A country at rock-bottom?

“Is our country sinking — figuratively and literally?”

- DR. JUN YNARES

A friend who is based in the United States texted me this message in the wake of news that a series of earthquakes has shaken various parts of the country, particularly Cebu, parts of Mindanao, and Zambales. He was shown images of damaged structures, and the sight of people in panic created a vivid picture in his mind of a country in ruins.

He pointed out that these earthquakes happened just as the country was recovering from typhoons and as political scandals about flood-control projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) emerged.

He said he was wondering if our country is “being punished.”

The prayer being recited in Catholic Churches all over the country after the Eucharistic Celebration appears to confirm the fear of my friend that, indeed, the country is about to hit rock bottom.

In the Catholic Church’s prayer titled “National Cry for Mercy and Renewal,” the following plea appears:

“Save us, Lord, for we are sinking.”

In times like these, we look for the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.” As far as the turmoil in the political arena is concerned, it appears we may have to endure the passage through the dark tunnel. We are yet to hear a viable scenario for a peaceful resolution of the conflict here. At this point, the political noise is still at a crescendo.