In this wide, wild world, it appears that nothing lasts forever – relationship, career, wealth, political affiliation, station in life, edifices, land use, even our very own lives. There is always a fixed time to an end. A person may be so powerful and filthy rich today but tomorrow he is nothing but a handful of dust, gone and forgotten. A monument may last a lifetime but surely not forever. Even the ancient pyramids of Egypt were vandalized and ruined in the name of scientific research and archaeological studies.
In marital relationship today, one will seldom find a man or a woman who would stick to their vow to love and to cherish till death separates them even if many challenges will come their way. This is evident from the number of divorced, legally separated and de-facto separated couples not only here in the Philippines but in many parts of the world. Apparently, many do not value matrimony because they enjoy changing their partner as often as changing their shoes. Some literally despise commitment while others do not want to bear and nurture children for varied reasons.
Looking at politics, we are aware that in this dirty game there is no permanent friend, no permanent enemy, only permanent interest in the guise of a scraped dictum “service for the people.” During election season, we hear news about family feud, political butterflies, quarrel between friends, separation of spouses and in extreme cases, mass killings like what happened in Maguindanao where more than fifty people were slaughtered.
Battle for power to rule is very costly. One has to spend a fortune and risk lives to be able to win yet the coveted position once won will not last forever. People die along with their principles and ideas unless such principles and ideas are timeless and printed in books or preserved in some indestructible scrolls like the Holy Scriptures. Power must be tempered by love, honesty, integrity and industry. It need not be absolute because from what I have learned, absolute power corrupts absolutely!
We have an endless list of subject matter under the sun and in the heavens above and arguably, all the things created by God have an end – mountain, hills, lakes, flora, fauna, humans. Everything shall come to an end. Every person shall die regardless of how powerful and wealthy he/she is. So, what shall we do? Maintain a holy life? Live life to the fullest even to the prejudice of other people? Or follow the old Tagalog maxim “magdungis na ng magdungis, saka na maglinis?”
It’s scary thinking about the uncertainty of the future but God has a promise. Even if the seas run dry, even if the sun and the stars stop from shining, there is paradise waiting for us in the afterlife but that is a good subject of another story. In the meantime, let’s just believe that heaven and earth shall pass away but the words of God shall remain forever. (Matthew 24:35)
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.
