A Face Without Stain

by Andrew Gallardo

The face of a human person is something truly magical. The mere appearance of it sends to us meanings of endless possibilities. And from such meanings we derive various emotions. Indeed, it is something that we fall in love to, in the same way that we feel jealousy or hatred. But according to the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, the Face is not merely the physical face of the person. It is the totality of the being of the person which sends to us the commands “Do not kill me” or “Do not do harm to me”. Directly stating, the Face, in itself, pushes us to be responsible.

Perhaps at this point of time this sentiment sounds so dramatic or out of reality. Indeed, our encounter with others can be pleasant. Though there are tough times too when we have to encounter, be it accidental or not, someone whom we hold a grudge to. Moreover, there are times wherein we form negative impressions the first time we meet someone. We might have the initial impression that the person that we just met is arrogant simply because the way he walks is proud, or the tone of his voice sounds condescending. And honestly, it is hard to feel compassionate to those people that we find unpleasant.

Though if we look at the person as such, then we do not look at him “Upright”. This is so because the “Face” is a decent nakedness, that is, it is a clean slate of emptiness that seems to beg for compassion. Though in its destitution, it seems to put on a facade- a kind of a mask to hide its poverty. This facade is the one proliferating in our society these days. We tend to act in a way that would boost our confidence or in a way that would please others even though it contradicts our natural way of acting. I admit that there are situations too wherein I am forced to put on a facade. When I am hanging out with my close guy friends, for example, I act in a proud manner simply because it is the culture in our “barkada”. On the contrary, when I am eating dinner with relatives on a reunion, I act in a way that would please them, that is, with decency and utmost formality. I am fine with being a little proud and a little formal, but taking it into an extreme makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes, but given the circumstances, that is how I am supposed to act.

Although perhaps this decent nakedness that seems to appeal straightforward for mercy and compassion can be seen on the face of a newborn. They are even called “Angels of God” because of their innocent look. Simply looking at them gives us the message of “Please do not do me harm”. Their face, in itself, invites compassion. It is apparent too that they look the same to the point that switching babies can be a case without the parents knowing it, as seen in many movies like the 90’s film “Switch at Birth”. Although biological factor plays a huge role why the faces of people seems to be more unique as one enters adolescence, the presence of a “facade” is another factor to look into. As one becomes independent, one seems to adapt to one’s need and environment, thereby pushing one to form a “facade”.

So what is my point in this whole thing? What I’m just trying to say is that we should not be discouraged to feel compassionate or responsible to those people whose “guts” we do not like because, in the end, they are still humans to whom we owe responsibility to. It is a tough job, but nonetheless, it is still a call of our being.