Must read

Ben Contreras

HOW many of us have come across this brief article of Dr. Richard Teo on Facebook? Twice I did. Although it says, “must read for all doctors,” it is also worth reading for anyone and everyone.

The intention is clear. It’s all over in every line. It’s really up to the reader which one to pick and learn from that one finds relevant to one’s life as well.

I have my pick and this is it. “A lot of times, we forget whom we are supposed to be serving. We become so lost that we serve nobody else but just ourselves.” Clearly, he was referring to our God, that in time of success and good fortune, we tend to forget Him. It’s only when we are at the throes of death that we remember God again. But let me apply this to our elected leaders.

Let’s just say, “Must read for all politicians.” When was the last time we saw a politician bow out from politics a poor man––not dirt poor––but relatively poor?

It seems like that to expect politicians not to make money while in office is to be out of this world and not in touch with changing time and human values.

One joke that has been repeatedly told does not even affect our leaders. “Ang kawatan, mangawat sa, ayha mudagan. Ang mga pulitiko, mudagan sa, ayha mangawat.” Their reaction is a wry laugh yet uncompromising.

“Who isn’t?” is a common reaction for those who vote as if there is really no other choice. And for those who don’t care, cannot care less or have been so used to dole outs, these attitudes only help propagate politicians of this kind.

The electorate has reached the level of conviction that for as long as one politician has done a lot in terms of projects for one’s constituency, never mind how much one earns handsomely but immorally, “Okay na siya.” To put it briefly, “the lesser evil” reigns.

Who are they supposed to serve? It’s “we,” the people. Yet it is a fact until today that only the politicians become rich while the people continue to wallow in dire poverty because they serve their interests foremost.

As our population continues to grow, and it would grow faster than one could think and imagine, the number of poor people also grow making it conducive to politicians to ensconce themselves in power.

A few hundred pesos is dirt cheap to buy votes when one rakes in millions in dirty money.

Who are the people to help change our attitude and sense of morality? Being a Catholic country, the Church should have been one to do this. Unfortunately, even the Church is wracked in politics and division, leaving their flock utterly confused on the meaning and purposes of religion.

Is there hope? Hope is never lost with time. Along the infinite journey in this world, something will happen. A great catastrophe or even war might usher in new leaders to rebuild a new society similar to how the world begun. Whatever! Not in my lifetime!

Are our politicians really so lost that they best serve themselves only? Even if it is so, let them all be reminded of Dr. Richard Teo’s experience and while at the throes of death.

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Even in a small area like my home, I still need to move around and look for better signal for my Globe. It wasn’t like this before. And when Globe announced their expansion program many, many months ago, said to serve its millions of subscribers better, this.

Certainly, I am not the only one complaining. If only we could live without cellular phones! It’s not just the “in thing,” it has become so much a part of our daily lives that we can’t do without. Whew… ugot na lang!