“Tyrants of tomorrow”

We are getting deeper into the 21st century. Beyond a New Year’s resolution, does Juan de la Cruz need something more profound?

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, that they will be such is not to be doubted, for he who submits to tyranny loves it.” [We are ruled by Rizal’s ‘tyrants of tomorrow,’ Editorial, The Manila Times, 29th Dec 2015]

In other words, Duterte, just like Marcos, is a creation of our love for tyranny. “Mr. Duterte would not only shut down the country’s biggest radio and television network, which employs over 11,000 men and women all over the country, on no other basis than his claim that it did not air his propaganda materials during the 2016 campaign for the Presidency. He would also enable his cronies — one of whom is only too eager to add the network to his vast range of recent acquisitions — into taking control of it in a reprise of the crony capitalism of the Marcos dictatorship.” [“Against independence,” Luis V. Teodoro, Vantage Point, 19th Dec 2019]

The blog came into being in early 2009, and in a few weeks, it will be in its 11th year. Where are we after over a decade? We remain the regional laggard. “Pinoy Kasi,” will explain why we can’t overcome the perfect storm that has defined the Philippines: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism, rely on political patronage and oligarchy that ours is a culture of impunity.

If there is one thing that can describe Juan de la Cruz, is it, he is the antithesis of dynamism? We are in a cocoon, why won’t we be the poster child of static energy? Let’s step back and figure out what living things are. Isn’t creation about dynamism and interconnectedness and oneness? Think of the universe as an ecosystem.

In other words, it is not static, nor is it absolute. And tyranny comes to mind, and why Marcos and today, Duterte, represents the perfect storm that is the Philippines. Not even Eden was an absolute paradise. Satan confirmed that perfection is not of this world and thus the second coming.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, where innovation and global competitiveness are the prices of entry. And it is not about consumerism because “innovation” is not magic but about human need. Consider: The most prominent tech companies compete to develop what will succeed supercomputers, i.e., quantum computing.

What human needs will they address? There are two examples these pioneers give. The world will be able to develop renewable raw materials more rapidly that will require lesser input in the manufacturing process. The second one is the rapid development of newer drugs, as in wonder drugs.

Are we accepting that we are archaic yet? What will it take us to shift paradigms? The 12 steps of AA and the 12 laws of karma come to mind.

“Jesus and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are saying the same thing but with different vocabulary: We suffer to get well. We surrender to win. We die to live. We give it away to keep it.

“Step Three: a radical surrendering of our will to Another whom we trust more than ourselves. This program is a truth-telling program. That’s how it turns us into free people.

“When there are accountability and forgiveness as part of the process, healing will almost inevitably follow.

“Life and death are not opposites. They do not cancel one another out; neither do goodness and badness. There is room for everything to belong. A radical, almost nonsensical ‘okayness’ characterizes mature believers, often called ‘holy fools.’ We don’t have to deny, dismiss, defy, or ignore reality.” [Twelve-Step Spirituality, Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, 13th Dec 2019; Rohr expounds Franciscan theology in his daily meditations. Note that there is no pope named after Saint Francis until Pope Francis, i.e., is there absoluteness within the Catholic Church?]

Question: Where does Step Three stand against the 12 laws of karma? Take “The law of humility: To change something in your life, you first have to accept what currently exists. That is the premise of the law of humility. Know that no matter where you start if you’re able to own your story and the facets of it that are completely out of your control, you can also own the path for what’s next. A happy, healthy, successful future is yours for the taking.” [https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/12-laws-of-karma/]

The other laws will likewise hit home as far as we Pinoys are concerned. “The great law: Also known as the law of cause and effect, the ‘great law’ is what comes to mind when one considers what karma means. It states that whatever thoughts or energy we put out, we get back—good or bad. It’s like sowing and reaping.

“The law of creation is all about creating. You don’t just wait for good things to happen in your life magically; you must actively go out there and make things happen. Use your talents, gifts, and abilities to bless the world. Create something not just for our benefit but also for the benefit of others. The power to create your ideality lies within you.

“The universal law of growth is about expansion, namely within us. As we grow, change, and evolve internally, our external reality will change and grow as a result. And the growth never ends—there’s always new things to learn, shift, and heal.

“The law of responsibility is about taking ownership of everything that happens in our lives, including the not-so-good stuff. We are responsible for how we choose to live our lives—not anyone else. We are responsible for how we show up in the world, how we allow others to treat us, and how we treat other people. To put this law into action, take responsibility for the part you play in every situation you have.

“Everything and every person are connected in some way per the ‘law of connection.’ Although the past you, the present you, and the future you may seem entirely different, they are all still you. Everything you’ve experienced has led to the next thing and the next thing and the next thing. It’s all linked up. And we’re connected to other people, too.

“As we help, teach, love, honor, and respect ourselves, we do the same for others. The connection is always there. We just must be observant and tune into it.

“The law of change. If you’ve found yourself experiencing the same situation repeatedly, that is the law of change in action. It’s the universe’s way of nudging you to learn a lesson. The pattern continues to repeat itself until you learn from the experience and do something different to evolve into a better version of yourself and stop the vicious cycle.”

Let’s take a pause and ask, do the laws of karma explain why Lee, Mahathir, and Deng had foresight? Consider: “Karma describes the concept of getting back whatever you put forth, good or bad, into the universe. It is central to Hinduism and Buddhism for determining a person’s next existence based on the ethical net of their current one. But no matter which belief system you follow (or don’t), the concept of karma plays a role in your life. That’s because there are 12 laws of karma constantly at play, whether you realize it or not.”

Let’s get back to Duterte. “Duterte threatens Manila Water, Maynilad with expropriation,” Pia Ranada, rappler.com, 10th Dec 2019. There we go again: Recall the war on drugs, corruption, and Metro Manila traffic, among others; that Duterte had the quick fix. Or does he?

Consider: “The sorry state of education helps explain the fragility of what passes for democracy in the Philippines.

“[The] budget a country allots to education is only one among several other factors that decide what, how much, and how well students learn. For example, is the system focused on the quality of the learning students get? Or just to get as many students as possible through the mill?

“The dismal showing of Filipino students in reading comprehension, mathematics, and science has to be addressed.

“Ignorance and the contempt for learning are antithetical to national development and the democratization process. Citizens who know little or nothing or are misinformed about the most pressing issues cannot intelligently make informed decisions on which democratic governance depends. 

“The sorry state of education helps explain the fragility of what passes for democracy in the Philippines.

“Increasing the funding for education is a necessary first step. But rethinking the educational system, its aims, and its directions, is equally crucial.

“Philippine education’s fundamental aim [is] to produce men and women who can be ‘competitive’ in today’s world. It would be a laudable enough goal if not for the meaning most policymakers attach to it, which in sum is to enable Filipinos to be ‘worthy of employment’ as nurses, nannies, domestics, or construction workers.

“Real competitiveness should mean developing among the country’s young men and women the critical capacity and love of learning that can make them the equals of the world’s best thinkers, artists, scientists, and professionals so they can contribute to the country’s development.

“Instead, the competitiveness mantra puts less emphasis on knowledge and more on the skills the global labor market needs. Under that rubric, reading comprehension, mathematical proficiency, and understanding of science are, at best, a second priority.

“In response to the PISA report, Education Secretary Leonor Briones has thankfully declared that the system she oversees will henceforth emphasize quality rather than quantity, hopefully without limiting universal access to primary education.

“But between the wish and the fulfillment, alas, is a vast ocean of official indifference and misplaced priorities in a country that claims to be 98% literate but too many of whose citizens are grossly misinformed because they hardly understand what they read — if they read at all.” [“Rethinking Philippine education,” Luis V. Teodoro, Vantage Point, BusinessWorld, 12th Dec 2019.]

The bottom line: Our love for tyranny is not the way forward. If at all, it explains why we are the regional laggard. For example, if we are indeed a democracy, we must not forget that it is a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

See above the 12 laws of karma and Jesus and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Gising bayan!

The family joins the writer in wishing one and all a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, that they will be such is not to be doubted, for he who submits to tyranny loves it.” [We are ruled by Rizal’s ‘tyrants of tomorrow,’ Editorial, The Manila Times, 29th Dec 2015]

“Now I know why Paul dared to speak of ‘the curse of the law’ (Galatians 3:13). Law reigns and discernment is unnecessary, which means there is little growth or change in such people. When you do not grow, you remain an infant.” [Faith and Science, Open to Change, Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, 23rd Oct 2017]

“As a major component for the education and reorientation of our people, mainstream media – their reporters, writers, photographers, columnists, and editors – have an obligation to this country . . .” [Era of documented irrelevance: Mainstream media, critics and protesters, Homobono A. Adaza, The Manila Times, 25th Nov 2015]

“National prosperity is created, not inherited. It does not grow out of a country's natural endowments, its labor pool, its interest rates, or its currency’s value, as classical economics insists. [A] nation’s competitiveness depends on the capacity of its industry to innovate and upgrade.” [The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael E. Porter, Harvard Business Review, March–April 1990]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” [William Pollard, 1911-1989, physicist-priest, Manhattan Project]

“Development [is informed by a people’s] worldview, cognitive capacity, values, moral development, self-identity, spirituality, and leadership . . .” [Frederic Laloux, Reinventing organizations, Nelson Parker, 2014]