Our ancestors and elders have time and again reminded us to practice the virtue of respect to those who are older and younger than us. By respecting them, they will also respect us no matter who we are in the society because that had been taught to us from the time that we were able to be mindful of our words and actions
In the Cordillera where there is the so-called ‘dap-ay’ or ‘ato,’ a sacred place where community gatherings are made, the old folks always reminded the younger ones to show utmost respect to anyone because it is one of the ten commandments, honor your father and mother, or to better expand its coverage, honor those who are either older and younger than you. Even when our elders reprimand people who have done wrong to the community and the people in their place, our elders observe utmost calmness and sobriety while providing those who committed mistakes with the needed advises for them not to repeat such offenses to avoid the imposition of graver penalties on them. Even if they are under the influence of liquor, it has been observed that they are able to maintain their calmness in providing people with important messages for them to be reminded not to do harm to others because it is uncalled for and in violation of the norms of the people living in the said communities.
People who grew up in the countryside will surely remember the instances when they were summoned by the elders for them to be provided with appropriate advises for having committed unwanted acts, deeds or have uttered unnecessary words against their neighbors or fellow residents in the said places. Probably, many of us witnessed how elders fairly treat people in the communal places without unduly humiliating, harassing or bullying them as part of the penalties for whatever offenses that were deliberately or unknowingly committed.
However, the emergence of the social media platforms practically changed the way of life of the people where anyone can just post even malicious statements against those whom they want to criticize, humiliate, harass or bully anytime of the day and any minute that they want to. While there are laws that govern such acts, the country’s judicial system actually disappoints people in availing of the processes because of the tedious procedures that could even last for a lifetime. The social media virtually changed the supposed landscape where there is no longer the respect that we should accord to our fellowmen.
Ironically, even our supposed elders who grew up in the communities that have strictly practiced the ‘dap-ay’ system seem to have forgotten what had even taught to them by our ancestors which is to accord respect to anyone, no matter how we hate him or her.
How can now these people call on the public to respect them if they do not respect the ones that they deal with as if they have committed grave offenses. It is just unfortunate that we different in our opinions and positions about existing public issues and concerns and that we have the right to freely express our insights on the said matters which our public servants should actually respect. If they want to be respected just us what they want from the people they always belittle, they should be the first one to sow respect even to the lowest mammal in the community where they serve. If people see that they are fairly treated and respected in every aspect of life, it is inherent upon them to return the compliment even if public servants do not demand from them the said respect.
What is happening right now is actually one sided where our public servants want that people will respect them but they do not fairly treat the ones whom they brand as their critics. We believe that no matter how critical people are on the way our government is being runned by those in power, they should not be unduly targeted for harassment and bullying because people will surely lose their trust, confidence and even respect to them.
We firmly believe in what had been time and again repeated by our ancestors that respect is earned through time and not demanded from the people. Every individual deserves the utmost respect even from the highest official of the land and not for them to be marginalized by those wanting to control power despite their blemished records in politics.
It is important for us to show examples to the youth that we respect them so that the old virtue will slowly be inculcated into their minds and not for them to be engaged in harassment and bullying just to get what they want from their colleagues. Let us learn our lessons the hard way and teach your youth the right behavior instead of showing bad examples that will not merit respect from the ordinary folks.
