Muntikatha 10: Galugad

Sa paggalugad natin sa mundo, kailangang laging bukas ang isipan. Hindi sapat ang ating alam ngayon at kailanman’y hindi ito magiging sapat.

Kaya kahit na ika’y matanda na, dapat hindi mo balewalain ang mga bagong itinuturo ng mundo. Ang alam mong tama noon ay baka mali ngayon.

English Translation:

As we explore this world, keep an open mind. What we know now is not enough and it will never be enough.

So no matter how old you are, do not disregard the new things that this world is teaching you. What you know was right yesterday may be wrong today.

Author’s Notes:

1. This prompt list is from Putimbulak on Twitter. I have permission from him to take this out of Twitter as I wish to do the prompt challenge here instead. (You may either click on the image or the link above to be redirected to his page.)

2. This particular muntikatha (microfiction) piece is inspired by one of the recent events. I changed half of it so that it would reflect some of my thoughts on what triggered the HijaAko movement. I agree with Frankie Pangilinan’s stance and abhor all humans who think the same way as Ben Tulfo. I think that, this man has such backwards thinking that he doesn’t even explore or even think of the possibility that he is wrong. Even way back when, women from many countries, including ours, have always been told to dress modestly and not show skin as this was the concept of righteousness and decency before, hammered down by the patriarchal society we, unfortunately, still live in. But today, in the modern world, that is and should not be the case anymore. Our elders, including Ben Tulfo, have to learn new societal concepts – that women are free to wear whatever they want to wear, and that men should be responsible for their actions and not rape anyone – and thus, I urge them to keep an open mind and to be open to learning. They should be included in this battle for equality.

3. I added an English translation for our foreign readers.

4. I wanted to post this last night. However, my connection won’t let me post it. So I’ll do my best to post it until I reach the 20th prompt.