Haven't we yet realized that what attracts foreign tourists to the Philippines more than anything else is the happy, smiling, caring, charming, kayumanggi faces of Filipinos (intrinsically) and their hospitable nature/spirit even amidst sufferings — as abused, used, beleaguered people? Trace it if you must in our jeepneys, and you will. 

Back to problematic marriages: Only God is perfect. Acceptance and selflessness are the keys to enduring, lasting marriages as God Almighty proposes (Matthew 19:6) — not divorce, not eros love, not the ways of the Prodigal Son.

Genuine love, freedom, and happiness are found only in submitting to the will and plans of God in, for, and through your life."  Life is much bigger than your tiny, little, parochial, selfish world. Be happy, but don't cause misery to others by doing and being so.

Whether you know it or not, there is a God who loves and cares for you and has the answer to all your problems. And whether you like it or not, He is a part of your life and every bit of your being.

I beg you, wise officials, do not drag the countless "problematic" Filipino couples (with their children) that can still remain complete and whole, continue loving each other, and grow in spirit and heart as a family — despite the weakness of the flesh (sinful nature) and myriad problems of life — but will end up utterly/totally broken — because of a divorce (demon) law or because of the not so many married couples that are "beyond hope" and the only remedy left for them seems to be official separation. But our present, existing law on "legal separation" can do something about their problem or what they want to happen. So, what for?) And what for is marriage to those who do not cherish marriage (God), no matter what?

Look at a few (among many others) of the weird, silly laws in the country that we most love to imitate: In Delaware, whispering in a church is illegal. In Florida, you can be punished for wearing masks and hoods that cover the face in public. In Georgia, you are forbidden to use a knife and fork when eating fried chicken. In Tennessee, there is a law that prohibits the sharing of Netflix passwords with others. In California, they needed to debate and legislate a law that guaranteed its citizens to freely access sunlight and hang their clothes outdoors to dry their laundry.

From "In God We Trust" aphorism during Abraham Lincoln's time of civil war, chaos, and economic woes, the dictum has long evolved to be "In Gold We Trust" since "progress" crept in, nonchalantly, pathetically. Luke 12:15, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Mark 8:36. No wonder the people in progressive nations, not just in the US, are becoming increasingly atheistic.

Dear government officials, solve all the abuses, exploitations, and sufferings in our country — but retain our soul as a people and nation. Never ever bargain it with Mammon and "discretion." Listen to the voice of reason and poverty. Have a heart for our jeepneys, the Filipino couples and the elderly, and then do the same for all the rest of us Filipinos at heart.

Fall in love with yourself.

(renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com)