SEATED at the dining table of a restaurant-cum-pizza house, I observe the flow of movement right across from where I sit. A dog is defecating, trying to cover his poop afterwards, as if he is certain to succeed, haha! But does he, or is it simply “scent-marking and communication” — a territory claim? The sturdy Talisay tree grows unrestricted on a vacant lot. I wonder if the lot owner will soon cut it down to build a structure — that would be a total waste! The parcels are creating a heap under the makeshift garage of a white building — I’m bothered; wouldn’t anyone pick any of these packages, considering that no guard is securing the property? Or are these parcels unclaimed and considered losses? A man drinks water from a cellophane and conveniently throws it beside the store, haha — the largest garbage area everywhere and anywhere in this troubled country is the calzada, hands down! The heavy trucks are destroying the road network — why has Taloto become the reroute for trucks? Has a study been done on the use of Taloto as a reroute?
Undoubtedly, the street is alive! I was right to seek another scenery. I needed a new vista to inspire my writing. Oh, what a new place can do for a bored writer, huh! It doesn’t disappoint.
As I scrutinize the surroundings, a guy wearing all black and a reversed faded blue cap arrives and begins to cover the mound of parcels! So, these packages are still due for delivery! They look dirty from where I am positioned, with a neglected dog sniffing around. Ouch! Our parcel wrappers should be thrown away quickly! Given this setup, any dog can pee on the packages. How unsanitary could that get!
Then it rains.
My attention reverts to the parcels. A twin makeshift garage has attracted single riders to seek shelter from the heavy rain. What a relief!
Often, the rain interrupts the regular stream of life. Countless important outdoor family activities have been ruined by a pouring rain. And yet, because the rains wash the filth of the earth, we grudgingly welcome them. Overall, life doesn’t stop because of it, but numerous events, gatherings, and milestones are disrupted, no thanks to it! I guess the rains are one of life’s greater equalizers.
But what consists of the earth’s filth?
Monsignor Boy Nunag stated: “Like material things, God created the earth perfectly clean. The cycle of life — growth, death, and decay — was managed by nature. Mammoths and the smallest bacteria did their part, even pristine man. So, too, the seasons. As the homo sapiens evolved and progressed, he invented non-recyclable things: garbage. He built structures that disrupted the flow of nature. Unfortunately, civilization altered creation, and now we must live with filth. In the spiritual sense, God created a beautiful world. Man, in charge of creation, was good. There was paradise. Then sin intervened, and man was tempted to disobey God. From then on, the battle between good and evil has not stopped. The filth, because of evil, has defiled the earth. The mission of the good is to clean and restore the damage done.” Very well said.
Joan V. Llanos explained that filth consists of “The negativity, the drama, the sense of entitlement that have taken so much space in our lives, in our daily grind.” Moreover, “The attachment to power, material stuff, and the temporary, which doesn’t mean anything when life hits its end,” she further enlightened.
Meanwhile, Juvy Sarmiento Lim, president of the Bohol Council of Lions Clubs presidents, expressed, “We are oftentimes called the ‘filth of the earth’ especially in situations where we cast judgment, or blame a particular group, or a person, who speaks inconvenient truths or makes a stand against corruption.” That’s a bull’s eye. Truth is the best argument.
Finally, I asked Father Jingboy Saco for his thoughts about the recently-concluded elections and the outcome of Manga’s advocacy on “No vote-buying and vote-selling.”
Fr. Saco mentioned three things: “I was inspired because many individuals supported and volunteered to push the advocacy, including the candidates, themselves; frustrated because despite genuine concerted efforts, and supposed commitment of the candidates, the agreement was still violated; challenged because I believe there is still hope to change the system if the community, the church, the government agencies, and the candidates themselves collaborate.”
But then again, vote-buying and vote-selling are a filth consciously created by Boholano men and women, so, pray tell, what washes it?
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10 a.m., at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. X @ShilohRuthie. /PN
