Ano ang tunay na Kalayaan?

This question popped into my mind while I was getting a haircut at a barber shop and watching a dating segment on a popular noontime TV show. During the question-and-answer portion, the host asked a contestant, “Ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging mature?” (What does being mature mean?) As I listened to the answers, my thoughts drifted to one question: “Ano ang tunay na kalayaan?” (What is true freedom?) For a moment, I imagined myself as a contestant being asked this question on a noontime TV show. What would be the best answer? This contemplation reminded me of a Jesuit’s homily where he shared his experience of being assigned to a prison facility. They had a beauty contest for the inmates, and during the Q&A portion, the same question was posed: Ano ang tunay na kalayaan? One contestant’s answer struck him deeply: Ang totoong kalayaan ay ang pagtanggap ng iyong limitasyon. (True freedom is accepting your limitation.) This made me realize that some inmates could not accept their fate and were trapped in the past, unable to move on. They were not free internally.

This reflection made me pause and consider my own situation as I glanced in the mirror, observing the barber diligently cutting my thinning hair. How about me? Am I truly free? Can I declare that I am totally free, despite my fears and insecurities? Is true freedom attainable for an imperfect and corruptible human being? Perhaps, the main reason I struggle to attain true freedom is that I often associate with having a multitude of choices, regardless of their significance.

However, Christ teaches us to limit our choices, especially when it comes to loving difficult people. When I was assigned to a certification project in 2013, I had to work with a strict German boss known for his rigid work ethic. Everyone walked on eggshells, adapting to this challenging environment. I had two options; accept the boss or accept project failure. Initially, it was tough, but as time went on, I decided to extend my compassion and befriended him. We got to know each other’s interests, and surprisingly, he became a mentor, encouraging me to pursue my doctoral studies. He introduced me to the works of prominent philosophers like Martin Heidegger, Jean Hampton, and René Magritte; and he even shared with me some of his published research. He was honest in pointing out my strengths and weaknesses that contributed to my academic endeavor.

Now that I have gained my degree and am teaching young minds, I want to impart the value of true freedom. True freedom is equivalent to boundless love, as it liberates us from our sense of fear, woundedness, doubt, and selfishness. The true test of freedom arises when we can extend our love to those who test our patience and character. It requires tremendous humility and acts of love.

As my haircut neared its completion, the barber asked, “Ok na ba ka ana na gupit, sir? Lisod na man apason ang nipis sa taas, sir.” (Is that haircut okay, sir? It’s quite difficult to style the thinness at the top, sir.) With full conviction, I answered, “Ok kaayo.” In my mind, I thought: “Dawat-dawat lang.” (Just accept it.) I can say that I have also freed myself from any judgements about my (almost) hair-less predicament. (Francis Manayan)