Erratum for Errata

Our human inequities could result to wrong decisions, when we do not consult experts, policies and even laws, and when our decisions are based on precedents we know yet we did not happen to really know. Organizations operate based on its policies that have been debated upon, evaluated at several times, voted upon and written out in its finest form to guide practices. This is the same framework in which societies are built, the least in a democracy.

The constitution stands as the statutory law of the land, all other laws are subsumed under it. All other governing policies that guide practices and decisions are based on the law that is grounded in the constitution. In the academe, in the honorable ones, the faculty intelligently adapt their practices according to the manual. So are the students, they are to perform and behave according to what is inked in the student handbook. For both, all other decisions, policies and memorandum must be aligned to the existing manual or handbook.

Violations of which are also sanctioned according to what is stated in them. Management prerogatives are also subject to the manual of operation, and to the laws of the land. A position in the organizational hierarchy does not excuse anyone to do anything that is not according to the manual, which is supposed to be deterministic of what is right and just for all. All are subject to consult the organization's Constitution.

In juridical procedures, precedents do not merely refer to cases. They refer to decisions on cases, and those decisions are based on the law. The counsel can pose an inquiry to the previous decision, and when that plea is made, the judge will have to act justly on reexamining the case. For it is possible that a human error can be made. The just court treats a case, as it is, and the wise judge judges justly based on the merits of the case, and not immediately on precedents he know about. In this matters, the case can be brought up to the higher courts, and appealed at a certain period of time. When a decision is challenged, the law and the constitution is reexamined, all over again, until justice is served.

Non-alignment of decisions to existing, out of the knowledge of precedents, is tantamount to lawlessness, in the organization. There the law becomes flesh, not the word that is powerful to excise order and propriety. Then, what is the policy for, when decisions are made based on precedents, and the preceding decision was not according to the policy. Is this not perpetuating the vicious cycle of error? Then where is righteousness? What then is the policy for?

A righteous leader, with authority and position who happened to be a victim of the same precedent should have had wisdom after all, when he got into the position, to straighten the path, which others would also walk through. A righteous man who knows that there is something wrong with the previous practice, upon realization, should exert effort to correct it. Following a wrong decision does not make anyone right. It is but cowardice, lack of authority, and impervious thinking.

Now, I don't wonder, why it becomes possible to send out an official communication to everyone with an error and another with an error correcting the previous erroneous communication. Or, an addendum to the addendum. If this is so, then it is possible to have an erratum to the errata. Correcting a mistake is not wrong, it is an act of righteousness. An errata is a correction, when it is evident that we have committed many mistakes in the past, as we knew of the error, we need to make the correction.

When people want change

February brings memories of the historical EDSA revolution that put Corazon Aquino as Philippine's first woman president, throwing out of office Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the country under dictatorship. This makes me realize that when people put their mind and hearts together towards a specific goal, they can get the change they want. People can be the change they want to be.

Two weeks ago, I went to order my lunch at a fastfood in front of DLS-CSB. I was craving for salad. I wanted to take out a pack of it along with some chicken and fries. I was aware of the Zero-styro campaign of the school, so I checked with the service crew if their salad is packed with styro. Unfortunately it is.

The manager approached me, and offered her apology, although she told me, that they have fully noted the school's campaign. I notice that their cupboards are filled with boxes for the chicken and their other products. The manager explained that they are still exploring other packaging products for the salad in accomodation of the school's zero-styro campaign.

I left the fastfood with products not packed in styro. Although I was starving, I could not stop thinking that people have the power to create the change they want. I ask: "how come the school can have influence to the stores around the campus?" Then I realized that majority of these stores' customers are students, faculty and personnel of the two La Sallian Schools. While there were no legislations on zero-styro use, the stores were just compelled by the simple law of supply and demand.

The schools may have not demanded anything from these stores, but the La Sallians took a strong stand against styro-use. The stores adjusted to that. This is the same with the fastfoods in Muntinlupa City. However, it was because of a city ordinance that stores were compelled to stop using plastic bags. Stores in this city now use paper bags instead of plastic. There was change in the stores practices that have implications to how people think about the environment, and so in their consuming behavior.

In my illustrations, power to change consumer behavior resulted from a community commitment and legal dispositions. Even without a legislation, a community can be organized and committed to change that have impact on businesses and our personal behaviors. Through legislation, the larger community can benefit from change in our daily practices. In both illustrations, commitment to change for protecting our environment becomes possible.

When people want to change, change can happen. People must want that change first and make sure that the change they want will benefit the community. How I wish to see that more people will commit to change their wrong mindsets about the environment and be more active in stirring the change towards a more positive attitude and relevant actions for the environment.

If God is Love

Last Sunday, while I was listening to the celebrant's homily about Jesus healing the leper, my mind was drifting with a thought of human suffering in this world. While God's presence is felt, experienced and manifested in some people's lives, I ask what about in the lives of those who suffer? If God is love, where is God's love in the life of the sick, the poor, the victims of injustice, the unloved, the unwanted and the dying?

I recalled the anecdote of the barber who doesn't believe in God. Then, I realized that in God's great scheme of things, there is a purpose for everything.There is purpose in unbelief, that faith shall be known. There is purpose in darkness, that light shall shine. There is purpose in sickness, that there shall be healing. There is purpose in injustice, that we shall seek righteousness. There is purpose in being unloved, that we may know of compassion. There is purpose in being unwanted, that we may understand kindness. There is purpose in dying, that we may find eternal life.

There is purpose, I guess, in all the human suffering in this world. However, the understanding of that purpose only comes in the light of knowing who God is in our lives. Jesus healed the leper who came to him, and all those who were suffering and called in His name in faith were relieved of their pains. That's God's love. It reaches those who seek for it and believe in it. And, those who believe share it with others in their everyday encounter with people in this life.

The God I believe is merciful and kind, just and righteous, magnificent and wonderful, kind and generous, and slow to anger. He sees the heart of his children, and in Jesus God sees his own. Thus, those who live in faith in His Son find the joy and love in God, amidst all sufferings. They see the light, even in the darkness of life. They have something to hope for, when everything seems to crumble. They feel secure and never anxious, for they know things shall find their places and everything will end well. My God is infinite in love.

I too suffered. Seven years ago, depression got me break down, and doctors thought that I would be forever dependent on medication, if I don't want a relapse. I took their advise for a few months. But, I clinged on to God and patiently waited for healing. Everyday I would pray that God bless the medicine I took, until a time came that I have to demonstrate my faith. I stopped the medication, instead had a doze of God's word daily and I filled my mind with God's promise. I thought, sickness could not break me down, for God is my rock; but I would If I did not let go and let God. And, God had His way in me.

I was fatherless at 8. We were poorer than the mice. My mom had no good education to get her full employment. All my father left us was a junk car we could barely sell for a penny. My older siblings then did not finish college to get better jobs, instead they opted to have their own families,which left me, my mother, my sister with a broken back, and our family-adopted younger sibling to God's care. Our house squat in a lot we don't even know of the owner, but we've been threatened for eviction from it several times. Yet, God put us through in all of those days.

It's valentines day today. I had been asked several times who my date was. I replied, what is valentines anyway? We can love 575,600 minutes of our lives in a year. Loving should never cease in just a day. I am happy as I am, for I know God is loving me from since the day I was conceived and until eternity. That's a sure promise that I hold in my heart. With that I am so grateful, and in return for that favor which I can never compensate, I love.

I love the family God gave me. I love the people where God put me to work with. I love the students that God put me with respnsibility to teach. I love my friends whom God brings to be at my side to share my joy and pains. I love my mentors whom God blessed with knowledge that I can learn from. I love my work, for the fruits of my labor are my offering to God. I love as much I could in everything that I do. With loving others, I also receive their love back. Well, that's basic: do unto others what you want others do unto you. Rephrased: love others and they will love you back. And, when and where there is love: God is.

Happy hearts day everyone!