How to defeat Marcos, Trump

Nowadays, when people are disappointed, they turn to the internet.

When the Supreme Court permitted the burial of Ferdinand Marcos’ remains in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the common Facebook status was: “I want to move countries.”

When Donald Trump won the US presidency, the resounding tweet was: “I want to move planets.”

Angst was expressed in different forms—memes, jokes, articles, debates. But did their 1,000-word status heal any wounds? Did tweeting the most satirical joke bring about any unity?

Disappointment begets more disappointment. Angst begets more angst. However, only love can defeat hate, in the same way that only light can defeat darkness.

Love is the only thing that can trump death—including the small and large deaths we feel while we’re living. Love is God.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not

self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Defeat injustice with forgiveness. Defeat prejudice with warm acceptance. With love, we will always win.

Elizabeth Shie, 24, works at Globe Telecom.