one who gives instruction is necessary. Without such in any situation, expect the futility of the effort, regardless of the good motive. If the leader, for instance is seen as indifferent or weak, expect the subordinates to ignore him as he turns his back, even leer at him. His voice becomes a cry in the wilderness. Others will then perceive the leader as inept or inefficient.

If the leader has not proven anything yet, he has no right to give instructions or expect results out of them. Along this line, the incompetent political leader who is already in place, vigorously peddles influence and buys support from the different levels of the government using people’s money, to ensure that he will have a clout. His act gives a wrong signal to his subordinates and peers who then think that they can do the same. Those “bought”, meanwhile, smile their way to the bank. The selfish motive of the leader has practically bred corruption!

Finally, corruption results from the ineptness of people who do not want to sweat out the good results of their effort. They let themselves be used by others or lick their ass, to gain influence and wealth.

The Crucial Significance of Planning for any Event

The Crucial Significance of Planning

For Any Event

By Apolinario Villalobos

In the course of my sharing in seminars on tourism as a resource speaker, I always give importance to planning which is a vital component of a tour package and a social event.

A tour package should be planned based on tried or simulated activities which involve time, mode of travel, offices, people, and outdoor events. A social event such as birthday, family and school reunion, wedding, debut, and other similar activities should b discussed thoroughly, based on presumed unforeseen consequences.

Today, some schools hire professional event planners to assist institutional organizers for the smooth handling of their reunion events. For such, I always remind seminar participants/ future events consultants that:

• The organizer or group of organizers should give importance to the announcements, be they free or paid, via the different media such as radio, TV or print.
• Calling on the alumni should not be limited to the social media such as internet alone.
• It must always be presumed that most senior alumni do not use the internet, and in their senior age, they just rely on radio and TV to update themselves on current events.
• Message of welcome on tarpaulin or whatever practical material should be posted at the town’s or city’s arrival areas such bus terminals or roads leading to the venue.
• A registration fee should be charged to offset the expenses of the homecoming event, and whatever excess should go to the organization’s fund for future events or projects which the alumni officers can discuss after the homecoming.
• The officers should encourage the coming out of ideas from homecoming alumni, some of whom may be willing to fund projects that the organization would like to undertake.
• It is important for the alumni officers to know that their responsibilities are not confined within the venue and the day of the homecoming. They should be intelligently sensitive to “feel” whatever ideas that homecoming alumni would like to share, especially, from those who can afford to initiate the funding of projects by providing the necessary “seed money”. If such opportunity crops up, the officers should take note of the details such as contacts of the alumni and schedule for the necessary meetings with them after the reunion.
• There should be a post-event meeting among the officers and committee members to discuss and evaluate observed flaws during the celebration and come up with recommendations for the next set of officers. The organizers should not be downhearted in case of loop holes observed during the past event, and instead concentrate on how to refine such roughages for the success of the next event.

The members of the committees to be organized for the homecoming should be made to understand that they have responsibilities. As much as possible:

• The responsibilities should be shared with representatives from different batches of alumni, if possible, as familiarity of homecomers is very crucial in reunions, and which younger generations of alumni may find hard to do, considering the number of years that have elapsed.
• The retired teachers themselves, who are willing to share their time and effort as part of the committees, should be involved. The young members of the committees should not be intimidated by the presence of the former mentors, some of whom, they may not even know personally.
• Most importantly, prospective officers and members of committees should be made to understand that to be listed as such is not just for prestige or honor, but involves a lot of sacrifice, hence, they are expected to really work for their worth.

On the actual day of the reunion:

• All members of the committees should be at the venue at least one hour before the start of the events. They should wear a distinct uniform for easy identification in case of inquiry from long- gone homecoming alumni.
• Directional signs should be posted at campus entrances leading to the registration area and venues of events for the benefit of the alumni who have been gone for so many years and who should be presumed, to encounter difficulty in finding their way around due to changes within the campus.
• Receptionists should be posted at entrances to lend a warm atmosphere to welcome the arriving alumni. It could help if willing former mentors can also be on hand at entrances to welcome back their former students whom they personally know.
• Amplified announcements should be constantly made as necessary reminders. Most importantly, all officers should make themselves visible by practically checking on the development on arrivals until the start of the first activity.
• A medic or at least a first aid team should be around to assist senior alumni if necessary.
• The members of the committee in charge of fund- raising through selling of memorabilia such as t-shirts, key chains, etc. should be posted at the different entrances at least an hour before the start of the events, so that the t-shirt can be worn by the late purchasers for batch identification purposes.

I always remind the participants to the seminars on tourism/social event packaging that reunions are not made just for sharing of past days in the campus. Such activities are also opportunities for organizers to “fish” for ideas from alumni as to what projects to undertake for the benefit of the school or their community as a whole. As mentioned earlier, it should be noted that most schools today hire professional event planners to help them out with smooth handling of events. If professional event organizers are not available for their services as consultant, former mentors and alumni who are just “nearby” can be asked to assist and be made part of the organizing committee.

On the other hand, these professional event organizers should encourage the institution to involve prospective graduates in the organizing and handling of actual activities. This is the opportunity for the institution to observe those with leadership and organizational qualities which could be tapped for future homecomings. These prospects should not necessarily belong to the dean’s list.

Finally, I also share with the seminar participants that other events can be similarly planned just like the school reunion, that has been cited as an example. But always, the vital components of the planning effort in the case of a group, are the common sense and sacrifice, without the thought of who gets the credit in case of success. The group should act with homogeneity, as the failure of one is the failure of all… especially, the event itself.

Ang Common Sense Na Hindi naman Common

Ang Common Sense

Na Hindi naman Common

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hindi maintindihan kung minsan ang takbo ng isip ng tao. Kung ano ang bawal, halimbawa, ay siya niyang gustong gawin. Kung ano ang dapat gawin, ay siya namang pinakaiiwasang gawin. Ang katinuan kadalasan ay wala sa ayos, dahil ang tinatawag na common sense, na dapat ay palasak at dapat palaging nandiyan lang sa kanyang katauhan, ay siya namang palaging wala.

May isa akong kaibigan na mabilis ang pagkahulog ng katawan kaya bukod sa namumutla na ay namamayat pa, yon pala ay may diabetes at may diperensiya na ang bato o kidney. Ilang beses ko na siyang pinayuhan noon pa mang malusog pa siya, tungkol sa mga halamang gamot o mga herbal medicines. Hindi pala sinusunod ang payo ko lalo na ang mga tungkol sa pagkain at mga bawal na bisyo, kaya natuluyang gumastos sa pagpapadoktor at pagbili ng mga mahal na gamot. Isang araw ay sinabi niya na “magpapabulong” daw siya sa isang arbularyo sa isang karatig na lalawigan. Sa ganoong gamutan, binubulungan daw ng arbularyo ang bahagi ng katawang may diperensiya.

Tinapat ko siya na pang-doktor ang sakit niya dahil hindi naman siya kinukulam. Dagdag ko pa, kung ano mang gamot ang “ibubulong” ng arbularyo ay siguradong mga halaman din na alam na ng lahat, kaya walang bago sa aasahan niyang gamutan. Ayaw pa ring paawat, itinuloy ang biyahe nila ng nakilala niyang “magpapabulong” din. Nang makauwi, binalitaan ako na ganoon nga ang nangyari – sinabihan siya ng arbularyo na itigil ang mga pagkaing bawal, at ang mga halamang sinabi sa kanya ay kapareho ng mga sinabi ko na sa kanya noon pa! Nagpagod na siya, gumastos pa!

Ang isa namang kaibigan ay walang inaasahan, maliban sa pagtinda sa palengke. Dalawa ang anak na suhod ang luho tulad ng mamahaling cellphone at mga damit. Pati sa pagkain ay pihikan ang mga ito, dahil ayaw kumain ng gulay at mumurahing isda – kinunsinti kasi ng kaibigan ko, maliit pa lang sila. Nang payuhan ko ang kaibigan kong maghinay-hinay sa pagsunod sa luho ng mga anak, ang sagot niya ay “sige lang…ngayon lang naman nila matitikman, eh…”. Halos isang kahig, isang tuka ang pamumuhay nila dahil ang perang ginagamit ay regular na inuutang sa ilang tao na nagtiwala sa kanya, at pinapaikot-ikot lamang niya upang makasambot sa pagbayad. Ang maling uri ng pagpapakita ng pagmamahal na ito ang halata nang nakakasira sa pag-uugali ng mga anak niya.

Ang uri ng buhay na meron tayo sa mundo ay batay sa takbo ng ating katinuan at common sense. May tinatawag na maluhong pamumuhay, may pabayang pamumuhay, may maingat na pamumuhay, may malusog na pamumuhay…marami pang iba. Ang talino natin ay nakokontrol ng katinuan at common sense, dahil kung hindi, ang talinong ito ay hindi magagamit ng maayos. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit sa ibabaw ng mundo ay may naglilipanang kriminal at mapagsamantala, ganoong ang iba sa kanila ay nagtapos sa mga de-kalidad na mga pamantasan at kolehiyo. Yong iba sa kanilang humantong sa mga opisina ng gobyerno ay mga corrupt. Yong iba na dapat ay tagapagpatupad ng batas ay naging bayaran.

Walang katumbas na halaga ng pera ang common sense o katinuan. May mga taong matino o may common sense na makikita sa mga kabundukan at nabubuhay sa pagkaing gubat. Mayroon ding mga namumulot ng basura at natutulog sa bangketa. Talo nila ang mga may diploma o master’s degree or doctorate na ang mga tanging laman ng isip ay kung paano kumita ng pera sa anumang paraan at manglamang ng kapwa.

The Common Sense…mother of all senses

The Common Sense

…mother of all senses

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Before anything is felt by the other senses,

the common sense sends cautions…

 

-that burns can result from touching fire

-that gazing at the sun damages the eye

-that smelling glue can just be repugnant

-that no bitter taste can please the tongue.

 

Common sense is always disregarded,

almost always, forgotten it’s with us…

 

-causing others think, only they should live

-causing others to just take, and not to give

-causing others to act with wild insatiability –

-resulting to the loss of other people’s dignity.

Words that I Live By

Words That I Live By

By Apolinario Villalobos

As a human being with so many limitations, I have always tried my best to live up to even a tiny percentage of the Creator’s expectation of me. It is not easy because of the teeming temptations and influences that make up a good portion of the world – we practically breath them. All creatures, be they humans, animals and plants are governed by some kind of survival norms which are also adapted to their kind of environment and needs. As what I am doing is an effort of sharing, I do not want to impose to others, for what are good for me may not be good for others. I just want them to know that somehow, I am surviving because of the principles that are guiding me…principles that are compressed in words for easy recall.

 1. Faith – I firmly believe in the Creator. I do not believe that everything in the universe became what they are now by chance. I respect science, but it showed its inadequacy in giving convincing answers to so many questions that for centuries have been asked. Everything cannot just evolve from nothing. If science insists on some kind of a force as the beginning of everything, then, where did that force come from? For me, salvation depends on one’s faith and actions that conform with the Law.

 2. Charity – Many say, charity should begin at home. It should start within the family, within the home. But others always forget the word “begin” in that reminder. As the act has a beginning, it should have a continuation…outside the home and extended to others. Unfortunately, others just cannot take the idea of sharing a few of their hard-earned pesos with others. Let them work for their money, they would say. Though, many really tried to find work, opportunities are denied to them. They are willing to break their back just to earn enough, even just for a day of survival, but they are exploited. I have seen how families would scour garbage dumps in an exhausting effort to collect scraps that can be sold to junk shops, and even discarded food that they immediately put to their mouth. I have been with families who exert much effort in saving extra coins for medicine, most of them making do with one meal a day, consisting of rice sprinkled with soy or fish sauce. I have been with families whose children walk kilometers of distance just to attend school with empty stomach and tattered school bags slung over their shoulders. I have seen children who sell wilting vegetables on sidewalks at dawn to earn a pittance for their allowance when they go to school at the strike of seven in the morning. How can one then refuse to extend a hand to them?

 3. Piety – For me, it begins with sincerity in acknowledging His presence. This act need not be done in cathedrals, churches, mosques. It should not be imposed by any institution. An act of piety should not be expressed by mumbling memorized prayers or those that are read.Thanking Him with sincerity as one wakes up to another day is one simple act. And, enhancing that day with a warm smile to others is better than a hundred pages of hollow prayers mumbled with closed eyes.

 4. Frugality – A life of dignity can be lived in frugality. One need not be clad in signature trappings in order to be affable. It is how one carries the clothes that fit his persona. Strangers on the street will not give a damn where one bought his shirt or shoes. But they will be offended with the “trying hards” who wear signature clothes that do not fit, they who thought others have the super penetrating eyes that will enable them to read the brand name in the collar of their shirts. The few pesos that I am saving if there is an opportunity have always helped me, aside from those with whom I share them.

 5. Self-reliance – It pays to be on our own, as much as possible, in all our undertakings. One who struggles on his own, need not worry about favors to be returned…and most especially, his dignity is preserved.I have survived on that. Having been orphaned at a very young age, I have proven that all it takes for one to achieve one’s goal is by working hard for it.

 6. Gratitude – To those who gave me favors voluntarily, I have always been generous with my thanks.

 7. Honesty – First, we have to be honest with ourselves. We have to be honest as to what we want to do, hence, ask ourselves…can we do it? Others do things that made others successful. It is a wrong notion. Failures resulting from this kind of attitude can only bring disappointment, discouragement that could just hinder one’s effort to move on. The success of others can be an inspiration, but achieving the same need not be in the same field of endeavor. Honesty is also crucial in maintaining good relationship between husbands and wives. It is simply, about love, which for some is difficult to nurture, because they mistook lust for love. Worse, some couples cannot honestly accept the fact that marriage has bound them together for life.  As regards students, dishonesty by submitting plagiarized projects is an indication that in the future, committing similar act can already be an easy thing to do for them. That is why the corporate jungle is beset with opportunistic managers, the government teems with corrupt politicians and lawmakers, even the pope himself, admits that there are priests who are not honest about their vow of celibacy and other commitments.…dishonesty, practically has overshadowed mankind.

 8. Humility – Let others speak about you. But what if others refuse to acknowledge your ability? There are subtle ways to “assert” yourself that can be done but not at the expense of others. Allow the adage, “action speaks louder than words” rule your life.Just do your best in anything you do.

 9. Fairness – Being fair to others does not require much effort and money. Giving recognition to one who deserves it is one of the best expressions of fairness. A tap at the back, a profuse appreciation of a good deed, and other fair acts do not cost anything but sincerity that comes from the heart. The fair recognition bolsters the spirit of one who receives it, thereby, making him strive more. We should be, likewise, profuse in thanking others who give us due recognition.

 10. Love – This is the foundation of my life. It is only in loving that we can be sincere in dealing with ourselves and others.

 11. Common sense – This is the spice of my life. Without common sense in everything I do, my life would have been dull.

Life is a book and from it we learn so many things. All that one has to do is be observant. Things that come our way can give us lessons that we need as we move on towards our goal. We should never get tired of learning from our own experiences and from those that we discern from others. We should always look back to see our mistakes… be sincere in accepting them and learn from them so that we can move on.