It is disturbing to note that during the Live Streaming of Traslacion 2019 done a TV network, there were some people who joined the Live Streaming to mock and criticize the religious practice and belief of the devotees who perhaps some are even living in other parts of the world. But in their ardent desire to pay homage to the Black Nazarene, they participated in the Live Streaming and perhaps just like in the Holy Scripture (Matthew 9:20-22) clearly depicted how a woman who was bleeding for 12 years said to herself that if he could only touch the cloak of Jesus, she would be healed. Lo and behold, when Jesus saw her, he said, “Daughter, do not worry for your faith jas healed you. And that very moment, the woman was healed.”

Our country takes pride of being the only Christian nation in Asia. And there are around 85 percent who belong to the Roman Catholic, 6 percent come from local Christian churches, Islam is around 5.7 percent and mostly concentrated in Mindanao, while the rest of the 2 percent belong to various Protestant denominations who now call themselves Christians and rest who do not have religious affiliation call themselves Agnostics and Atheists.

Before, the Filipinos were more tolerant and respectful of other’s religious belief and practice. We recognize the Ramadan, the foundation of Iglesia Ni Cristo, the founding of Aglipayan Church and even the aggressive  proselytization of other religions at the expense of other religions by brazenly disparaging them worst in the time where they deliver their interpretation of the Holy Scriptures they read. But what could be the reason why they are doing this? Do they not understand that even Jesus reminded John in Luke 9:49-50 when John told Jesus, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us”. In response to John’s zealousness, Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Religion comes from the Latin word “Religare”, which means “to bind together”. One will not be able to bind with others if they remain selfish, self-righteous and disrespectful of others’ religious beliefs or practices.

For those who mock other’s religious belief or practices, please ponder on this. You may be the most proficient or voracious Bible readers who can memorize all the passages from Genesis to revelation. But what good is that if you do not show love and respect for others?

On final note, try to ruminate if what you are doing is right. Because if your religion teaches you to mock and hate others’ belief and religious practices, it is time for you to change your religion!

The TV ad that started yesterday in both GMA and ABS-CBN Channels and in other radio stations about children reminding the good mayor Rody Duterte about his controversial remarks and acts, including the cursing of Pope Francis and the rape-slay of an Australian missionary has stirred up a hornets’ nest. It was an eye opener to many people and those who are more undecided. It was a foretaste of the imminent governance as some of the people expressed in their respective social media accounts. However, to Duterte’s camp and supporters, this doesn’t sit well with them. They resented it and others started to take their venom out on the TV networks and radio stations. While others are ganging up against Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes III. I am not an avid fan of Trillanes, but I agree with him and believe that this ad is not an insult to Duterte, but rather a call for a metanoia (change of heart) for those who are still discerning and praying to God for His guidance while they haven’t casted their votes yet. It is also challenge to Duterte that if he wins, it is just right and proper to change his not pleasing ways for the sake of the children. Duterte even admitted in the last debate that he has not been a good example to the youth. Having said this, he must take a conscious effort to behave the way a good leader ought to be. It is not about asking him to change, but rather it is what is expected of him as someone who aspires to become the leader of our nation.

I hope the priests of the Roman Catholic, the ministers of Iglesia Ni Cristo or maybe should be rightfully called, “Iglesia Ni Manalo”, and the pastors like appointed son of a gang, I mean son of god, Apollo Quibuloy would live up to what is written in Proverb 12:1 that says, “Anyone who loves knowledge wants to be told when he is wrong. It is foolish to hate being corrected.”

Personally, I am disturbed as how others’ mentality tend to be myopic despite being educated. That’s why my great grandfather Plato is right when he said, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Let’s not shoot the messenger. Whatever is told in the TV ad is really worth reflecting. It’s a sad tragedy in life. It’s Duterte’s own undoing. For someone like me who once rooted for Duterte before, this is what made me dropped him in my list as my President. He only listens to himself and this is the most dangerous trait he has. Correcting the wrong is not a weakness, it’s a mark of a wise leader. The Icelanders believe in this unorthodox wisdom, “A wise leader changes is mind, a fool never will.”

As I see it, there’s a dangerous behavioral pattern from some of Duterte’s zombies or Duterte Diehard Supporters. They’re irrational and have erratic behavior as they always resort to bullying, threatened people who are not agreeing with them, and this is a red flag that the Filipino people ought to watch when Duterte ascend to power.

Needless to say, I don’t have to look that far anymore. Even my own friends who are rooting for Duterte seems to have been slowly behaving like boorish now. As to whether by osmosis or immitatio Duterte (Immitation of Duterte), only them can tell. Mind you, some of them are even products of the top five best schools in the country. Well maybe by osmosis which is inevitable because it’s a simple case of “monkey see, monkey do.” Leadership is not just about charisma, for me it’s about character. Furthermore, other 8Cs of Leadership must be also present, (a term I coined and have been using in my workshops) which comprises Courage, Competency, Capability, Clarity, Commitment, Communication, Character and Common Sense.

We are just three days away from the national election. Pray fervently and ask for God’s guidance. Don’t let emotions rule over your head. Don’t be enticed by words, because words are cheap nowadays, especially coming from politicians. Don’t be hurt or angered by the truth being revealed. It is sad to note that it looks like the only truth is the one that camps from Duterte’s camp. Truth is not monopolized by one candidate. In the subject Epistemology, the study of truth I remember how our German Professor defined truth to us, “Truth is a conformity of mind with the reality.” What is the reality? That Duterte cursed the Pope, that he joked about rape, that he espouses killings without justice (at least to the people not known to him because last December 2015, drug dealers in Davao coming from the prominent family were able to escape) and that he loves to express profanity every time he is displeased.

These are the truth revealed in the TV ad, why get angry of them. Are you afraid of the light? I am sure if Plato were still alive, he would slap the face of all the people who went berserk in the social media cursing and condemning the people behind the ad and he would even sarcastically say, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

In closing I would like to quote the French Philosopher Albert Camus who said, “Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object.“

Need I say more? What do you think?