Cygnus Atratus: Letter on Faith and Science (12 Mar 2021)

CYGNUS ATRATUS

On Faith and Science at the Turn of Events 

since the Total Lockdown  of the Philippines 

due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in March 2020

Third Letter to the UST College of Science

12 March 2021

Dearly Beloved Dean Emeritus Carmen G. Kanapi, PhD; Dean Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD, Academician and Professor Emeritus; Dean Maribel G. Nonato, PhD, UST Vice Rector for Research and Innovation and Academician; Dean John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD; Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD, our incumbent Dean; Prof. Ma. Claudette M. Álvarez-Agnes, PhD, Assistant Dean; Prof. Cecilia A. Banag-Morán, PhD, College Secretary; members of the Faculty Council and Executive Committee; Department Chairs; officials of the Faculty Association of the College of Science; Faculty Members of the UST College of Science; Guidance Counselors, Alumni, Benefactors, Students and their Parents, Support Staff, Maintenance and Security Staff; Friends of the UST College of Science; Brothers and Sisters: 

The Black Swan has been widely regarded as mystifying ever since the Dutch explorer, Willem de Vlamingh (ca. 1640-1698), discovered this specie in Australia in 1697. This was an unexpected event in scientific history, which profoundly changed not just the landscape of Zoology but also the people's way of thinking. Before its discovery, people in the old world had no reason to believe that swans could be of any other color but white. The Latin expression "Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno" (A rare bird upon the earth, and exceedingly like a black swan) from the Roman satirist, Juvenal (ca. 60-130), attested for the term 'black swan' to be a metaphor for any event considered nonexistent unless otherwise proven by empirical evidence. It is somehow similar to the Filipino idiom that also uses avian subjects: "Kapag pumuti na ang uwak at umitim ang tagak" (Literally, 'When the crow becomes white and the heron becomes black'). 

In modern times, the Lebanese-American author Nassim Nicholas Taleb (b. 1960), whose work concerns problems of randomness, probability, and uncertainty, has largely redefined this metaphor, or at least refined it. He provided three properties of a 'black swan' event: (1) it is unpredictable; (2) it has severe and widespread consequences; (3) and after its occurrence, people would rationalize it as having been predictable (known as the ‘hindsight bias’) Therefore, 'black swan' events are prospectively unpredictable yet retrospectively predictable. 

Arguably, recent events affecting the world could be regarded as 'black swans'. As the world watches with anxiety and vigilance—and sometimes, unavoidably, with a sense of helplessness—the spread and resurgence of COVID-19, with different variants of mutation, the Filipino Bishops continuously exhort us to observe precautionary measures and, most importantly, "to turn to our Loving Father in heaven for protection and guidance" (CBCP Circular no. 20-05). It has been a year since the Philippines was placed under strict community quarantine.  We have experienced powerlessness and vulnerability in this pandemic, which has also been a great equalizer that affects all walks of life. Many suffer from isolation. People die every day, by the hour, and we seem to be defenseless in the face of such 'black swan'. People are becoming complacent in observing the minimum health protocols which could be a consequence of the so-called ‘pandemic fatigue’. 

Nevertheless, we keep on fighting at the academic front using digital platforms. We continuously develop our creativity, and we even set a higher bar in our programs. It could have been easier for all of us to just be complacent and forego the celebration of Science Week, putting forth the difficulties caused by the pandemic as a convenient excuse, but that would go against the nature of Science. Vaccines were developed in record time and are continuously being evaluated. What could be the prognosis in the coming days? When will this pandemic end? We pray for guidance in the matters at hand, and we ask God to clearly show us how to conduct our endeavors with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. 

We pray for the success of the researches of all scientists, especially our very own, Rev. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, a Dominican Priest and Molecular Biologist, who has been developing a vaccine for the poor. In a conference on the “Ethical and Scientific Issues of COVID-19 Vaccinations” with Filipino Bishops last January 2021, Fr. Austriaco requested to update the Oratio Imperata (mandated prayer) to give thanks and acknowledge the gift of vaccines, and to bless our endeavors in using it: 

“We pray that You guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its transmission. We thank You for the vaccines developed made possible by Your guiding hands. Bless our efforts to use these vaccines to end the pandemic in our country. We pray for our health workers that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion.”

Proclaiming the absolute sovereignty and uncontested power of God, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Mt 19:16). I know that we are sometimes becoming impatient, irritable and fatigued, but we hold on to God’s hand and lay everything at Jesus’ feet, for He said:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28-30).

The unprecedented turn of events—the ‘black swan’—causes disturbance and uncertainty, but it has also underscored the importance of Faith and Science in our life, perhaps more than ever. We must move forward with optimism, with the lamp of faith illuminating our next steps. Pope Francis asks us to be open to “the God of surprises,” who “is a living God, a God who abides in us, a God who moves our heart, a God who is in the Church and walks with us; and He always surprises us on this path”. Thus, “just as [God] had the creativity to create the world, so He has the creativity to create new things every day.” He “is the God who surprises” (Morning Meditation at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, 8 May 2017).

Just recently, I have my own share of a ‘black swan’ event in my life. I was conditioned to leave the College to face a new mission (cf. Coronel, Amor et Gratitudo, 14 February 2021), but to everyone’s surprise, I am back for good after experiencing a detour. Come to think of it: we are on the road as co-pilgrims in this journey of life, that is full of speed bumps and detours, but we must never lose sight of our destination: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who takes the wheel when we are overburdened. 

Although 'black swan' events seemingly have a negative connotation, the concept does not only apply to undesirable events. The judgment on whether an event is positive or negative depends on the perspective of the faithful. A person grows in faith in the face of such events. The exceptional resilience of the faithful are tested in these trying moments. Remember that a swan is a bird of great strength, but it only uses its strength at its advantage: to defend its family, and not to offend other creatures. Therefore, we should know our strength. We should never lower the standard of our researches even after the pandemic, for this is our way of serving God and our neighbor (cf. Mk 12:30-31). In this challenging time, “God is our refuge and strength” (Ps 46:1). May Faith and Science be part of our arsenal in combatting the pandemic. May we remain steadfast in faith as we engage in our scientific endeavors.

May the blessing of our Holy Triune God, in Whose Name and for Whose honor the College of Science fulfills its scientific endeavors, be with you always. May you receive it in full, along with my renewed friendship and continued affection for all of you.

In Sanctis Thoma et Alberto Magno,

Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, OP

Regent, UST College of Science