Twilight zone again?
There is a vivid memory that I once shared here. I refer to it as a 'Twilight Zone' moment. (Read: Time Lost) https://read.cash/@zolabundance2/time-lost-aef5a6de
Though it happened many years ago, it remains an unforgettable incident and each time I recall that story, I can see it clearly in my mind as it unfolded.
Late last week, I had another experience that would rate as a 'Twilight Zone' story.
On my drive to work, I always pray the Holy Rosary. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the office and I can complete an average of three mysteries in that time. (I pray the Latin version so can't zip through my Hail Mary's).
From the parking garage to the office is another few minutes walk so I try to get to the Glory Be... and Fatima Prayer before knocking.
Usually, I am alone in the elevator, which allows me to continue praying. This time, I had company, a guy who pushed the Penthouse button. I hit 12. With no stops in between, it's a quick ride.
Somewhere around the 6th or 7th floor, the elevator shakes a bit. It jolted me but I continued mentally reciting my prayers. There is usually a 'ding' when you get to your floor. I didn't hear any, but the doors slid open and I got off.
This is where it happened...
I am certain I saw the sign 12th floor as I stepped out of the elevator. I walk five steps and turn left; this long hallway is before me.
Then I noticed that the doors were different from the ones I always pass by as I walked to the end of the hallway (the office is the last door at the end).
Since I was still going through my Hail Marys, I did not pay attention to the numbers on the doors on each side of me. But in my head, something was not right. They were all different from the ones that I pass by.
I get to the end of the hallway and look down the fire escape to finish the fourth mystery before I knock on the door that was supposed to be our office. I remember frowning because it was a different color.
This strange lady opens the door, and I look inside and see it is totally different from our office!
I get jolted and apologize that I was at the wrong door. She didn't say anything nor look puzzled.
That's when it finally hit me that I was on the 14th floor!!!
I make my way back to the elevator and hurriedly take the stairs down.
Of course, it was baffling and scary. No one pushed the button for the 14th floor. There was only me and the other guy who was headed to the Penthouse.
Did it happen when the car shook as we passed the 6th floor?
It was spooky!!! Spookier still was my seemingly being in a trance that I never realized I was on a different floor even when I noticed everything was different.
Everything just snapped back to reality when that lady I did not know opened the door and I saw it was a totally different office.
How did that happen? Why didn't it register in my consciousness that I was on the wrong floor even when I was already looking at the doors and knew they were different?
Had I been concentrating too much on reciting the Rosary that's why I did not realize something was off?
Now, I get the shudders each time I board that same elevator because it brings back memories of being on the wrong floor.
*Photos: Unsplash*
Back to writing 3
It feels like two years since I last posted anything here. (But it's only just one) How time flies.
Work happened. It has taken a lot of my energy. It's kept me busy. Writing some. Editing mostly. Producing podcasts. And a whole lot of other stuff that I didn't think I actually signed up for. But...
I am not complaining. After years of doing freelance work where I had no boss, no co-workers, and no office (and sometimes no tasks and no pay), I have jumped back to regular work life. Well, not totally regular.
If I weren't involved in a special project (which requires reporting to the office 3x a week), I would only be going in for Friday staff meetings. Most of the usual work is done online. But because there's extra work, I am only working from home on Tuesdays.
Sometimes it's good. More peaceful and no distractions. On the other hand, I get to vary what I do at home when I want to take a break from writing and reading.
I do enjoy recordings when we do it at the office studio. It breaks the monotony.
Surprisingly, I am doing a lot of mentoring and guidance. Obviously, most of the people at work are young... at least those who do the grunt work.
I am relieved that while they are aware I am more experienced, they do not hesitate to reach out for advice, whether work-related or personal. Even when I was younger, it has never been difficult for me to relate to people younger than me (including little kids) and those much older than myself.
The challenge is because I am in the 'middle' (age-wise), I have to balance when it comes to being accessible to the kids and seeing things from the point of view of the seniors. It gets tricky sometimes, advocating for the younger staff while making them see it from the elders' perspective.
A lot of the time, I work weekends too. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. And I always want to show the kids even when they're the ones assigned with tasks, they can easily reach me, for feedback, decisions, solutions...
It means a lot to them to know they're not 'abandoned'. Besides, I can't... abandon them, I mean. Making sure the final output gets published is my job.
My plate is still full. But maybe I can squeeze in a little time to drop by and share... whatever. It still is good to write something that isn't as structured as news or opinion.
And it would be nice to reconnect to friends here.
Dignity of labor (Take pride in your work!)
The garbage collection schedule in our corner of the world has gone out of whack. We used to have our trash collected on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, two days for biodegradable waste and mid-week for the non-biodegradable. The truck usually arrives between 6:30 to 8:00 AM.
While we have to wait an extra two days before the garbage is collected on Monday, it was fine. But since things are slowly returning to normal, the truck has been missing its Monday schedule. Instead it comes on Tuesday, in which case they skip Wednesday and just return on Friday!
Yesterday was a Tuesday. But there was no sign of the truck. Meanwhile, every household has brought out their trash, and these are sitting outside homes because no one wanted to be scrambling to bring them out in case the dumpster crew arrived at some odd time.
They finally arrived today, the middle of the week. It took them a while to get to our part of the street, which is understandable given the pile they needed to pick up in the houses before us. I made sure to check they picked up the two trash bags we left because there've been times when they leave these, especially if it's filled with dried leaves and twigs.
And that's when I saw this one collector just tossing four pails used as receptacles by a neighbor instead of setting them upright. I wanted to call him out for it, or better yet, take a video of what he did. But I had no phone with me.
Yes, I want to report how sloppy they work. And I've already reported the screwed up schedule. I've always believed in giving your best whatever it is you do for work. So, while I get that this collection team needs to hustle because it had more areas to collect from, I think the collectors can move just as quickly without leaving a mess after picking up the trash.
The root cause, however, for the shoddy performance stems from a total lack of **dignity of labor**. It's not something Filipinos have been raised on - being proud of the work you do. The small, dirty, and menial tasks which require workers are scoffed at or frowned upon.
If that's what you do for a living, people look down on you. Even the employers who offer this service don't think it fit to raise the dignity of their workers. The garbage collectors are mostly dressed shabbily, with no masks or gloves to protect them from all the filth they encounter every single day. Worse, I don't think they're even paid decently for the work they do.
It probably wouldn't be so bad if every single household - whether in gated villages or among urban settlers - did a good job at sorting their trash. But they don't! So, it's a hodgepodge of trash (many of them icky!) that these collectors have to haul to the truck, which will undergo serious scavenging once it hits the landfill.
These garbage collectors and street sweepers or those in charge of maintaining public toilet facilities are not made to feel like they are essential personnel that's why they don't care about how they go about doing their work as long as it gets done.
I have not been employed for menial tasks (although as an intern, I did messengerial and very basic clerical work) but in doing these, I would do it as best as I could, much like when I do the dishes, when I make sure to do really, really good work. It's called having pride in my work, regardless of how trivial or menial the task may be.
But that is NOT a mindset inculcated in Filipinos. Instead, my countrymen are made to feel small, even insignificant, if that's the kind of work they do.
Even the all-around fix-it people don't get the credit they deserve for work that requires specific skills! Nor are they able to charge higher fees if they are freelancers, when similar services offered by a formal enterprise will charge twice or even three times more.
I was glad to have come across an artist - he does reproduction work of photos - who takes a lot of pride in his work. I asked how much he charged for his work and he showed me a rate card (*If I remember right the cheapest is a charcoal (bond paper size) which costs 2,500 pesos.*)
Then I inquired how long it took him to complete each project. Usually, it was three to four days. Then he added, 'but I can do rush work, too.' However, he prefers being given time to properly do the job because he wants to put 101 per cent effort in everything he did.
Besides, having ample time to produce his artwork was also a manifestation of how much love and dedication he puts in what he was doing. And it would reflect in every piece he completed. I can attest to that because the samples on display were excellent and almost like a photograph. (*I will try to take photos of his work when I go back and post it here.*)
He would do them in charcoal, sepia or pastels and the result never varies - each is created with love. That devotion to work can be felt just looking at each piece.
As we were chatting, he was working on a portrait of a lady, whose image was taken from a 3R photograph, her face the size of a 5-centavo coin. But our resident artist is resourceful, so he enlarged the image and started the reproduction based on that.
As with any image expanded 50 times its original size, it was sort of pixelated. But no worries, he is an artist par excellence and even added life to the eyes that were not so clear in the blown-up copy. After 20 minutes or so he already shaded the face and it was an exact likeness of the photo! So yes, he works really fast but the quality is never compromised.
That is what I mean about loving and being proud of the work you do. And having dignity of labor.
Of course, a garbage collector is a far cry from an artist. But many artists actually struggle to earn from their talent and very few are lucky to have continuous work. I guess the care shown in your work just gives back and opens more opportunities.
Speaking from the side who are at the receiving end of services, let us show appreciation for the work they do, and encourage them to be proud of their jobs and give their all to it.
Call their attention to shoddy work. And let us also remind them to render good, if not excellent, service, however menial their tasks may seem.
*Images from Unsplash*
Yey! Sponsorship payments are fixed. Thanks read.cash admin.
I have several sponsorships pending. I only checked them recently and thought they went through last month. So I renewed again and now have 2 pending transactions. What's happening?
The voice as a tool
It is blistering hot! Checked my phone for the temp. It says **29 degrees**, but feels like **39 degrees**! No wonder it is so uncomfortable when you're not sitting in front of a high-speed fan or locked in an airconditioned room.
My mother stepped out of the kitchen, where she hangs out watching TV while doing a bit of food prep work. She complained about feeling dizzy. You betcha! How can it not make your blood pressure zing when the temperature outdoors is so high and you're sitting in a kitchen with added heat from the stove.
Got reeled in for non-writing work in the office. We're coming out with a podcast starting tomorrow. The voice-overs weren't finalized yet. The supervising staff got caught in an extended meeting and sent an SOS.
As stressful as it was to coach the young staff assigned to do the V/Os due to time constraints, it was fun. I had to record a demo to 'show' them how they can deliver their spiels better. They had to re-record multiple times because I felt their initial attempts lacked verve. In the end, they were quite happy with the result.
Thank God for the theater training during high school. It also taught me a lot about doing voice work. There is a world of difference when you simply read a script versus act out the script just using your voice.
That's why watching clips or videos of BTS voice acting is something I am quite interested in. I've learned to pick up nuances and cadence and phrasing, and how it can totally elevate how even just one line is delivered.
It is not totally acting but simply giving the right tone or emotion when saying something on air, whether live or recorded. And how modulating the voice through proper breathing and correct movement of the mouth can make you sound so different.
Utilizing one's voice as a tool for acting is one thing that is missing among local actors, especially the studio stars. That's why you become so familiar with who's on TV acting even without seeing them onscreen.
Hats off to theater actors who cross over to television or film. They just do things at another level primarily because of training, which uses every available tool in their person - face, voice, and body.
Even changing the cadence of our speech transforms some blah script or spiel to something else. Of course, it takes a lot of training and practice. But the key is for each actor to want to explore all these and apply them when they start filming.
I remember watching a mini series of a Sidney Sheldon book adapted for TV years ago. One character was an aspiring actress. Her name was India. She eventually left to study acting and when she came back, even her closest friend didn't recognize her. It wasn't just her look that changed, but her voice as well. It was so well modulated and India explained the secret: proper breathing!
And it is true. Deep breathing exercises, and breathing through the diaphragm will lower your voice a notch or two. If you are acting or doing voice work, training will enable you to adjust your pitch as needed. The challenge is consistency, especially when using a particular tone for a certain role or project.
So, if you want to tweak something in you, or develop a new skill, try working on your vocals. It's not just for singing.
Will you look at that? I got an article done! Am so happy. But yes, it still is very, very hot!
*Images from Unsplash*
Wasting opportunities
When FANS meet FAVORITES, who will emerge victorious?
It's the 14th season of **Masterchef Australia** (thank God for cable TV). For this edition, half of the 24 cooks chosen to participate are former contestants, with three of them emerging champions in their seasons. They're the team of favorites.
The fans are obviously thrilled to step into the iconic Masterchef kitchen and have been following the show the past several years. To compete alongside favorites puts pressure on them, on one hand, because they will be cooking against folks they look up to, and these are people who have experienced the many challenges of the famed reality cooking show.
Of course, to have made the cut and be in that prestigious kitchen means they're no slouches when it comes to whipping up dishes. But strutting their wares under the glare of lights and cameras is a whole different ballgame. It's not to say they can't keep up or even best the favorites because in that kitchen anything can happen.
You may be at the top of the heap today with an incredible creation, then be right down at the bottom of the pile tomorrow because things didn't go your way in the next challenge. So, it's anybody's ballgame everyday.
At the start of the season, the reward for the first winning dish is an immunity pin. It's a gold pin that the owner can use to avoid getting booted out of the competition. It can be used at anytime while undertaking an elimination challenge up to the last second before the timer ends, in case the cook feels they won't come up to the judges' standards and be in danger of leaving the kitchen.
I've watched two previous seasons where in one, the only contestant with the pin hemmed and hawed about playing the pin (*at that time the contestant had to decide* ***before*** *the challenge starts if they would use the pin or not*) and finally ended up **NOT USING** the pin at all, and getting shown the door.
In the other season, one pin holder - in trouble during the elimination round - kept asking fellow contestants not cooking if she should use her pin or not. She was quite a talented cook but because of pride, she also ended up going home with the pin that was supposed to give her at least one more week inside the kitchen to prove her worth.
This season, three immunity pins were awarded - one each for the best dish of a favorite and a fan, plus a third for the second best dish, which can come from any team. The result was another favorite winning the last pin.
There are two parts in the first elimination round. To avoid going into the second round, whoever wins the best dish in the first round saves their entire team. The losing team cooks off against each other and whoever makes the worst dish is the first to get the boot.
It was a favorite who made the best jaffle - her sandwich filling was potato and chicken curry - and blew the judges away in Round 1. It was understandable that the FANS team would be nervous because that meant the first to go would be from their ranks.
The brief for the second challenge seemed simple enough: cook a dish that changed your life.
But that is such a loaded brief! Not all memories would be happy. Already weighed down by the pressure of cooking to stay in the competition, the fans had the added burden of reliving an experience that isn't necessarily a joyous one.
The fan with the immunity pin unfortunately had a very emotional experience and it obviously distracted her so instead of focusing on the dish, which by her admission was something she made regularly, she stumbled with almost every ingredient of her recipe, especially the main component.
With just 10 minutes remaining, she was already uncertain whether her lentils would be cooked right and was considering playing the pin. With just minutes to spare, she decided to go up for judging and did not use her pin.
One favorite who also had a pin was most worried for the fan in trouble. He could see her vacillating between giving up and using the pin and continuing the fight.
He said something very insightful after she opted not to use the pin: "It's a very light pin but it weighs heavily on your mind." Strong emotions don't always make for a good cook.
She ended up in the bottom three, and escaped by the skin of her teeth! The cook who was eliminated most deserved to leave. He showed very little confidence in his abilities as a cook, and got stuck in past challenges where he did not perform well.
The Masterchef kitchen does not only test a contestant's abilities to create delectable and mouth-watering dishes, but also provided valuable experiences that tested and built an individual's character. If at the beginning of the journey a cook second-guesses themselves, or is unable to focus a hundred percent during each challenge, they will be hard-pressed to stay long in that kitchen.
The best thing to do with that immunity pin is to USE IT AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. This way you can be rid of such heavy weight on your heart and go back to equal footing with everyone else.
Cook to save your life!
Without that pin, all a contestant has to focus on is creating a masterpiece that hits the brief. If they get stuck in the middle of cooking, they just have to up their game, scramble if they must to save their dish, find a way to adjust, and just be proud of the outcome at the end of the cook.
The most foolish and regrettable thing a cook with an immunity pin can do is to leave that kitchen with that gold pin still stuck on their apron. It is not a souvenir! It is the one chance to live another day in the quest to be crowned the next Masterchef!
*Images from Unsplash*
Moving forward
She would have been 49 today.
My youngest sister was born on this day, June 4. Like parents, when you're the older sibling, it seems unthinkable for the younger one to pass on before you. But that is not set in stone. Sometimes, the younger ones leave ahead because their purpose on this earth is done.
I prefer to think of it that way.
While her death was not tragic, it still came as a shock. She suffered a stroke some years back, was a diabetic, yet left it all to fate. She believed - perhaps prayed even - that her passing would be swift. She did not want to be an inconvenience, to live as an invalid and have family take care of her.
It will be five years since her passing. But the grief still grips me. I am thinking the pandemic and the close to two years of lockdowns would not have sat well with her. She was not one to be confined in close quarters for an extended period of time. She thrived in adventure. But with her comorbidities, she would not have been allowed out.
And so maybe, God spared her from that. For certain, she would have been gallivanting in heaven while we were all cooped in the house, growing weary of seeing the same faces every single day for most of our waking moments, and knowing you'd be doing the same thing again the next day.
So, while I missed her presence (she would've been a much better housemate because she pulled her own weight), I was comforted by the fact that she did not have to go through this ordeal. Or, that we did not have to be thrown in panic if she suffered that massive stroke at the height of the pandemic and we could not be with her in those last three days of her life.
One thing I really miss about my sister are her **HUGS**. Whether it was your birthday (or hers) or Christmas or some special occasion and she would give you one, it was always a bear hug - full on, tight, and with so much emotion. Throw in a shake of the booty, too!
So, I will imagine giving her a big bear hug today because it is her natal day and that it is equal to what she always gave me.
**Happy birthday in heaven, sister!**
It feels like months since I last posted an article here. Well... it was a month ago and I haven't gone that long without writing something since joining the platform.
A lot just happened within that time frame and I seem to have lost my mojo for writing. Sure, it would've been easy to sit in front of the PC and type words, but if there's one thing I know about myself, I hate writing for the sake of churning something out because the result often has no heart. Or if it did, it would be so dark and depressing.
I wanted to write something to uplift me, and in turn, inspire others.
I think of it as a **superhero moment of realization,** when they (superheroes) realize they cannot just keep fighting all the evil in this world because it can be so exhausting (and it seems like a never-ending battle) and the answer really is to inspire others to do good and do what is right, which will contribute to the fight against evil.
There's a line delivered by Lena Luthor to Kara Danvers a.k.a. Supergirl (from the CW series **Supergirl**) that goes: ***"You shine the light to inspire others to shine theirs, too."***
Wickedness today has taken on a new form. It does not necessarily have to be physical, but it is insidious. It slowly creeps into your consciousness and being. Before you know it, or even realize it, you have been harmed.
Yes, all this connectivity through technology is good. But it is also being used as a tool for evil. How do we fight the lies, the misinformation, and disinformation that is being spread online, especially via social media?
**By using technology for good**. Yes, it will always be a battle between GOOD and EVIL. And although it may be true that it is far easier to be bad than be good (I heard that the first time from my niece when she was around 4 or 5 years old), I continue to have hope in humanity.
And while it will be an uphill battle, I believe that if we spread more good, more positivity, and more inspiration, those dark, evil forces will eventually succumb.
My mission now is to find the good, share it or pass it on. And to do good. But that's not always necessarily to be shared here.
I don't particularly like the term 'moving on' because it means not holding people accountable for wrongdoing, or even acknowledging there was bad done to another.
But I will embrace **'moving forward'** which is me choosing *to live my life in ways that will be productive, decent, respectful, and with dignity, and that gives back by paying it forward.*
*Images from Unsplash*
A good leader is...
Any good leader or manager worth his salt knows that there is no single solution to a problem even if they are similar but occurs, or is experienced, in different places.
That sounds abstract, so let me put it in more concrete terms with an example. The health problems in Province A may be similar to those in Province B, but it is unlikely that the solution will be exactly the same for both areas.
You're thinking 'of course it's the same.' It's not.
For one, you need to factor in the size and population of the two areas. That alone means the resources needed to address the problem of A will not be the same as B. A second factor will be how developed the provinces are. Is there enough manpower to carry out the solution? Is the area accessible? How? By land, by air, by sea?
Is there something that needs to be addressed first, or in conjunction with the problem, before an actual solution can be arrived at?
If the leader or manager thinks with a one-track mind and resolves an issue with a program created to address the problem in general, he will continue to deal with the same concern over and over again.
Why? Because there are always layers to a problem. It is never just cut-and-dried that can be fixed with a solution that applies to all.
**Organized problem solving**
CaLaBaRZon (**Ca**vite **La**guna **Ba**tangas **R**izal Que**zon**) Regional Health Director Eduardo Janairo impressed me with his management skills. Regardless where he is assigned (and he has been to many, many places) the first thing he does on his first day at work is to ask every one he has to work with about the situation on the ground.
It's like an orientation or briefing to get the lay of the land, so to speak. This will make him aware of the problems, progress, inadequacies, logistics, and resources that he will need to deal with during his tenure.
After hearing what everyone says, and he receives whatever report or data they have, he will now ask these same people to go back to the field and find out exactly what is happening, and compare these with what they turned over to his office, and reported to him previously.
Janairo is very aware that there is always a difference, and usually it is a huge difference. He doesn't just tell them to go out, the doctor joins them to find out himself what is really going on and what needs to be addressed, and which needs to be prioritized.
By being present himself, the health director is already showing his staff and underlings that he means to find out the real situation personally, and you can't fool him by doing shoddy work.
**Thinking out-of-the-box**
Given the limited resources he has to work with, especially in regions whose allocations are small, and the population scattered, Janairo has often resorted to creative solutions, and mostly with great success.
In his previous post as regional director of MiMaRoPa (Occidental and Oriental **Mi**ndoro, **Ma**rinduque, **Ro**mblon, and **Pa**lawan), they faced a lack of licensed midwives. The truth is there were a good number of women who completed midwifery training, and were performing the task, but 'underground' since technically it was illegal to practice without a license.
Janairo conducted an investigation why they had a shortage of licensed midwives, but had many capable graduates. He discovered that while these women (and some men) were competent in practical application, they would quake in their boots when it came to written exams.
After learning the root of the problem, he set aside funds to provide reviewer courses for them until they were confident enough to take the licensure exams. When they did, all of them passed and have become certified midwives who can attend to the childbirth cases in the region. Employment awaited them.
Any other manager would have simply hired midwives from another region or ask the national health office to fill in the vacancies, which other health directors are prone to do. But that would not have necessarily worked because for one, who wants to be assigned to some far away place to render service?
With his creative solution, local residents fill in the vacancies and don't have to leave home, those performing underground services now have dignity in their work, and even have the opportunity to grow in their careers should they choose to.
**Providing opportunities**
A second problem is the shortage of medical technologists. Again, the normal solution would be to hire from outside the region to at least provide the provinces a certain number of med-techs that would exclusively serve their province.
Janairo's solution? He tapped local nurses or nursing graduates to train them to become medical technologists, tied up with a healthcare training institute, and provided scholarships so qualified nurses can complete a degree in two or three years, and as payback, render service to their communities.
The scholarship covered not just tuition and miscellaneous expenses for schooling but living and boarding allowances, and a stipend, while studying. Of course it meant maintaining a certain grade to remain a scholar but wouldn't it be motivation enough to give your 101% to graduate after you've been given such opportunity?
The best part is that once you graduate and become licensed, you are immediately hired and likely in your hometown as well. Even if it were somewhere around the region, that beats being thousands of miles away in a foreign country just to practice and earn.
Shortage of healthcare workers is not confined to that particular region. But the solution will have to be based on factors endemic to a particular area. Are there potential workers available? Are they qualified? Does the regional office have sufficient resources to undertake similar programs? Are the locals receptive to such arrangement?
These are all concerns that need to be looked into and addressed before employing any solution. In all likelihood, some other program will have to be implemented tailored to the local community.
Janairo presented other problems and his solutions during that interview. The two cited above are merely to show that an effective leader understands there is no one way to address a problem.
**Local solutions for local issues**
And he did say national government doesn't always have the right answers to concerns in an archipelagic country like the Philippines and local leaders or managers must be allowed and supported to come up with appropriate solutions.
The man leaves a trail of success each time he is reassigned. Hopefully, those who take his place continue what he's started. But it is a question of whether they think and work like him. If they want to lessen their load, picking up the reins of whatever Janairo started is the best option.
That's the kind of leader the country needs today. One who studies the problem and comes up with appropriate solutions so there is actual resolution and the issue does not recur. That is how we develop and progress as a nation everyone can be proud of.
*Lead image from Unsplash*
Your vote is your value
I am torn what to write... So many thoughts are running through my mind, it's getting crowded up there. Still thankful I have them, even when they are somehow stressing me out.
In nine days, I and my countrymen will be trooping to polling centers to elect a new set of leaders. With COVID-19 still a threat even if cases have been low in the last two months, there will be changes in how things are done.
Here's hoping it will be more efficient, organized, and people won't have to wait in line for long. If there will be glitches, let's pray these will be minor and easily resolved. Most of all, let it be a peaceful exercise, devoid of violence.
This year's elections are crucial. And very heated. A lot is at stake, the country's future first and foremost. It would've been easier if there were only two candidates running for president. But there are 10, five of whom are working hard to win votes, but the fight will likely be between two.
Purpose and motivation for seeking the position are important. Qualification is next. The campaign has been grueling. But it is heartwarming to see how one camp has been inspiring Filipinos in every way - creatively and humanly.
On the other hand, it is disappointing and frustrating how myopic many voters still are, who only choose to see what is being done in the present, and not learning about the past, which will impact the future.
**What type of leader do I want?**
Someone who understands that while every community, town, city or even province will have somewhat similar issues or concerns, these cannot be solved with a single solution for all.
Needs vary. Challenges, too. So laying down one way to address these regardless of location, culture, and resources is never going to work. That has been our government's biggest loophole.
And problems will persist if 1) the root causes are not addressed; 2) data or information pertaining to the problem is incorrect; and 3) solutions are not tailored to suit the particular area or sector.
**I want a servant leader.**
Someone who knows they are there to serve the people, look after their and the country's interests, and engages in consultation so those to be affected by any decision made will have inputs so the outcome will truly be beneficial to all, and not just a few.
Statesmanship is integral to a nation's leader. It's part of the job description. Being a head of state is no walk in the park. But no matter how difficult and demanding the job, it is expected that a leader acts with dignity, integrity, and respect. It is the only way to instill pride in the people they represent.
In this campaign, it has come down to a battle of what each candidate has accomplished. And a voter who refuses to look at this "receipt" of services rendered does not care for a competent leader, nor a brighter future.
And no, referring to the accomplishment of someone else and owning it does not count as a receipt. How can you claim something you had no hand in doing?
Finally, a good leader doesn't mind being in the trenches with those who suffer. After all, empathy and understanding can only come after living someone's experience.
How can one who lives in a mansion, with servants who cater to their every need, truly claim to understand what the common folk face every single day to survive?
It's mind-boggling how there are voters who say they don't want to vote for a particular candidate because their supporters are of a higher economic class. They forget that the candidate is more like them, and not necessarily of the same 'higher' class they seem to be allergic to.
The election is not just about candidates. **It is about YOU, the voters.** What you aspire for, what you dream of, and what you want for the future.
I pray for that day when the Filipino voter truly matures. When they can look at prospective leaders and see not just their qualifications or what they offer during campaigns, but their sincerity, work ethic, and motivation.
**Get your list ready**
It's a lot of names to remember come voting day. At the national level, there are 15 names (or numbers), while at the local level, it's plus nine or 17, depending if you reside in a town, city or the province.
Don't just put down names. Make an informed choice. There is still time. And even if you've been a beneficiary of some cash 'assistance' or something in kind, choose according to your conscience, based on what you learned and know about the candidates.
**DO NOT SELL YOUR VOTE.** It is a vote for your future. Even if you receive 5,000 pesos, divide that by 2,191.5 days (the equivalent of six years), and it will shock you that it only amounts to **2.20 pesos per day.** Is that how much your person or future is worth?
Your vote will reflect how much you value yourself. So think long and hard how much you are worth.
NO to a world of lies
April is almost over. read.cash really had to take a back seat this month. While the Holy Week afforded somewhat of a break, the brain was just too exhausted after being buried under work the weeks prior.
Doing research, verifying information, and writing takes a lot of energy. Hopefully, readers realize this, and as their contribution, consume only news articles or videos that have gone through vetting. Or at least be responsible enough to fact-check anything they read or watch that sounds dubious, silly, destructive, or totally outlandish.
If we are honest about it, people know what is true and what isn't. But when you're constantly bombarded by information from social media every single day - be they from credible or incredible sources - the tendency is to take everything as truth. Expending energy to check facts isn't fun and it takes time, so why even bother.
***If such proliferation of falsehood barely concerns people, then that is quite terrifying. Accepting everything we see online without a healthy dose of skepticism or not even being just a tad bit curious about its veracity can skew our thinking and lead us to make decisions based on lies or half-truths. Isn't that dangerous?***
And what are the sources of information that many people accept hook, line, and sinker? TikTok. YouTube. Facebook. C'mon!!! Half the people on these platforms don't even reveal who they are! How can you believe someone who can't - or won't - even identify themselves yet insist on spreading preposterous information?
**YES**, fighting mis- and disinformation can be exhausting, but it needs to be done. Otherwise, we may be committing the gravest error of destroying people, innocents at that, just because we didn't think it important enough to know what was true or not. And do not for a second believe that you won't fall victim to this. If not you, maybe someone you love or care about.
So, let the golden rule apply: **do unto others what you want others to do unto you.** And I don't think you'd want to be spreading lies because that's bad, like little children would say.
**We are all prey** to those who take delight in peddling or spreading news that is sensationalized, manipulated, and fabricated, and every time we believe or pass these to others without checking if it's true, we feed their wickedness until it balloons and becomes something far worse.
Do we want to exist in a place created out of falsehood? Don't we owe it to ourselves to live with the truth and by the truth?
Let us not be fooled by people who do not respect others, and end up fooling themselves with the things they say and do. Don't be that person **who knows the truth and sees the truth but continues to believe in the lies**.
Please, please... **love, respect, and value yourself**; do not put yourself in a position forcing you to embrace the untrue and eventually live in a distorted world. Cling to principles that lead to what is right, what is good, and what is true.
*Fight the lies. Stand for the truth. YOU deserve that much.*
*Images from Unsplash*
Juiced to write again
On the 12th day of April, my PC said to me: No article in read.cash for friends to see?
This is the first time since joining the platform that I have let nearly two weeks pass before I could post. But while the fingers were willing, both the mind and spirit were weak.
I did not expect work to be so overwhelming. I knew things were going to be hectic with elections less than a month away. But still I was drained everyday. It was no picnic to be working on profiles of candidates.
Going over the information was like being sucker-punched. It was appalling how so many wanting to become senators (especially those seeking re-election) have very splotchy backgrounds yet surveys being conducted left and right show them to be likely winners.
We're voting for these people? And yet those who truly deserve to occupy those positions are cellar-dwellers. So, please I exhort my fellow Filipinos, take the time to learn about those who are running before finally deciding who to vote for. And in choosing, bear in mind the following:
1) **We need people who actually work**. They must take the time to study and learn what they need to do, and be conscientious in performing their sworn duties and responsibilities. More importantly, they must know **how to LISTEN**, not to a chosen few, but to the many who will be affected by decisions or actions they will make.
2) We need people who have the public's best interest at heart. The more experience they have **living the life of ordinary folks**, the more responsive and pragmatic they will be to addressing the challenges and concerns of the people.
3) We badly need someone to **raise the dignity of every Filipino and the Philippines**. Someone who will lead by example so Filipinos will again learn about respect, integrity, and compassion and apply it in life.
4) Remember, the campaign is a time to make promises for solutions to one million and one problems. **But be realistic in your expectations about them being able to deliver on those promises**. Until an official is finally occupying the position of service, they don't actually know that their plans or ideas will work. We must be vigilant to ensure they take action and hold them accountable for that.
**Do not be afraid of elected officials.** They are answerable to the voters - to me, to you - not the other way around. It is the people, the citizenry, the residents of this country who pay for their salaries and whatever perks they enjoy while in power.
As election day nears, there will be more muck-raking, misinformation and disinformation peddled online to besmirch the reputation of candidates, by targeting their families, loved ones and good people associated with them.
**Be wary of those who spread malicious, vicious, and false** narratives, images, and videos. Think of who stands to benefit by putting out those information to be spread everywhere, because they (or the people around them) will be the ones behind them.
We need better. So we must choose wisely. It is the next six years we are looking at. Let's not waste the opportunity for change.
*****
**A short note on nastiness**
Those people who post fabricated videos that not only smear the reputation of innocent individuals, **'shame on you!'** does not suffice.
And if the target is a woman, and the content is way worse than trashy, it makes you wonder if they don't have special women in their lives - a mother, sister, wife, friend, aunt - whom they cherish that they thought about before they decided to throw out offensive pictures or words.
And for what? Money? Power? **And for those who share these content, an even bigger shame on you!** You can stop passing on the viciousness. You may not have been the original source of content, false or not, but take it upon yourself to end spreading false and malicious posts. If you don't, believe that at some point in your life, it is going to come back and bite you in the a**. Remember, what goes around, comes around.
*Images from Unsplash*
Just because is not an answer!
After two years, I dined in at a fast food outlet... again. No, we didn't really miss out on fast food during lockdowns. But it was either delivered or ordered for takeout.
Sitting down to enjoy my chicken burger, fries, and plain sundae would've been more enjoyable inside a near-empty store. But that's selfish-me speaking.
It just wasn't enjoyable to eat with small kids running around the store as their parents ordered food, screaming in delight, and taking down the Wet Floor signs.
And while most restrictions have been lifted, wearing a mask and observing physical distancing is still a must. How come many people seem to be ignoring this already?
So needless to say, I wanted to finish eating as quickly as possible so we could get out of there and head on home.
Pre-pandemic, I would usually eat in a fast food outlet early in the day when there are few customers in-store. There will understandably be some hustle-and-bustle from early morning customers but these are folks that aren't rowdy. So, other than the usual din inside these stores, it is relatively peaceful.
Having spent 24 months in seclusion so to speak, I realize it's not an experience that I missed. Being able to eat their fare was the delight, not necessarily dining in their stores.
**Is it just me, or do any of you guys feel the same way?**
I'm sure it will be far different eating inside a full-dining restaurant, but I don't know if I would be comfortable enough to do that now.
COVID numbers here are really down, and continue to decrease. That's good. But with the election campaign in full swing, there are more activities that involve people converging in huge groups, although outdoors, and staying close together for protracted periods of time. So, I remain wary.
The kids want to experience a rally - the friendly and inspiring one, of course - and we'll be going to one next month. It would be good for them to get the feel of this activity.
**Just because...**
Is that an acceptable answer when you ask someone to enlighten you about why they are voting for a particular candidate?
Really? You can't offer a concrete reason to convince me why I would even want to consider who you are rabidly supporting?
We are voting for the future of our country. Not only that, we are fighting to restore decency and respect for the Philippines and its citizens. Have people become so hardened and uncaring that it no longer matters if we have been represented by someone who is vulgar and misogynistic in the last six years, and who has seemingly 'inspired' others to be uncouth, rude, and even violent?
It baffles me to no end that majority who say they are voting for a particular candidate can never give an answer beyond ***"Basta!"*** (just because) when they are asked to share what about that person will make them worthy to occupy the highest seat in the land.
Neither did I appreciate my cousin from the province who disappointed me with her reply as to who she was supporting. Her number one reason was because the candidate's family is from the province!
Duh?!!!
In all good conscience, I wouldn't even want a relative of mine taking on a job he or she wasn't qualified for or competent enough to handle! Why? It would be embarrassing!
**Of course, money talks**. And often, it speaks very loudly. I hope the recipient of these *'ayuda'* (cash assistance) think long and hard how much they are 'selling' their vote for, and how far it will go towards a better future.
Years and years of being ignored does rankle. But it should teach us a lesson that in choosing who to trust to run the government we need to pick one who has at least shown they are no stranger to hard work. And can present a track record of serving or working even before politics was ever in their horizon.
The last thing we need is a president always surrounded and shielded by minions who take up his battles, who reply for him when the questions are hard, who harass those who won't toe their line, and certainly not a leader who cannot even think and speak for themselves!
At this point in time, reeling from a pandemic that crushed not just the economy but people's spirits, **we need someone who inspires us to be better, to do better**, even in small ways.
So telling me you're voting for someone **'just because'** does little to inspire me. Instead, you will annoy me and frustrate me because you don't want a better future. It's not even an abstract answer. It's just blind support for someone who may likely lead you to be even worse off in the future.
I love what one elderly woman said in defending why she supported her candidate: *Mababa lang ang pinag-aralan ko, pero nakakaintindi ako.* (My education was limited, but I understand perfectly.)
Simply, she understands the price that will be exacted if we don't vote for the right person. In that way, she is way smarter than all the blind intelligent ones supporting the wrong person.
*Main images from Unsplash*
Enjoying simple pleasures
Saw this clip of the 100th episode of The CW series **'Legends of Tomorrow'** where they were celebrating all sorts of occasions. Then the last sequence was a karaoke number of *"Love Will Keep Us Together."*
And the song made me smile, sing along, and do a YouTube search for a video of original singer Captain and Tennille. And I sang along again... As bonus, the next track was *"Don't Go Breaking My Heart"* by Elton John and Kiki Dee.
Two feel-good songs that I can sing along to, and even move along to (don't you just love music from the 70s and 80s?) and my day is made.
But wait! There's another happy moment that I shouldn't forget. It's so simple that most people would probably dismiss it. But it was a big deal for me (and my niece).
We went to hear the 12 noon mass, and on the way home, we saw **The Ice Cream Man** pushing his cart along the street we happened to pass. Yessss!
We've been pining for dirty ice cream for a long time. Since the pandemic, with all the lockdowns, these hardworking men have all but disappeared. Who can blame them? Their customers are people on the streets. With schools and offices mostly continuing online, there was no one to sell ice cream to.
In the three days I spent with my aunt, one happened to come along, and I did buy some. In a glass, not on a cone. But that's not the thing. I just wasn't satisfied with his ice cream. The flavors available were chocolate, cheese, and mango. I think I paid 30 pesos.
But...
I wasn't satisfied. It was just sugar rush. Unlike before when you could really taste bits of the ice cream flavor. So if it was cheese, there would be cheese bits and a little saltiness. Mango, too. So, I was still on the lookout for a good ***sorbetero*** (ice cream vendor). Niece was craving, too.
Thank God for street humps! We had to slow down and negotiate the hump and that's when niece saw it. ***Mamang Sorbetero***! Thinking back, it was a good thing there was no car behind us when I slowed down and honked my horn to signal that we wanted to buy.
I pulled over and waited for the ice cream man to cross the street and park. Niece stepped out to do the buying. I wanted the waffle cone. He only had one size - large. No problem. Flavors? Mango, cheese, and avocado. Yesss! My favorites are cheese and avocado.
Niece looked incredulous when she signaled that each cone cost 50 pesos. Goodness! Inflation hit ice cream, too. What the heck! It's a craving and it must be satisfied. It is summer. And the days are unbearably hot. So ice cream we must have, even before we have lunch.
Just didn't realize how filling it would be. And remember, it is sweet. We sat inside the car to finish the treat. We sat for maybe 5 to 10 minutes, chit-chatting in between licking the rapidly melting ice cream. Yes, it was that hot.
**So, what's the verdict?**
This one was way better! There were still a few cheese bits. I could taste avocado. And it wasn't as cloyingly sweet as the one at my aunt's house. Besides, I had that *aaaahhhh* feeling as I licked my cone. So, somehow it was satisfying.
We drove off, but niece was still eating hers. It was pretty big... And she commented that there was just something about dirty ice cream that was far different from store-bought ice cream that come in tubs.
**Simple pleasures.** I miss that. While staying home is something I am totally okay with - even for long stretches of time - there are just things outside that can make you feel joy.
One that comes to mind (other than dirty ice cream) is the smell of freshly-cut grass. Yep. When I used to do morning or afternoon walks, I just loved the smell of grass that's been cut as I pass by.
Actually, I have very strong olfactory senses. My nose can pick up scents, good or bad, even from afar. So even before I can see that patch of land where grass has been chopped, I already know it's there because the smell just wafts towards me.
I wouldn't mind seeing a field of daffodils in real life, and it would make my heart sing. But since they don't grow in my neck of the woods, any place where there are flowers is fine by me.
My point being it doesn't take much to feel happy. I've learned that the simpler our desires, the more joy it brings. But don't think the simple ones come easy because they do not. Look at our search for dirty ice cream. Or walking by an area where they just cut grass. It's summer and grass rarely grows enough to need cutting.
So, listening to music that's catchy is substitute for those missed simple moments of pleasure that only the outdoors can bring.
Oh yeah, a good book (a real one that you flip one page at a time) is simple pleasure, too. And I can read whether in bed, on the sofa, somewhere grassy, or under a tree. Let me disabuse those who think using an e-reader gives the same feeling. It does not.
Find simple pleasures... enjoy them as if they were something grand. That's living life.
***Lead image is an original photo***
Ramblings of a fried brain
A few days ago I started working on an article for posting. I was interrupted and like any writer will attest, it can sometimes be difficult to get your train of thought back on track. And while I have added a paragraph or two the following days, it still wasn't coming together as I wanted. So for now, a blank page sounds more promising.
It isn't helping that at this very moment I am yawning. As in non-stop for the past 15 or so minutes. There it is again... Yawwwwn!
Let's see if **MKTO**'s *"Classic"* and **Walk The Moon**'s *"Shut Up And Dance"* can help drive away the yawning. Yup! Yup! It's working... Hmmm, so it means I need to be moving more to drive the lethargy away. Dancing is moving, right?
There's been a lot of work the past week, and it's keeping me glued to my seat and in front of the PC. Still... not an excuse. The heat isn't very encouraging either. Imagine sweating buckets just standing up...
It is **#summer**. And the nights can be muggy. I've woken up in the middle of the night because despite the fan blowing in my face I'd feel my back wet. Very uncomfortable. So, I am grateful each time I sleep through the night uninterrupted. Humid is not my favorite.
Was doing a bit of laundry earlier and in the middle of it, I felt this cool breeze for a few seconds. It was bliss. See? I'm quite easy to please.
Saturday was horrid! It was gray but sizzling. Then it drizzled a bit. The heat didn't dissipate but just got worse. It finally rained, as in a good downpour, and you could literally feel the heat escaping from the ground.
It's blurry if the temperature cooled later in the evening. The heat must be frying my brains slowly.
I have to hand it to the thousands and thousands who attended Sunday's Pink rally. They stood and endured the heat... for hours. But hey, there was free food and drinks just to make sure no one went hungry or thirsty. And that was surprising. Don't recall any rallies in the past that provided those.
Then again people are stoked to be heard, and to make a stand and being out there with the rest of humanity must be energizing. Even Arianna Grande's mind was blown away by the sight that had gone viral. It was a sea of pink!
It's heartening to see people come together this way. Now, let's translate all the warm bodies that gather in these rallies to votes come May. We really need to be inspired. And we need to know we're not alone. **A collective**. That's right, a collective.
But having covered rallies in the past, I've never felt goosebumps then. The mass of people, who're behaved, respectful, compassionate, and just willing to lend a hand and share. That is heart-wrenching. Something that stirs pride in being a Filipino again.
That is what we have lost. That sense of pride for country and respect for fellow human beings. And it was painful. And maddening.
Okay, there still is a lot of discord. Acrimony. Hate. And frustration. So I continue to pray for my fellow Filipinos to be granted wisdom and discernment. We need to choose right, if we want this country back on track.
We need a #**servant leader** worth emulating. And we need to do our share, however small, to make things better. But we need someone who will inspire and set an example. And especially one that **knows how to work**, and **actually does work**, and not just passes every task to minions.
**#Presence** is importance. But it must be meaningful presence. And presence when and where it matters. As citizens, our presence on May 9 matters. Let's make that presence count as well.
*Lead image from Unsplash*
Silver lining
It rained...
Well, the sky did give off that vibe earlier. And big, fat raindrops did fall, for about three minutes. Then the sun shone again.
But that's the nature of weather, right? Unpredictable. And it was scorching hot early in the day. For the last few days, actually.
With summer upon us, we in the metropolis need rain. Badly. Otherwise, they'll be forced to ration water again. But to bring the water level up in the reservoir where our water is sourced, the weather agency said we needed a typhoon. Gasp! Really?
They could just adjust the water pressure a little so the taps don't blow out water when it's opened.
**Today is my Dad's death anniversary**. Four years. Can't believe it's been that long since we said goodbye. It must've been his doing that things fell into place so we could spend some time with him at the cemetery.
Last week was the health scare of my aunt. I had to spend three days with her at home so she wasn't alone. Then I had to accompany her to the doctor to listen to her diagnosis and prognosis. https://read.cash/@zolabundance2/medical-surprise-or-scare-369dc46b
The good news is: she is NOT dying. BUT... she does have a disease that needs to be managed, including carefully monitoring her diet to prevent exacerbating her condition.
What made the last week difficult for me was being able to sense the patient's feelings. And those feelings were very strong, I was a mess myself! Talk about empathy.
First, prior to seeing the doctor on Friday (it's Saturday now), she was in denial about her condition. My aunt talked about everything, except what the surgeon saw during her laparoscopy. She even missed on the bandage on one incision that we hadn't been able to remove along with the rest.
Many people have been calling to ask how she is. She'll give an abbreviated version, then move on to other topics. I guess like most people, no one wants to talk about being ill, especially with something irreversible.
My aunt now has home companions. Two boys - sons of my cousin who grew up with her next door - who are more than willing to stay with their *Lola* and take care of her. All good because they're comfortable with each other.
And that means I don't have to stay with her for days on end. I just need to visit to check on her. Maybe once or twice a week. And call. OFTEN.
Second, with mobility restrictions lifted due to low COVID cases, it's easier to go out. Of course, we mask up and observe physical distancing. Besides, the cemetery is a great open space. Air ventilation is terrific!
And finally, since we decided to go in the morning even with the sun out and glaring (we did have a tent), the weather was still perfect for a day out. And while afternoon visits are preferable, we didn't have to rush because they would be closing at 5 PM.
As a bonus, there was a priest nearby who was blessing graves, and he agreed to come over and bless Dad and my sister's. Isn't that wonderful?
I was dreading a lot of things the past week. Mostly because I was picking up my aunt's vibe. Didn't realize my empath ability was super strong. Several times yesterday morning, I felt my insides quake. That was DREAD.
Now, I'm praying my Aunt will be better. She needs to take the medication prescribed by the doctor, strictly follow a diet, especially those that she ISN'T allowed to eat, and not stress herself out.
Has she accepted her condition? That's still iffy. But the fact that I don't FEEL her anymore (no anxiety vibe coming to me even from across town, unlike the past few days) means she's more settled. Here's hoping she settles even more.
Asked Dad and sister to pray for Auntie. Guess they heard. And really, they must KNOW.
Accepting you are at risk of becoming terribly ill, or worse, passing on to the next life, is no easy thing. Doing it alone is even more nerve-wracking. But it's something we have to come to terms with, and be ready for.
But I get it... easier said than done. A million thoughts will fly around in your head. And sometimes, your body just reacts without you being able to control it.
**GRACE**. That's what we need. It's what we should pray for.
Ernest Hemingway says "Courage is GRACE under pressure.' Something to think about.
All photos are original
Doctors are not always healers
Unless you've long suspected that you have some serious health condition, receiving the dreaded news that you need medical attention immediately is never easy to hear. No one is immune to shock after being told that something is very wrong with you. So, it is always best to have someone with you when receiving such news.
And for a doctor to not even think of that before delivering the diagnosis is cruel, almost inhuman. A person's health is directly related to his life. Anything wrong with it means the need for treatment. Sometimes, medication is sufficient as therapy. But there are many cases when the condition is critical, and a person will need to undergo a medical procedure.
While there are many non-invasive medical procedures today - thanks to technological advancements in medicine - care is necessary before recommending that course of treatment.
Other than cost (and it usually costs a lot), the patient needs to assimilate all the information about the illness and what they will go through to correct, treat, or manage a condition.
Again, a compassionate medical professional must always consider the patient, especially if they have family or a support system, before talking about what they've seen from a diagnostic test result, more so if a major procedure is supposedly the 'only' option.
Doctors, particularly when it comes to being consulted by family or relatives, should not let their emotions rule after seeing images from a single diagnostic exam. They must never bully the patient into doing something before allowing the information to fully sink in.
And just because a doctor is related to a patient does not mean they are the support a person needs when receiving such terrible news. They have to decide whether they will be the doctor or a family member. Professional ethics discourage doctors from treating family members simply because it can be hard to separate any emotional attachment to the patient from being a medical professional.
A physician who flies into panic upon seeing the result of lab tests (and not even an actual diagnosis made by a specialist, who is of no relation to the patient) will likely cause the ill person to also go into a panic, other than going into shock. That is not a good mix!
**It must always be the patient first, right?**
And as much as a doctor in the family is concerned about a patient, he must remember to allow the person to assimilate the news about an illness, especially if it requires complicated treatment.
The first order of business, when seeing the result of a lab test, is to seek a second opinion. Unless it is an emergency and the patient's life is in danger, they should have time to decide on their own how to proceed and when.
It is never right to immediately schedule an expensive procedure (just because you have physician friends you can bulldoze to taking on the case) without letting the patient see another specialist who can be objective.
And it is certainly not right to make decisions when you are doing the consulting remotely without actually seeing the patient in person.
As uncomfortable as it is to be poked, prodded, and pressed where it matters, doctors need to evaluate patients by sight and touch before prescribing any bloodwork or other diagnostic tests.
It is despicable to manipulate a patient, who happens to be your blood relative, into agreeing to an expensive procedure without first suggesting to seek a second or even third opinion.
What if there are other dangers? Basing a decision on one ultrasound or diagnostic test is not good decision-making and could put a patient's life at risk.
And do not handle a delicate case without being in the presence of the patient. It is just not right. At this time when there are still limitations due to COVID, it is best to turn over the case to a fellow physician and let that doctor make the recommendation on possible treatment plans.
**Options.** There is always an option, even if it is to say NO to anything when the condition is serious and life-threatening. But a sound decision can only be arrived at when a patient, and their immediate family or support group, are given all the facts.
Open surgery or a non-invasive procedure is not an option. That's making it appear as if the patient will die tomorrow without undergoing either of the two. Unless it is an emergency and the patient needs to be brought to the hospital for immediate treatment, elective procedures can be scheduled at a later time, and after more exhaustive testing to come up with the best treatment plan.
And a doctor shouldn't say a condition cannot be detected unless done with a really expensive procedure, when diagnostic tests handled by excellent physicians will do the same thing at less cost and trauma to a patient.
Isn't it sad to have a doctor in the family but not have the confidence in them because each time you consult you get told you could die tomorrow unless you do what he says?
Doctors should primarily see themselves as instruments of healing. They are not God. And they should never make someone feel guilty in case that person refuses to follow their suggestions.
**Compassion is the first step to healing**. Without it, a doctor is just equal to the paper that says he or she completed a medical degree. Their purpose is not necessarily to prevent death, but to make people feel better, whether that is to treat them with science or medical technology, or simply to give them hope that things will get better by taking certain steps.
Physicians who bully their patients into doing what they want, without giving them a chance to decide for themselves, has little respect for humanity. And why would we want to be seen by them and entrust our bodies to them?
*All images from Unsplash*
Medical surprise... or scare?
Even the best laid plans can go awry. Such is life...
It is my mother's birthday today. After two years, we finally set foot inside a church to hear mass. It is Ash Wednesday after all.
With several masses scheduled for the day to accommodate those coming in, especially for the imposition of ashes, we thought the 9 AM sked was best. Rush hour traffic was nearly over. And with most people at work, the church wouldn't be jampacked, like it often was pre-pandemic.
We were right. So it was a pleasant experience. It was a bit cool even if the electric fans weren't in my face. Maybe it was because only two to four occupied each pew.
I don't know why I teared up as I prayed after getting ashes on my forehead. Guess I was reminded how humbling it is to survive a deadly virus and the months and months of lockdowns.
Survival. That was the goal. Survive a virus and deadly disease. Survive losing the means to live and earn. Survive with meager resources. Survive being separated from family and friends. Survive mental health issues.
We had to keep the faith. One big triumph was growing in faith. At least it was for me. I know many did not. They lost their way. Loosened their hold. I pray they will still find their way and believe.
We remain cautious at home. So we had to indulge my octogenarian mother and have a bit of a feast to celebrate her special day without going out or inviting anyone else. The fasting asked of Catholics had to be set aside for today. I pray to be given a chance to make up for it.
Perhaps, it was the small sacrifice of having to worry about my aunt (Dad's only sister and the lone surviving sibling), who suddenly had to be admitted to prep for surgery tomorrow.
Nothing can be more jolting than to be told a day before that a close family member needed to undergo medical procedure pronto! What made matters more worrisome is that Auntie is unmarried and has no children. So it was up to us, her nephews and nieces, to take care of her in such instances.
Here's the thing: this is the first time ever that she was going to be admitted to a hospital, and for a serious health concern at that. A concern she never even mentioned when she called last night to ask if I could accompany her.
I realize now she was in a state of panic, and perhaps shock, that's why she failed to mention what our doctor-cousin saw in her ultrasound result. But tough lady that she is, she never displayed how panicked she was over what would transpire in the next several days.
While a number of us cousins were willing to volunteer to be her companion during confinement, we were all thrown into a tizzy because of no advance notice.
Auntie has always been very independent and self-sufficient. It is she who everyone turns to for help. And she hates imposing on other people, including us her family, and will opt to do everything on her own rather than call on any of us for assistance unless it was absolutely necessary.
But going through a medical procedure, even if it is minimally invasive (laparoscopy) can be nerve-wracking. Particularly for a first-time patient!
When she called me, she didn't even say outright that she needed to be admitted to a hospital. Her words: "Are you doing anything tomorrow? Can you come with me to the hospital?"
I thought she was going in for a consult, because I know she has her labs done near her residence. When she finally got around to actually saying she was undergoing laparoscopy, I had to scramble to re-arrange schedules - mine and whoever else was willing and available, so we could at least take turns staying with her.
Turns out doctor-cousin never gave her breathing space after reading her ultrasound, and just made the plans to get the procedure done ASAP. He never even considered our aunt did not have a home companion, and that at this time of COVID, hospital protocols are far different.
In short, he railroaded my Auntie to go in immediately the next day and schedule the procedure tomorrow (Thursday). He panicked, so she panicked too, and simply agreed to the arrangements then called me to be her companion!
I get his concern about her condition, which if not managed quickly can do more harm or even be fatal. Still... consideration.
I know doctors require years of study and training to get to that point where they can actually start treating patients. However, as I've proven time and again, not all doctors are created equal.
Many, especially the younger ones, see their role just as a physician. A health professional. Many forget they are first and foremost human, and their patients are, too.
A patient does not exist just as a patient. It's not going into a hospital, getting a room, undergoing medical procedures, or getting treated with medication and that's the sum experience.
There are so many things a patient, and their families, have to take into consideration when it comes to being confined and undergoing procedure. The logistics can be mind-boggling, even for those with family around them.
And THIS must always be taken into account, and it is something doctors - the real good ones with loads of empathy - are aware of and keep in mind.
I've had my share of going in hospitals - as a patient and a patient's primary caregiver - and it is no picnic. And doctors, especially those who just zip in and out of rooms, rarely feel or know the challenges unless they've gone through a similar experience, not as health professionals, but as patients themselves.
Even with family and a support group, it is a challenge. How much more for someone with no one immediately around them?
It was early afternoon by the time my Aunt and I got a chance to really talk. But I felt so bad that she had to stay in her room alone until my cousin, who will be with her during confinement, can get there and be cleared after an antigen test. That was six hours of alone time.
Anyone with a weaker resolve would have gone nuts! It was after our talk that she finally calmed down and was able to rest. She needed to let out her panic and ordeal in the last 24 hours.
And it was only when my cousin finally made it to her room that I calmed down. Somewhat... there is the matter of her post-surgery care and recovery.
We're all praying it will go smoothly, and the physicians performing the procedure are guided by God's hands. And that her steely resolve will fast-track her recovery.
Whew... what a day! Thank you, God, for allowing us to survive today.
THEM is US: War affects everyone
In a war, there is no winner.
No one starts a war defending something of value to them - their land, their resources, their people. It is always the one with interest in another's possession or property that will likely take steps to get what it wants, including employing violent means.
I caught a sermon of a priest last night (St. Cecilia Parish in Boston, Massachusetts), and he was very affected by the war between Ukraine and Russia. His opening statement puzzled me: "The hopeless start a war."
Russia, or Vladimir Putin, hardly seem hopeless to me. I understand there is deep history behind the animosity between the former Soviet states. And beyond nuclear weapons and valuable natural resources, I will probably never comprehend the breadth and depth of this conflict.
The priest, however, was looking at war from another perspective. What he grieved more about was how people outside of the two nations cannot seem to empathize with the attacks happening half-way across the world because it was so "far from them."
So he painted a clearer picture: **them is us**.
The citizens of Ukraine caught in the crossfires, who will likely be collateral damage, who will flee not just their homes but their hometown, are people like you and me. They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, children.
If we cannot wrap our heads around the fight ensuing around them, that they are in danger of being hit by bombs or weapons, we have to see the people in Ukraine as living lives like we do.
These people are working, going to school, raising children, taking care of elderly parents, or the sick. They're having dinner at home, going to the market, doing the normal things we do.
And while we share almost similar experiences to a certain extent, we have absolutely no idea what it feels like to exist in a war zone, dreading that any minute a father could be killed, or a mother injured by some stray bullet or a wayward missile.
Nevertheless, it does not mean being numb to the idea that we can only feel token sympathy and forget about it. The Boston priest urged his parishioners and everyone attending mass virtually to put themselves in the position of people in Ukraine, who are terrified not only of having their lives upended but because of the very real possibility they could die without the chance to defend themselves.
**THEM is US.**
Yes, that war between Russia and Ukraine will impact the rest of the world. It is not just about a fight between two nations. There is economics. There is politics. Oil supply will be affected raising transport costs and ultimately, the cost of goods. That will resonate worldwide.
For the Philippines, government has to worry about the overseas workers trapped there, how to repatriate them or keep them safe. And while they may not be our family, they are someone's father, mother, brother, or sister.
War in this day and age is more vicious. Technology now allows us not only to hear or read about what is happening thousands of miles away. It enables us to witness the goings-on in real time. We often view what has happened multiple times until it becomes ingrained in our minds.
Can we remain numb to that? Can we go on with our lives, and not feel a sense of dread ourselves that it could've been us?
In empathizing, we are not asked to stop living our lives. We must go on. It is the ability to keep moving forward that gives us hope.
Incidentally, the priest exhorted people to not lose hope, even in the face of adversity. Because in losing hope, we become cynical, desperate, and negative. And that will lead us to do what is unacceptable, harmful, and despicable.
There is no winner in war. It will end. We pray sooner than later. The aggressor may have achieved its mission. But at what cost? And in a bid to defend against the attacks, countless lives would have been lost as well.
War is always at the expense of lives. Is humanity not worth it to keep the peace?
For now, let us not be numb to war, atrocity, violence, whether it is happening near us, outside of us, or around us.
Prayer can move mountains. It can also end wars. It is the least we can do from afar that will be most effective. And then we must feel.
*Images from Unsplash*
Rough water experience
On my FB feed, I saw a post of compilations of humongous waves. They were not footage of tsunamis, although there was a segment that had waves that were tsunamis-like in size.
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've been on a vessel: one was a fast craft patrol, another is a barge, a third is a cruise yacht, and finally a ferry boat.
Leisure ride
It was the ferry ride that was most pleasant and that's probably because it was a leisure trip, as opposed to a work trip. And it was in Canada, on our way to Victoria in British Columbia.
That was a memorable trip for many reasons. Imagine 16 people going on that one-week (or was it 8 days?) trip! Even better it was with family. My Dad and his two brothers were joined by their spouses and kids, plus my aunt, who was then based in Seattle.
The ferry ride was about an hour-and-a-half or so, but not two hours, and we caught the mid-afternoon trip. There weren't many passengers at that time so we could explore the ferry, lie down on empty seats, and feel the wind whip our hair and face on the upper deck.
At no point was there a section in Swartz Bay where the waters turned rough enough to trigger nausea or motion sickness of any kind. On the upper deck, you will at times get sprayed with water but nothing scary. I just loved the cold air and wind.
I guess that ferry ride made up for all the adventurous rides I had while on coverage. I think only one could be considered pleasant, and that was only because we managed to hitch a ride with the presidential ferry after 75% of the media threw up aboard the fast patrol craft we arrived in.
Not queasy
For the record, I was among the 25% with a tough constitution that no amount of rough seas can make me queasy. I will feel more nauseous watching people throw up around me because of the stench of vomit.
The fast patrol craft was indeed speedy, but since there were a number of us, the quarters were very confining. With little air circulating, and the vessel rocking every which way, it's no wonder many couldn't hack it.
Most ended up going above deck where it was open air. Never mind being sprayed by a lot of water, what mattered was they had room to breathe. I'm not quite sure what area we were in when they started pitching forward to throw up out to sea. That was gross! I've never seen so many green-faced people all at the same time in my life!
Even when we took the cruise yacht, the waters were just as rough in a particular portion en route to the island of Corregidor. And as comfortable as the yacht was, too much rocking motion could still unsettle tummies.
Source https://www.austal.com/ships/bermuda-police-16m
The worse experience of course was taking the barge to Bataan. I know it was April 9, which is the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) where World War II veterans were honored.
We (three other reporters and I) were supposed to be onboard some other mode of transport. There was some mix-up and as an alternative, we had to go by barge, ( a small one) which was leaving Manila at 4 in the morning! It was a three-hour ride and for added challenge, it rained at some point.
Adventure times two
Barges are open-air. Only a small portion of the vessel had roofing of some kind. It was almost decrepit, and nothing like the modern vessels of today. Guess what? Also aboard the barge were war veterans! How are we supposed to compete with the elderly?
So, we ended up below deck, where they laid out monobloc (plastic) chairs for us to sit and lie on (if we prefer) as the barge chugged along for eternity. We did lie down, and even caught a few minutes of shut-eye, until we got drenched in the rain and water splashing from the sea due to the huge waves.
They gave us some dismantled sacks as makeshift cover, but come on, how much protection can that provide? When the rain pelted even harder, the grandmas and grandpas above deck became concerned for us.
Soon, they were calling us and scooted over to make space so we could fit under that teeny-tiny roof. (Good thing COVID was non-existent then!) Didn't really help much. And since we were already drenched from below, we decided to go back and sit on our chairs, exposed to the elements, for the rest of the trip.
By the time we were nearing our destination, the sun had appeared and we were dried out, ready to cover the event.
Fortunately, on the way back, we found a ride by land, and we were already so exhausted after that early-morning sea adventure.
But wait! I think there was another layer of adventure then... We were late arriving at the venue that is situated on a hill (Mt. Samat). Once the president arrives, they're going to close the entrance.
To make our way there, we had to hike up the mountain through the backway. It wouldn't have been so bad if it was a leisurely hike, but we were racing against time and that meant running uphill!
I honestly can't remember how we managed to get there before the program started. I do remember being out of breath, tongue lolling, and having to push or pull others just so we can all get there together. I guess I was fitter than I thought, even with the lack of sleep.
Without a doubt, I was so tired at the end of the day. Don't even remember how I made multiple stories to send in. But that was all in a day's work for journalists then. We didn't have the many conveniences and trappings available today.
Would I trade those experiences? Nevah! That's why being a journalist for me was really an adventure.
*Images from Unsplash unless Source specified*
First line of defense
Did you know that handwashing is your first line of defense against disease?
Yup, protecting yourself from getting sick doesn't really cost much, nor does it have to involve some complicated ritual. All it takes is washing your hands.
According to Dr. Roderico Ofrin, who is the World Health Organization's (WHO) Representative to India, "Hand washing with soap and water has been established as a cost-effective public health intervention."
By the way, Dr. Ofrin is a Filipino, so a big round of applause for him for landing that prestigious position. He also happens to be a childhood friend, and I am super proud of him.
**Back to washing hands...**
In addition, universal access to handwashing facilities, meaning soap and water, is a sustainable development goal (SDG) set by both the WHO and UNICEF.
In an interview, Dr. Ofrin emphasized that you can prevent so many diseases just by always being aware of regularly washing your hands.
Unfortunately, there are many parts of the world where communities have no access to clean, running water and this is a big factor contributing to health problems especially in rural areas.
After setting up such facilities, there is the need to educate everyone in the community on the importance of washing their hands, not just with water but with soap as well.
Source https://manilawaterfoundation.org/news/2019-10-16/clean-hands-all-manila-water-foundations-2019-global-handwashing-day-celebration
In case you've missed this lesson, washing with soap and water removes germs that you may have picked up from anywhere that you touched. Even surfaces that we think look immaculate may still have germs. How much more objects and surfaces that a lot of people handle or touch?
Unwittingly, we often have the habit of touching our face, eyes, nose, mouth and if your hands are dirty, you run the risk of transmitting germs and bacteria that are disease-carriers.
That's why the more you wash your hands, the less the germs accumulating in your skin which helps prevent infection.
If you're still not convinced why we need to wash our hands regularly and well, think about this: handwashing can save one (1) in five (5) children from contracting respiratory illnesses. It reduces respiratory illness by 16% to 21%.
And there's more.
Germs from unwashed hands can contaminate food. So just imagine you touching food with dirty hands, then putting this in your mouth, all the while carrying germs, chemicals, and dirt that can give you a cold or the flu or even worse diseases like meningitis or chicken pox.
On the flip side, proper hand hygiene reduces the number people who get diarrhea by 23% to 40%. And can save 1 in 3 kids from getting diarrhea.
And don't scoff at diarrhea thinking it's not serious. It can dehydrate the body so quickly, that not properly replenishing lost fluids can land you in the ER, or even result in your death at the worst stage.
Dr. Ofrin says that handwashing is "health promotion in its purest sense."
Okay, so now you're thinking how often do I wash my hands... Each time you handle or touch something that can likely carry germs.
It's imperative to wash your hands after using the toilet, that's for sure. And when you enter the house from wherever you came from.
Door knobs. Steering wheel. Keyboards. Tabletops. Staircase railing. Public transport. Money. All these are carriers because so many people come into contact with them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E
But wait! You do know it doesn't count as real, effective handwashing if you merely run your hands or fingers quickly under an open faucet, right?
No. No. No.
Health experts recommend we wash our hands for at least 20 seconds. If done properly, it should take that long. Sing a little tune to help time the process.
Wash properly
Proper handwashing means first wetting your hands a little, then lathering it with soap, either a bar or liquid.
Scrub the back of your hands then palms, including between the fingers. Cup your fingers (excluding the thumbs) and hold it together while rubbing them against each other, then wash the thumb with one hand using a rolling motion, then switch hands. Finally draw circles in your palms with your fingertips to help clean the nails as well.
Rinse well to remove all soap residue. This will also ensure you've gotten rid of the germs and dirt.
Dry your hands, with a clean hand towel or paper towel, or just air-dry them if there's nothing to wipe them on.
Remember, regular handwashing is for your protection.
In India, proper hand sanitation was already being practiced even before the emergence of COVID. And community-based studies showed there was high knowledge and awareness about the importance of hand hygiene and how to do it properly.
Regular handwashing is among the minimum public health safety standards that we are always being reminded about during the pandemic. And for good measure.
How India does it
Dr. Ofrin said that they follow the **3Ws** and **2Vs** in India as a public reminder to minimize transmission of the virus.
**Wear** a mask, **Wash** your hands, **Watch** your distance (physical distancing). Get **Vaccinated** and stay in fully **Ventilated** indoor spaces.
Of course, they have a very efficient and organized system of testing, contact tracing and early treatment that has been key to addressing COVID infection surges due to the numerous variants that have mutated.
Even when COVID is no longer a scourge, it doesn't mean we have to stop the practice of regular handwashing. Germs bring all sorts of diseases and unless we want to end up being hospitalized and spending more for treatment, let this one habit be our inexpensive way of protecting ourselves and staying healthy.
*Lead image and handwashing demo image are original*
Beware: Head bumps could be serious
A bump in the head is something that should not be ignored.
Many people dismiss such incidents, even when the area that received a blow is painful. This is dangerous.
Google head trauma or head injury, and you're likely going to come across the death of American comedian Bob Saget. He died in January with no known disease or history of use of anything illegal. Later, his autopsy showed he suffered from head trauma that became cause of death.
I've had some nasty bumps, and a number of them hurt like hell. However, I think there was only one time when I suffered a mild concussion. I did fall down several steps of a rather steep staircase and banged my head on the sharp corner of a concrete door jamb.
Other than a large bump, there was no blood or crack on my skull. Just dizziness and slight nausea. I had to suffer through ice packs that magnify the pain a thousand times for like 20 minutes. But that helped tremendously, and the swelling was contained.
The thing with hitting your head is that you're not allowed to fall asleep, especially when you feel nauseous.
We must remember that a nasty bump from a bad fall or some accidental movement can lead to brain injury. Fractures, especially in the skull, can be hairline thin but may cause bleeding inside the brain. Tiny blood vessels in the brain can rupture from impact when you smack your head.
From basic anatomy classes, we know that the cranium is an enclosed space. If there is bleeding, blood will seek some exit and put pressure on the brain. It is that pressure that causes unconsciousness and eventually leads to death.
So why is it not advisable for someone who suffered head trauma and concussion to immediately fall asleep? It's really for monitoring purposes.
If they fall asleep and suffer a seizure or one side of their body weakens, no one will know. And this can worsen the condition, or it may be too late to seek medical attention.
However, if the person with head trauma is able to engage in a conversation and can move about with little difficulty, they may be allowed to fall asleep eventually, although staying awake for at least three hours after being injured is best.
One rule after suffering head trauma is to tell someone what happened and how you're feeling. Aside from nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, severe headache, or even symptoms similar to a stroke are indications that immediate medical attention is required.
Heading to the ER is necessary when a number of these symptoms present. Do not put it off for later because it may be too late to prevent the worsening of the condition, or result in death.
I cannot believe how many times I've hit my head somewhere in the past. A car door, table, bed, door, and worse someone whacking me out of anger or fun. Most have been unpleasant experiences.
So, I've learned to be careful and to protect my head, even from the rare smacking by hand, because I worry what could happen.
In the same manner, I get anxious and act quickly when someone in the house (or around me) hits their head and I was witness to the incident. Kids, especially, think it's nothing and just run away once the pain wears off. Most times, they won't even say they've hit or bumped their head and are surprised when they feel a lump which hurts even at the slightest touch.
Icing the injured spot is really a big help, not just to reduce the swelling but more importantly to help cut off blood supply and halt any bleeding, however slight it may be. It helps with the pain, too.
A blow to the head, regardless of how hard your cranium is, can still shake the brain and this is what causes severe injuries that makes one feel drowsy or nauseous.
Apply ice pack on the area for at least 20 minutes. It will make you tear up when the ice is exactly on the injured spot but is really helpful to start the healing process. You may need to put ice several times a day (every 6 to 8 hours) particularly with a nasty bump.
So the lesson to be learned here is: Never ignore head bumps. And try to be as careful as possible especially when there is risk of getting injured in that area.
Always protect your head.
Lead image credit
And then they were gone...
Was out of commission for two days. My PC suffered a bad hiccup. It conked out on me. Thought it was just because I hadn't cleaned it for a while. Nope. There was some internal problem.
Fortunately, by God's grace, I found someone to repair it at least cost. And it didn't take forever, nor an arm and a leg. So... I'm back! And I missed coming here to read and engage with other members.
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Ever have an elderly relative that you've connected to from childhood?
I might have previously mentioned in an earlier post that my paternal grandmother grew up with eight siblings. Without a doubt, that clan is huge, just counting up to the third generation (ours).
All nine of them had at least six kids (my Dad's generation), so that adds up to 54 already. Multiply that by at least three, and that's more than a hundred and fifty. So, you can imagine the chaos when the clan holds its reunion. And that was when we were still young kids. I think we're up to fifth generation now.
It was these clan reunions (pre-pandemic it was held annually, or at least every two years) which allowed us to get to know my grandmother's siblings. While many of my cousins would just come up to kiss the hand of the elders (*it's called* ***pag-MANO****, where you bring the back of their right hand to your forehead, and they bless you*), I often stuck around for small talk.
And perhaps since I was my father's eldest, they were quite familiar with me so much so that if I had not made an appearance when we arrive at the venue, they would be asking for me.
My *Lola* (grandmother) is second to the eldest, so her younger brothers and sisters were fairly young when I was young and most were animated and loved to tell stories or crack jokes. So, it wasn't a hardship to hang around and listen to them recount their experiences amid a lot of laughter.
Beloved elder
Their youngest sibling, another grandmother, is a particular favorite among the younger generations. For one, she's very talkative and her memory is astounding. If you're one of those who come up to her and stay around for her 'interview' she'll definitely keep you in file in that huge memory bank of hers.
By remember you, that means not just your name and face but also your voice. Which will be extremely important over time as her eyesight started to fade.
Since I've known her, the lady has always worn glasses. They just got thicker as she got older. It was probably a decade or so ago when her eyesight started to deteriorate.
It was also around this time period when the last of her siblings - the eldest brother - passed on leaving her as the only surviving elder of the clan.
She could still see silhouettes of people, but could barely make out faces unless she leaned in close to your face. But mostly, she recognized people through their voice. And then she'd launch into her five questions to catch up.
Tita Lola - she being my Dad's aunt - was particularly fond of my father. And me. And later on, my niece. There was just this connection between us that was hard to define. Needless to say, she knew our voices and we usually received money from her, especially during Christmas.
Unfortunately, since her eyesight started to fade, Lola hasn't been as mobile. There was always the fear of missing a step, tripping, or bumping into something that can result in a bad fall.
She did fall. And injured her hip. But more than the injury, she was traumatized. And mostly just lay in bed to minimize movement and pain. It didn't help that her husband also turned frail and would be confined to bed as well.
So there they were, spending their twilight years, still together in sickness (and not in health).
The last meeting
The last time I saw Lola was in 2018. It was several months after Dad died. Because of her frail condition, it was decided not to tell her when he suffered a stroke and was bed-ridden until the end, nor about his eventual passing.
Her family was host to the annual reunion. And while we had been able to keep Dad's (and even my sister's passing) a secret up to that point, there was no way she was not going to find out then.
That was another painful moment for me. When I had to tell her after she kept badgering me about the two, I remember her wailing in agony over the loss, and her not being able to see them for the last time. I broke down, too.
It was supposed to be a a fun event, reconnecting with cousins and aunts and uncles, but there was the heaviness caused by her distress after finally being told the truth. We did manage to recover and enjoy the rest of the party. Or at least tried to.
And that was the last I saw her. Prior to being confined to mostly lying down and when my Dad was still alive, she would ring the house and spend a good amount of time chatting with him, or me, and niece. Or we would call her, especially during her birthday. I know she appreciated those phone conversations, and was among the reasons for her being fond of us.
The pandemic only worsened her condition. While she lived with one of her children, the rest of her brood were scattered everywhere. We lived in the other side of town from her, so it was quite a challenge to visit.
From one of her daughters, who lived near us, we learned that since her husband's passing at the start of lockdown, her once sharp memory started to fade, too. Her kids indulged her. And while the stories of the past remained clear in her mind, everything else started to blur.
She will be missed
It was late last week when we finally received the news. *Tita Lola* was finally at rest. She left quietly. Whether it was old age, and her body had deteriorated, or loneliness since her husband left her, it was hard to say. Perhaps it was simply her time.
I felt a squeeze in my heart when I learned of her passing. The last one was gone. No more elder. They've all gone home.
We will miss her. Sure, it's been years since I last saw her, and that wasn't all happy. But I will miss her chatter, her stories, her questions, and her crackling laughter.
She may have been a frail woman in her golden years, but her spirit remained strong until it wasn't.
I will never forget her voice, and her question when she couldn't make us out as we came up to her: "Who are you?" I didn't have to say my name. When she heard my voice as I greeted her, she already knew.
Death is a certainty for all. Some just leave ahead of us. Yet knowing this, the grief is as piercing even when it's expected. The pain is from the memories. And the love.
You will be missed, and our reunions will never be the same again.
Games we used to play
Before there were computers and phones and gadgets, entertainment came in the form of games.
By games, I mean those using a deck of cards or some board game, where two or more players participated.
It's incredible how many games can be played with just 52 cards. And it didn't have to involve money like it does in casinos. Sure, we can have small bets just to add excitement but it was more out of fun than to seriously make money.
Card games or board games typically became rowdy, when things heat up. Someone on a winning streak or inversely, on a losing streak, lead to raised voices and lots of laughter and ribbing.
My late Dad loved such games. And he made sure to teach us so we could join in on the fun. So, there was always a deck of cards at home, which he either got from an airline or a casino.
One game that served as initiation for kids playing cards is called **Monkey-Monkey** (*Unggoy-Ungguyan*), a Filipino version of Old Maid. It's basically a pairing game, where one card is kept secret before the rest are dealt out to all players, which can be anywhere from two to nine.
Whoever ends up with the card matching the secret one loses. Since there are no bets, a consequence must be agreed upon. It's usually a silly one like everyone flicking the loser's ear, or dusting the face with powder.
At the start of the game, everyone lays down all their paired cards. They then take turns picking a card from the player beside them (moving clockwise) in hopes of getting a match for their remaining cards, so they can lay these down. In the end, whoever is holding the pair to the secret card loses.
The more players, the more boisterous the atmosphere. And it does get quite rowdy especially when one participant keeps losing! Yes, some get very annoyed at never winning and have been known to walk out, but it's just for a while.
A second card game taught to us is **'Pekwa'**. I don't know if there's an English equivalent to the game but it's like a Card Domino. It's a four-player game. The cards are all dealt out to each player. Whoever has a 7 of any suit can start the game.
The cards are laid out by suit, with players taking turn until each suit is completed. The goal is to be first to lay down all your cards, which can be accomplished by blocking other players. You simply have to hold the card that is needed to move on to the next number. Below is an example:
In the image above, to complete the bottom half of the Hearts, the 3, 2, and Ace are missing. As long as you aren't holding the Ace or 2 of hearts, you can delay laying down the 3 of hearts to prevent the players with the last two cards from getting a turn and instead use other cards of other suits that you have on hand.
You do not want to be the player holding most of the end cards (3, 2, Ace and Jack, Queen, King) of more than one suit because that will surely spell L.O.S.E.R. But since the cards are dealt out randomly, you never really know what you're going to get.
Here is what a completed suit looks like:
If you want to really win big, you want the last card you lay down to be the 7 of Diamonds, which means a 'Pekwa', and if there are bets, that means winning double (*if players agree to it at the beginning*). This is a fun game although only four can play. It becomes a riot because of the spectators, who often react when they see a player's hand, or when someone does a good job of blocking the others.
If you're blocked and don't have any card to put down, you lose your turn and end up holding more cards longer. So, the object is to GET RID OF ALL YOUR CARDS PRONTO!
I'm sure most of the younger generation are unfamiliar with this game. After all, it isn't played on a phone or gadget. But from experience, when they do get to play, they find it a lot of fun, and will play more games.
The best part of playing card games is actual interaction with people. It is not virtual. Not onscreen. It is face-to-face, so you can watch everyone and see their reactions and behavior to help you strategize.
It is an 'oldie' game, meaning an elder person passed it down. It was my Dad and his cousins who taught the younger ones, and we've been teaching the GenZ kids. To bump up the fun, try playing with small bets. Small as in 1 peso or 5 pesos per game. We did it for 25 centavos then, hahaha!
So, if you can hunt up a deck of cards (I love the smell and feel of new ones!), do try playing a round of some card game. You never know... it might get you addicted, too!
*All images are original*
Listen, learn, discern
There are 10 candidates slugging it out for the presidency of the Philippines.
The elections will be held on May 9. That's three months away. If polls are to be believed, there is a runaway winner.
But surveys aren't always reliable. Especially when the number of respondents is not even a significant fraction of the electorate. There are 67 million registered voters, and 2,500 people are polled for each survey. So, it makes you wonder if the results are truly reflective of the people's sentiment or choices.
The actual campaign for candidates seeking national posts - president, vice president, and senators - kicked off yesterday (Feb. 8). They have 90 days or until May 7 to go around and seek the electorate's support.
Have the majority of Filipinos really made up their mind as to who should get their precious vote, especially for president? How many are still open-minded and willing to listen or learn about each candidate to help them discern before making a final decision?
It is quite enlightening to read about and even better, listen to, each one of these job applicants. They've been interviewed on television, online, and over the radio.
Of course, the ones getting the most airtime and media coverage are the top 5, or the ones figuring in surveys, and who are deemed to have the best chances of putting up a good fight based on platform, resources, and supporters.
Which is unfortunate. Granted the other five would not be able to compete in terms of exposure and reach, they still have pretty good ideas about how to address the main problems faced by the country - revive the economy that took a hit because of the pandemic, address the decades-old issue of poverty, revamp the healthcare system, boost the agricultural sector and make the country self-sufficient in food production, fight the drug war, end the insurgency problem, and ensure the equitable distribution of wealth as much as possible.
It is that inequitable distribution of wealth that results in the wide disparity between the rich and poor that many of the candidates want to address. The lesser known among them have taken note of this and are consistent when interviewed about the need to finally end this.
Here's what I've gleaned so far after listening to these men who many see as having little chance of getting the necessary votes to make it: their platforms make a lot of sense. And some even outline how to address the issues and not just give motherhood statements.
I've even picked up ideas/concepts that have opened my eyes but have not heard from the more popular candidates. And it makes me think that after the elections, whoever wins should actually seek their help to address pressing concerns that they may have better solutions to.
So far, I've heard of imposing wealth taxes (taxing the assets of the 500 wealthiest families in the country that is valued over a billion pesos), designating strategic crops (rice in particular) which government will guarantee so it will always be profitable for farmers to keep growing them; addressing contractualization, which is a bane to skilled workers; and raising minimum wage.
It's important that everyone work together to get the country back on track, and if tapping the expertise of former political opponents will help and their ideas adopted, then it should be a welcome move towards healing and nation-building.
The presidency is not a joke. And for years, the chief executive as the country's leader, has rarely performed as a servant to the people. They've mostly occupied the position as a politician.
We've had enough of politics. Until and unless it is good politics, Filipinos will be better off with less of it.
The next president should inspire the people he or she is sworn to serve so they will also do their share to regain the glory of the Philippines. And to inspire is not just to give hope of a better or brighter future. Concrete actions are necessary.
People whose stomachs rumble from hunger will never be inspired. They need jobs, they need food and shelter, they need their dignity. Address the very basic needs, and people will be more than willing to cooperate.
Days go by so fast. In a snap, it will be May. Crossing my fingers that the electoral exercise in the time of a pandemic, will be smooth and with less hassle than what we've been used to in the past (that's real chaos!).
And I am really, really praying the next president will not only be decent but honest, trustworthy, and respectful. We need a role model.
There is a line in the CW series *"Supergirl"* that is worth keeping in mind: **"You shine the light to inspire others to shine theirs.**" That is the kind of person we need right now to help the country get back up.
How fainting made me tough
The one and only time I fainted was in the middle of a soccer field.
I tried to fight it for as long as I could but perhaps with dwindling supply of oxygen to the brain, my vision slowly darkened until I slumped to the ground. I was 15 years old.
You're probably wondering why, if I was aware of what was happening, I didn't do anything not to keel over and preserve my dignity.
It was 10 o'clock in the morning. The sun was bearing down on us and the sky was bright blue, clear of clouds.
And there we were, maybe 24 of us junior high school kids, lined up in white t-shirt and blue jeans, sweat dripping down our face and backs, eyes front only, legs slightly spread apart, hands (palms open one on top of the other) on the small of our backs while trying to remain as still as possible. The position is known as 'parade rest.'
Obviously, it was a test of endurance. We were probably into the sixth month of the cadet training that would prepare us to be the next corps of officers in our senior year.
Needless to say, the training was brutal. That was just one of many tests that we were subjected to. And while it was a physical test, to survive it required a mentality of steel.
In hindsight, I knew I would've passed that under-the-sun test. Ten minutes more and it would have been over.
Alas, it was the second day of my monthly period. Shucks! And back then I would get unbearable cramps, a bad case of dysmenorrhea. Any one who's ever suffered from that condition understands how painful it can be, and sometimes no position, even lying down, is comfortable enough to make the pain go away.
It passes, after an hour or two, and you'll be back to your normal self. Unfortunately for me, that hour or two happened just as we were made to stand in the football field.
While the training officers were going around to check if we were okay, I don't think they really noticed that blood was slowly draining from my face (we were wearing caps) and I was turning ashen and my sweat was cold. Besides, each time they asked if we could still handle it, I shouted back, along with everyone else, 'Sir, yes, Sir!'
The brain's capacity is really wondrous. And surviving even the most challenging situations is really a work of the brain more than brawn. Eventually, the mind will instruct the body to fight even when physically, one is almost drained of energy.
And that's how I managed to hold on for as long as I did at that time. I willed my body to stay upright, to ignore the harsh rays of the sun, and the pain squeezing my insides until I just couldn't anymore.
To their credit, I think our training officers saw that I was swaying and ready to pitch forward just as I felt everything turn dark. But they weren't fast enough. I still crumpled to the ground as my knees gave way.
Through sheer will, my co-trainees still held their positions even when they realized I had dropped. Not sure if someone else fainted before me so they knew not to react.
I was brought to a bench under the shade of a tree, and remember sniffing ammonia passed under my nose. Oh yuck! That smell can really bring you back to your senses.
Even as I regained consciousness (it wasn't very long, perhaps 5 minutes), the pain in my abdomen was still gut-wrenching and considerably weakened me. I was escorted to the clinic and lay there for an hour. Can't recall if they made me take mefenamic acid for the pain.
Naturally, I was instructed to take the rest of the day off. No classes. And certainly no training. Still, I insisted I can manage to go home alone. No need to call my folks. They'd be worried enough when they saw me at the house in the middle of a school day.
I don't think I told them I fainted. Mother was aware I was prone to dysmenorrhea.
It was already early afternoon when the cramps finally subsided. By then, I was drained and just wanted to sleep. Yet, I knew that the next day, I would will myself to get up at 4:30 AM, shine my shoes and buckle, and join the early morning (6:00 AM) training with my co-trainees.
That was the kind of discipline drilled into us by that training. We had to overcome obstacles. We had to push ourselves even when it seems our bodies are ready to give up. And we had to be prepared for anything.
Yes, it was preparing us for war of some sort. But it was also preparing us for life. And I will always appreciate that experience. It toughened me up. And taught me to be more resourceful. And especially to care for others. We had to have each other's back every single time.
And it always reminded me that even with situations that may look impossible, I'd be able to do it by conditioning my mind.
Sure I learned to belly crawl, and swing on a rope, trample on mud, and even strip an M1-Garand rifle and put it back together in two minutes or less, even fire it (the recoil hurt!). Those are good memories.
But the best is the character I developed from all that we were made to go through. And we had to shed not just sweat, but also blood and tears to earn our stripes.
So when I think of high school, that training will forever be one of the most enjoyable and memorable experience for me.
*Lead image from Unsplash*
Disinformation and truth don't mix
It is the 4th day of the second month of the new year. And this will just be my first article. Sigh... It's been a busy week, and my head is spinning. Didn't expect the added workload, and it probably shocked my system. Hahaha! But then, we should always be grateful for work, not just the pay, but the trust we are given when assigned to do something.
My brain is inundated with everything political (hazards of the job) and I realize it was one of the reasons why I didn't go back to being a journalist. And especially at this time with social media doing its best to upend traditional and mainstream media, it is a headache.
I am glad though that presidential candidates are being interviewed left and right to make known their platform and stand on a host of issues that they are expected to face, should they win. Some have really been doing their homework, others while aware of the issues have yet to work out how they will address them, if the time and opportunity comes...
These should also serve as opportunities for the electorate to listen (not just hear) and get to know the persons applying to lead our country in the next six years. Better to hear it from the horse's mouth rather than be fed all this misinformation and disinformation, which are getting more creative and crazier, peddled in social media platforms!
As I've been saying since October of last year, we have to be discerning as a voter. We have to stop settling because that's how we got into this kind of mess. One vote is not just one vote. Don't devalue that one vote and give it to whoever you believe to be the one who can serve and represent us best.
Yes, I repeat, we need a **servant leader**. A public servant. We need someone who will serve us, the people, and one who will listen and decide what is good for many and not just a few. Most of all, we need someone who will **WORK**. Not just put in place minions to do the work, but actually be as hands-on as possible in getting this country running right again.
It's time the citizens of this country - if we truly love our country - do our share. While good governance is necessary, it is not all up to the government. We can demand what is due us - social services including a better public education system, healthcare system, and equitable distribution of wealth.
Let's do away with the *"pwede na"* attitude. That's settling. We are worth so much more. But if we don't put value in who we are and what we deserve, then it is giving the people running government the license to provide mediocre, if not no service, at all.
The elections are three months away. Let us use that time to raise our awareness, get to know the applicants for a most crucial job, and please, please learn to fact-check the information being fed you by social media. You can use this as your guide and be better informed. https://verafiles.org/articles/verafied-diy-guide-fact-checking-and-fighting-misinformation
The problem with too much information available just anywhere and put out by anyone, especially anonymously, is the lack of accountability. If we want to contribute to nation-building, let's start by being responsible when it comes to taking in and spreading information.
Do not make things worse by sharing disinformation. Verify them first, especially if you intend to forward it to someone else. Sometimes, we unknowingly contribute to stoking the fire about an issue that is absolutely untrue to begin with because we never take the time or effort to check if these are true. Let us especially be careful about things that can demean, destroy, or discredit someone.
If there is one thing we should discern carefully, it is the truth. If we believe in lies, then we would likely end up living a lie. Who wants that?
To de-stress, I think I need to watch **"Tick...Tick...Boom!"** again. What can I say? I love musicals, and this one has a great story. Imagine encapsulating one week in someone's life? And the music? Created by a genius, and performed even more brilliantly by the cast. Andrew Garfield was my least favorite Spiderman. But boy, I so admire the guy for his work here. An Oscar for him, perhaps?
*Lead image from Unsplash*
Who wants to dance?
I was 11 or 12 when I realized I can dance.
Unfortunately, it is true that not everyone has this ability or talent. Some people do live up to the idiomatic expression of "having two left feet." And that's quite sad because dancing is fun.
Okay, back to when I realized I had some hidden dancing talent. The small private school where I enrolled in after returning from Singapore had monthly programs presented by each grade level. This started in August (every level had a month to prepare and rehearse) and the Grade 6 students started the ball rolling.
I think it was the fifth grade when I caught the dancing bug, and it was by accident. A group was practicing their number in our room after classes. For music, we used a huge tape recorder, sort of like a boom box. I used to hang around and ended up operating the recorder. So, start the music. Stop it. Rewind the tape. And do it all again until the group finished up for the day.
Not quite mindless stuff since I had to be alert, especially when they're not starting from the beginning. So, watching them perfect this number imprinted the steps and routine in my mind. I definitely knew the music, and memorized the steps and blocking. Until one day, one of the performers was absent.
Part of the choreography required partner moves. The teacher knew it was important to get that interaction right and didn't want to proceed unless everyone had a partner. She looked around the room and saw me. "You!" She pointed at me. "You know the dance, right?" At some point during the afternoon practices, I would sometimes prompt the dancers with the next step or formation when they missed something. Teacher remembered that.
Since I was just going to be a stand-in, I agreed but slightly hesitant. After that round, and I got everything right, everyone in the room clapped! You know how to dance, they said. And I realized that while I may have been a stand-in for that day, I gave my all dancing because it was fun! Besides, I did know all the steps and the whole routine.
Guess what? I ended up being part of that number! Can't remember if I replaced someone, or another student was asked to partner with me. But that was my baptism of fire. And since then, whenever there was some dance number to be performed in my grade level, whether for our program or some special occasion, I was also part of it. HAA!
Eventually, I learned to choreograph dances, and even taught lower grade levels, including nursery and kindergarten kids!
In high school, I was thrilled that Grade 8 P.E. was social dance. That meant more opportunities to dance, or at least learn more dances regardless if I performed or not. Half of the year was learning the formal dances. That meant the waltz, tango, cha-cha, and boogie! And I looked forward to that, even if half the class didn't!
Turns out it was preparing students for the prom so we at least knew basic steps and would not just stand in the middle of the dance floor and sway, if we didn't have exceptional rhythm or any groove at all.
Of course not everyone had the facility to dance. Even when our teacher would teach every step slowly, it would still be confusing for many who 1) hated dancing and 2) couldn't really dance because their brain just didn't get it.
But to me, it was fascinating. The fancy footwork. The lightness of feet. And the grace. Wow! There were popular dance steps of our generation, which most of my classmates preferred. Still, it was a tremendous help to know the basics, and for an instructor to ingrain in us to always "feel the beat".
Then I fell in love with Gene Kelly when I saw him dancing to the tune "Singin' in the Rain." Imagine such complicated routine and doing it with water everywhere! Yet, you could tell he was having a lot of fun. He will always remain a favorite.
And how can you not admire Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the pair to beat when it came to dancing? They not only had technique that was flawless, fluid and classy, they showed audiences that dancing is enjoyable.
And when I watch a number with several dancers, with their movements synchronized to perfection, ahhhhh, that is heaven. Because dancing is not just style, steps, and technique, it is about moving as one unit.
Needless to say, the newer generation of artists who can dance, have natural rhythm and groove, get my vote. But I applaud them even more if they happen to participate in dance shows like "Dancing With The Stars" because that means really learning to DANCE and testing their mettle.
Okay, those guys and gals who are great pop dancers, with all the lockin' and poppin' and breakin', hats off to them as well. But that's just part dancing. I love the River Dance more (from the Irish) because that takes tremendous skill and timing.
If there's a movie or show, or series with a lot of dancing (Fame comes to mind, High School Musical, too) and the kids get to showcase their dancing wares, count me in.
As much as I love music, dancing transports me somewhere else. So, each time I do hear a good beat, and some danceable music (preferably from the 80s or 90s) then I will groove to that.
It's a good form of exercise because it requires the whole body to move, and improves one's coordination. Plus, as frustrating as it can get when you don't get everything right, it is F.U.N.
If you don't believe me that dancing can bring a smile to your face, whether doing it or just watching, then check out the clip below. The editing was wonderful using a more modern tune by the Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited," but splicing all sorts of dance from so many generations timed to the music. Brilliant!
https://youtu.be/xVuIVP6Pef8
Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDxVuIVP6Pef8&v=xVuIVP6Pef8&feature=emb_rel_end
Happy dancing...
*Images from Unsplash*
More than love...to cherish and adore
I found it interesting that the basic definition of LOVE is a noun (*an intense feeling of deep affection*). It's quite abstract in the sense that feelings can often be confusing. A person can feel several emotions at the same time.
But when I search for the definition of CHERISH and ADORE, they are both verbs, so ACTION words. Cherish is to protect and care for someone lovingly. Adore is to love and respect someone deeply.
That being the case, I would much prefer to hear that a significant person cherished me or adored me rather than just being told "I love you." Okay, it would be nice to hear those three romantic words, but I'm realizing that love encompasses so many things that sometimes, it ends up not being specific about a person.
Think about it... when someone says they cherish you it means they are willing to protect and care for you and not just willy-nilly, but lovingly. Or when you are adored, you are loved and respected deeply. Doesn't it sound more tangible or real, and romantic?
The adverbs make a lot of difference, don't they?
It was reading the book ***"The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth*****"** by M. Scott Peck that made me see love in a different light.
He wrote: *"The person who truely loves does so because of a* ***decision to love****. This person has made a commitment to be loving whether or not the loving feeling is present."*
Since then when talking of love, I've come to realize that it isn't a just feeling but more importantly, a decision. And rightly so. Because feelings change. They fade. They can be confusing. But a decision is always something conscious. And usually arrived at after careful thought, or at least some thought.
Like Mr. Peck said, you commit to be loving whether that feeling is present or not. Without that conscious thought, then it would be so easy to say love is gone so I no longer want to be with you.
Come to think of it, how many people in a relationship ever tell their partners that they cherished them, or adored them? But saying 'I love you' is so much more common, and seems to be enough to bind couples.
I'd like to think that couples, especially married ones, who have managed to stay together and have a loving relationship for a long time, knew to cherish and adore each other. Perhaps not actually say the words, but demonstrate them instead.
It is the caring, protecting, and respecting that speaks quite loudly when you cherish and adore someone. Throw in lovingly and deeply, and that takes commitment to a whole new level. And it definitely requires decision.
Of course, everyone has flaws and weaknesses, and just because you've told your significant other that you adore them doesn't mean you'll never ever hurt them. Perhaps not intentionally, but you will. However, when you claim or vow to cherish and adore someone, it makes you think long and hard after you've done something wrong or hurtful.
A song by Kool & The Gang comes to mind. It's called ***"Cherish The Love".***
*Cherish the love we have/We should cherish the life we live./ Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the love.*
And so when we cherish someone, it means we will cherish the love we have for each other, protecting it and fighting for it, in the same way we would cherish our life.
In the same manner, before we get to that point of deciding this is the human being I want to cherish the rest of my life, the one I will adore, it will take some time and a lot of thought.
Love as a feeling can come very suddenly and leave you spinning and doing things recklessly. So, we must pause, and pray, that beyond the feeling we can make a conscious decision to work to keep the fire of that love burning, especially during moments when it would be so much easier to give up and throw it all away.
That's why I am moved when seeing the bride and groom embrace each other after their kiss because to me a loving embrace speaks more of cherish and adore, and amplifies the love.
This isn't a Valentine's Day post. It's just an enlightened post for me that I wish to share. Feel free to share your thoughts.
Have we lost our humanity?
Here's an incident that went viral a few days ago:
An 80-year-old man was arrested by the police in his hometown for stealing a little less than 10 kilos of mangoes. The estimated worth of the produce is 6,000 pesos (USD 117). Bail was set for another 6,000, an amount which the man obviously did not have, so he had been languishing in jail for a week.
When questioned, the octogenarian said he was only picking fruit from the tree that he planted a long time ago, which unfortunately is now situated in the plaintiff's property, and which he was not aware of.
Many years ago, this would have been a small issue that the two parties would settle on their own with minimum fuss. This is especially true if the person who had done wrong was an elderly citizen. Courtesy would've been accorded the old man, and if it was properly explained to him, the mangoes would likely be returned to the property owner.
But not these days. Instead, a case was filed, a warrant of arrest issued, a manhunt conducted, and the elderly gentlemen arrested. His case was posted on Facebook and has gone viral. Naturally, the old man's situation riled a lot of people and stirred hearts, with many wanting to extend assistance, particularly to pay his bail.
Let's put all this in perspective:
The old man wanted to settle with the complainant. For him, it was a small matter that didn't require law enforcers or the court's intervention. At most, the two parties should have met before village (barangay) officials to put things to rest.
Many property lines in the provinces are not clear cut because of the absence of fences or at least definite markers. This is true even for land that has been subdivided and portions sold off, particularly when fruit trees planted by the original owners were never cut down.
The elderly man was not aware the mango tree was no longer part of his property. And if he's used to picking fruits to ensure they don't rot, he did it without thought that he could be trespassing, ergo, stealing from his neighbor.
Nothing was heard from the property owner who demanded the man's arrest other than wanting to be paid for the stolen fruit. The height of arrogance? Apparently, he or she is unaware of what being neighborly means.
That seems to be the problem nowadays. People care more about money, property, and possessions but know so little about humanity. How to relate to another human being. How to be more compassionate. To be considerate of other people, especially those who are not as fortunate.
The world is reeling from a pandemic that should have taught people more about compassion. Yet here we are reading stories of greed - even for little things - when life has become so precious because some invisible enemy can snuff it out anytime.
The elderly man has been released. One good Samaritan beat out many others and sent the funds to get him out of jail. A pro bono lawyer handled his case. Non-stop help has poured in for the man.
Okay, so there are still more people with good hearts willing to share what they can for someone who should not have gone through such humiliating experience.
And to the person who filed the case and had the elderly man arrested, shame on you!
*Images from Unsplash*
@zolabundance2
