10 valuable lessons in life and politics that schools never taught

It is a pity that we were taught too many subjects in schools that may be useful in earning a living, but we were deprived of the knowledge of the most valuable lessons, that could have empowered us with wisdom on how to live life, and on how to make our lives more meaningful.

We were shortchanged by our educators and our parents failed to fill in the blanks that universities and colleges left unanswered. We were not taught what really matters most in life. And so, better late than later, may I share what I have discovered during the pandemic lockdowns: The first lesson that was not taught is that life is unfair, and that we are not all created equal. Some are born in castles and palatial mansions, while others came into this world inside a shanty or barong-barong. That others grew up with silver spoons in their mouths while other children had to beg or scavenge in trash cans and garbage bins to look for food. And some are born with better IQ and EQ or with talents and gifts, while others come out as morons, imbeciles, or nincompoops. And that we play life's games where the rules are not fair.

Second, they never taught us that people are wearing masks, not just for COVID but as defense mechanisms, and that that most humans are trying very hard to cover up their own realities, because of fears that others would not accept the truths in them. Third, our parents and teachers did not tell us that life is a marathon, and the winners get all the prizes and the losers bite the dust. More so, we were not told that there are runners who are wearing expensive sports shoes, complete with all the gadgets, and running paved roads, while others are running barefoot on thorny and rocky paths. Fourth, the schools and other institutions never told us that sometimes, the bad guys who often cheat do win over the honest ones.

We were never told that there are very good people inside Bilibid, while there are rascals in high government offices, in the police force, in the military or in the courts. As there are also scoundrels among the rebels and revolutionaries. Fifth, we were not even told that a Ph.D. or even a college diploma are not really essentials to become multi-billionaires, as exemplified by Bill Gates, Manny Pacquiao and many others, that you do not have to be brilliant to be elected senator or congressman, and that even a college dropout can be elected president. Sixth, our professors never told us that success is not due to hard work or intelligence, or good looks alone, o to good luck, or excellent feng shui, but by a confluence of a lot of more factors, including guns, gold, and goons, and manipulating the counting machines.

Seventh, we should have been told that money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money that bedevils man and makes him a monster or a greedy politician. That officials can be charged with plunder and then be acquitted, but ordered to return hundreds of millions to the government, and that even if charged with such a grievous crime, he could still be reelected, by the grace of a very forgiving electorate. He could win by just dancing on TV, while the more honest and competent ones could not even get near the winning circle. Eighth, it is not really the more deserving who wins, but the one who is endorsed by the most powerful. And all these notwithstanding, in this land of noble heroes, all is fair in love and politics.

Ninth, in life, career, and politics, your wife and your family can either uplift you or cause your downfall. And that the trapos love for, and loyalty to, his family, wives or girlfriends often drive them to corruption, plunder, and all sorts of shenanigans. Tenth, in life and in all endeavors, including love and politics, success has many fathers. Failure is an orphan. When you are in power, they all worship you and kiss your hands. When you are out, they will not even return your call. It is a pity that we learn all these outside the classrooms, and often too late.