We don’t have to an Engineer in order to amaze others. We don’t have to be a Teacher in order to make others listen. We don’ have to be a Doctor so that we can inspire others. We can be the best even just in our own simple ways. We don’t have to get so many titles in order to please or to be respected by others. Honestly, titles have nothing to do about it. What is the use of our titles if we don’t apply them in our daily life? Example of this is our politicians, of course, there are really those who are truly good but we cannot deny the fact that many of them are truly bad. They have great titles after their name, but why is it that people disrespect them? It is because of their wrong doings. Having such titles does not merit us or avoid us from being bad. Titles are just letters but it is our deeds that are very important and create a great impact to the people. Titles are just passing in the ear, but deeds usually touch and remain in the heart. That’s why I do really appreciate the old Ilonggo saying that says: “Bisan wala ka lang sang tinun-an pero may pinanilagan.” Yes, Education promises us good future but it doesn’t mean that we will truly become good persons. There are these people who were not able to undergo a qualitative kind of education, but they inspire others with their own philosophy or perspectives in life. They are nothing but ordinary persons around us but have an extraordinary point of view about life. One of the living examples of these kinds of people is ‘Tay Dodoy.

‘Tay Dodoy is one of our personnel here in the seminary. He celebrated his 24th year of rendering his good service in the seminary last June 15- not counting the other years when he was not yet a regular personnel of the seminary. He is already 24 years working here in the seminary, almost half of his life because he is now already 46 years old. ‘Tay Dodoy is very popular because of his favourite expression: “Hello! ‘To…” He is being loved by the seminarians and the priest formators as well, because of his being so approachable and kind. He is very respectful that’s why he is also respected by all. He is also a good companion according to other personnel. ‘Tay Dodoy is the elder brother of Tita Neneng, the personnel in-charge of the laundry of the seminary. He was not able to finish his studies in college because he had to work early for their fill- in order for them to survive. Their parents died when they were still kids, and so they were being cared by their grandmother. Before, being exposed in the seminary, ‘Tay Dodoy had also the desire to become a priest, but it was the financial matter that stops him from doing so. He also whole heartedly accepted his fate. That’s why he made a promise that since he will not become a priest, he will just render good services to the seminarians and priest formators. And now, he is already married and a father of two children. But still, the fire of that promise fuels him to continue doing good services here in the seminary.

‘Tay Dodoy is indeed a good person. In my conversation with him, I was so amazed by his own belief and perspective about life. I can’t imagine that he had those things in him. He admitted to me that sometimes his work is very hard for his capacity, but it doesn’t mean that he would always complain about it, rather, he consider it as a new challenge for him and a new opportunity of learning. He also told me that: “’To, dapat sa obrahanay…obra ka anay bag-o ka magreklamo. Kag wala man sang mabudlay nga obra kung tun-an mo nga palanggaon ini. Natural lang na nga mabudlay ang obra kay wala man sang hapos diri sa kalibutan. Kay kun mapili ka sa obra mo…mawad-an ka gid ya sang kalan-on mo. Kag dapat sa obrahanay…wala lang sang pag isipay kay dapat magbinuliganay lang ang tanan para mahapos. Kag labi sa tanan…dapat indi gid pag paulihon ang Mahal nga Diyos sa tanan nga gina obra mo… ihalad lang sa iya ang tanan mu nga kabudlayan, kay hatagan ya gid ka sang kasulhayan. ” ‘Tay Dodoy, being so simple and a good father, he also have great ambitions to his two children- for them to finish their studies and get a good job someday. He promised that no matter how hard his job is, he will never stop from doing it for the sake of his promise and for his family, especially his dream for his children. He is willing to sacrifice himself just to fulfill his role being a good father.

In relation to Plato’s idea:

In Plato’s framework, he said that there are two kinds of world, namely: the world of senses and the world of ideas. The world of senses speaks about the reality- it is the world that can be perceived by our sense while the world of ideas speaks about the world that is in our mind wherein everything is perfect in form and order. It is in the world of senses that we encounter the reality- our real selves in our real situation. It is where we experience hardships and painful experiences. Why? As I said, because it is the reality, wherein we have no power to control everything or arrange every situation perfectly with accordance to what we want them to be done. Thus, makes our life difficult. But in this matter, the ideal world becomes very helpful, for it gives us the idea that to do things which we want to happen in our lives. It gives us an inspiration to dream of great things that we want to have in our real lives, which help us to increase our level of perspective about our lives. Just like in the case of ‘Tay Dodoy, though he admitted that his life is very difficult, but it doesn’t mean that he has to give up and do nothing. His perspectives in life help him to adjust in every difficult situation that he is facing. It is the same thing that pushes him to continue doing well and to remain as a good person.



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