PERCEPTION may be defined as a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression. Judgment may refer to an opinion or conclusion. More often than not, judgment is based on perceptions. A lot of times, too, judgment based on perceptions are wrong.
Last week, my missive was about Koronadal City, in South Cotabato. Many people who have never been to Mindanao, or who have just “heard” or “read” about Mindanao, immediately paint a negative picture of this beautiful place in the Philippines. Their “judgments” and conclusions may be based on how the place is advertised through song and news articles. Remember that song about Cotabato - “Ako’y isinilang sa isang bayan ng Cotabato. Kasing gulo ng tao, kasing gulo ng mundo. Dahil di magkasundo sa relihiyon at prinsipyo, nagkagulo. Ang bayan ko sa Cotabato, kasing gulo ng isip ko. Di alam kung saan nanggaling, di alam kung saan patungo. Kapatid sa kapatid, laman sa laman. Sila-sila ang naglalaban, di ko alam ang dahilan ng gulo...“
When I arrived in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on July 31 of this year, I already felt the warm hospitality and generosity of her people. The impression that many people have of the place - “nakakatakot and magulo” is so, so untrue. In fact, that is what I would call fake news. Three weeks of being here exposed me to some of the most caring, thoughtful, humble and accepting people I have met in my more than five decades of earth life.
When you ask about the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the people here are not complaining. In fact, most people I talked to said that they like it better with martial law in effect. They even asked me why people outside Mindanao are questioning and making a big deal about the declaration when they are not affected. That is what perception does.
Fruits are aplenty and cheap. The tuna panga in the north would appear like a baby panga when compared to the panga here in Marbel. Yet, when you compare the price, baka mas mahal pa ‘yung nasa Luzon.”
I am so blessed and humbled to be accepted by and become a part of an amazing group of people in region 12. Peace-loving is an understatement. The mix of people I have met here so far has opened my heart and mind to the possibility of better things to come. They are genuine and humble people with only the best intentions and wishes for everyone. Mabuhay ka Region 12 - Soccsksargen!
I invite the people in up north to come and enjoy the beauty God has bestowed to the beautiful islands in Mindanao. “Tara na!”
“There’s so much chaos and trouble in the world right now, and we need to broadcast as much peace and love, too.” ~ Jim James
“When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself.” ~ Earl Nightingale
“When we make judgments, we’re inevitably acting on limited knowledge, isn’t it best to ask if we seek to understand, or simply let them be?” ~ Jay Woodman
“Sometimes the nicest people you meet are covered in tattoos, and sometimes the most judgmental people you meet go to church on Sundays.” ~ Earl Dibbles Jr.
“How would your life be different if you stop making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day... Look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.” ~ Steve Maraboli