NEVER EXPECT A FISH TO CLIMB A POLE
by Antonio C. Antonio
April 3, 2014
This morning, I had an interesting Facebook chat
with a friend (who I will simply call “Mr. Anonymous”). Mr. Anonymous posted this image of former
President Ferdinand E. Marcos accompanied by the caption: “After 18 years, mas
mabuti pa pala nung panahon ni Marcos….”
Under this image, he made a comment: “During Marcos time, great concern
on public health was exhibited. Specialty hospitals like the Philippine Heart
Center, Lung Center, Kidney Institute, and Philippine Children Hospital. These
hospitals opened access to the nation’s best doctors. Unfortunately, it is more
than three decades now after his term but there is no specialty hospital has
been built.”
An exchange of comments ensued:
Me: “You’re
my friend, Mr. Anonymous… and I care for you. Please review your history with a
little bit more diligence, concern and focus on basic rights and freedom. You
might be on the wrong side of history. God bless you. Stay well…”
Mr. Anonymous:
“public health lang naman ang topic ko….”
Me: “I respect your views... However, I'm sorry
but the "macro-micro" dichotomy of your post is not clear and a
little confusing. We owe our Facebook friends some degree of prudence in our
posts. Please don't make a general-macro statement (therefore: "buti pa pala nung panahon ni Marcos") then segue
to a micro topic on public health. Besides, the leadership of Mr. Marcos cannot
be defined by public policies on health alone. There is more dynamics to
leadership than this. Thanks and have a great day ahead...”
Mr.
Anonymous: “Anyway, it's my
personnal view and opinion ... na mas mabuti pa pala nung panahon ni Marcos
..... Pasencia na kung we're not in the same side. See you.”
There were so many things I wanted to tell him (like: I’m on his side;
there was no need to draw a divisive line between us; that he should be careful
in his assertions or risk getting embarrassed in social media; etc.) but I just
paused and prayed… then a little voice in my head said: “H’wag ka nang sumagot.
It’s not worth it.” I then realized that
I’ve just learned a valuable lesson… to never expect a fish to climb a pole.
Just my little thoughts…
Comments posted on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteBobby Aquino (April 3, 2014): “it is obvious that mr anon aint of your intellectual caliber, my friend”
Fred Lumba (April 3, 2014): “you did not lose anything”
Fred Lumba (April 3, 2014): “a microspic view of history lessens one's objectivity. if your friend wanted to make comparisons, he should compare his opinion with a better perspective to see where his view of the matter lies”
Anton Antonio (April 3, 2014): “Yes, Fred Lumba... I agree. Well said!”
Marcelino Antonio (April 3, 2014): “Marcos is the first name of my Dad. Ferdinand is the first name of Magelland! You still see Marcos's shadow hovering over us! Anton you are different!”
Ernie Guevara (April 4, 2014): “Mr. Anonymous has a twisted view of leadership and he is mistaken to think that it's all about politics, polarization and political choices. He should realize that this is about his attitude and arrogance being displayed on Facebook. Well, what more can I say? He must have had a pretty bad childhood.”
Windsor Lao (April 4, 2014): “IMHO, Mr. A was so bz looking at the tree that he forgot to look at the "forest ". I see this everyday; we often ignore the big picture resulting to not-so-pleasing decisions/impressions/actions/etc. As for the the poster and Mr. A, I hope they remain as friends. Right, wrong or indifferent, I tend to keep friends by not discussing religion and politics.”
Anton Antonio (April 4, 2014): “Very true, Sir Windsor... Thank you...”
Vnas Murphy (April 4, 2014): “I guess structures were built to justify where the money of the government goes hoping it'll mask atrocities. Who can afford those hospitals? Most people do not care to be led astray, as obviously seen in impoverish living conditions & how people perceive issues. Many are just satisfied living simply, & others wanted material wealth without caring how they get it. And if one cares for his fellow men, let the truth out in a civilized manner.”
Anton Antonio (April 4, 2014): “Thanks, Vnas Murphy... God bless you.”
Vnas Murphy (April 4, 2014): “Hi Kuya Anton, was on my way to work when I was typing...kinda busy here”
Marcelino Antonio (April 4, 2014): “Well said!”
Criselle Darantinao (April 5, 2014): “I bet he was too young then to really understand what it was like during Marcos' time. But come on... with all the extrajudicial killings, okay na ko sa lack of hospitals, at least yun natural death ako. Joke!”
Ernie Guevara (April 6, 2014): “If Mr. Anonymous can freely speak his views and opinions now, he owes it to people like Anton Antonio who bravely fought for our rights and freedom during the Marcos Dictatorship. Unless Mr. Anonymous is willing to put his life on the line for his beliefs, pwede ba?... manahimik na lang muna siya sa mga bagay na hindi naman niya lubos na naiintindihan.”
Anton Antonio (April 6, 2014): “The ever smart and funny Criselle Darantinao that I know. Thanks to you and to Sir Ernie Guevara too. God bless both of you. Stay well...”
Amante Bate (April 6, 2014): “It's a waste of time talking with the likes of Mr. Anonymous, better talk with our grandchildren, if any, with more sense and humour.”