A few days after the new campaign slogan of the Department of Tourism came out ("It's More Fun in the Philippines"), an old man wrote a Facebook note that somehow made its way to my radar. I forget the details, must have been shared by one of my Facebook contacts. Since it was getting some attention (based on the number of likes and agreeing comments), I decided to read it.
Was I really surprised that the old man's note reflected antiquarian values? No.
But what really appalled me was the message of the note: That people should stop hating the new campaign slogan, shut up, and give it a chance.
Call me provocative, but I think that old man--who I will not name-- should be ashamed of himself. How a man could have lived through martial law and not appreciate the value of questioning the status quo is beyond my comprehension. My problem with this kind of thinking is it's spirit of giving up, of accepting what is given because fighting is too much of a chore. We've criticized the past too much that we should just lay back and enjoy getting screwed.
Let me be clear: THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE DOT SLOGAN. This is ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.
Challenge Everything. It's not just our right, it's our responsibility. In the age where everything can be manufactured, it is our duty to look for autenticity. How can we know that something is resilient, is durable, is strong enough, if we don't challenge it?
Challenge Everything. Even the Word of God is challenged. Jesus welcomed challenges because he was confident enough of the truth in his teachings.
Challenge Everything. Ask why. Ask why not. Ask what for. The pursuit of knowledge doesn't end with answers, but with more questions. The day we stop asking questions is the day we all should just die.
Challenge Everything.
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