Respecting culture
It has been over two years since I last visited the Simala Shrine, where a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary is sought after by locals and tourists alike. The last time I went was to accompany a colleague from Bacolod who wanted to make her birthday trip worthwhile by going to church. This was heavy on my part noting that I am not a Roman Catholic; images aren't part of my personal culture. Yet, the trip there was worthwhile. I enjoyed her company and the new scenery that I was seeing.
Last Saturday I was able to visit again. To my astonishment, the place was more improved -with over three stories, a gazebo below that was in the center of a regal-looking pond, and an image of the Sr. Santo Niño which is believed to be the protector of Cebu. The monk in charge was very accommodating and even expressed his gratitude by giving fruits from plants he grew himself. I met a lot of new people and talking to them seemed so relieving. They explained to me carefully what each symbolism inside the shrine meant and I nodded my head in wonder.
These ideals are all very alien to me, but as part of my job, I try to understand the doings of those who do not share the same beliefs as I. It amazed me to see the long lines of people who endured heat and dust just to get a glimpse of the said miraculous image. Businesses around the area were booming, ranging from caps, shawls, water, food, and many more. It was a lively community with those who wanted to see the place out of curiosity and the devotees themselves who pledged their faith to the image.
Today we live in an era where everybody has a right to speak their mind and their principles. When one does not find that your thinking is the same as theirs, they debunk your statements until they win at the very end. However, when it comes to culture, these are the inherent practices that we have in our society. Despite the fact that we all can speak our minds, we must also know the golden key of respecting. Whenever I go to other places to cover certain events that are beyond my personal preference, I bask myself in the experience so I can understand and appreciate. It is more than a norm but a deeper knowing of the time that we are in.
Bullying today seems cliché, even interracial spites against each other is evident in the different areas that we go to today. Children in other parts of the world suffer insecurity because of how the world sees them, as if they are not accepted for who they are. If we can only go back to the very basic manner that our parents have taught us before -respect. I'm sure we can all live in a place that is peaceful; no war, no guns, no ammo to waste, and most of all no more hurt.
‘Today we live in an era where everybody has a right to speak their mind and their principles. When one does not find that your thinking is the same as theirs, they debunk your statements until they win at the very end.’