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Saturday, May 19, 2012

from womb to tomb

i happen to have read the article of ambeth ocampo ( philippine historian and professor ) the other day in his column in the philippine daily inquirer and it gives me an idea to write on something and take off from this phrase.

technology plays an important role in our life, from simple to the most complicated technology available. it is around the corner and within our reach. from conception with the use of IVF for one (in vitro fertilization ) to the E-Lamay for our loved ones...technology is there....from womb to tomb..

but have you asked yourselves and have come to realize what is at stake, what is to be sacrifice in favor of these increasing demands for technologies.

imagine a new life being form in a petri dish, what happens to the long process of loving and intimate moments before two individuals can make a dear child. ang espasyo sa pagitan ng dalawang taong nagmamahalan ay napakahaba at puno ng mga emosyon at pakiramdam na tanging sila lamang ang nakakaranas bago humantong sa isang marubdob at matinding pagniniig na ang bunga ay isang sanggol na tatawagin nilang "anak", their own flesh and blood. but it seems the long process has been shortened nowadays, similar to an instants noodles readily available in sari-sari stores.

a child age 2 starts to discover technologies as well. the magic of the "ugoy ng duyan" is loosing its magic. ang bata ngayon kapag umiiyak at hindi mapatahan, aabutan ng iphone o ng ipad upang manahimik at pumirmi sa isang tabi habang ang kaniyang mga magulang ay abala rin sa mga iba pang bagay, uri at anyo ng teknolohiya, kani-kaniya ring pagdanas ng dulot na aliw ng teknolohiya. what happens to the pure caress (haplos) that only parents can administer to their own child, where is the mother and child conversations that build the innermost belief and ideas of a child's formative years. where are the real playmates that teaches a child to become sociable, paano na ang pagkatuto ng pakikibagay, all being replaced by virtual playmates and lifeless inanimate toys and gadgets.

here comes the teenage and adolescent years, in which i personally considered the peak demand for technology. the curiosity of each teenager, paralleled with abundant advertising and marketing strategies of different companies offering their own items, pushed by personal egoistic needs and desire to have that technology in their hands results to a more complex situation. added to this is the purchasing power of each individuals on this stage, they have their means and for sure they will make a way to have it in their hands. what happens to the process of meeting and making friends in social places, nagsisimula sa mga tinginan at nagpapatuloy sa isang mahabang pagkakaibigan, now making friends is just a click away in the comforts of your home. what happens to the genuine and sincerity of forming interpersonal relationships.

interpersonal relationships in communication is defined as communication between two persons, person to person to achieve a common understanding. but it seems this type of communication is slightly eroding. everyone seems to be glued in social media and other social networks, washing out the intensity and sincerity of talking and communication to people face to face, from a simple conversation to the most serious dialogues...its fading and withering away.

here comes the time of death. it starts with lighted images of christ below the casket with its different lights on the sides of the images, then came a small angel on top a casket moving its hands up and down, then came the widespread practice of cremation to the propagating E-lamay. death of a loved is the most disturbing and emotionally draining phase of every individual and what could be comforting than a personal visit to the grieving ones, listening and witnessing to their cries, and being with other mourners in the place somehow alleviates the sadness and lost of a special someone.

mayroon nga bang makakahalili sa mga maiinit na haplos sa iyong mga anak, sa mga usapang wagas at tapat sa mga kakilala at kaibigan, mayroon bang makakapantay sa mga tapik sa balikat na tanda ng pakikiramay, may makakapalit ba ang saya ng sulat na binubuksan na hatid ng isang kartero...



yes i admit, technology makes life faster but does it make life worthwhile and worth remembering to last a lifetime. yes i admit, i am guilty on some of the thoughts mentioned here. technology is inevitable and indispensable and they are here to stay. but as we embrace the technology around us let us not let go and forget of the VALUES and simple acts that make life worthwhile.

once in a while it is healthy to go back to where we started, to where we came...

if you feel like you are lost and flooded with so much things in life just pause for a while and without fear.............. GO BACK TO THE BASICS.