“Everybody is talking about the good old days…the good old days…yes, everybody…the good old days…could it be that it was oh, so simple then…time has rewritten every line…but if we have a chance to do it all again…Could we? Would we?”
This prologue of the song ‘The Way We Were’ originally sung by Barbra Streisand and popularized locally by the late Rico J. Puno perfectly fit the present political scenario where we would often hear politicians and a lot of people in the country sides discussing the “good old days” – peaceful and drug-free environment; courteous kids; respect for human rights; cheap prices of commodities; clean rivers and lake; children-friendly environment, and many more.
Who wouldn’t want the good old days when everyone is concerned about the welfare of others? When “Bayanihan” solves rural folk problems like clearing the farm, planting of seedlings, transferring of nipa hut from one area to another, plowing the field and gathering the harvest without monetary consideration? These were some of the usual activities I personally witnessed when I was young and the days when you can leave your stuff outside the house without fear of losing them. I remember my mother leaving all our windows and doors open during summer so we can have a good supply of fresh air.
Way back then, firewood, edible ferns, coconuts, fruits in season, wild fowls and boars abound in the forest for hunters to catch for food. The rivers were clean and rich with clams, shrimps and fresh-water fishes. Food in the barrio was not a problem. But progress and indiscriminate development of the rural areas by the oligarchs – land developers, miners, and the like destroy the pristine condition of the countryside. The indigenous people (IPs) were robbed of their ancestral domains and were forced to leave for another place.
Could we still bring back the good old days our living old folk are talking about? I guess not anymore unless all of us shall seriously work for its restoration. And it would surely take time. Why? Because the geographical appearance of our land has already changed. Most of the mountains are denuded. The lakes and rivers, even the air we breathe are polluted. Good manners and right conduct (GMRC) obviously are not being given sufficient emphasis anymore in the academe as evidenced by the kind of youngsters we have today.
If we could change ourselves and our community thru our concerted efforts, would we? Are we willing to give up even for a moment the comfort and convenience made available to us by modern science and technology? Would we follow the footsteps of those who sacrificed the luxury and comfort of their lives to help the less fortunate? If our answer is in the negative, then we can say goodbye to the good old days.
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
