Just as the holidays were about to kick in, many major events happened in Cebu. Events that came unexpectedly without us knowing. Sure, most of us were already in the jolly spirit and all preparing for the Christmas. Little did we know that behind boondocks and office doors were chaos that could disrupt our peaceful lives.
It was the other Friday when a mountain barangay in Dumanjug shook Cebu on an alleged strafing incident involving politicians. Not long after a mountain barangay in Argao made waves with an alleged shootout involving the police and two others who were tagged as suspects in the strafing incident.
I personally went up those mountains to check on the situation, expecting that it would do me better but it didn't. The people there were in shock. Although they said political squabbles in their area were normal, gunshots and hand grenades were not really their cups of teas. This led them to be scared for their own safety when all along they have been living peaceful lives. Others do not want to sleep in their own quarters for fear of another incident where the police would search their houses in the wee hours of the day, or so they said.
Looking in their eyes, I see fear. They were trembling as they talked to me, as if I could do something to ease their trauma. I tried to look apologetic as I could be, maintaining position that I was there to do a story or so I tried to be strong for them. Deep inside, I could not help but pity these people who have lives which are less complicated than ours yet were disturbed by conflicts that caught them in between.
This is happening in our backyards, how much more if we look at the global perspective. The shootings in the west and the terrorist attacks in the Middle East have not yet come to a stop. There are still people who are running away from the sounds of blasts that could kill them. Others are in another country seeking refuge for a new life without the wails of innocents. When all the hatred stops?
Back in the day the Black Eyed Peas were so infamous for their song "Where is the Love?" I could still rap the lyrics by heart with an emphasis on the first few lines of the song: "What's wrong with the world mama? People living like they got no mama? I think the whole world's addicted to drama, only attracted to things that would us trauma." That song was released sometime in the early 2000. Fast forward to 2015, the picture is still the same and even worse.
This is a sad reality that tends to overlook especially when the lure of the happy days of Christmas kicks in. We want to think about ourselves and our families; what food we are to eat and all that. But, the essence of Christmas is not really about ourselves and the gifts we are to give or receive. It is remembering the birth of Christ in our lives and how we can share that good news to others.
I don't really know how the news affects each of your lives but I hope that there is a little glimmer of compassion for our dear brothers and sisters who are affected by happenings which they didn't choose to occur. Life's realities could bite hard. We have to bounce back strong, but be stronger for others as well.