Family and friends from the US East Coast have been complaining about the buzzing-saw-like sound of the periodical cicadas. These creatures, last seen as baby bugs in 2004, have emerged en masse last month after a 17-year life underground. More known as kuliglig in the vernacular, billions of these cicadas have taken center stage particularly in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and New York. Now adults, these bugs hum a new soundtrack for 2021, with their jarring sound muting that of a jet plane.
A lesson in entomology tells us that periodical cicadas have a 13-year or 17-year life cycle. From baby bugs falling off the trees, they get burrowed underneath the ground to live for 13 or 17 years, feeding on sap from roots. In the springtime of their 13th or 17th year, they claw their way up to see the light, synchronously and en masse. The cacophonous sound indicates mating season whereby they shed their exoskeletons, attach themselves to trees, mate and lay eggs before bidding the world farewell, all in approximately six weeks. The cycle replicates as if these bugs know how to count the years!
Whatever goes on underground, for that long a time, scientists can only surmise that the nymphs must be engaged in a lingering battle for food, some killing the others. The lengthy lifespan, although underground, may be one of the longest in the insect family. However, only a small fraction of that time is spent above ground.
Wasteful as it may seem, the cicadas’ worth unfolds in due time. However exceedingly prolonged this underground and “growing-up” period may be for these cicadas, they still manage to generate another living creature, in the end. What transpires during that surreptitious life beneath the soil can be a weaning period on growth, metabolism and a few hormonal adjustments. But when the perfect springtime arrives with the appropriate soil temperature, the bugs are more or less adults and come out from their dormant lives and accomplish their noteworthy roles in this earthly co-existence before their death.
Applying this “kuliglig” life cycle in our mortal lives, we have four stages —survival, success, significance, and service, as my drummer friend Dante M puts it. From infancy to early adulthood, we are in the Survival stage by learning the lessons we experience from one trial to another, with the help of family and friends. During this supposed subdued period of growing up, we eventually enter the workforce, eager and ready to use the talents we have and the skills we developed yet hopefully armed with values to help us discern what is good and evil.
During the Success stage, at least in our professional lives, we, similar to cicadas, enter into this exceedingly prolonged battle “underground” against those around us, trying to be better than the other in our desire to achieve Success. Only a few who will eventually develop an eternal perspective can leave this Success stage as most are wired to consider fame and fortune as the finish line.
In due time, however, once some can be certain about their purpose in this world, they enter into this phase of Significance. As can be insinuated from the preparation period of the cicadas, a human being’s groundwork, during his lengthier stages of Survival and Success, can be critical if and when he will end up achieving the purpose he was created for in the Significance stage. Depending on what we do at any given time, we can transition ourselves, rather consciously, and become significant to others. And like the cicadas where the period of time to make a difference is brief (4 to 6 weeks), we also have but a moment—figuratively speaking—to make an impact during this stage.
For those who want to make a difference, say in Philippine politics, candidates should have left their Success mindset. Winning over a rival is without a doubt a success but does it necessarily equate to significance? Rumors as persistent as the bug’s buzz indicate that June 12 is the “springtime,” like that of cicadas, for a supposed united opposition. As this group will herald its list of candidates on such date, the “weaning” stage of interviews, research, and character study may already be completed. It’s time to come out in the open. Other aspirants from several political parties will have their own cicada “springtime” in the succeeding months. By October, the filing of the certificates of candidacy is the time when these cicadas have harnessed enough strength and fortitude to withstand a political campaign and a subsequent public service.
The last stage in the life cycle of a cicada is when it dies to give birth to another. It serves another, in the end. Similarly, only a handful of mortals can go thru all the stages of Survival, Success, Significance, and Service. Service to another is not pursued but is given to those who are ready. Those who genuinely want to serve the country and the people, for instance, are those who will go by the rules of decency of a campaign and not resort to vote buying. Among these candidates, the “kuligligs” in politics, credentials as well as timing will spell the difference. Foremost, is it already ripe for such kuliglig to leave “underground”? Has “springtime” arrived for them? What habits have they formed during their “weaning” years? Have they learned lessons from falling and failing? Secondly, is the kuliglig still in the Success or Significance stage? Is he ready to serve others or is he motivated by selfish interests, stuck in the Success mindset?
Decidedly, the essence of the stage of Significance is simply to think of what is good for others, whereas in Service is to serve, and not to demand. Becoming significant in their discerning years can be such a foreign, if not difficult, concept for some. But truly, it is as basic as getting down on one’s knees to “wipe the feet” (service) of another person, GOD’s WAY, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Kuligligs in the political arena should look at the Greatest Servant, whose significance transcends both time and space.
Interestingly, former Secretary of Defense, and candidate during the 2010 Presidential elections Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. posted rousing quotes on timing and significance. In his Facebook page, he shared on separate occasions, that: “Events in your life happen in sequence…”, and “Service to others is a hard lesson in this competitive and selfish world. Man’s tendency is to demand and take favors only for himself. Serving God’s way, on the other hand, imposes no condition and expects no reward. When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He willingly took the task of a servant and showed them how to humbly serve. Make yourself the conduit of God’s love. Serve. Willingly. Silently. Humbly.” Such ought to be the mantra of any political aspirant in this God-loving country of ours.
To me, following the cicadas’ sequential life, we should all trust in God’s perfect timing, for our “times” are “in His hands” (Psalm 31:15 of the Bible). Just like the cicadas’ passionate pursuit to be of significance and to be of service to others, we should also be zealous in leading a life of substance. Let’s be mindful and aim for the approval of just one Master by laying “eggs” of service in all areas where we can plant them, pursuant to His will. For, it is so declared: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
For those who fail to enter that stage of Significance, God’s way, they will remain as those noisy and rowdy individuals, stuck in the rat race of Success—money and power! Others can be noisy yet productive, by serving a commendable purpose, like how the cicadas pound on our ears to carry out a notable objective. These cicadas or kuligligs are seemingly insignificant creatures yet of service to others. Let’s be a kuliglig, in our own little sphere of influence, by making use of the gifts that were given to us by Him.