Bland or Blend

Cameron, a youthful clerk in the High Court of New Zealand, asked me one day: "Which of the three earned more money in the first week of its sale: a Hollywood movie, a recorded pop song or a video game?" I know that a blockbuster film can earn as much as US$100 million and that hit records don’t make as much due to internet piracy, but I am clueless about video games. He offered the answer – a video game. I responded, "Halo 3", which I read about in the news, to which he replied, "No, there is a bigger one – Grand Theft Auto IV." "How much take?" I queried. He answered, "US$500 million in its first week of release!" Described as " a major commercial and critical success, Grand Theft Auto IV broke sales records by selling about 3.6 million units on its first day of release."

According to Wikipedia, the lead character in the game is Nikko Bellic,  a Serbian immigrant who comes to Liberty City in pursuit of the American Dream and to exact revenge on Florian Cravic whom he blames for the betrayal of his old army unit. From then on, deception and mayhem follow. The story features two possible endings depending on the choice made by the player either pursuing revenge or engaging in drug dealing. You are given a choice between two evils. One can just imagine that more than 3.6 million people today are engaged in this anti-hero action adventure that glorifies violence and criminality. Where have gone the heroes and triumph of good over evil?

The engagement of a multitude in graphically violent entertainment does not make such a past time wholesome or morally acceptable. For was it not a multitude (upon the instigation of leading priests and elders) who shouted for Jesus to be put to death? (See Matthew 27:20) There are those who argue that the violence in the virtual world has no effect on a player’s thinking and actions in the real world. 

How many incidents have occurred of mindless youth offenders indiscriminately shooting innocent people? Why are boy racers prowling in the streets in the dead of the night? Play based on a sinful script contaminates the mind to commit sin. Life then imitates play. "Will you play with [the crocodile] as with a bird? Or will you put him on a leash for your maidens? (Job 41:5)

Everyday we are asked to make a choice: Blend or bland? To blend is to let go of our core beliefs and adapt to what has become pop culture. Those who refuse to go with the flow earn the bland tag. "The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does" (Isaiah 8:11) One who keeps the Word of the Lord may seem bland in this world, but God looks at him with favour. "A good man will obtain favour from the Lord. But He will condemn a man who devises evil." (Proverbs 12:2)

Just as I was about to write the concluding paragraph of this piece, Cameron got back to me and shared about an incident wherein his young cousin suffered burns when an agitated playmate poured hot water on the former. He wondered how the fight got to that point. "Could it be due to playing violent video games?" I asked. "Huh?" he responded and fell silent for awhile.

by Mel Libre

Lost and Blessed

My elder brother, Eric Santiago, was taken from our family by a childless aunt. It must have been difficult for my parents who eventually acceded to the arrangement in obedience to my grandparents’ request. Noy Eric grew up in far-flung Mindanao as the rest of his siblings were raised in urban Cebu. Knowing he was our lost brother, when he visited us during school breaks, we showered him with love and affection. He in turn became an inspiration as he excelled in his studies and became a state scholar. He eventually reunited with us when he enrolled in the University of San Carlos, but only briefly as he decided to fight against the dictatorial Marcos regime. In a way, we lost him again; yet we looked up to him for his courage and idealism.

In a troubled world, each one of us searches for a role model that gives us the drive to excel, to make a difference. Noy Eric, for me, was (and remains to be) a living legend. He lived dangerously in pursuit of a better future for his countrymen. I have become a writer, an artist and a servant – sharing what gifts I have –inspired partly by the lifework of my brother.

Our best model is Jesus Christ who lived a life of selflessness, sacrifice and love. We may have lost Him when He died on the cross; but in truth, we gained a Saviour who conquered death and showed us the Way to Eternal Life. "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I." (John 14:28) As we worship Him, we must emulate Him in our lives; make Him present in all that we do. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’." (Matthew 16:24)

Today, Noy Eric works as a consultant to organisations that help alleviate the suffering of the masses. His youngest child, Pipoy, recently graduated cum laude in economics at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, following the footsteps of two elder sisters who likewise obtained honours in the prestigious university. What wonderful blessings! "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth." (Deuteronomy 28:1)

by Mel Libre

Let Go, Let God

One of the finest stories I have read is Og Magdino’s "The Greatest Salesman in the World". So strong is its impact in my life that not only did I observe the 30 days ritual of reading each scroll contained within the tale, but I often ponder upon the rich lessons in the life of Hafid, the poor boy who eventually became a truly wealthy merchant.

In the final chapters of the novella, as Hafid waits for his time to make his final rest, he divides his treasures and possessions to those that were loyal to him and were most deserving. He left just enough for himself and promised his servant that when he died the rest would be bequeathed to the latter.

The nature of man is to hold on to material possessions until the very last breath. Oftentimes we become too attached to the world that we find it difficult to let go. Jesus Christ preached: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20)

Christ, in His lifetime on earth, was not known to have treasures of this world though He owned the world. When his time came for suffering and crucifixion, He easily let go of the world to save humankind from sin and to fulfil the promise of the Eternal Kingdom of God.

If we let go, we let God. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." (Philippians 3:7-8)

by Mel Libre

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

One of the best gifts I received from my mother, Milagros, was a prayer. It reads: Come Holy Spirit/Fill the hearts of thy faithful/And enkindle in them the fire of thy love/ Send forth thy Spirit/And they shall be created/And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.// O God who didst instruct thy Spirit/Grant me by the same Spirit/To have a right judgment in all things/Ever to rejoice through the same Christ our Lord./Amen.// In many difficult situations I encountered, I recited this prayer seeking the intercession of the Holy Spirit – and He oftentimes responded positively.

There is a passage in the Gospel: "They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you think he is offering worship to God". (John 16:2) How many of us have been in a life-threatening situation for the cause of truth?

In 1986, I served as chairman of the Cebu Alliance for Human Rights at the height of murders and assassination of human right workers, left leaning activists and innocent civilians. I led a fact-finding mission in Gaas, a remote village in Balamban town, Cebu Province, Philippines where the murders were more prevalent. With the intention of knowing the truth, I spoke to witnesses and our group even gathered marijuana plants taken from a farm operated by Tadtad members, a notorious group that used machetes to kill their victims. In the three days that we pursued the mission, I prayed to the Holy Spirit – and I felt no fear in the midst of the threat on our lives. When we returned to the city and exposed our findings to the public, we received a report that one of the witnesses we interviewed was killed. At that time, my young family lived in a barangay in Cebu City where anticommunist cadres were armed by the military. They usually gathered at the back of the house we rented – but in no instance did I ever feel threatened, knowing that the Holy Spirit protected my abode.

Why should we not be afraid? The Bible tells us: "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. "(2 Timothy 1:14)

by Mel Libre