SUICIDE: My Stand On The Issue

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Just barely after 3 months when the news of a XU- School of Education student who graduated as a Magna Cum Laude had committed suicide got out, I heard from a close friend of mine yesterday that Mr. Ephraim dela Cruz had just committed the same act 2 days ago. I don't know really the story behind the story. But I do know that he's a friend of mine. We were formerly 1st year XUHS classmates and are big rivals when it comes to sprinting ( and yes, he runs fast!), academics or being ourselves. But all of don't seem to matter anymore because he is now dead. At the left side of this blog, you can see his picture.

If your are to ask me what I feel upon knowing this, I feel, of course, sad but yet I don't want to organize a pity party( because eff, probably, don't want me to). And with this sadness, in a way, is inspiring me. yes, inspiring me. Inspiring because it's an indication that there's really something wrong with the youth today ( particularly here in XU) and something we can do about it The youth, as I see it, feels frustrated and powerless with the overwhelming factors of society that suicide, indeed, can be really a good alternative. Heck, i appreciate those who committed suicide because, at least, they were thinking about themselves and what's happening around them compared to those who continue to live yet don't even get to organize a spec of time to think what's happening inside and outside them. They are physically alive but spiritually dead ( a zombie). An unexamined life is not worth living.


So which is better? To commit suicide or to be a living zombie?

I'll tell you, it's to be ALIVE! Not to commit suicide nor to be a living zombie but to LIVE! Life is important. People may perceive it in different ways but universally it's important. Each one us, inevitably, will face challenges and obstacles but these are not the sole purpose of living life. We are alive because we have a purpose that transcends obstacles, challenges or our feelings. What matters most is that we don't give it up. We need continue living and by doing so, there's that need to examine the way we live. We need to live with others because it's with others that we may carry our baggage lightly. And, of course, there'll be times when we feel we have lost our purpose. When that time comes, we do our best to find that purpose or, simply, we create one. Life is important, life is absolute. Giving it up is not an alternative. At the end, it's your choice to make.

For the XU Community, we have failed. Let us not use this failure as an excuse not to move forward. But as a call that, indeed, we need to work together in resolving our life issues. After all, we are accountable not only for ourselves but for others and for our Creator.

Let us pray to those who gave up and do what we can to make their deaths not as a source of excuse of not living but an inspiration that, indeed, we can do something about it.

Take Action:
1) Talk to friends ( those you can trust, of course) regarding your problems and challenges. Create accountability.

2) Talk to counselors ( it's there job to make you feel better!)

3) Be involved in sports, arts, the student government or anything where you can vent you passion positively.

Note: You are free to contact me regarding your life problems and etc. You can count me as a friend. Contact details: 09167532387, 740343, edwardjohnsalilig@yahoo.com