Usap-usapan at Balitang Kutsero (On Hearsays and Horse Tales)

Isang araw, si Aling Balat-Sibuyas at si Mang Balat-Kalabaw ay nagtalo. Wika ni Aling Balat-Sibuyas, “Mas mabuti yata at karapat-dapat na ang Pilipino ay manatiling mahiyain at manahimik na lamang kapag may nagtatalo. Ang tahimik na tao ay hindi magkakamali. At sa pagiging maramdamin, tayo ay aalagaan. (One day, Ms Onionskin and Mr. Cowhide had a debate. Ms. Onionskin said: “Perhaps it is better for Filipinos to maintain our timid silence when conflict arises. A quiet person will not make a mistake. And as for being sensitive, we will only be pitied and end up being taken care of”).
Ang tugon ni Mang Balat-Kalabaw, “Wala kang patutunguhan, Aling Balat-Sibuyas. Ang pagkamahiyain ay hindi katulad ng pagiging maramdamin. Subalit ang pagka-mahiyain ay sanhi at dahilan ng pagka-maramdamin – madaling masaktan. Duwag ang tawag ko doon. Mas mabuti yata ang makapal ang mukha – walang hiya, hindi natatakot humingi. Maaring mabuhay kahit saang lupalop ng mundo.” (Mr. Cowhide responded: “You have nowhere to go Ms. Onionskin; timidity is not the same as sensitivity. Yet it may be true that excessive timidity may cause a hypersensitive sentiment. That is actually called cowardice. It is perhaps better to have a thick skin, to be unashamed, unafraid to ask is to be able to survive in any corner of the world”).
Habang nagtatalo and dalawa, ay dumating si Ka Pilosopo na narinig ang kanilang pinagtatalunan. “Aling Balat-Sibuyas, Mang Balat-Kalabaw. Wala yatang tama sa inyong dalawa. Ang pagka walang-hiya ay hindi lunas sa pagiging maramdamin. At hindi rin ito isang katangian na dapat nating ipag-malaki Ang katutubong ugali ng iba sa atin ay bunga ng mababang pitagan sa sarili nating galang. (While the two were debating, Chief Philosopher overheard their debacle and then said: “Ms. Onionskin and Mr. Cowhide. It seems that both of you are incorrect. Being unashamed is not the solution to help those who are easily hurt. And this is not a virtue we should be proud of. The core negative attitude amongst some of us is a result of a low self-esteem or insufficient appreciation of our own values).
“Ang labis na pagiging maramdamin ay kakulangan ng pagtitiwala sa sarili nating kakayahan. At ang pagiging balat Kalabaw ay hindi isang tapang kundi isang pagkukunwari lamang na nagmumula rin sa mababang pitagan sa sarili nating galang.” (Excessive shyness or timidity is a lack of confidence in what we can do. On the other hand, to have no shame is not courage. It is a camouflage for a similar weakness of lack of self-esteem).
Dumating si Kumpareng Bayanihan. “Mga Kababayan”, wika ni Kumpare. “Wasto ang pag-iisip ni Ka Pilosopo. Ang katutubong ugali na dapat nating pagyamanan ay yaong makatutulong sa ating kaunlaran. Hindi na natin dapat pang ipag-yabang at itanggol ang pagkakamali. Nakapanghihinayang ang panahong dumadaan. (Mr. Pat Riot arrived. “Countrymen, I deem that Chief Philosopher is right. The radical attitude that we need to appreciate is that which could help us improve ourselves. We do not need to be proud of or defend our cultural errors. It is such a pity that we have wasted so much time).
Natahimik ang mag-kakapitbahay. Ang bawat isa ay may saysay. Sa kanilang pag-iisip ay may taglay ng isang pirasong Pilipino na naghahanap ng pagkakakilanlan. Abangan. (The neighbors kept quiet. Each one of them had their tale. In their thoughts are bits and pieces of a Filipino in search of a true identity. Wait for what is next).
This writer would have left the rest of the space in silence, a language that knows no translation. But printed matter is expensive and an empty space is not cost effective. The above paragraphs were originally written in Filipino, then with an English translation and now transitioning to an all English language. The intent behind it is to illustrate the complexity of a Filipino mind and thus the complexity of his culture. Linguists assert that a specific language develops a particular compartment in the brain. The more languages we know, the more compartments we develop. The more compartments are available, the more ability we need to synthesize and organize.
Hearsays are statements accepted without the need for scientific evidence or an empirical proof. They may not be not definitely wrong but they cannot be totally accepted as true. The Filipino culture, or any culture for that matter, is somewhat the same. They are not a question of right or wrong, of bad or good, of truth or falsity. Rather, they are taken for their face value, not to be disputed, but rather to be understood. Not necessarily to be accepted but not necessarily to be rejected either.
Values, on the other hand, are quite different. A negative is starkly different from a positive. The proof will be determined by what is forthcoming. Although culture can only be understood and respected, the values within it can be honed, improved, discerned, accepted or refused. I am a Filipino. Our cultural stereotype somewhat dictates that we should be timid, reserved, non- confrontational and therefore non-aggressive and quiet. The aftermath of this statement will spark debates. Hold on. I said “cultural stereotype”. Let us shift to cultural values. How about the inherited Confucian value of “filial piety” that leads respect for the elder and which further leads to respect for authority. So now silence in front of a teacher who is scolding us takes a different stance. It is no longer timidity but a respect for authority.
There is nothing wrong in being assertive and fighting for what is right. Yet, in a group of elders, if you happen to be the youngest stud around, you could easily be accused as a thick-skinned, aggressive rascal who knows no shame.
Oops, I reached the end. And the space is just beginning. This is only my opinion. In case, I touched a truth, then let the truth move one. If by chance, I said something wrong, I do beg for correction. Send an email to arnoldjr2@gmail.com and share your mind. In the meantime, feel free to share the horse tales, improve the translation, insert your opinion, look for answers and ask more questions.
Thank you for listening!