An Advice to Kris Aquino; An Advice to Politicians

On the first passing away anniversary of Pres. Cory Aquino, Archbishop Soc Villegas, an Aquino Family friend turned his face to presidential sister Kris saying:

“Kris, as you continue to stay in the limelight of show business and go up higher in your career on television, remember---all of these things will pass. Your beauty and talents are not yours; they are God’s. You will find your real happiness . . . not in being in the limelight, but by being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.”

The good Fr. Soc (his preferred name of endearment) could have also aimed his words to politicians especially the dirty ones by reminding them:

“As you continue to stay in the political limelight and go up higher in your careers, remember---all of these things will pass. Your position and talents are not yours; they are God’s. You will find your real happiness . . . not in being in the limelight, but by being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.”

In the Philippines, politicians embody power and wealth that when they rub elbows with the people, they draw unimaginable respect, awe and yes, fear. Fear for a number of Pilate politicians possess vast capabilities that can decide one to be free or a slave of hopelessness and total defeat or to live or  die the slow death of poverty, deprivation, dehumanization, marginalization or neglect.

If Robin Hood Filipino politicians have a Damascus experience and reflect on Fr. Soc’s words, they  are compelled to put into action the maxim that a public office is indeed a public trust. Like the new Paul, these politicians should fearlessly work for the welfare of the country and the people whom they once persecuted.

The problem is that most of our politicians are the Biblical tax collectors or Judas Iscariot that they betray the trust of the citizenry accorded to them. 

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet loses his soul?”  -Jesus