A Revolt from Culture of Mediocrity

I loathe mediocrity, just to be honest. Not only that its lame, it’s also stale and somehow devoid of life. Status quo, zilch, nada! However in my case, one of mediocrity’s origins may have been complacency or should I say too much complacency, too much traditional thinking, and too much of a status quo. Yes, in my opinion, complacency breeds mediocrity—and is often contagious in a society.

I’ll share an experience of a kingdom not so far away.

Its history is full of glory, power and might. The kingdom was an empire built with sweet gold. It has everything a modern state would like to have. However, because of too much satisfaction, over-dependency took toll on its economy–and so its demise. And up to this very day, the once formidable empire reeks of opulence yet the decayed traits of status quo emerged.

I had an experience with this empire which seemingly steeps back to its traditional ways and resist changes that happens in today’s modern world. Some of the influential people of this land are still traditional and very conservative. These people that resist changes, yet cries out loud of what their ancestors brought to their land—the wealth, the power, the opulence, and the glory.  They seem to be stuck from the past. Lets move on to the future by looking and learning at the lessons of the past, not re-live them!

“World class” seems to be the word of the day, yet we only see the ordinary. Can we strive more?

We try to “grab” what is ours, some said. Can we think beyond that?

We are the best, and others suck eggs. Can we avoid thinking of that? Too much amor propio kills. I don’t know if too much pride of place could even bring the empire into soaring heights or greater embarrassment. Crab mentality harbours mediocrity. Shun it!

We have bickering politicians and people, here and there. Can we as citizens become a role model instead and help improve the image of politics?

We have the first, the largest, and the most bongga-ever, capital of this, center of that. Some said it is “barriotic” and “backward.” I couldn’t blame them with that. With their ancestors has done so much in under a generation or two, it is something that they hold to. Yet, can we do something from our own generation as well? I guess we can!

Then there is this case of complacency in investing–spending less on promotion and marketing, saving more as if they’ll carry it unto the heavens.  Being thrifty isn’t a bad trait, but doing it too much just simply doesn’t make sense. Can we bring balance on our cash flow? I guess we can!

How about, “let them come and let’s build” mindset? In today’s competitive world, that doesn’t make sense–that’s even one of the greatest blights for an urban core to be competitive. Let’s build, so they can come! That is now how investors see if a locality is competitive. We want to be great, then lets build roads, infrastructure and plan properly. Utilize the best of your talents. If we lose some money for the capital, return of investments is greater than expected–that’s beyond mediocre estimates.

And then there is this afraid to invest. I guess since the collapse of sweet gold economy, many of the old timers have gone cautious on what they invest or sometimes, they just fly to the big city or foreign lands instead. This I understand, yet can our generation switch things for the better?

Last and not the least, is the resistance to change and everything new—well, part of holding to traditionalist conservative point of view that is, in other words having a closed mind or myopic vision. Here’s an example: Several years ago a group of people presented themselves as able to help the promotions of a prominent event through online cyberspace or social media. However, the people shunned them away and said, “We don’t have time for the internet or amateurs. We will stick with the traditional ones because they can be sure and not fly-by-night.” Despite numerous contributions done by these people online to promote the kingdom, these people don’t seem to recognize nor refuse to.

Then it dawned to them that these people are indeed here to help, beyond the traditional norms, limitations, and time frame. It took a lot from these people to sell and to prove that this new norm can and will help the kingdom move forward, like their battle cries. All it takes is to have the influential people open up their minds with what the younger generation are craving for and suggesting for. Listen. These people know the world that it is now. They may eventually be a blessing.

Living life simply is not bad, that I understand. However, if the whole society has turned complacent and rested with its laurels, then nothing will happen. The flood that ravaged the kingdom several years ago has just reminded the people that in this changing world, we have to strive for excellence, not just “okay na yan, marami naman tayong bigas na kakainin.” Because all can be taken away from the people in just one blow.

We have the talents, but it goes away to distant kingdoms and empires. How about using these young talents for the kingdom’s good? Encourage people to work locally and use their creative talents. Create an environment that is a natural bed for explorers and creators, not restrict them with only the norms of the traditional past.

Think beyond the traditional, not relying too much of it. Much as the faults of our ancestors on relying solely on what they thought were tierra firme, it falters. Seek new markets, not just the ones what we are strong with.

I remember Paulo Coelho’s quote, “if adventure is risky, try routine—it’s deadly.” Indeed. Human beings in nature are insatiable.

We got a lot of potential to be great again, just like how our ancestors did.

These things I have vent out of frustration for my beloved hometown, the so-called Kingdom of Datu Paiburong. Iloilo. For so long I have cringed and sometimes cried over the seemingly resistant society to change. This city and province has been a bastion of greatness in the past.

Good thing, winds of change have swept my hometown. A lot of investments are pouring in; people are starting to open up for changes, shattering the old and obsolete social mindset. The younger generation has started to pour their talents bit by bit, step by step. It’s a long way but with the right guidance, the people of this once great empire may once again rise up, not only from economic slumber, but also from chronic mediocrity that has, in my opinion, has plagued my banwa for decades.

I have once spoken these things in fora, and I met enemies. A lot may oppose to my perspective, but this I expressed because I like to see a better Iloilo. Because I like to see a better one with better outputs that we can truly say, “World-class.” I don’t have political affiliation nor any political sentiment in this essay of mine. All I want was to inspire my kasimanwas to do more, be more, and live life to the fullest. I still got a lot to say about this, but I guess those are better next time.

There is a revolution going on in the Kingdom of Iloilo. The younger generation is clamouring for change, one of this is the damnation of mediocrity in its society. And as I write this essay, the Ilonggos are feeling and seeing the change, and is heading towards culture of excellence. A rebirth of an empire, resisting mediocrity and uber-complacency completely.