IT’S THE SMALL THINGS

Looking back at the week last week was, it most definitely was one that saw a lot of anxiety, uncertainty, fear, and emotions. Amidst the rising COVID-19 cases came the decision of Congress to junk ABS-CBN’s franchise. While every person reacted to the ruling differently, the decision had somewhat of an impact on most. Beyond the 11,000 that lost jobs, every single one of us has an ABS-CBN story to tell. Whether negative or positive, as a member of its workforce or simply a televiewer and avid patron, we all have our story to tell. Because this is the impact of the kapamilya network.

As someone who has never known a life without ABS-CBN, as disappointing and disheartening as it may be to many of us, I would like to think that our representatives – regardless of their vote – had their reasons for voting in the way that they did. Everyone is overridden with emotion, some more than others, but at times like this, I am reminded of the many potholes I have tripped on, and the many roller coasters I have ridden in the past. At the end of the day, we all have our own opinions and our own reasons. We have the right to speak our minds, and the right to feel whatever it is we are feeling. What is most important is our accountability for our actions – our knowledge and awareness that there may be consequences to suffer, and that our personal choices brought these about.

At a time like this, respect is most important. Without siding with anyone, and in my attempt to be extremely neutral, I say with no partiality that as much as political figures are also public servants and leaders inevitably exposing them to attack and criticism, sometimes even exploitation, we must also remember that they too are human beings. They too have emotions. We may not agree with some of their choices and decisions, but we also must remember that we elected them to their position, and we too live to learn the outcome of our choices. Politics is not forever in the same way that power is fleeting. I have always believed that we reap what we sow, and attacking the character of someone no matter how public a figure they may be will never elicit positive karma. I am not saying we have no right to be angry, or complain, but we must be mindful of our words. In the age of social media most especially, when there really is no taking back what has already been posted. A tongue of fire will only keep on burning. In the same way that a good friend always reminds me, “Less said, less done. Nothing said, nothing done.”

People have their reasons. More often than not, it is so much more than what meets the eye. Respect is key, most especially when friendships stand on the line in situations like this. In a world as small as ours, and a society as intertwined as the Philippines, it is more likely than not that we find friends in the political arena. There are times when we do not agree with their choices, but we must also remind ourselves that friendship should transcend politics – at least for those who matter. Being a political leader comes with privileges, yes, but also its own set of “occupational hazards” which in my opinion, is magnified tenfold by social media and the inevitability of being in the public eye. A mature mind knows that it is sometimes okay to agree to disagree, in the same way that a secure friendship will respect emotions regardless of what they are. At the end of the day, there are relationships that are meant to be forever, but there are also sadly those that do not withstand boiling waters, nor the test of time. When all is said and done, when we expect it the least, we end up revisiting those wounds and become eternally grateful for those who have come around, and continue to stick it through with us. It is when we realize and value loyalty most. It is when those who are willing to stand up for you when you least expect it come forward and shine brightest – those are the keepers in my books.

Take it from me. Believe it or not, I have been through it. I know what it is like to be on both ends of the stick. The friend who comes by when the rest of the world chooses to continue on is the one you can count on for the tightest embrace, in your darkest moment. When the whole world seemingly walks out, remember the ones who reach out. They may disappear at your most celebrated of moments, but they will be there when everything else shatters, and then you realize where their hearts truly lay – with you. What goes around, comes around. It always will. In a world ridden with so much uncertainty, of that, I am very sure.