Benel Lagua l May 20, 2022 l The Manila Times
AT this age and time, we always look for meaning in what we do. This writer is now walking the streets of Spain for a few days as part of the Camino de Santiago. It is a pilgrimage to follow the way of St. James. Pilgrims do it for many reasons. According to many sources, “hitting the road requires a fundamental attitude of abandonment. Abandonment is being at the mercy of something greater than oneself, it is to stop oneself from being the focal point of one’s life. One must admit that one does not govern one’s life, or the Camino.”
“Dare to know” is the English translation of this column’s Latin title. It tells us that no matter what age, learning is a continuous process and journey to enrich oneself. Walking the Camino has intensified my curiosity on some Latin phrases that can help in one’s life journey.
What do we dare to know? People are always fearful of the unknown. People often wonder what lies ahead. Many of us tend to focus too much on the future that we forget to live just for today. Many believe in hearsay without trying to search for the truth. Many simply refuse to dare to know the truth so that instead of having an agent to set them free, they feel truth as more of a burden because it hurts for them. Today’s milieu has exposed us to a lot of fake news and half-truths. We need to be vigilant to filter the real story.
Acta non verba. “Deeds, not words.” In the recently concluded Philippine elections, we dare to challenge the new administration to foster changes not only in words but most importantly in actions. Unity has been the mantra of the winner’s campaign. Can this be translated to reality? Have we also challenged ourselves to do the same? How often do we find ourselves saying or promising something we cannot deliver? We are all too familiar with the term “actions speak louder than words.” May this be a reminder that our words and actions must always come hand in hand. What we promise, we must deliver. There is a lot of skepticism that the incoming administration has made promises it cannot fulfill. For the sake of the country, may the skeptics be proven wrong.
Ad meliora. “Toward better things.” Each of us has had our share of disappointments and failures in this journey we call life. Many succumb to depression and some resort to ending their lives to end the pain. As Filipinos, we are renowned for our resiliency. No storm, flood, earthquake, death or loss can stop us from standing up and moving forward. We do not have the best things in life but our hope is beaming. With our nation firmly built on the foundation of believing in God, we always anticipate better things ahead of us. Positivism is not only a mantra or a mental clutch to ease our burden. I personally believe that we attract what we set our minds to. One of the captions in my former office wall said: “Positive attitude creates positive results.” May we all maintain our decorum and do all we can to contribute not only in spreading positive vibes but to be the change and inspiration we want to see in the world.
Amor vincit omnia. “Love conquers all things.” This is reflected in 1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails.” In this hate-filled world we live in, what most people need is love, care and respect. We have cast our votes, the final counting is bidding its end, and may those who used to be friends and close relatives once again be reunited with love and forgiveness. Our differing opinions need not be a reason to fill our hearts with hate as long as the search for truth remains unabated. It is fitting to mention that “those who hate expect the worst, yet those who love never lose hope.” We hope for the best. We live for the day and we seize the opportunities that come our way. Carpe diem.
I saw this in a pilgrim’s prayer: “Although I may have travelled all the roads, crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself, I have arrived nowhere.”
*** Benel D. Lagua is former executive vice president and chief development officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active Finex member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs.
The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as Finex. Know more about #FINEXPhils through www.finex.org.ph.