Early Philosophers do not have a common ground of their philosophy. Each one of them undergoes speculative thinking about the world – how was the world created, what is the basic form that comprises the world, what is life, etc. All of them wonder about the world and the life. But the world and life is full of mystery.

Before entering the seminary, my first thought about the seminary is that seminarians lives life holy, full of prayer. But when I entered already and live life as a seminarian, it seems I was wrong with my idea of the seminary and of the seminarians. People would thought about us as a good and holy seminarians but the truth is that we are just seemingly good and holy seminarians. Even with the priest in the seminary or in the parish, which some of them I do respect at first and some until now I still respect.

Things can deceive us. Our senses can deceive us. What I have seen is just a seeming of what is really the real. As I found out what is being the seminary and being a seminarian, as I found out the priests who are good at first, this things are still the seeming of my life. What is the true real is a mystery. Essentially the seeming theory of Parmenides  with his claim “What is, Is” helps us to discover and explore all the possibilities of the world and life. We should not only stick to what was already given because it can always appear to us seemingly.

Recalling the experiences we had as a human being, we may say that all is just a seeming and there is something beyond which cannot be changed. Heraclitus claim, that all is flux, is just seemingly flux. Because of our lack of understanding about the realities of the world and life, all becomes seeming. But when we fully grasped all about world and life, it will  be the time that we are sure about something, a something which is not anymore a seeming yet remain unchangeable.

There is something beyond our being human that is stable and impossible for changing. This something beyond is what we call the mystery of our life. The mystery in which we will always call a mystery because it is clear for us that it is a mystery.

The world becomes balance and stabilizes because of the claim of Heraclitus “what is, is”. If we go deeper on it only our faith can explain everything about the mystery. The mystery that is not a mystery if we have faith and that is Jesus Christ.  

Chaos reigns-Heraclitus is back. Heraclitus is best known for his sayings: "Everything flows", "You cannot step twice in the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on". This is because the river is constantly changing. There is nothing permanent in this world. Everything and everybody changes: human beings, plants, animals, mountains, rivers, experiences, events, the love and care we shared, decisions we make.Our experiences day by day will always be different. The experiences that I had with you yesterday, today or tomorrow now will never be the same. We all change, no exception. Nobody can escape from this reality. The reason for the difference is because the rest of the world changes.The world shapes us by constantly changing and allowing us to make choices that further change events around us. And, for us to live in a world of constantchange is to be constantly changing.“We are a part of a complex chaotic system which progresses in a linear direction.”

“The only constant is change.” When I read this quote from Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, I get the distinct feeling that he was looking into a crystal base at my life. It is definitely true, that in life and in the whole world, the only constant is change.Change is inevitable, necessary, and even desirable. Change is a constant in our lives.In our world, change literally happens every day. There will be times that we are in confusion and doubt to what direction we will go. We have to accept the fact that we never know what is going to happen next, we can learn to approach life as the great adventure that it can be.We have to accept that change is not something we always find easy, that is why we have to practice in learning on how to adapt and adjust. Hence, considering that in our lives, the only constant is change, the best we can do is to discover how to face the unexpected circumstances, to learn from the ups and downs that we encounter, and enjoy the mysterious adventure and ride of life.Resisting change will be the cause of so much unnecessary struggle, turmoil, and stagnancy in our experience. Hence, we have to learn to embrace and understand the reality that everything changes. We will change whether we want to or not! We simply cannot and will not remain the same. This is the law of constant change. This is the truth of who we are.

‘The only constant is change.” I have to accept, understand and embrace the reality that everything really changes. My “I” before is different of who I am right now. I am different Marvin Frances “chokie” Reales now. The friendships that I had with my close friends before will never be the same. The beautiful and refreshing view of our place before in San Rafael is totally different compared today. The happiness that our family experienced before is really different compared to the joy that we embrace and experience today. Even my cute and clean face before is so different compared to the face I have now. Even the decisions and choices I make in my life also changes. This reality tells and reminds me that, even my vocation to the priesthood will probably change. There will be a big possibility that my aspiration and dream to become a priest someday will lose and fade. Actually I have sense and notice with regards to my evaluation in my vocation based on my stay and formation here in the seminary almost three years of that there are really times that I am become bored and depressed and there are also times that I really enjoy staying in the seminary and so eager and in a hurry to be a priest. I have realized that, whatever changes that we will encounter and experience in life, we have to learn from it, we have to embrace and understand certain changes, we have to face them. I realize also that if the change and flow in life circumstances will not follow the path that we may want them to follow, the best way to cope with life of constant change is to learn to flow with those change, rather than trying to fight or resist against those changes. I believe that changes in life are opportunities for great personal growth. This rapid change can also bring rapid growth. The growing pains that we may experience from a lot of change can be easier to endure. 

Chaos, Change and Harmony

In cosmology, chaos was the very first state of the universe. Everything started from “disorder.” The universe was created from “chaos” to “cosmos.” In between the two was “change.” If there is chaos and disorder, there is a room for change. Before there will be harmony, chaos occurs first. For things to be in harmony, changes occur due to chaos.

Change is ever present in this world since it first existed. Everything we have in this world in the present are products of change. Change is the reason why the history was recorded. If there are no changes, there is no need of recording the events. If there is no change, no will be no growth and improvement. Change happens anywhere. The cycle is from chaos, change occurs to harmony or from harmony, change occurs to chaos. There is change in between chaos and harmony. All of us are products of change. All that we can see around us are products of change. We are all potential for change. Putting myself in the views of Heraclitus, only change is constant.

The Chaos of my Life

Heraclitus said: “We cannot step on the same river twice.” Yes this is true. Everything in life can change (except the Absolute Laws). Change is really meaningful to me. Why? It is because “to change” was the reason why my parents sent me here in the seminary. They sent me here for me to change. Before, during my elementary years, I was one of the naughty and “pala-away” students in our school.When I was in grade six, I fought many times with some students in St. Paul School (especially the first year high school students). It was just natural for me to be involved in fights. I was really brave that time. I can’t imagine why I was really “pala-away” and brave during my elementary years. There was even a time in my grade sixth, where I put a black mark in the eye of William, a new student who was a first year high school that time. That very event was the very reason why my parents decided to send me here in the seminary. Because of all the crazy things I did, my parents were always called by the principal talking about my misdemeanors in the school. My parents don’t know what to do to me for me to change.They did everything to discipline me, from soft reminders, looking at me to stop and hurting me physically and emotionally. Their last solution for me to become a better person was to send me here in the seminary. They decided for me to study here.Their very goal was for me to grow and become a better and mature person. They believed that the seminary can change my attitude, character and form me as a better person. They also believed that in my being away from them, I will learn to stand on my own feet. For them, the seminary is a reformatory school. They believed that the seminary can change me. They forced me to enter here. I passed both the entrance exam and the search-in. And so, I entered the seminary as a first year high school seminarian. In entering the seminary, a lot of changes happened to me. Starting the time I became a seminarian, I never fought with our helpers in the house. I learned to respect and value them. I also discovered my potentials as a person and developed them. It was only here in the seminary where I became patient to different personalities and where I develop my study habits. Many people, including my family noticed the changes in me. They were greatly amazed. From that time on, my image to other people also changed.

Change and chaos are important in our life. Due to chaos, change is possible. Chaos was even the earliest condition of the universe. If there is no chaos, there is no room for change. Before I entered the seminary, a lot of chaos happened to me. That is why, my parents sent me here in the seminary to change my character and my person. Because the seminary is a formation house and I am also willing to be formed, I changed. I change a lot both in negative and in positive (mostly positive). I can say that I became a better person now. Even until now, I am still experiencing chaos in my life. Chaos is natural in the cycle of life. This chaos that we still experience in the present signifies that we are potential for change. We are all potential for change. Change is necessary for chaos to be in harmony. As long as we live, there will always be chaos. It is necessary in achieving harmony. Chaos will be in harmony through change. 

“Existence precedes and rules essence.”

-Jean-Paul Sartre

Existence or Essence?... which comes first? Since then, this has been a great topic for the philosophers. It has been an issue that forced them to really trace up the truth about it so that everybody will be enlightened and will understand what exactly they need to know. Upon pondering this very tricky and mind-bugling type of question, it made me pause for some moment and really think deeply of what will be my answer, if it is Existence, or it is Essence that comes first? I never expected that I will encounter this kind of question as I tread along the path of philosophy. But in fact, it is one of the helpful topics of philosophy which can really help the individuals, who are studying it, to know and to understand thyself. It leads them to know the wider perspective of being a “Man” and what they ought to do in order for them to fulfill their existence.

As I study philosophy and having already the idea about it, I can say that it is my existence, being a “Person”, comes first before my essence as a Filipino. Why is it so? As what Jean-Paul Sartre said, “Existence precedes and rules essence.” Yes, how is it possible that I’m a Filipino if I’m not a person, or existing first? Filipino is just a label of my existence as a person. If we are going to put it base on our faith, as an example, it is written in the Bible (in the book of Genesis) that God is the source of everything and thus he was able to make the world and all its content. He made the first human beings, which was said to be our first parents, Adam and Eve. Generally, he made them as “Human Persons”. He never mentioned about what kind or breed of person they are. He never said that they are Americans, Brazilians, or even Filipinos. The only thing that he said was he will make a human being (person) out of clay. Another example that I would like to introduce is that of the invention of gadgets: like laptop and cellphone. Existence comes first before essence. The laptop was being made because the inventor intends to make it (a material form of laptop) and not because it is Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. The cellphone was being made because the inventor intends to do so (a material form of cellphone) and not because it is Nokia, Samsung, Myphone, etc. Both the inventors of the two gadget made first the material forms (laptop and cellphone) before they give it to the Company that they would like to name after their inventions. How can we name a thing or could have an idea about it if it doesn’t exist before us? Our essence depends upon our existence. We, Filipinos, were being called Filipinos because we are existing beings (we are humans, embodied ego, persons, etc.). We are called Filipinos because we are living and considered to be as citizens of Philippines, because citizens of Philippines are called Filipinos. But generally, we are first human beings, from the moment that we came out from our mother’s womb, we never immediately recited the Panatang Makabayan, rather we seek immediately the call of our nature being a normal human person, the hug of our mother to warm us up and the milk from her breast to fill our hungry stomach. We even know first how to crawl before we know how to sing the Lupang Hinirang. We even know first the face of our parents before we know the faces of our national heroes. We even know first how to speak “mama” or “papa” before we know how to resite the names of our presidents. This reality of the cycle of life only proves that our “Being as Persons” comes first before anything else. It is only later on that we know that we are Filipinos, when we have already the consciousness about it.

As my conclusion, I can really say that it is clear for me that my existence as a “Human Person” comes first before I knew my essence as a true blooded “Filipino”. It is because my essence only depends on my existence. If I do not exist, how can I say that I’m a Filipino? To whom will I say it since nobody can’t acknowledge my existence? That’s why my existence comes first, because my essence simply follows it.

By nature, we are human. It is only our traditions and cultures that we become distinct from each other. Filipino is different from American. Swiss is different from German although they live in one continent yet different country. Indian is different from Egyptian. Filipino, American, Swiss, German, Indian and Egyptian are some of the common name of a person that lives in a certain and common place.

I am Jose Ramon Calsado. I am a Passinhon. I am an Illongo. I am a Filipino. I am an Asian. I am human. I am human first before I become an Asian. I am Asian first before I become a Filipino. I am a Filipino first before I become an Illongo. I am an Illongo first before I become a Passinhon. I am a Passinhon first before I become Jose Ramon Calsado. In addition, before I was born, I am expected to be a Passinhon no matter what name will be given to me I am still a Passinhon. My being human is the only thing which is universal in which I, as Filipino, shared in common with the German, Swiss, and Indian and so on.

Jesus’ teachings is for the whole humanity, not just only for the Israelites or the Jews but for all. The teaching of Jesus which is for the humanity shows only the fact that what is important and the basis of our life here on earth is our being human. It is by being human that we will attain unity to each other. It is only by being human that we may understand fully and deeply the meaning of our life.

I become a Filipino because I am a human being. Within the context of my being a Filipino, essentially speaking, Jose Ramon Calsado can only be a Filipino if he has a bloodline of being a Filipino and will cooperate, participate and live the life as a Filipino.

Being human is our final goal yet this goal is already within us. It lives in us. My being Passinhon, Illongo, Filipino, Asian and Human, universally, is all within me. Jesus speaks to us as human. Therefore being a true human is allowing Jesus to enter our life. and by allowing Jesus to enter in our life that is the time that we are doing the will of God. 

Which comes first, being a person or being a Filipino? This question sounds so ordinary and simple, however, if we try to go deeper and reflect upon this question, it reminds us of who we really are, of our true nature as human persons, of our real existence. Obviously, the answer would be, ‘being a person comes first’. It is important for us to know first our persons, who really are we, what are we, and many more. Each day should be a moment of asking “Who am I?” and of searching for the true meaning of our existence.


What is a person? This question examines philosophical questions concerning the nature of personhood. It is important for us to have a clearer understanding about the nature of person for our own benefits, because we it happened that, we believe we are persons but we act as if we are animals. “A person is a human being, or an entity that has certain capacities or attributes strongly associated with being human. It is the kind of entity that has the moral rights to make its own life choices, to live its life without interference from others.” Person is a human being who has a body, has intelligence, can speak, can relate to others. For me, a person is man. In fact, there is no man who is not a person. A person is a being who is gifted by God to act morally towards others. He is a relational being. A person has a feeling. Being a person is different and can never be the same of being a pet or an animal.

Being a person comes first because first and foremost it stabilizes and builds our characteristics, behaviors, uniqueness to others, our very selves. Knowing first our being a person follows of knowing our being a Filipino.  Our being a person reflects of our being a Filipino. The way we act, speak, deal with others, and live as persons show and reflect of our being a Filipino. Being a Filipino is just an essence and extension of our being a person. Being a person determines your being a Filipino.


Person is an act. The act of a person determines the person. Meaning, the act of a person determines of his being a Filipino. “To act is to be.” Each person acts constantly and that acts of person reveal the person. The way a person relate towards others, the way he speaks, the way he lives are all acts of a person, and that acts of a person simply shows of his real being. For a clearer understanding and explanation, we are determined and recognized as Filipinos because of our own unique cultures, traditions, language, religion and characteristics. These are all our acts as persons. Our act as Filipinos determines our unique cultures and traditions. Our cultures and traditions that define us as Filipinos are all our acts as persons. We are all human persons; however we cannot be all Filipinos. Therefore, being  a person comes first.

            

In this world, we people are divided into different races, cultures, religions, and nationalities.  Some of us are American, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and some are even combinations of different races and nationalities. We are living in a world full of “differences.” These differences makeus unique from others for“differences” make “uniqueness.” Even each and every one of us is unique in our own ways. Being who we are and what we are is being unique. As time continues to flow, a lot of countries have developed their own philosophies. Every philosophy is “unique.” For example, Greek philosophy is more on “ideas-to-structure-and-contents” while the Oriental philosophy is more on “nature-balanced-to-life” and “ideas-being-practiced-and-applied-in-life.” So the question for now is what is Filipino Philosophy? Is there really a Filipino Philosophy? What is unique with our philosophy?

To be “unique”and “to stand on our own” are probably the main reasons why we Filipinos want to make the whole world see what our identity and philosophy is, what Filipino identity and philosophy is all about. In order for us to have a name in terms of philosophy, we Filipinos want to stand out on our own through creating a philosophy just as like the Greek, Chinese and other countries did.  What is it to be a Filipino? Do we really have a Filipino Philosophy? Being a Filipino is hard thing to achieve because a lot of foreign countries have conquered and influenced us. If we strive to be a Filipino, we will get confused because we have a lot of cultures, practices and languages in our country. We were influenced by the Spaniards, Americans, Japanese, Chinese and other cultures. We even have a lot of practices, languages and religions. We cannot blame history for these. For now, I can say that we don’t have a Filipino Philosophy and we have a weak foundation for our identity. We cannot still stand on our own because we have a weak foundation. If our foundation is weak, we will easily fall down. I think we can only build our philosophy on the time wherein it is clear for us what really is it to be a Filipino. Our identity as Filipino is still not clear. We are still influenced for now and maybe until in the future. We cannot stand on our own.All that had happened to us in the past is somehow a blessing in disguise. It may not be that good but we became Christians and educated people due to our colonizers. Our foundation is still weak for we are still starting to stand and build our identity as Filipino. Our being a Filipino for now is more on having a lot of cultures and practices which has both an upsides and downsides. For now, the best thing we can do is not to focus on building our Filipino identity and philosophy. What is more important for now is to focus our selves on something which is more important than being a Filipino. It is to be human.

“Being-Human” precedes “Being-Filipino.” Before we focus on our being Filipino, it must be clear for us what is it to be human.Being human is more basic than being a Filipino. As what I have learned in Ethics, the most basic principle in being human is “to do good and avoid evil.” No matter what our race is, we are called to do good and avoid evil. Goodness has no religion. Being human has no race/nationality. This law is absolute and immutable. Our titles, status in life and being Filipinos are just accessories. To be human is the true treasure we must achieve in life. We are given only one life to live. So why then will we waste it in doing non-sense evil things? Before we proceed on our being a Filipino, we must be well founded on our being human. Doing good is more important than practicing our being a Filipino. If we speak of Filipinos, we only refer to the Filipinos. On the other hand, if we speak of human beings, we refer to all human beings no matter what is their race, nationality, culture, language and religion is. Being human is greater than being a Filipino.

Filipino identity and philosophy is good if we Filipinos can practice it. If we cannot, at least we go back to the basic which is being human. In that way, no matter the differences we have from others, we will be able to communicate and understand each other through our being human. Being good and avoiding evil is applicable to all races and religions. If we will focus on being human and not on our “differences”, we can build and establish good relationships with others. Being human is being good. Being good is to love, care and respect our self, others and God. Remember, “Being-Human” precedes our “Being-Filipino.”