‘We are equal, yet unequal,’ and other realizations from a very difficult year
The year 2020 allowed many Filipinos to rethink about their lives because of what happened to the world. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of inescapable truth and perhaps even painful realizations, that allowed all of us to pause and re-evaluate everything around us.
While we continue to live in the new normal, COVID 19 remains a threat to all of us. Last year, Filipinos experienced not just a pandemic that altered our lives, but alo earthquakes, a volcanic eruption and the wrath of Typhoon Ulysses. Everything apparently became an eyeopener for us.
Added to our daily conversations are terms and phrases—although not necessarily new words—that have become relevant, needed and popular to everyone’s understanding. Who would have though that “pandemic” would become a byword?
We asked personalities who drew from their life experiences on how to cope with 2020 and the realizations they had.
Ryan Cayabyab
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab acknowledges the impact of every calamity that the country experienced this year. Mr. C maintains that life goes on. “We live (if we are lucky) through what nature's gift package contains—great weather, good climate, good air quality, great food baskets, etc. but also calamities like typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, health issues like the pandemic,” Mr. C says in a PhilSTAR L!fe interview.
He does not hide the fact that if it is your time to go, the Grim Reaper is just waiting in the corner. “Otherwise, we live and stay happy and healthy.”
Mr. C commends other people around who do not think twice in helping their less fortunate kababayans. “They are great people, heroic citizens, helpful and thoughtful individuals,” he points out. “But we also meet stressful people who are self-centered, who think only of enriching themselves with no regard for life or limb. If we remain optimistic and actively help in our community without much fanfare, we will not have to deal with stressful people.”
Life goes on. “No matter how much our hands are tied, human beings learn of other ways to cope with day-to-day living,” Mr. C notes. “Scientists find ways to solve our physical problems. Businessmen find ways to rise from a ravaged economy.
“Artists create from a much deeper perspective to express their feelings and turn them into art. All professions think of ways on how to adapt to new protocols while the best thinkers help us understand what we are going through.”
And what has Mr. C realized, again? “That we are but tiny specks in the universe,” he insists. “We are nothing compared to the multitude of stars in the galaxy. But we have love. We are loved. We love. And even if the world stops turning, I believe that love will remain beyond what we have in the physical realm.”
RJ Jacinto
Businessman and music icon RJ Jacinto notes that with everything that happened this year, it looks like nature and God wanted to reset the world. “For the past five decades, the rat race was in full gear to the point that we relegated important personal family relationships second only to waking up every day to chase the peso or dollar,” RJ observes.
“This pandemic has proven many people don’t have to work every day, as long as we have ample connectivity that translates into more time for family, less time in traffic going back and forth. Once 5G is fully developed, even surgery can be performed remotely, as there will be no latency or delay in the delivery of data.”
RJ insists he is a “workaholic” who grinds seven days a week, with no days off even on Sundays, when he holds a three-hour morning radio-TV show on RJ-FM and RJ Digi-TV for the past 22 years.
On top of that, RJ fulfills his government duties as the incumbent Undersecretary for Government Digital Broadcast Television and the Digitization of the Entertainment Industry Sector Department of Information and Communications Technology. Then, RJ also attends to his music, a hobby that initially started in school, but eventually became a substantial business.
“Education could be a hybrid with the student going to school premises only once a week,” RJ grants. “5G will bring augmented reality that could bring a hologram to your room, so you virtually fit a shirt or dress. Your house appliances, your office or factory can be turned on/off and controlled by your phone. Even driverless cars and maybe air taxis are coming sooner than you think.
“Artificial Intelligence will make us more efficient. This pandemic has restored balance and stopped the frenetic drive to want more and more. It has cleared the skies and air of pollution.
“Of course, the price we pay is we no longer touch each other and enjoy music and entertainment together and even worshipping together, which should be restored soon with the vaccine coming.
“In short, without downgrading the casualties that we suffered, we needed this to refresh our values.”
Martin Nievera
Concert King Martin Nievera attests that 2020 has been a roller coaster ride of challenges and tests, not just for the Philippines, but for the entire world. “We have learned that with every storm, with every shake and rumble, nothing could ever compare to the fear and uncertainty of a pandemic,” he laments.
“This virus has taught us so much about ourselves and the importance of family, God and how taking care of ourselves is actually taking care of each other. In 2020, positive meant something negative and negative meant something positive.”
This year, Martin asserts that we all became alcoholics with our hands and how for good reasons. “We hide our smile and frowns behind a mask.”
Martin can go on and on with 2020 life lessons. “But the most important lessons I have learned this year through it all, life is precious and time is short. Family is forever and love is praying for others. We lost so many loved ones and thanks to some unlikely heroes, we live to tell their stories.”
He points out that singing and entertaining don’t have to be on a stage after tickets have been sold. “I have learned that singing and entertaining can be to keep people company during scary, lonely quarantine nights,” Martin says. “I remain hopeful and will take each lesson I have learned into a brand new better new year.”
Kuh Ledesma
When the pandemic ensued, pop diva Kuh Ledesma had a clear realization that life can be so short. “Watching all the bad news on television and hearing that many are getting affected by this virus and many are actually dying from it, it is evident that this time in our lives has suddenly shifted to what we call ‘uncertain times’,” Kuh offers.
“Suddenly, I felt we all have to be ready anytime. As a Bible believer, I read the Book of Revelation and I’m familiar with the prophecies from the Bible.”
Twenty-one years ago, Kuh became a born-again Christian and she realized many things that she read from the Bible, had been happening to us. “There have been several times that I would hear from our Bible teacher and other Christians that there would be many plagues in the end times, which means COVID-19 is just one of them,” Kuh points out.
“Events written in the Book of Revelations are happening before our very eyes. It would take a lot of explaining, but the fear this pandemic has caused in people will eventually cause the government to go into a cashless society—and it is happening with the RFID, online transactions, etc.”
Kuh asks, is it all about money? “Vaccines are being rushed, but is there an assurance that they will be safe? We don’t know who really started this, but we all know that this pandemic did not happen naturally. Our world has become so far from God. There are many people who would do anything to be able to create more wealth even if it is through any means or any which way they can find.”
There are many speculations on why this pandemic happened. “But the important thing is that we should be ready at any time to meet our Creator,” Kuh says. “We are a Christian country supposedly, but how good a Christian nation are we? Why are there so many people who are so afraid? It is because death brings about fear. And people are afraid when tomorrow is not certain.”
However, Kuh shares what the Bible has always assured everyone. “Jesus Christ died on the cross for us and He carries the good news for all the people in the world, no matter who you are. There is one important thing I have learned from the Bible, which I am grateful for… the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
“The revelation is that all our sins have been paid for on the cross—past, present and future. That’s why the last word of Jesus Christ was, ‘It is finished.’ He defeated our adversary Satan and Jesus shamed him. Jesus paid for all our sins, so that we can live for what is right
“Jesus paid for all the sicknesses when He was whipped. But it doesn’t mean that it’s all automatic that all mankind will make it to heaven. Only those who trust God and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There’s so much to learn and know.”
At Hacienda Isabella, Kuh instilled in her workers they should worship every day, in the morning and in the evening. “Our workers are learning so many good things about how to have a peaceful relationship with one another, about family forgiveness and so many important life lessons through the Bible,” she says. “This pandemic has definitely brought me, my daughter Isabella and my workers closer to God. In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)
Asked about her important realization, Kuh is aware she must work more and more to help people know about the good news of Jesus Christ – the Gospel of Salvation.
“That must be my priority more than anything – and the rest, my singing career, the joy I have in painting and many other things I like doing, are all just icing on the cake.”
Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
Reflecting on a disastrous 2020, Fr. Manoling points out the year of “catastrophic calamities and a virulent pandemic” made us realize “we are all equal, yet unequal.”
“Whether rich or poor, no one has practically been insulated from the dire effects of the pandemic and spate of calamities,” Fr. Manoling affirms. “We have lost our privileges and freedoms, property and businesses, friends and family members. Like the Third World, First World nations with nuclear capacities to destroy the entire world have been forced to bow down before an invisible enemy that has ravaged their populace and economies.”
Fr. Manoling believes the spate of calamities and the pandemic has made everyone realize that we are unequal. “The poor living in flimsy shelters along the coastlines are the most vulnerable to the destructive power of typhoons. The daily wage earners and OWFs the most affected by economic lockdowns.
“While the upper class continues to watch Netflix after supper in their air-conditioned homes as they did before the pandemic, the poor worry about their empty tables and roofless homes and months-long unemployment. We crave for much, but have come to realize a little can suffice.”
The past year, Fr. Manoling has been preoccupied with the relief operations of the Tanging Yaman Foundation. “With no formal social functions and conferences to attend and retreats to conduct, I have happily realized I just need a comfy pair of casual shoes, a few shirts and pairs of pants to get by,” he muses. “So many of my clothes in my cabinet have remained unused the whole year. I realized I don’t need much and that I have much that I don’t really need.”
The lockdown, for him, became an opportunity for more intimate family bonding, but also for family frictions to escalate.
“As many have commented, the lockdown has allowed family members to spend more quality time with each other. Families have been offered the opportunity to interact with one another over meals now taken unhurriedly. Many have relished not having to spend many hours on the road to get to and from work and school. Many have used the time in their hands to read books and watch movies in their bucket list and engage in gardening and other hobbies long set aside.
“Despite our hampered mobility, our spirits remain free to love and care for others, to hope and trust in God’s providence. Over the past year I have been awe-inspired by people’s generosity to help the Taal volcanic eruption evacuees, our frontliners and health care workers, poor communities affected by the pandemic and economic downturn and Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses survivors.
“With the aid of the military and navy, we’ve been able to distribute relief packs and PPEs all over the country. Because of the patronage of people confined to their homes, we’ve been able to market the rice and vegetables of our Central and Northern Luzon farmers. Despite their physical immobility, people have been donating online; despite fear and anxiety, people have chosen to love and share.”
Tirso Cruz III
Actor Tirso Cruz III believe and realized that everything we have gone through this year are all reminders from God and mother nature. “The typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and worst of all, this pandemic, are all warnings for us to take care of this Earth in which we live in,” Tirso reflects.
“Let us not just rely on our talents, knowledge and intelligence. Instead, let us turn back to God in prayer for His guidance, blessings and direction. We have one Earth. Let us take care of it.”