I just read a post online of a quote from the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer
“All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Doesn’t it remind you of something happening back home, which, of course, is also reverberating around the world, especially in the West? For some, at least. Apparently, it is still in the second stage. I wonder if anyone is catching the drift of what I am referring to. I trust it will eventually reach the third stage. Why? “Kasi, awat na!”. Now, figure that one out, Loida Nicolas Lewis. Seriously? Asking for a recount? Connect the dots, if you can. Cryptic? Maybe.
Schopenhauer has another quote which will resonate, without doubt, with senior citizens, like myself. Let this sink in —
“Just remember, once you are over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.”
Now you can interpret this as a half-full glass or a half-empty glass. Meaning an optimist or a pessimist. The former would read this as one who gets better as the years pile on. The latter would find the meaning to be that one gets nearer to the end. Perhaps, someone has a different take on this quote from Schopenhauer. Interesting.
Going through his quotes reminds me of my philosophy classes in college since I minored in Philosophy. And also in what the Filipinos call being“pilosopo”. This is the method used when one is trying to squeeze out of a difficult situation, especially with your parents. Most of us, in the folly of our youth, resorted to this.
Other noteworthy quotes of A.S. are –
“Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.”
(I am sure you know someone in life like this. It may even be yourself)
“Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents.”
(In short, it could be for show or it could be, in Tagalog, “pampalubag loob” – to assuage oneself, to make one feel good about oneself). It is amazing the many ways we use to feel good about ourself.) I am no exception. I find myself resorting to this now and then. Sometimes, one is not even aware of being in that frame of mind.
Ouch! Mea culpa. Sometimes I have books which I have not read or read them intermittently. You sometimes see rooms with shelves full of books. It makes one wonder if the owner of those books has truly read all of them. Anyway, they are food for thought – the quotes and the books.
Speaking of books, and reading them. – I am reminded of what the Jose Rizal historians and experts have said, like Dr. Ambeth Ocampo and historian and playwright Paul Dumol. Rizal left around 25 volumes of writings, but very few Filipinos have read them. As Paul Dumol said in the National Historical Commission of the Philippines documentary JOSE RIZAL: Sa Landas ng Paglaya, “You can only appreciate Rizal by reading him, not reading about him.” And goes on to say that “This is an example of veneration without understanding”.
I trust that with the new leadership of the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region, there will be some steps towards that direction – meaning veneration with understanding. Perhaps, there could be book clubs or essay workshops on the novel of Jose Rizal, “Noli Me Tangere”, his most famous literary work, which ignited the spark towards the revolutionary movement in the Philippines against the Spanish colonial masters. I myself would join such an event.
It is worthwhile to keep in mind that this coming June 19 is the 161st birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. On this occasion ,the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region, under the helm of Dr. Romy Sinajon, Regional Commander, and the other able officers, have a slew of activities to honor Dr. Rizal.
One of them is the 2 part television special DR. JOSE RIZAL, THEN & NOW scheduled to air on OMNI TV on June 19 and 26 on primetime (8:30 pm). Watch out for this 2-part television program under the aegis of the Knights of Rizal Central Canada Region. Learn more about Dr. Rizal and his extraordinary life and the world-wide organization that has kept his memory and ideals alive – the Knights of Rizal.
To top it all, let us celebrate Filipino Heritage Month this June. There is so much to be thankful for, both as Filipinos, and as Canadians as well.
On celebrations and gratitude – with the incoming new administration in the Philippines, I hope and look forward to the possible revival of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (known as the Metropop) which was held annually from 1978 to 1985. The aim was to promote and develop original Pilipino music (thus the term OPM). Main proponents of this festival was the eminent journalist Teodoro “Doroy” Valencia and Imee (now Senator) Marcos. Although the composition “Anak” of Freddie Aguilar was only a finalist in the 1st Metropop Festival, his song went on to become a world-wide hit, eventually to be translated and performed in over 20 languages globally. Those years were the golden years of original Pilipino music, and it launched the musical careers of Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, Ryan Cayabyab, Anthony Castelo, Heber Bartolome, Emil Mijares (musical director of the Metropop Festival – one of the best! Worked with him on many musical television programs), and many others. (“Pasensya na” if I don’t mention all of them. Too numerous. No dirth of musical talents then.)
Who can forget (except for millennials, of course) the Grand Prize winner of the 1st Metro Pop Music Festival – “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” with Music and Lyrics by the one and only Ryan Cayabyab as interpreted by Hajji Alejandro.
I must admit that what sent me off on this very pleasurable memory lane tangent was the music video posted online –“Bayang Kang Magiliw” at the end of one of the vlogs of Ka Tunying or Anthony Taverna. It seems that he plays this music video at the end of his posts. I do not really watch all of his vlogs. But I was mesmerized by this song “Bayang Kang Magiliw” composed, produced and arranged by another one-and-only Filipino musician, Danny Tan. Truly “makabagbag-damdamin” ( in English, it could mean soul-stirring or compelling). I also take my hats off to the music video director! Outstanding work. It makes you feel proud to be a Filipino, and more than the feeling, it gives one inspiration to act on this feeling. If you are maka-Leni, disregard some of the footages. Just focus on the music and the lyrics. Absolutely “nakaka-uplift”.
That, in a nutshell, set me off on remembering the Metro Pop Music Festival. Plus a host of other cultural works and gems of our very own Filipino artists. I trust that there will be a resurgence of the development and promotion of our Filipino culture and the arts in a more pro-active and dynamic manner in the coming years. Perhaps, if we take this direction, there won’t be a need to yell the words “Awat na!”
Mabuhay! Happy Filipino Heritage Month!
Tessie O. Taylor