The Evil in Man

The Evil in Man

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The evil in man makes him salivate at all opportunities for exploitation… just anything in this world.  In this regard, inventions with good intentions are used to sow destruction, such as even helpful drugs, gadgets, etc.

 

The dynamite is supposed to be used for smashing big boulders into bits, but is being used in illegal fishing and so many other damaging purposes. The cough syrup is supposed to alleviate the respiratory ailment but is used by unscrupulous youth to get “high”. Sedative drugs are downed with beer or liquor to as “downers”. An ingredient in making fertilizer is also being used to make explosive. Nail and screws are used as fillings in home-made bombs. Cellphones are used to send harmful messages by evil-minded selfish ego-trippers and to trigger home-made bombs, the internet or the social media, for that matter, is used by the people with devilish character. Etc.

 

Despite the very obvious positive impression and intent of anything, the evil in man makes him perceive even the teeny-weeny strain of a negative flaw and expand it into exaggerated proportion with the purpose of ruining the whole. Examples are the well-intended blogs ruined by nonsensical comments, the laws which are circumvented for illegal purpose, etc.

 

As regards the laws and rules, the evil in man makes him see gainful and selfish opportunities in the flaws or defects. Concern here are the lawmakers themselves and those who are supposed to implement them. Extortion is what the evil in man wants to happen. The evil in man cannot even be suppressed by the gained knowledge from universities, as many of those with devilish mind are bred in such institutions!

Ang Tao

Ang Tao

Ni Apolinario    Villalobos

 

Sa dami ng pagsubok na sa buhay nati’y dumaan

Halos naging bantad na tayo sa anumang kapalaran

Ang pagkatao natin, para na ring goma sa kalambutan

Tila ba ‘di na iniinda ang mga dilubyong nagdadatingan.

 

Sabi ng matatanda, dapat tayo’y may mahabang pisi –

Pisi ng buhay na siyang batayan ng masidhing pagtimpi

Subali’t hanggang saan ito aabot na may kabuluhan at silbi?

Kung kaguluha’y matindi na?…marami nang  gutom at nasawi?

 

Ang kapaligiran ay umaapaw na ng mga kasalaluan natin

Basurang itinatapon sa kung saan-saan, sa ati’y bumabalik din

Sayang ang talinong sa atin ay ibinigay ng Diyos, hindi pinapansin

Dahil ang nais nating pairalin ay ang  makasarili nating damdamin!!

 

Pagkagahaman sa salapi ay hindi na nawala sa puso ng tao

Sa mga babalang maka-Diyos, ang kasakiman niya’y ‘di pagupo

Sukdulan mang makatapak ng kapwa, kumita lamang ng todo-todo

Ano pa nga ba’t ga-bundok man ang salaping ninakaw, ‘di pa kuntento!

 

Anong landas ang dapat tahakin nang walang duda’t pasubali?

Upang maski papaano, maski kapiraso, sa katiwaliang nagawa ay makabawi?

Ang landas bang baku-bako, puno ng  pagsubok na sa kasalana’y makapawi?

O, landas na walang hadlang, malinis, subali’t sa mga kasalana’y magpapasidhi!

 

 

Notes:

masidhi – too much

kasalaluan – misdoing

pasubali – alibi

 

From Birth to his Death, Money Reigns Supreme in the Life of Man

From Birth to His Death, Money Reigns Supreme

In the Life of Man

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Since the time he was born and while cruising the avenue of life, up to the time he is buried in the ground, man is either gripped by financial pressure or wallowing in riches. Man did not choose to be born. He is the result of copulating couples as they vent out their lust in the name of love or maniacal desire. Man has no choice when he begins his journey on Earth, making do with what may be on hand – either the cold sidewalk to sleep on while writhing with pangs of hunger if he belongs to a homeless poor family…or the sweet luxurious life if he is born to a filthy rich family!

 

If somebody will tell me that money is not everything in this world, I challenge him to go out without a single coin in his pocket and sleep on sidewalks for several nights without dinner. And, it is not right also to say that money is the root of all evils. It is the abusive exploitation resulting to the deprivation of others that makes money viewed as evil.  If there is only fairness in this world, there will be no problem on the issue of wage and the constant soaring of prices of basic commodities, as everything would be affordably fair.

 

Civilization brought about pollution, so that there is a need for money to counter its effect – medicines, protective clothing, hospitals, healthy food, even the simple surgical mask to somehow block the dirty air from entering our body in vast quantity as we breathe. Civilization created many desires and wants for man. While there was no need for flavor enhancers before, today, for food to taste savory, it must be enhanced with chemicals. While there was no need to travel somewhere before, today, it has become a necessity to satisfy the curiosity about a certain white beach, for instance. While there was no need for frivolous trappings, as simple cotton garments were enough before, today, man has developed a conceited desire to look better than the rest, in his expensive wardrobe and glittering jewelries.

 

In high-tech first-world countries, governments slap their citizens with sky-high taxes and almost nothing is left with them when they receive their wage, but in exchange for such, there are hospitalization benefit, medical care, etc. , although, controlled by the system. While working hard for the money, the citizens of these nations cannot enjoy its benefit on his free will. In some countries, big savings are questioned and if you are found to be carrying around big amounts, you become suspect of illegal activities. Citizens are forced to use “plastic money” for their “convenience” – the credit cards. In these countries, working parents deposit their children in Day Care centers while they work for the money, a big slice of which goes to the government.

 

Civilization brought havoc to the once docile life of man. Its onset created competition for food that affected even the so-called “uncivilized” humans living in the vastness of African deserts. Animals that they used to hunt occasionally for food have become scarce and brought to the brink of extinction due to drought that resulted from the destruction of the ozone layer…all because of unabated pollution. Animals hunted for food have become targets for “game hunting” and left to rot after they are felled by bullets from high-powered long-arms intended for such purpose. Big preys have become targets of bounty hunters for medicine and amulets. Those are just a few of the acts of exploitation committed by the moneyed for which the exploited poor persevere.

 

In the Philippines, there is a custom that calls for the throwing of coins on the path of the mourners as they bring the remains of the departed to the cemetery. Some archaeological diggings brought to light mummified remains with gold coins that cover their eyes. The practice of “changing money” has its roots from the brisk business of the shrewd money changers at the gate of the temples during the Biblical time. These money changers converted various foreign coins into the local tender that could be used as temple offering. Jesus died on the cross because of betrayal by Judas in exchange of several pieces of silver coins.

 

Money cannot be done away with even by all churches. How can edifices for worship be built without money? How can the evangelists preach on empty stomach? How can they go on shepherding their flocks if they get sick and got no money for medicine? How can a Mass be held early in the morning or evening if the lights are out because of unpaid electric bill?…etc.

 

There is nothing wrong with money for as long as it is respected and not abused. Most importantly, it should be acknowledged as payment for earthly necessities. Hypocrisy should be done away with in the treatment of money, because it is clearly the fair payment to the priest, for instance, who blessed the remains of the dead person or when he did other acts as required by his vocation, and again…nothing is wrong with that. My unsolicited advice in this regard is…RESPECT MONEY BY USING IT THE PROPER WAY. MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT BE SELFISH BY GRABBING FROM OTHERS WHAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THEIRS!

The Commercial and Destructive Aspects of Inventions

The Commercial and Destructive Aspects of Inventions

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

It is all for the comfort and money that man has created “wants” in this world, hence, the various inventions. The “wants” are not necessarily the “needs”, as there are things that we can forego as they are not necessary. But, before the onset of what the modern man views as “civilization”, our ancestors were a satisfied lot. During the time, it was enough for a community of five families, for instance, to share a felled beast using spears, throwing sticks, and rocks. Our ancestors’ feet were also enough to bring them to where they wanted.

 

In time, however, the wizards among our ancestors thought of making mobility more comfortable and due to the growth of communities, competition for survival ensued. The need for security was conceived giving rise to more lethal, though, primitive tools. Instead of the simple tree barks to cover their private parts, they thought of using the skin of their prey. Wheels were invented and used not only to transport heavy goods but also in destructive chariots and later, in armored cars, etc., but most especially, for the comfortable mobility.

 

While the legendary Icarus thought of flying with the use of feathers, the Wright Brothers went further by using metals and woods assembled to harness the power of the wind to keep their contrived apparatus to glide and take on speed. The “standards” in quality of the contraption improved the invention until it went further, such as its other uses were conceived….based on what the time required in transporting people and goods, and later, totally become tools of destruction because of greed!

 

Telephone units before, had to have a component that must be cranked before it could be used while connected to each other with miles of long copper wire. Today, wireless telephones are inter-connected by satellites that hover above the earth. But, since people want more sophistications in such instrument, other features are added – camera, voice recorder, music player….and later on, used by evil-minded to set off bombs! On the other hand, who would have ever thought that drugs that were originally conceived to prolong life could become deadly, the same as with the chemicals that are supposed to preserve food?

 

Thousands of inventions have been initially intended for man’s comfort, convenience and survival, but his shrewdness and selfishness made him conceive their lethal uses…that at the end practically led him to his self-destruction!

Ang Pag-unawa sa Ugali ng Tao

ANG PAG-UNAWA SA UGALI NG TAO

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

UPANG HINDI MAGING 100% ANG GALIT SA ISANG TAO, ALALAHANIN DIN ANG MGA MAGAGANDANG BAGAY NA KANYANG GINAWA. HINDI LANG IISANG UGALI MAYROON ANG TAO…MARAMI AT NAGKAKAIBA – MABUTI AT MASAMA. PERO KUNG SA TINGIN AY TALAGANG UMIIRAL ANG KASAMAAN NG ISANG TAO, UNAWAIN NA LANG, AT IWASAN UPANG WALANG GULO NA BAKA HUMANTONG PA SA SAKITAN.

 

PATI SI HESUS AY NAGMURA DIN AYON SA BIBLIYA. MATINDI ANG KAPANGYARIHAN NG KANYANG PAGMUMURA DAHIL NALANTA ANG PUNO NG PRUTAS NA HINDI NAGKAROON NG BUNGA, PALATANDAANG HINDI NITO GINAMPANAN ANG KANYANG PAPEL SA MUNDO. DAHIL SA PAGKA-INUTIL NG PUNO AY NAGING BIKTIMA RIN SI HESUS NA GUTOM NANG PANAHONG YON. KUNG ANG PAGMUMURA SIGURO NI DUTERTE AY MAY MATINDI RING KAPANGYARIHAN TULAD NG KAY HESUS, BAKA ANG MGA DRUG LORDS AY NALUSAW NA!

 

ANG DEMONYO AY MAY PAKINABANG NA NAI-AMBAG SA LAYUNIN NG DIYOS DAHIL GINAMIT SIYA NITO UPANG SUBUKAN SI HESUS. DAPAT TANDAANG HINDI MALALAMAN KUNG MABUTI ANG GINAGAWA NG ISANG TAO KUNG WALANG MASAMANG PAGBABATAYAN. LAHAT NG BAGAY SA MUNDO AY DAPAT IBATAY SA IBA PA UPANG MALAMAN KUNG ANONG URI SIYA. HINDI MALALAMAN NG ISANG TAO, HALIMBAWA, NA SIYA AY MATANGKAD KUNG WALANG PANDAK! WALANG MASASABING MABANGO KUNG HINDI ALAM KUNG ANO ANG AMOY NG MABAHO!

 

AYON PA RIN SA BIBLIYA, KAHIT PINATAY NI CAIN SI ABEL AY HINDI SIYA TULUYANG ITINAKWIL NG DIYOS, BAGKUS AY NILAGYAN SIYA NG TATAK UPANG HINDI KUYUGIN NG IBANG TAONG MASASALUBONG NIYA NA NAKAALAM NG KANYANG GINAWA. GANOON DIN ANG GINAWA KAY ADAN AT EBA, PATI ANG ULUPONG NA PINALAYAS NA LANG SA HARDIN NG GETSEMANE, AYON SA ALAMAT TUNGKOL SA PARAISO NA NAKASAAD SA BIBLIYA. PALAGAY KO, KUNG TINULUYANG PATAYIN NG DIYOS ANG ULUPONG AT HINDI BASTA NA LANG PINALAYAS, BAKA ANG UGALING TRAIDOR NG TAO AY HINDI UMIIRAL NGAYON!

 

SA PANAHON NAMAN NGAYON, KAHIT ANG MGA NAGING ADIK AT PUSHER AY MINSAN DIN NAMAN SIGURONG NAGING MABAIT NA ANAK O ASAWA AT NAAKAY LANG NG MGA MASASAMANG KAIBIGAN O NAITULAK NG MASIDHING PANGANGAILANGAN. NAMATAY SILA DAHIL NANLABAN SA UMAARESTO O PINATAY MISMO NG DATI NILANG MGA AMONG POLICE NINJA AT IBA PANG DRUG PUSHER NA AYAW MAITURO…KAYA HUWAG ITURO SINA DUTERTE AT DE LA ROSA NA MAY PAKANA NG LAHAT.

 

FINALLY, HINDI HININGI NG BAWA’T TAO NA SIYA AY IPANGANAK SA MUNDO. DAHIL DIYAN, GANOON NA LANG SIGURO ANG  PAG-IYAK AT PAGPALAHAW NG BAGONG ISINILANG NA SANGGOL NANG MARAMDAMANG INILABAS SIYA SA MUNDO DAHIL NAAMOY NITO ANG MABANTOT NA MARUMING HANGIN, AT LALONG TUMINDI PA ANG KANYANG IYAK…PALUIN BA NAMAN SIYA GANOONG WALA NAMAN SIYANG KASALANAN AT KARARATING LANG NIYA SA MUNDONG MARUMI AT MAGULO!

The World is a Maze of Confusion and Conflict

The World is a Maze of Confusion

And Conflict

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Here are some of my personal observations:

 

1. The only “order” that can be felt and experienced in the world is the 24-hour cycle divided into night and day that further accumulates into seven days in a week, further accumulating into the 28/30/31 days in a month and finally into 12 months in a year – according to the Roman Catholic calendar, however, the Chinese, the Jews, and the Muslims have their own calendar in this regard.

 

1. The long-respected Bible is now being touted as a source of various confusions, especially, because many religions have allegedly thwarted the original contents written in the original language, to serve their own purpose which is to prove their having the “true religion”. So, today, instead of being enlightened, many people became confused that they have gone to the extent of leaving the religion of their birth to become Atheist, Agnostic, or Satanic. They should not be blamed because they followed their own judgment, and nobody can rightly say that they are wrong, after having gone through the harrowing confusion.

 

1. Due to survival instinct, countries have become hypocrites. Openly, leaders deal amiably with each other despite differences in ideology, and proof to this are photos splashed on the different social media where they are shown smiling at each other and shaking hands, but days after, the same leaders make pronouncements that run counter to their friendly stance shown earlier to the world. Citizens are confused which of the two “expressions” should be believed.

 

1. Drugs are invented to prevent the onset of diseases and cure people of ailments but most of these drugs have contra-indications when used at the same time due to simultaneous inceptions of disorders. Even the long-traditionally used drugs, one of which is aspirin, are deemed to have negative effects on some organs. Most antibiotics today are also declared as ineffective and can harm many organs if used unabatedly, especially, without prescription. This confusion resulted to the loss of confidence to physicians by skeptic patients who have resorted to herbals, instead.

 

1. Confusion did not spare the foods, as many of them are not just fit for anybody. Some people get sick when they drink milk, eat seafood, beans, and even peanut. Some people vomit when they eat any fibrous vegetable or get a sniff of banana. The list of foods that are not supposed to be eaten by some people is still getting longer by the day. This deprivation is confusing, for how can sources of nutrients for the body become poison to others? Explanations are offered by experts, but the question still remains because life is supposed to be viewed as full of promises, including health and happiness. But how can it be possible if one is deprived of things needed to live happily and glowing with health?

 

1. Universities and colleges are supposed to breed intelligent graduates who are expected to be part of the effort in the development of their nation and betterment of society. But why are there corrupt government officials and even leaders who are supposed to have even earned Masters and Doctorates from these institutions of learning? Why are there evil-minded scientists, whose intellect and moral values have been bred in these institutions where only what’s good for mankind is supposed to be taught?

 

The confusion is compounded by greed that has muddled man’s mind making the upshots of his intellect become tools for his self-annihilation!

The Agony of Mother Nature

The Agony of Mother Nature

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Her  womb brought  forth  life of many sorts

On top of the list is man – wise, clever, shrewd

A creature so sharp, with ego that knows no bound

He, whose selfishness buoyed him up from the ground.

 

At  the start, his simple desire brought him food

Also, skins and leaves to cover his bare fragile frame

Then, his carnal yearnings brought him abundant broods

Who later inhabited  vast lands – plains, valleys, and woods.

 

Man’s desire has no end,  never  satisfied, not a bit

He not only breached,  what to others are sacred realms

Unmindful  and blind to  what will be the  consequence –

Even daring to break  Mother Nature’s idyllic, blissful silence.

 

Greed drove man to scalp mountains of  their  trapping –

Verdant and lush forests felled by  indiscriminate burning

Reverberating  screams of chainsaws  fill nooks and crevices

Drowning panicky bird calls  and  their  desperate screeches.

 

 

Immaculate white and sandy beaches strewn with shells

Though, still practically  fringe  undiscovered islands and coves

May no longer be what they are now,  as found  by those lucky

For their days are numbered   just like the rest, now drowned in misery.

 

Islands pockmarked with diggings for much-coveted  minerals

Pitifully barf residue to rivers, lakes, coves, even gurgling springs

While man grins his widest for the cash, illicitly and cruelly gained

Mother Nature just cringe in agony,  abused,  that for long she pained.

 

The air that man breaths for whiffs of comfort, relief, and dear life –

Now has become a mist of poison, the scourge of his irresponsibility

For bringing forth metallic contraptions belching toxin just everywhere

And even break auditory succor, shaking the world with so much clatter.

 

With Mother Nature in agony –

man is left…alone,

 to determine his destiny!

The Phenomenon called “growing old”…its benefits and disadvantages

The Phenomenon called “Growing Old”

…its benefits and disadvantages

By Apolinario Villalobos

Nobody should be afraid of growing old. It is among the many normal human processes that are part of existence. Simply put, growing old means, one continues to live, for if he does not…he is dead. Among Filipinos, there is a joke about unhealthy foods that make one not grow old which means that they will make him die at a young age.

The people of the Bible, especially, the Patriarchs were known to have lived beyond a century. Nowadays, if ever there are people who are still alive at the age of 100 or more, they are esteemed, treated with respect and showered with admiration. In some countries the centenarians are honored like heroes, subjected to interviews to extract information about the food that they eat and their daily habits. Those who belong to prominent families admit that they take “maintenance drugs” and their foods are strictly chosen. But for the poverty-stricken, they consider growing old as just some kind of luck, as they have no money for regular medical check-ups, supplemental drugs and healthy food…add to that their exposure to the elements, as some of them live on sidewalks and makeshift huts.

In the Philippines as in some other countries, the most cherished benefits of the senior citizens are the “discount” on basic necessities and privilege of not falling in the regular long line of customers in malls, supermarkets and banks. The government extends the much-deserved benefits in recognition of their contribution in propping up the stability of their nation.

Unfortunately, along with growing old is the degeneration of the ageing body parts. The rich try to remedy this unavoidable occurrence with the expensive stem cell therapy, aside from facial makeover that involves the traditional plastic surgery. Others take the risk of undergoing implant or transplant procedure. We then, see photos of celebrities with almost unreal faces – smooth like a plastic sheet without any tell-tale trace of a single wrinkle at an age when their faces are supposed to be furrowed with the dreaded lines.

There are some people who cannot accept the fact that everything on earth has its end. Boulders crumble, rivers and lakes go dry, forest gets denuded….how much more for the living? Aside from the reduction of population caused by natural death, there’s the so-called survival of the fittest among the lesser creatures with the strong consuming the weak, but in the case of man, just simply the killing of the weak by the strong during wars. Then, there’s the wrath of nature that devastates thousands of lives with a single stroke, and, of course, the plague of diseases.

We cannot stop ageing. Instead of dreading it, the process should prepare us for the day when we finally call it quits and bid goodbye to the world. It should instead, prepare us by making amends with our enemies, paying our debts, and of course, thank whoever gave us life. I found out that planning comes naturally for those who are positive about this ageing process, as they no longer regard with importance their amassed worldly gains, but instead find ways to dispose them, one of which is by distributing them among charitable institutions. Common sense dictates that “travel” is more pleasant if there is no “heavy baggage” to burden us. This realization comes only if we accept growing old as part of our life that cannot be shaken off by scientific interventions.

One of my friends told me that she gave instructions to her heirs that when she die, she wants a smiling face, not a serious one, for her friends to view inside the box of final solace, so they better find an embalmer who can do the best job. That is what I call the best preparation for the “day” which growing old cannot deter.

Man’s Life Revolves around Reasons

Man’s Life Revolves around Reasons

By Apolinario Villalobos

Everything that man does is founded on reason. There is always a reason for everything he does, and the following are just some of them:

For stealing- to save the family from starving to death, or for those in the government, just

for the heck of it because colleagues  do it.

For saving – to purchase a car, house, food, or gun to avenge the death of a loved one,

or hold others up for their money and become rich.

For committing suicide – to end the agony of depression and bid goodbye to the cruel world.

For making love – to consummate marriage or close relationship (even of same sex),

or sometimes to procreate, or more simply, to enjoy life.

For killing- to defend life and property, or just for fun, while under the influence of illegal drugs and liquor.

For drinking liquor- to drown sorrow and float on euphoric bliss.

For indulging in Bacchanalian splurges (uncontrolled eating and drinking)- to divert attention from loneliness, and for those in the government, while there is money left in the coffer.

For becoming a religious evangelist- to achieve a triple indulgence, such as money, spiritual fulfillment and fame, the better to attract candidates who want sure votes during elections in the Philippines.

For becoming a teacher- to show the world that even an average or below average guy can mold a future president, congressman, senator, lawyer, physician, priest, dictators, robbers, drug dealers, etc.

For becoming a Certified Public Accountant- to manifest love for numbers that can be juggled when keeping the book of earnings of businessmen, and of course, earn more numbers with monetary sign for keeping their two books – sure way to get rich quick.

For becoming a policeman- to arrest criminals, thefts, as well as, drug dealers, and confiscate their “goods” for “safekeeping” and “appropriate action” later on. Not all does the last reason…many are still straight.

Finally, the reasons why man is born are: LOVE that binds honest, sincere, and faithful couples; and LUST…of the rapist, adventurous teen-aged sweethearts, and irresponsible parents.

There is no Permanent Status in the World

There is no Permanent Status in this World

By Apolinario Villalobos

Good or bad fortune is not the same for all men. Some are born rich, while some are born poor. In some cases, some who were born rich become poor due to extravagance and negative circumstances beyond their control. On the other hand, some who were born poor have become rich by dint of hard work and frugality, still some, by virtue of “resourcefulness”, especially, those who entered politics.

Nobody wants to suffer from poverty. It is just that some people have a very low level of satisfaction that what appears to some people as poverty, is to the former, already a satisfactory life. Meanwhile, other aspects of life such as poverty and satisfaction have different degrees and rungs.

There is one thing, however, that most of us already know, as an important factor that can affect life – exploitation of the weak by the strong. Since time immemorial, this has been going on. For the lesser creatures, it is just for mere survival, as in the case of the animals in the jungle that kill for food. But for the civilized man, the ultimate reason is subjugation of the weak.

Nevertheless, as man by nature, is a struggling creature, along the way, there could be a reversal of fortune. Along the corridor of time, the vanquished sometimes become the victor and vice versa. There are also cases wherein dominating rich families encounter financial catastrophe and find themselves without a single centavo. Also, countries that used to be prosperous suddenly become impoverished due to badly managed national coffer and topsy-turvy financial system resulting from corruption.

Back to man, there are stories about rags-to-riches success. One is about Nora Aunor, touted as the “Filipina with a Golden Voice”, who as a teen-age girl, sold cold drinking water in a train station in Naga City. Another successful show business personality is German Moreno, the comedian turned broadcaster who used to be a cigarette vendor and janitor at Grand Opera House. There is also the story of Vice-President Binay who used to augment their family income by raising hogs in their backyard…but, now – just looking great with “hard and wisely-earned” money! Another story is about a guy, a former neighbor, who was the janitor-messenger of their office, but due to his business acumen and right connections, amassed millions from his real estate ventures. I am not saying here, that all ventures to earn riches are done the “right way”.

As for the downfall of the once great men, there are a lot of stories that can be told. One is that of the former Shah of Iran, who although, not very impoverished, is said to have no permanent residence today. A former Filipino world champion boxer, suddenly found himself without friends and money after squandering painfully- earned dollars. He is said to be begging in the wet market of General Santos City today. Many Filipino movie actors and actresses who used to be famous, failed to invest their talent fee and died paupers, while some are languishing with terminal diseases, surviving on daily financial dole-out from friends for their medicine.

The world is replete with success and downfall stories, giving substance to the adage: “what goes up, must come down”. These are lessons that should be learned as they are written in books or told, but only few are taking note, for as what a line in the song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” says: “when will we ever learn?…yes, when will we ever learn?”.

The very positive-minded have the answer: “que sera sera…whatever will be, will be”…which may be okay, for as long as no regret will be felt at the end!…and for as long as they do not blame others and God!

We should not forget that “regrets always come at the end”….