Defeat

The news of our President bringing in US$2 billion worth of investments was overshadowed by the sadness of a population at a loss of boxer Manny Pacquiao. The economic update was buried by the emotional status of a nation reeling from disbelief, some even denial, and in extreme anger. The celebration of our 114th Independence Day gave others the needed break to let the boxing defeat sink into their system while the whole nation enjoyed the freedom of national independence.

The speculations on why our boxer lost swing from the amazing to the hilarious. However, the conversation with fellow men after the Church service stands out as the perspective that there is always a bigger and deeper story to what we see, hear and say as mortals was shared. We agreed that this was a test of character for it is in defeat that success is much better appreciated.

The acceptance of the judges’ split decision is for all to appreciate the reality that we are not right all the time. The defense of blaming the wrong on others without taking prudent time to carefully consider whether we are right is also wrong. Mr. Pacquiao, the sportsman that he is, accepts the decision and is already looking forward to be given another opportunity to fight Mr. Bradley. Hopefully he becomes a better boxer learning from the defeat. Not only our boxer but, we as well, learning to handle defeat is a very important lesson that prepares us how to humbly respond to success.

The on-going search for our next Chief Justice is also another teaching and learning experience for our country. We need to learn from the Corona experience that we may build a more independent judiciary as needed by future national growth and well being. It is interesting to be getting to know the nominees better and learn from the process of the Supreme Court. Yesterday a national newspaper headlined the claim of having an edge for the Internal Revenue Commissioner, as she opined. In a way it is interesting as she claims the leadership of reform in the judiciary. Who can be against the needed reform in our judiciary? The coming days will see the nomination process become more interesting as the character of the nominees are revealed.

Let us end with an anecdote entitled “Unwanted Visitor” to remind us to be humble. A man, down on his luck, went into a church which catered to the "uppity". Spotting the man's dirty clothes a deacon, worried about the churches image, went to the man and asked him if he needed help. The man said, "I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church."

The deacon suggested that the man go pray some more and possibly he might get a different answer. The next Sunday the man returned. The deacon asked, "Did you get a different answer?" The man replied, "Yes I did. I told the Lord that they don't want me in that church and the Lord said, 'Don't worry about it son; I've been trying to get into that church for years and haven't made it yet."*