There is a Filipino saying “Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili”, meaning you do not take the word of a person hook, line and sinker because more often than not, people with ill motives would fabricate stories to get what they want. Sometimes, they play innocent while telling stories jam-packed with half-truth and half-lies so that they can easily sway the hearts and minds of the person listening.
Look at this scenario: a housemaid/caretaker of an old man who is not supposed to meddle with the domestic squabble between husband and wife would record the heated arguments between the two. She would send it to the couple’s children purposely to gain their trust so she can ultimately be financially secured. To retain her status as a “trusted” companion, she would tell lousy stories with the malicious intention of painting the wife black so she would appear sparkling white. Work of a genius? No! It’s the work of the devil.
This roguish scheme is also exercised by dirty politicians every election season. Notice how a political wannabe would throw tons of dirt against his opponents to win the votes of the voting public. Some would even engage in dirty tricks like saying that the strongest contender already withdrew from the race or was declared a nuisance candidate by the COMELEC. All this give credence to the belief that politics is the dirtiest game created by men.
When confronted by controversies, whether inside the family or in a larger community, it is best to remember what Dr. Jose P. Rizal had written to the women of Malolos on February 22, 1889 while he was in London. The letter which I consider timeless, applies not only to the women of Malolos but to all Filipinos. Part of the reflection on the letter which was translated by Adana Reyes says: “A Filipino woman should educate herself; should know how to preserve her dignity and honor; that faith is not merely reciting long prayers…but rather it is living the real Christian way, with good morals and good manners.”
Rizal wanted us to have critical thinking. When someone tells us a story about other people, think! Do not simply jump into conclusion and immediately abhor the subject without conducting any inquiry or investigation. Even in Court, the judge listens first to testimonies of witnesses under oath in criminal cases and weighs documentary evidence in civil cases before rendering judgment.
Believing the narratives of a rumormonger whose hidden agenda is to destroy the beautiful relationship of people around her deserves no less than a just chastisement from heaven. In my one-centavo opinion, this kind of person should not be trusted because trust should be given only to those with clean hearts and unsoiled minds. In one of the movies on espionage I watched lately, the protagonist said to his crew: “Trust no one, even the laundry woman.”
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.
