As a fitting closure to the celebration of Buwan ng Wika, the faculty and staff of Xavier School gathered at the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center last August 31, 2022 to listen to a talk by ABS-CBN senior anchor Ms. Karmina Constantino-Torres on the role of media in shaping the Filipino consciousness today. Now that fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are prevalent in our country, particularly on social media, it is truly timely and relevant to have such a venue for discussing the issue. It was an affirming moment since I was with my fellow educators and formators as well as Ms. Torres who are bothered by this unfortunate reality in which our country finds itself in.
In the first part of the session, as Xavier teachers and staff were just getting comfortable in their seats, Ms. Torres demanded everyone’s attention and discretion as she was about to break some very disturbing news. The audience were glued to their seats and were holding their breaths as she told the breaking story. Just when everyone was on the brink of hysteria, she revealed that such news was actually FAKE! That was a powerful means to bring home the message that if the fabrication of lies and the distortion of truth could have such an effect on those who are educated and enlightened about issues in the country, then it could have a greater effect on the less fortunate Filipinos who have not had the means to get a good education and develop critical thinking.
The legitimate media, as Ms. Torres pointed out, has the duty to call out the government as regards its shortcomings and lapses, all for the well-being of the Filipino people to which the former is accountable. Amidst the proliferation of trolls working for unscrupulous politicians and others with their own selfish interests, as well as blind followers, the media, now more than ever, itself being attacked and discredited too, faces the huge challenge of upholding the truth so that the Filipinos can be free to make well-informed choices that are genuinely for their own good and not the self-advancement of a rotten few.
Ms. Torres also mentioned that Filipinos who still care for their country must help the media, through their own ways, in combating the spread of lies, and this reminded me of the time shortly after the presidential elections last May when I felt so upset and angry at the outcome of the voting. I recall doubting if Filipinos were really worth dying for, and saying that from then on, I would only care about my family and friends and leave the rest to fend for themselves.
Since then, though, after much reflection, and with the help of speakers like Ms. Torres, among others, I have realized that I must not lose hope in my countrymen, I must not stop caring and serving the one and only country I have, and I must have more empathy toward those behind the fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. I continue, therefore, to fulfill my mission as a teacher, one day at a time, educating my students about language and inculcating in them good values, especially kindness. Moreover, in the larger community, I find ways, big or small, to be of service to the people. I also seek to understand where those whose values and political beliefs are different from mine are coming from to find a common ground, however little that might be. There is still hope in my heart, and yes, the Filipino is still worth dying for.
