For the Goddess

                  To walk or not to walk? That is the question.  

I chose not to walk.

Recently, we were required to participate in the so-called “Alay-Lakad”. But I did not participate. Perhaps, many will think that I am really a stubborn student or “pasaway”. Judge me not for I have my reasons, sound and sensible.

What does this activity mean to me?

It is a service that is given freely, shared for goodwill and purpose, completed through walking around a community or a certain place.

Apparently, I decided not to join because there is no main purpose or objective given in doing the activity. Is it about arousing the mind and heart of mankind on living a quality life? Will it help decrease drug abuse, prostitution, child labor, crime, or environmental degradation? Does it mean to educate people on health, social, political, and spiritual rights? I believe every activity has its own time and purpose. But this one I think is about obedience.

I’d rather participate in a student rally to express the right as an individual and exercise freedom, to awaken the mankind on the essence of justice and on being firm and dignified as a Filipino.

I also consider participation in a medical mission a true achievement. It will provide health care and teachings in our people to help them become more responsible and independent on their health.

It is also beneficial to plant trees in the community and educate people about cleanliness and preservation of the environment. There are other things which are essential to do that by merely walking.

If the activity is “given freely”, then why is it considered a requirement? If one fails to participate, does it equate punishment? Then the real essence of the activity is measured by compliance, not by the fulfillment and achievement felt on doing a sensible thing.

Walking is a good exercise. But it is not always good depending on the motive. It can be a tool to exercise good will or power. It is not bad to walk with others, but if an action becomes unreasonable, then it is better to stand still, and not to follow. Sometimes disobedience becomes good and right. It becomes meaningful and defines man’s rationalism.

That is the reason why on earth at my age I never attended any activity of that kind. I hope next time I can participate, that is, only when walking becomes worthy.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ An essay written by Joyce Lou G. Penales, BS Biology , University of the Philippines -Los Baños, and currently taking up BS Nursing in University of Perpetual Help System.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 18th, 2006 at 8:31 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.