By Farah G. Decano 

 

“TRUST your gut,” the saying goes – that subtle, nagging feeling, the instinctual nudge that guides decisions without logical explanation. In Filipino, it’s called “kutob,” a rapid flash of unease or certainty.

Have you ever felt an inexplicable aversion to someone, a feeling that defied your understanding of logic?

I recall two such instances vividly. In college, an unsettling feeling washed over me with the arrival of our new househelp. Two days later, my “kutob” proved tragically accurate – she vanished with our belongings. Years later, during my campaign for city councilor in Dagupan, a volunteer sparked a similar inexplicable repulsion. Three months later, he was arrested for a heinous crime.

My father, a man of logic, dismissed my intuition when I told him my experiences. He urged me to rely solely on facts. Being inclined towards logic myself, I heeded his advice, consciously disregarding any “gut feelings.” When my parents held differing opinions about people, I consistently sided with my father, dismissing my mother’s warnings as baseless hunches.

Yet, time and again, my mother’s instincts proved correct. The very people I had extended help often became the architects of my betrayal. One instance involved a woman I championed for a significant government position and later assisted with a promotion. I even connected her with influential advocates who sat down with the gods of Padre Faura for projects.  Initially, she projected an image of meekness and sincerity. However, my mother saw through this facade, cautioning me based purely on her intuitive sense of malice. I dismissed her concerns as mere “kutob.”

The return for my efforts was a bitter pill. This woman, now empowered by the position I helped her attain, spearheaded a campaign against me within the politically charged lawyers’ circle. Furthermore, she did not dissuade her husband from representing the opposing party against the very official who had appointed and promoted her. The influential family whose support I had enlisted for her career held me accountable for this awkward situation, a reaction I couldn’t fault given the circumstances.

“Huwag kang masyadong mabait,” my mother would console me after each betrayal – “Don’t be too kind.”

There’s a poignant Pangasinan saying, “Say mapangasi, atota’y lasi” – “the merciful will be farted on by the lightning.” Here, “lightning” serves as a metaphor for an evil person. One wonders if the prevalence of such “lasi” in Pangasinan history birthed this stark proverb.

Interestingly, recent scientific discoveries lend credence to the power of intuition. The brain-gut axis reveals a profound connection between our digestive system and our cognitive processes. A healthy gut microbiome significantly influences mood and decision-making. Studies even suggest that many mental health issues originate in an unhealthy gut. This emerging science implies that optimal decision-making involves a synergy between our rational brain and our intuitive gut, emphasizing the importance of nurturing both.

Considering this intricate connection between our inner workings and our choices, I can’t help but ponder the “gut health” of the Filipino electorate.

How else can one stomach the repeated election of reprehensible figures – mga kasusukang payaso, buwaya, at makapili.

Perhaps the voters en masse should take purgatives two nights before the elections. We need to awaken the collective “kutob” of the Filipino people, allowing our instincts to guide our intellects towards better choices.

Let us not forget to use our consciences, too.

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