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The Daily Guardian is a renascent Iloilo-based publishing firm and media outfit with bureaus across Western Visayas and beyond. Led by Iloilo's most respected journalists, we pledge to tell the Ilonggo story as seen through the various lenses of society so that every side may be told.
By Klaus Döring
Ever since I was a kid, I have often heard the expression “Bahala na,” usually in reference to being presented with something beyond one’s control and leaving the outcome to fate, God or the heavens.
In later years, as I grew up, I was exposed to many philosophies, religions and histories of different peoples. One of those was the Vikings. Now, as I understand it, the Norse concept of “Valhalla” is sometimes compared with the Christian idea of “heaven.”
Learning this, I have always wondered whether the Vikings ever traveled to the Philippine Islands and whether, possibly, the origin of the expression “Bahala na!” has roots leading back to the Norse “Valhalla.”
Out of the sheer goodness of our hearts — are we really doing even small things for our fellow creatures? Hey, don’t you see it? We are becoming more and more indifferent. We live without concern. We are not making a difference. We don’t even try or think about it. We have no influence or weight — neither good nor bad. Is that really what we want?
The taxi driver knows his way but makes a detour without a twinge of conscience as he takes money from my purse: “Nong, asa ka? Diretso lang!” … “Sorry, sir!”
On the other hand, while walking a short distance somewhere downtown, I don’t care about the (blind?) beggar who might really need a single centavo. Many other “business beggars” or swindlers have dulled my usually open-handed nature. Bahala na — suddenly, I don’t care!
Several years ago, while riding a jeepney (yes, I have always loved doing so!), I listened to two passengers. “You know, our neighbor suffers from lung cancer. He asked me for a loan because he needs to be hospitalized.” “And what did you do?” “Wala, nothing, bahala siya. Why did he never quit smoking, as I told him to a long time ago?”
Well, here we are! Why should I help other people around me if, on the other hand, MY cries for help or urgent appeals have been rejected or intentionally left unanswered? Indifference or egoism? It seems to be a privilege for us to close our eyes, ears and mouths in such an indifferent and shameful way that we hurt those who seek our attention.
Somebody tries to become our friend. Sure, why not?
Somebody is hired as a leader and needs the support of his or her staff. Sure, why not?
Somebody is ill, suffers from persecution and needs us. Sure, why not?
Somebody needs our advice because he or she is facing a difficult decision, homelessness, loneliness or the loss of a job. Sure, why not?
Somebody suffers from overwhelming prejudice, provocation and loss of reputation and badly needs another helping hand. Sure, why not?
Because of indifference, we keep destroying our good nature and the whole globe through unintentional or intentional contamination of the environment. Indifference allows wars instead of encouraging us to seek peace. Indifference allows people to hide behind stupid excuses. Indifference goes so far that employees of a company do not care about their work and jobs, wasting time and money. They must not be surprised if inevitable bankruptcy results.
Bahala na? I don’t care? Another human scourge …!
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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com, follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.
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