by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo

One song I heard over a dyTR radio program caught my attention. Its lyrics and melody capture my Filipino soul.  What I can recall of the song that is highlighted in my heart is a group of lines found below:   

Buta kita sa pagpakabana, buta kita sa luha

Ug way pulos ang hayag sa atong mga mata 

kung sa kasingkasing magpabilin ta’ng buta.

These lines are imprinted in my memory.  The composer is Ruth Vergara and the entire song is boxed in this article.

ButaPagkadaghan sa nahigmata, Nga mangandoy pang matulog
Kay mas tam-is pang magdamgo sa mga dili tinuod
Ang saksi sa kamatuoran, mo piyong lang kasagaran
Ug mag-antos lang nga pasipad-an, ang gugma ug kaangayan

Buta kita sa pagpakabana, Buta kita sa luha
Ug way polos ang hayag sa atong mga mata
kon sa kasing kasing, Magpabilin tang buta

Kon ikaw ang makasaksi sa mga pag antos sa uban
Nganong dili ka mosulti kon unsay imong nakita
Ang saksi sa kamatuoran mo piyong lang kasagaran
Ug mag antos lang nga pasipad-an ang gugma ug ang kaangayan 

If you read carefully the lines of the song, you will notice how timely the song is to what is happening in our midst nowadays. The song is a very good piece for reflection and meditation especially with the many challenges in these most difficult times in our lives.


Again, I’m touched by the line:  Kong wa kay pagpakabana, magpabilin kang buta. With this line, some questions may arise:

  • Are we blind to the needs of our neighbors?
  • Are we blind to the reality of corruption in society?
  • Are we blind to the poverty of most of the Filipinos?
  • Are we blind to the major problems in our country?
  • Are we blind to the danger that climate change is giving us?

Being “blind” to the needs of others is being insensitive to their feelings. I have read that an “insensitive person is someone who shows little care, concern, or respect for the feelings and needs of others. Often, they live in a world of their own and are completely absorbed by their own thoughts, needs, and desires.”

What are the root causes of insensitivity to the needs of others? Why are we “blind” to the needs of our brothers and sisters? As far as my readings are concerned, I have learned of the following reasons for insensitivity.

One is brain chemistry which means that certain mechanisms within one’s brain would sometimes inhibit a person from conveying sensitivity to others.

Being insensitive may also be caused by different thought patterns. It means that people act the way they think and believe. Another reason for a person to become insensitive to others is anger. Yes, insensitivity could be a result of anger. Angry people would like to release their fumes by not minding others. Lack of self esteem could also be another reasons to become insensitive. Sometimes, there are people who degrade others to make themselves feel better. Of course, stress is also a factor to become insensitive to others. When one is stressed, being insensitive could be a very good excuse.

In my life, I have met different kinds of “blind” individuals. Maybe it is now time to turn our being “Marites” to “Pagpakabana”. I got to know the meaning of “Maritess” only recently.

After two years of the covid 19 atmosphere, sometimes I have a feeling of being insensitive to the surroundings as I started to mind my being put to “prison” due to the restrictions. Mura gyud ta ug piniriso. 

So I decided to slowly go out and be sensitive to myself, too. Ining pa-agiha, mura ug mitaas akong panan-aw. Mura’g nakakita na ko ug balik sa akong kaugalingon. Just as Covid is slowly declining, I am also slowly opening my eyes to the beauty of the countryside. 

So, let’s start feeling fancy free again and see the beauty around us!!!!