of the Doubt"

Somelessons you learn once, and they last lifetime. I loved to bake as a child, and one day, I put a bowl of batter in the oven toaster with the metal whisk I was using to stir it. Five minutes later, I pulled the bowl out of the oven and grabbed the hot metal whisk with my bare hand. When I think about it, I can still feel the burn from the metal that took several weeks to heal. Some lessons last a lifetime....and some don't. When I was a little girl, we had a housekeeper for about a month. We came home one day to find that she had stolen several things from our home. "Mommy! Can you believe Agnes stole these things? How could she?!" Mommy barely reacted to this news. "She must have needed them more that we did." I was outraged. "How can you say that? What she did was wrong!" Mommy replied calmly. "Ingrid, you never know what someone else is going through." I wish I'd remember that lesson many years later when I volunteered for Red Cross for a mission at some hospital's emergency room. Patient, medical staff, family members, paramedics, and the intercom created a cacophony of voices. People were shouting and running, beeps and buzzers were going off, and the phones were ringing constantly. There was a separate phone used for patient calls. It's distinctive ring was as welcome as a hammer to my skull on this frenetic day. Just my luck, I was at a desk next to the room of a patient who called every five minutes. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! First she called for ice chips.

She needed her bed to be raised; she needed her bed lowered. She needed the phone, and then she needed the phone hung up. Every request she had was heralded by that awful BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I could have handled it if she asked for what she needed in a normal voice. Instead, she whined each request, as if she was at death's door, which I'm sure she was not. "Ooh," she whined, "I need the TV remote." Anyone whose biggest problem is not being able to reach the TV remote has it good in the emergency room, wouldn't you say? I mean, we were in a major trauma center. There were people getting CPR, coming in with gunshot wounds,, or rushing to surgery as soon as they came through the door, at the same time this woman was whining about not being able to reach the TV remote. I thought it was my chance to help her get a new perspective and realize that really, she had it good. It kind of felt like my duty. Like I'd be doing her a favor. So I said," Well, at least it's just an issue with your TV remote. There are plenty of people here who won't survive the night, so you're doing well to be concerned about watching TV." Her eyes grew wide with shock. Her voice softened with the awe of someone who had just been given great wisdom. "Wow. You're right. I should be thankful I'm here and doing okay." I walked out of her room, feeling great about myself. I really did a good thing. I was like a divine messenger. When I got back to the nurses' station, I've decided for kicks to look and see why the woman was in the emergency room in the first place. Probably a stubbed toe or something lame like that. I looked at her chart....heart transplant recipient.... renal failure....blood transfusions. She was only thirty-five years old. I felt like I'd been hit with a brick. And there she was, thanking me for helping her see that her situation wasn't that bad. That just made it worse. I wanted to walk in there and say, "You know what? You're situation is bad! You want some more ice chips?" I may not have a physical scar to show, but the shock and shame I felt after reading that woman's chart went far deeper than the burn from the metal whisk. Some lessons last a lifetime. But I know enough now to remind myself that I'm only seeing part of the picture. Maybe the woman in the hospital called me into her room because she didn't want to be alone. Maybe she was scared. I don't know. And that's the point. We never know what someone else is going through, whether it's a housekeeper stealing from her employer, a woman in the hospital incessantly using her call button, or someone who cuts you off on the highway. We never know what someone else is going through. What we can do is give other people the benefit of the doubt and choose to show them kindness and compassion. I know it's hard sometimes to feel compassion for someone who is really rude or annoying. That's when I create silly stories in my head to explain their behavior. Making up silly stories helps me lighten up. It helps me remember that I'm only seeing one snippet of this person's life. They could be longing for a breath of kindness and compassion. And that's something I can give.

Aris Bagtas stands as one of the most influential artists of our time, leaving an indelible mark on the art world. Embodying the essence of his family name, "Bagtas," which translates "to walk the path," he has been a guiding force for young and upcoming artists, leading them towards the path of success. Renowned for his monoscenic narrative and folkloric imagery, Bagtas captures the celebratory aspects of Filipino culture and tradition in his artwork.

Currently serving as the Art Director of Kunst Filipino-Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talentong Filipino, Bagtas was honored with the prestigious Presidential Award for Filipino Individual and Organization Overseas (Banaag) in 2021. In addition to his role as Art Director, he holds the position of Director Membership at the Rotary Club of HeARTSDistrict 3830, where he continues to foster artistic growth and collaboration.

Bagtas' artistic endeavors span a wide range of creative outlets. He has held numerous one-man shows, participated in group exhibitions, conducted art workshops, and engaged in outreach programs both within the Philippines and abroad. Notably,

Bagtas has contributed his talent to the creation of stunning mural paintings for esteemed churches, including the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (Malolos Cathedral) in Bulacan, Manila Cathedral in Manila, Fatima Shrine in Valenzuela City, Minor Basilica, National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church) and Saint Camillus Church in Essen, Germany.

Recognized for his exceptional artistry, Bagtas' works have been featured in various art books and magazines, solidifying his position as a highly regarded artist. His talent extends beyond traditional forms, as he has also undertaken commissioned artworks for notable projects such as Rebisco's 55th Year Special Edition Designer Can in 2018 and the Artwork Trophy for the Philippine Airline Award in 2018, 2019, and 2023.

Continuing to make waves in the art scene, Bagtas' recent achievements include being selected as a finalist in the non-representational category of the highly esteemed 2023 GSIS Art Competition. This recognition further underscores his artistic prowess and ability to captivate audiences with his unique and evocative creations.

As Aris Bagtas continues to navigate the artistic landscape, his dedication, talent, and unwavering commitment to promoting Filipino art and culture shine through in every brushstroke and creative endeavor. With each new masterpiece, he inspires generations of artists to walk their own paths, leaving an enduring legacy in the art world.

—Ingrid Aimee