I cry because the concept of values is either dead or dying.
Back then, everything is black and white, now there is gray, with all its shades and hues.
Back then, everything is either good or evil, now it’s just because others are wily and you are just lame.
Back then, honor is everything, now it’s just a word that will not feed you and your family.
Back then, we trust our neighbors to keep watch of us. Now, we do not even trust our relatives.
Back then, we honor those who did good. Now we honor those who got ahead at the expense of the others.
Back then, brilliance means excellence in your own right. Now, you are brilliant if you achieve your goal, whatever the means you have done.
Back then, it is false to tell a lie. Now, it is a sin to tell a lie, as long as you are not caught. Heck, it is not a sin anymore even if you are caught lying.
Back then, we know the concept of what is truth. Now, we don’t even care what the truth is. We are content with all the lies that we hear and all the lies that we give. Anyone lies anyway.
Back then, we agree to disagree. Now, we agree to disagree with character assassination and ad hominem attacks as added bonuses. We shout with glee when we call our enemies jologs or stupid or bumbling fools.
Back then, we fight for others when their rights are trampled. Now, we don’t care, since it’s not our rights being trampled. Besides, they are a nuisance.
Back then, we respect the decision of the majority, even if that decision disagrees with yours. Now, screw them.
Back then, we hold our values as if they are gold. They were our guiding lights. Now, we see them as relative, of no value if we want to get ahead in the rat race.
If we lose the concept of true values, only then we will learn the folly that the values we hold dear now will not save us.
For if they can trample the rights of others, how long will you wait till they trample on your own rights?
I cry not because my rights are trampled. I cry because other’s rights are being trampled upon, and here we are, we don’t even care.
I cry because someone is being killed, and yet here we are, we don’t even care.
I cry because when someone cares, we call them communists or leftists.
I cry because those who call themselves freedom fighters harm the freedom of those they swore to protect.
I cry for all of these because we don’t care.
I cry because in the future, no one will care at all.
I cry because if these things happen to me, no one will care.
I cry because if these things happen to you, no one will care.
Its sad the way our countrymen behave. But all is not lost, as long as people like you know what values are, all is not lost.
I should call you a voice in the wilderness. Luis calls me that. Now I know what to call our blog.
Sometimes I too despair of what the country has become but I’m hopeful that if we could put back even a semblance of morality topside of government, there’s a chance that the rest downside will follow.
The young will have to strive hard to overhaul this morally coward society to succeed where we, the older ones failed.
Arbet, pardon my patronizing tone (put it to I’m older, much older than you) but it’s young people like you who will make a different Philippines and Philippine society happen.
small steps, baby steps will always be a good start. young people like you are far and few. where small voices will turn to thunderous clap to make everyone realize that voices like yours should be kept burning aglow by the values that make a man a human being.
That was an impressive piece of writing… very well said. I’m not sure I agree with your romanticization of the past though.
Was the world really better “back then”? Back when exactly? Conservatives like to lament the loss of good old value like courage, integrity, and honor. Maybe they’re right. But let’s also not forget that, once upon a time, it was perfectly OK to own slaves, beat up women, and stone blasphemers to death.
Sure, modern society has its own vices and excesses, but hey, it’s not all bad 😉
“But let’s also not forget that, once upon a time, it was perfectly OK to own slaves, beat up women, and stone blasphemers to death.”
These are not values and I think Arbet was thinking more of what the Filipino was in the not so distant past.
Schumey, I never said that those actions are values. However, they existed because old value systems allowed them to exist.
In the Philippines, concepts like machismo, religiosity, and obedience to authority were considered virtues in the not so distant past. We are starting to “lose” those values. And you know what? I think that’s a good thing 😉 As time goes on, values shift and evolve. Some old values are worth saving; some are not.
It’s nice to see good people like you and Arbet standing up for truth and integrity. But there’s no need to romanticize the past. The world wasn’t better back then. We weren’t better back then.
I must concede though that there’s a certain satisfaction to shaking our heads and saying, “Kids nowadays….” Heh. 😛
good essay, arbet. but more than the essay, the message it brings is a wake-up call to all Filipinos that all is not lost.
Short and sweet. Most of all, powerful and thought-provoking. I almost cried (not kidding). And that being said, I want you to know that I’m crying with you.
It’s great that you’ve written an impressive piece. Let’s just hope that the people read and understand it. Some people just tend to agree with you but not do anything anyway.
joy,
Thanks and I hope that we who can differentiate the good from the bad can spread the message so that others may change.
When was “back then” exactly? I don’t think it was ever good to begin with.
Thanks for your comments.
Nice one, Arbet.
As long as there are few good men standing, not all is lost!
Like a little child learning to walk, it starts from small steps. We, grown-ups can pass these good values which we inherited from our parents to our chilren and grand-children.
Now it is up to us with the help of the Almighty.
Inshallah (God willing)…