ANYWHERE in the world the media tackle in their various programs, more specially news reports and commentaries, issues related to the raging Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoViD 19) pandemic. Almost one hundred percent of news and commentary programs of such international broadcast media as CNN, BBC, Al Jaseera,
Fox, ABC, CNBC and others including our own media network devote a great deal of their time on reporting the status of the pandemic, what the government authorities are doing or not doing about it, or giving and seeking out opinions from various sectors on why this or that country appears to be failing in its efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Even the publicly recognized individuals and organizations are battling it out with newbees and self-proclaimed skilled persons in giving their prognosis of the pandemic including boldly giving out projections as to the possible number of afflicted and deaths in a given time.
A classic example is the sharing of a famous academic institution research unit of the result of its study on CoViD 19 and its prevalence in the Philippines.
According to the school’s leading research personality who was interviewed over CNN Philippines, as many as 3 million Filipinos could already be infected by the deadly virus and that they are not just reported.
The reason of the non-inclusion of these afflicted individuals is allegedly due to the fault reporting tool used by the Department of Health.
The top research personnel from the academe also claimed during the television interview that the health authorities’ failure to implement immediate mass testing intervention could have exacerbated the non-discovery of CoViD-carrying persons.
Also, we have observed that the most vocal of those who go direct to the media and recklessly share with the public their adverse opinion on the government actions against the pandemic are the usual government critics, those who once worked with government and got out because they refuse to be team players, and those who quit their job because their initiated multi-billion projects were not approved thus putting their commitment to favored suppliers in jeopardy and in effect losing multi-million peso kickback opportunities.
But of course in a time of extremely serious crisis as the one gripping the entire world including our own Philippines, there is enough reason not to put a bar in the free market of ideas. And in countries like ours, letting out opinions, adverse or favorable to existing protocols, is even given the guarantee of the Constitution.
So, let us just have to live with it and welcome whatever comes out of the never-ending debate whether what the government is doing to stop the pandemic, as well as the various measures it has adopted to cushion its impact on the economy, are enough or wanting.
Meanwhile, we believe that it is imperative that every Filipino has to share in the responsibility of saving the nation from total perdition. We cannot afford to just be fence sitters or sail boat watchers, or the proverbial lazy Juan waiting for the guava to ripen and fall on his mouth.
And if we have to give ourselves some respite from the daily bombardment of CoViD-related issues, may be this Facebook post by retired Philippine Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonio Carpio will be more than satisfying. The post was shared to us by a high school classmate and very close friend Guilly Paden who now resides in the United States of America.
Here it is:
“History has it that when the ancient Chinese decided to live in peace, they made the Great Wall of China. They thought no one could climb it due to its height. During the one hundred years of its existence, the Chinese were invaded thrice and every time, the hordes of enemy infantry had no need of penetrating or climbing over the wall, because each time, they bribed the guards and came through the doors.
“The Chinese built the wall, but forgot the character-building of the wall guards. Though the GreatWall has over the years become a powerful symbol of the country’s enduring strength and spirit, but it has actually been a good reminder to the Chinese of the superiority of human character. The Chinese realized much later that the best defense against the enemy is not a fortified wall, but a fortified character. Thus, the building of the human character comes before building of anything else.
“Prayer is not EVERYTHING. Build relationships, and don’t ever forget that God will always use man. Be mindful of your words and how you speak to people. Work seriously on your character and attitude towards life.“ I want to say emphatically that character is not optional; it is sacrosanct to the future that God has planned for you. No matter where you place prayers, character still matters. The greatest fraud in life is religion without character. A man without character is recklessly alive..
“William Shakespeare captured it succinctly when he said: ‘The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves.’ Peter Schutz, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Porsche said: ‘Hire character, train skills.’“ Lastly, back in the days when Germany was divided, a huge wall separated East and West Berlin. One day, some people in East Berlin took a truckload of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side.
The people of West Berlin could have done the same thing, but they didn’t. Instead they took a truck-load of canned goods, bread, milk and other provisions, and neatly stacked it on the East Berlin side. On top of this stack they placed the sign: “EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS.’“ How very true! You can only give what you have.
What do you have inside of you? Is it hate or love? Violence or peace? Death or life? Capacity to build or capacity to destroy? What you have acquired over the years? Team spirit or pull down architecture? “EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS.“ Think about it. Please give out the good in you.”
Indeed how nice would it be if only in this time of the CoViD 19 pandemic each one of us Filipinosgives only the good in us and shed away the bad.”
