Living History

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"...It devours every second we spend and will continue until all the future has been consumed. It flows even after all the rivers run dry and it lives so long as there is life.  It is the shadow of time and time itself cannot stop it, neither can we.... "

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History is boring. It’s all about the past and a difficult subject as I may say. It has nothing to do with our future. Although, some insists that studying history makes us see the trend of events and foresee the future, since according to them, history repeats itself. They even say that history holds the secrets of a bountiful society and the key to powerful governance. Ironically, those effective governments and bountiful societies are now just part of what we call- HISTORY, the glorious past of the unseen future.

                        History is boring. It is all about the past but historians try to relive it. They hunt manuscripts of reformists, decipher the deepest of thoughts and interpret the ancient works of arts. From the golden sarcophagus of Tutankhamen to the disappearance of the Mayans and Incas; from the Spanish colonization to the mystery of the Cojuangco’s wealth- looking for possible links of one event leading to another. Yet at the end of the day, all they have is the knowledge and the truth of the past- not even relevant to solve tomorrow’s uncertainties.

                        History is boring. It is all about the past yet many have the passion to discover it. Truly, it is but a human nature to dwell on the memory of the past just as though reminiscing the presence of a parted loved one. Keeping the memorabilia of what has been, as if it is the greatest masterpiece of TIME- the ultimate artist whose works are divine.

       History is boring. It is all about the past and confusing names.  It made ordinary people, whose characters were seasoned by circumstances and whose names were famed out of opportunity; stand in the pedestal of heroes and martyrs.  It made us forget that we, ourselves, are part of it- a minor yet an important part of the big picture.  We might feel small compared to the names of Michael Jackson, Augustus Caesar, Joan of Arc and Christopher Columbus yet we are the reason why they are famous. By being in the dark, we made them shine. And by living the present, they became the past- the HISTORY.

                        History is boring. It is all about the past and the cultural linkages of the ages. History links Filipinos to its cultural brothers- the Cubans, Columbians and Puerto Ricans- sharing the same Hispanic fate through the grandiose of Spain’s exploration and expansion.  Yet, history itself ignited the disgust and loathe among Filipinos that lay dormant for decades making Juan de la Cruz deny its past and bond to his Hispanic brothers.                  

                     History is boring. It is all about the past yet it is living. It devours every second we spend and will continue until all the future has been consumed. It flows even after all the rivers run dry and it lives so long as there is life.  It is the shadow of time and time itself cannot stop it, neither can we. History is something that we all inevitably and helplessly fall into yet we have the power to define how to position ourselves on its pedestal.                      

                        History is boring. It is all about the past and I do not study it though many have the audacity to talk about it. All are born to live with it, many are determined to discover it, and a few are called to teach it while I am destined to become a great part of it.