Whether you agree or not, it’s a fact: We have unconsciously developed a culture of ignominy over standards, rules, and regulations. We tend to console ourselves by saying, “If you’re not caught, then there’s no problem.” Somehow, this notion is acceptable—especially if you’re going to view “decisions” and “choices” from an existentialist’s point of view. But what appalls me is the fact that when people get caught, they are not so talented as to make up stories and save their sorry asses.
The recent discovery of PNP’s P6.9M “contingency fund” is one hell of a catch; and I should say that these men in uniform didn’t undergo any drama classes as they are so poor in presenting themselves in the Senate inquiry.
Indeed, everyone suddenly shifted attention from the economic recession, Meralco bills, and transportation fare issues to the junket-looking trip that our noble cops—sworn “to serve” (probably their big bellies) and “to protect” (their personal assets, perhaps)—and their wives have gotten themselves into.
But “getting caught” isn’t new.
We caught Erap on tape, having fun while gambling people’s money.
We caught Gloria over the phone talking to Garci, and asking him to manipulate the election in Mindanao to her favor.
We caught Jocjoc hoarding the fertilizer funds in favor of his ingrate boss.
We caught Ben Abalos profiteering from the canceled NBN-ZTE deal—and witnessed how the issue “bukoled.”
Indeed, the current issue about the disputed Moscow trip isn’t really “new.” We have proven since time immemorial that this country is run by greedy and corrupt officials who never had the conscience to consider that the money that they are squandering came from the sweat and blood of common people like us.
But I think we should never be contented by exposing their crimes. The issue will never be closed unless someone gets penalized for his/her wrong acts.
I just hope and pray that the Senate inquiry will lead into something fruitful, because it has also been proven that we’re just good in catching, but these big fish criminals seldom get punished. Why not remove the blindfold of that Justice statue?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Re-educating the Bloody Britons
I find it quite ironic. The nation that presented a culture of elegance and sophisticated etiquette is exactly the same nation that shows intolerable and offensive behavior.
True enough, the way BBC defends itself is a reflection of how boastful and conceited this nation has become.
This isn’t something new of course. Edward Said, author of the book “Culture and Imperialism” and proponent of the term “Orientalism”, has presented a lot of Imperialist nature from the literatures coming from European countries, especially that of England. Indeed, this nation continuously raises their pointed noses on top of the world.
The portion in a “comedy” show—where a Filipina househelper was commanded like marionette, making her the subject of laughter—clearly showcases the imperialist nature of the Britons. They even had the nerve to defend themselves by saying that the controversial show was “so far beyond the realms of reality as to be absurd—and in no way is intended to demean or upset any viewer.” (PDI, 10 October 2008)
Of course, any person would present an “It was not intentional” alibi for such matters that raises discrimination issues in the global community. But these Bloody Britons should have thought of that before playing god towards the Filipina househelper (and besides, it was them who defined “Filipina” as a brown-skinned househelper in a controversial dictionary. Correct me if I’m wrong.)
Moreover, even if they claim that it was not intended “to demean or upset any viewer,” nobody would believe them since their actions are not parallel to their words.
Come to think of it, when you unintentionally said something derogatory to someone, and you really didn’t intend it, your automatic response (if you don’t belong to the imperialist culture, of course) would be to say “sorry” and appease the person—make him/her understand that it was not your intention to hurt his/her feelings.
But the Bloody Britons kept their noses high, as if saying “We didn’t do anything wrong. Hence, there’s no reason to be sorry about.”
Should we hate the Britons? Not exactly.
I think we should re-educate them on the good manners and proper conduct that, in the first place, came from them.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Let’s continue to raise the Filipino voice and tell the world how disgusted we are about such actions.
True enough, the way BBC defends itself is a reflection of how boastful and conceited this nation has become.
This isn’t something new of course. Edward Said, author of the book “Culture and Imperialism” and proponent of the term “Orientalism”, has presented a lot of Imperialist nature from the literatures coming from European countries, especially that of England. Indeed, this nation continuously raises their pointed noses on top of the world.
The portion in a “comedy” show—where a Filipina househelper was commanded like marionette, making her the subject of laughter—clearly showcases the imperialist nature of the Britons. They even had the nerve to defend themselves by saying that the controversial show was “so far beyond the realms of reality as to be absurd—and in no way is intended to demean or upset any viewer.” (PDI, 10 October 2008)
Of course, any person would present an “It was not intentional” alibi for such matters that raises discrimination issues in the global community. But these Bloody Britons should have thought of that before playing god towards the Filipina househelper (and besides, it was them who defined “Filipina” as a brown-skinned househelper in a controversial dictionary. Correct me if I’m wrong.)
Moreover, even if they claim that it was not intended “to demean or upset any viewer,” nobody would believe them since their actions are not parallel to their words.
Come to think of it, when you unintentionally said something derogatory to someone, and you really didn’t intend it, your automatic response (if you don’t belong to the imperialist culture, of course) would be to say “sorry” and appease the person—make him/her understand that it was not your intention to hurt his/her feelings.
But the Bloody Britons kept their noses high, as if saying “We didn’t do anything wrong. Hence, there’s no reason to be sorry about.”
Should we hate the Britons? Not exactly.
I think we should re-educate them on the good manners and proper conduct that, in the first place, came from them.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Let’s continue to raise the Filipino voice and tell the world how disgusted we are about such actions.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
METRO GWAPO?! METRO GAGO!
Yes. Like you I’m irritated with the poker-faced tarpaulins of Bayani Fernando. If he thinks that his poor mimicry of the signature pose of Ninoy Aquino in the 500-peso bills embody “kagwapuhan” (being handsome), then he’s dead wrong.
This PDA Public Display of Atrociousness over the metro is not just irritating, it’s infuriating. Bayani Fernando thinks that he owns the metro and that everything he does is acceptable. First, he painted the metro with pink. Then, he barricades EDSA with pink fences—which brought nothing but accidents. Lately, he paraded his face all over the metro with a “bossy” face as if saying, “Big brother is watching you!” Most recently, his “BAYANI” stickers are stuck on the windshields of buses—just as he is stuck on Gloria’s ass—and worse, he even joined Celebrity Duets. Celebrity, yeah that’s him…that’s what he thinks he is, and he’s nothing more than that.
But the country is not a TV show. He’s not supposed to act as the protagonist, when in fact, he’s the opposite.
When asked to react about the BAYANI stickers, the megalomaniac chairman boastfully answered, “e wala naman akong nakikitang mali doon [I don’t see anything wrong with that]”
What more can I say? This answer is a clear example of “KAGAGUHAN” selfishness, narrow-mindedness, and nothing more than self-praise. Bayani thinks he’s the hero, but I think he’s the ANTI-hero. (N.B. Antihero shouldn’t be taken as the antihero in literature.)
Let me check if I’m making sense.
USLI, which MMDA defines as anything stemming out of an establishment and affects the “beauty” of the sidewalk, BAD.
VENDORS making a living along the sidewalk, BAD.
BUSES loading and unloading anywhere, BAD.
But uhm…
BAYANI posters, BAYANI stickers, and Pink fences…GOOD?!
I say they’re “badder” and more unacceptable than the USLI, VENDORS, and BUSES, because these contributors to the ugliness of the metro are surface problems—which can be solved using ample approaches and political will—whereas his ugly face and bureaucratic aura stinks to the core, and can never be solved except through divine intervention.
Is Bayani the prospective president in 2010?! If he thinks that the approach he implemented in Marikina is applicable in Metropolitan Manila and more broadly, the whole country, he is disillusioned. If he thinks singing his heart out in broken notes will entertain the Filipinos, he must be dreaming.
If he can’t handle the metro and transform it into his idea of a METRO GWAPO, then I don’t see any reason for any rational Filipino to vote for this person who has merely turned the metro, and the people living in it into a community of METRO GAGO.
P.S.
Oh, and by the way Mr. Fernando, as much as I understand it, your domain is in the METROPOLITAN, hence the name Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. I don’t see any valid reason why your posters, campaigns, trucks, and personnel are spreading the GAGOness in Cavite…
This PDA Public Display of Atrociousness over the metro is not just irritating, it’s infuriating. Bayani Fernando thinks that he owns the metro and that everything he does is acceptable. First, he painted the metro with pink. Then, he barricades EDSA with pink fences—which brought nothing but accidents. Lately, he paraded his face all over the metro with a “bossy” face as if saying, “Big brother is watching you!” Most recently, his “BAYANI” stickers are stuck on the windshields of buses—just as he is stuck on Gloria’s ass—and worse, he even joined Celebrity Duets. Celebrity, yeah that’s him…that’s what he thinks he is, and he’s nothing more than that.
But the country is not a TV show. He’s not supposed to act as the protagonist, when in fact, he’s the opposite.
When asked to react about the BAYANI stickers, the megalomaniac chairman boastfully answered, “e wala naman akong nakikitang mali doon [I don’t see anything wrong with that]”
What more can I say? This answer is a clear example of “KAGAGUHAN” selfishness, narrow-mindedness, and nothing more than self-praise. Bayani thinks he’s the hero, but I think he’s the ANTI-hero. (N.B. Antihero shouldn’t be taken as the antihero in literature.)
Let me check if I’m making sense.
USLI, which MMDA defines as anything stemming out of an establishment and affects the “beauty” of the sidewalk, BAD.
VENDORS making a living along the sidewalk, BAD.
BUSES loading and unloading anywhere, BAD.
But uhm…
BAYANI posters, BAYANI stickers, and Pink fences…GOOD?!
I say they’re “badder” and more unacceptable than the USLI, VENDORS, and BUSES, because these contributors to the ugliness of the metro are surface problems—which can be solved using ample approaches and political will—whereas his ugly face and bureaucratic aura stinks to the core, and can never be solved except through divine intervention.
Is Bayani the prospective president in 2010?! If he thinks that the approach he implemented in Marikina is applicable in Metropolitan Manila and more broadly, the whole country, he is disillusioned. If he thinks singing his heart out in broken notes will entertain the Filipinos, he must be dreaming.
If he can’t handle the metro and transform it into his idea of a METRO GWAPO, then I don’t see any reason for any rational Filipino to vote for this person who has merely turned the metro, and the people living in it into a community of METRO GAGO.
P.S.
Oh, and by the way Mr. Fernando, as much as I understand it, your domain is in the METROPOLITAN, hence the name Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. I don’t see any valid reason why your posters, campaigns, trucks, and personnel are spreading the GAGOness in Cavite…
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
BOBO
Sabi nila, wala daw taong bobo.
Well, akala mo lang wala yon. Pero MERON! MERON! MERON!
At naglipana sila sa paligid.
Yang katabi mo sa Comp Shop, malamang bobo yan; yung nakatabi mo knina sa jeep; malamang bobo yon, yung mismong syota mo, malamang bobo yan (patulan ka ba naman).
Pero kidding aside, marami naman kase tlagang BOBO sa paligid diba? Sino ba kaseng Affective-Humanistic ang nagsabing walang bobo? Sa palagay ko nasabi n’ya lang yon para ibsan ang pamamanglaw ng isang batang sabaw (o san ka pa? rhyming, pedeng pantula)
Maraming uri ng bobo. Technically, bobo ka pag paulit-ulit na o kaya super obvious na, e di mo pa rin magets. (Gets mo? Buti naman, kase kung hindi tigilan mo na ang pagbabasa, dahil malamang ikaw na ang tinutukoy ko)
Bilang halimbawa, ang pinakamalaking maliit na bobo sa lahat e sino pa? Edi ung mga presidente—specifically yung presidente ng isang “malaki at divergent” na kumpanya na pinagtatrabahuhan ko dati; clue? Well, uhm, di sila related ni Butch, ung taga Startalk na bubulol-bulol magreport (tsismis na nga lang sasabihin di pa magawa ng ayos); at MORE specifically, yung presidenteng nagpupumilit umupo sa Malacañang.
Baket kamo? Maraming dahilan e. Isa na dito yung pagbubulag-bulagan sa reyalidad. Nasa harapan na, tinatanggi pa, ika nga ng ermat ko “Nabangga na, lumulusot pa.” Yun bang tipong, nagsipagresign na ang mga tao sa kumpanya mo, e di mo pa rin narerealize na palpak ang management system (kung meron man) at leadership styles mo—keber kung nag 7-habits ka pa. Yun bang tipong tirik na ang mata ng mga tao sa paligid mo, sasabihin mo pa ring pumuprugreso ang ekonomiya ng bansa.
Isa pang sintomas ng pagiging bobo ang ‘di pagtanggap sa mga kapalpakang nagagawa. Bobo ka kung lagi mong iisipin na may maganda sa ginawa mo; dahil ang katotohanan may pangit sa bawat desisyon natin (syempre, bobo-slash-emo ka naman kung lagi mong iisipin na pangit lagi ang ginagawa mo—tapos maglalaslas ka. Tawag sayo TANGnEMO: Tanga + Emo). Yun bang tipong iniisip mong ang desisyon mo ay “profitable” pero di mo naman inisip na patay na yung mga taong nagtrabaho para kumita ka. Profit lang ba palagi? In short, bobo ka kung di ka marunong magtimpla, kung puro ka trabaho at wala kang panahon para tumambay, tumunganga, at humilata.
Pero eto ang magandang balita, lahat naman ng tao ay may pagkakataong makaalis sa estado ng kabobohan na kinalalagyan nya.
Ang unang paraan ay pagtanggap na bobo ka. Mas madaling maalis ang kabobohan kung tatanggapin sa sarili na, “Shet. Bobo ako. Sorry sa inyong lahat, at sorry saken”
Pangalawa, kaylangang hubdin ang kabobohan sa pamamagitan ng malalim na pag-iisip sa mga bagay-bagay. Kung hindi mo kaya, magtanong-tanong at humingi ng tulong. Pag nagawa mo yan, nasa unang hakbang ka na sa katalinuhan. Dahil gaya ng nabanggit kanina, bobo ka kung iisipin mong lagi kang tama.
Pangatlo at panghuli, gawing palagian ang pagninilay-nilay at pagtatanong-tanong. Sa ganitong paraan, maiibsan ang kabobohang nakagisnan dahil namumulat ka na sa kaisipan ng sangkatauhan.
So ano? Bobo ka ba? Iligtas ang sarili sa epidemya ng kabobohan.
Well, akala mo lang wala yon. Pero MERON! MERON! MERON!
At naglipana sila sa paligid.
Yang katabi mo sa Comp Shop, malamang bobo yan; yung nakatabi mo knina sa jeep; malamang bobo yon, yung mismong syota mo, malamang bobo yan (patulan ka ba naman).
Pero kidding aside, marami naman kase tlagang BOBO sa paligid diba? Sino ba kaseng Affective-Humanistic ang nagsabing walang bobo? Sa palagay ko nasabi n’ya lang yon para ibsan ang pamamanglaw ng isang batang sabaw (o san ka pa? rhyming, pedeng pantula)
Maraming uri ng bobo. Technically, bobo ka pag paulit-ulit na o kaya super obvious na, e di mo pa rin magets. (Gets mo? Buti naman, kase kung hindi tigilan mo na ang pagbabasa, dahil malamang ikaw na ang tinutukoy ko)
Bilang halimbawa, ang pinakamalaking maliit na bobo sa lahat e sino pa? Edi ung mga presidente—specifically yung presidente ng isang “malaki at divergent” na kumpanya na pinagtatrabahuhan ko dati; clue? Well, uhm, di sila related ni Butch, ung taga Startalk na bubulol-bulol magreport (tsismis na nga lang sasabihin di pa magawa ng ayos); at MORE specifically, yung presidenteng nagpupumilit umupo sa Malacañang.
Baket kamo? Maraming dahilan e. Isa na dito yung pagbubulag-bulagan sa reyalidad. Nasa harapan na, tinatanggi pa, ika nga ng ermat ko “Nabangga na, lumulusot pa.” Yun bang tipong, nagsipagresign na ang mga tao sa kumpanya mo, e di mo pa rin narerealize na palpak ang management system (kung meron man) at leadership styles mo—keber kung nag 7-habits ka pa. Yun bang tipong tirik na ang mata ng mga tao sa paligid mo, sasabihin mo pa ring pumuprugreso ang ekonomiya ng bansa.
Isa pang sintomas ng pagiging bobo ang ‘di pagtanggap sa mga kapalpakang nagagawa. Bobo ka kung lagi mong iisipin na may maganda sa ginawa mo; dahil ang katotohanan may pangit sa bawat desisyon natin (syempre, bobo-slash-emo ka naman kung lagi mong iisipin na pangit lagi ang ginagawa mo—tapos maglalaslas ka. Tawag sayo TANGnEMO: Tanga + Emo). Yun bang tipong iniisip mong ang desisyon mo ay “profitable” pero di mo naman inisip na patay na yung mga taong nagtrabaho para kumita ka. Profit lang ba palagi? In short, bobo ka kung di ka marunong magtimpla, kung puro ka trabaho at wala kang panahon para tumambay, tumunganga, at humilata.
Pero eto ang magandang balita, lahat naman ng tao ay may pagkakataong makaalis sa estado ng kabobohan na kinalalagyan nya.
Ang unang paraan ay pagtanggap na bobo ka. Mas madaling maalis ang kabobohan kung tatanggapin sa sarili na, “Shet. Bobo ako. Sorry sa inyong lahat, at sorry saken”
Pangalawa, kaylangang hubdin ang kabobohan sa pamamagitan ng malalim na pag-iisip sa mga bagay-bagay. Kung hindi mo kaya, magtanong-tanong at humingi ng tulong. Pag nagawa mo yan, nasa unang hakbang ka na sa katalinuhan. Dahil gaya ng nabanggit kanina, bobo ka kung iisipin mong lagi kang tama.
Pangatlo at panghuli, gawing palagian ang pagninilay-nilay at pagtatanong-tanong. Sa ganitong paraan, maiibsan ang kabobohang nakagisnan dahil namumulat ka na sa kaisipan ng sangkatauhan.
So ano? Bobo ka ba? Iligtas ang sarili sa epidemya ng kabobohan.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Prayer for Food
“Matt the trash can’s there oh…” Ms. Weng, one of my fellow teacher at La Salle told me as we walk out of the faculty lounge after lunch. I smiled thinly and said “There’s still some left, I’ll eat it later.”
***
It was my late grandmother who taught me how to pray before meals. She taught me, my sister, and my cousins a simple prayer—it was more of a song. It goes like:
Ama sa langit
Salamat sa’yo,
God bless our food
Amen
From then on, praying before eating became more of a habit, a ritual that should be done. Although as I grew up I learned the reason and importance for praying before eating, I seldom realize it—I think it’s human nature. We don’t see the importance of something we habitually do, or the importance of someone close to us.
***
“Will it not spoil?” she inquired. “No, I don’t think so, I’ve tried it last week,” I replied with a hearty laugh. For two weeks now, I’ve been cost cutting. I eat little of the viand during lunch time to save it for dinner. When it’s dinner time, I would be buying a cup rice from a nearby carinderia that costs 8 pesos. Through this, I was able to save around 30 to 50 pesos from my budget for meals—I spend an average of 120 pesos for food each day. This is when I started to realize and ponder deeply on the importance of the prayer before meals.
Contrary to what people assume, I am not profiting much nowadays. One reason—I’d like to believe—is that I’m on the adjustment stage, and that I have only received my paycheck. Another reason could be the poor economics of this country. Whichever reason is applicable to my situation—and to the rest of the Filipino workforce, there’s not much option but to keep one’s head up and surivive.
***
“Lola, why do we pray before we eat?” I would ask my grandma. “Because we have to thank God for the food we eat,” she would answer with her soft and sweet voice. “Did our food come from heaven?” I would curiously ask. She would smile and answer, “Yes Matt.”
***
Back then, I thought that our food was literally delivered from heaven. Later I realized that the terms “blessings” and “gifts from God” are more of spiritual than literal. As I grew up I realized that God would give gifts and blessings through people.
I didn’t realize how important food was, until I started buying them from my meager salary. I realized the rationale for praying; it’s simply to thank God for the opportunity to still have something to eat, for money to buy for food, for the resources He provides to sustain life.
With piles of bills to pay and problems to face, never forget that God is there to carry the cross and unburden us.
Looking for peace?
For answers?
Pray.
It’s a direct call—no costumer service representatives needed.
***
It was my late grandmother who taught me how to pray before meals. She taught me, my sister, and my cousins a simple prayer—it was more of a song. It goes like:
Ama sa langit
Salamat sa’yo,
God bless our food
Amen
From then on, praying before eating became more of a habit, a ritual that should be done. Although as I grew up I learned the reason and importance for praying before eating, I seldom realize it—I think it’s human nature. We don’t see the importance of something we habitually do, or the importance of someone close to us.
***
“Will it not spoil?” she inquired. “No, I don’t think so, I’ve tried it last week,” I replied with a hearty laugh. For two weeks now, I’ve been cost cutting. I eat little of the viand during lunch time to save it for dinner. When it’s dinner time, I would be buying a cup rice from a nearby carinderia that costs 8 pesos. Through this, I was able to save around 30 to 50 pesos from my budget for meals—I spend an average of 120 pesos for food each day. This is when I started to realize and ponder deeply on the importance of the prayer before meals.
Contrary to what people assume, I am not profiting much nowadays. One reason—I’d like to believe—is that I’m on the adjustment stage, and that I have only received my paycheck. Another reason could be the poor economics of this country. Whichever reason is applicable to my situation—and to the rest of the Filipino workforce, there’s not much option but to keep one’s head up and surivive.
***
“Lola, why do we pray before we eat?” I would ask my grandma. “Because we have to thank God for the food we eat,” she would answer with her soft and sweet voice. “Did our food come from heaven?” I would curiously ask. She would smile and answer, “Yes Matt.”
***
Back then, I thought that our food was literally delivered from heaven. Later I realized that the terms “blessings” and “gifts from God” are more of spiritual than literal. As I grew up I realized that God would give gifts and blessings through people.
I didn’t realize how important food was, until I started buying them from my meager salary. I realized the rationale for praying; it’s simply to thank God for the opportunity to still have something to eat, for money to buy for food, for the resources He provides to sustain life.
With piles of bills to pay and problems to face, never forget that God is there to carry the cross and unburden us.
Looking for peace?
For answers?
Pray.
It’s a direct call—no costumer service representatives needed.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Enslaved on Independence Day
I was too engrossed playing Grand Theft Auto (yeah, that old school game) last Wednesday night that I didn’t notice the time. I slept at around 1230MN. It wasn’t too late actually, aside from the fact that I have an early morning class the next day at PNU. The next morning, as expected, I woke up late (6AM). I jumped out of bed and took a quick bath (my class is at 7AM, by the way) At 6:30, I’m already eating at the nearby tapsihan. Since I didn’t have the time to eat, I moved out of the eatery at 6:40. I was fortunate enough to ride on an FX that brought me to PNU (and with long strides reached BPS 209B) at exactly 7:00 AM.
From that time to 10:00, I held my class; gave out lectures and activities; and went to La Salle for my afternoon class. I was too tired that I took a nap in the faculty lounge. When I regained my strength, I took lunch, and minutes later went to class.
The class went as what we normally do—from 1:00 to 4:10. Afterwards, at 4:20, I started my writing lab tutorial. This carried on until 6PM. Exhausted, I went home and took a rest.
***
Well, some might have a more stressful Thursday, but it isn’t the point. That Thursday was June 12, the Philippine Independence Day, and I can’t forgive myself for failing to greet my students. How could I have forgotten it?
While there is no one to be blamed but me (since I was too preoccupied), I may also say that it was because of what happened—or what did not happen. That Thursday was an ordinary Thursday. There was nothing “extravagant” and “traditional” to at least remind me, “Hey, you’re supposed to celebrate, today’s when you’re country got its freedom from 400 years of Spanish Colonial rule.”
GMA chose to “celebrate” Independence day with a flurry of booths in Luneta, which aim to provide services to Filipinos (i.e. job opportunities). However, I can’t help but ask, “Why on that day? Can’t the ‘service to the Filipino’ be done on another day? Or even EVERYday?”
The move of GMA was supported by the premise that the government is trying to save funds. While this is very timely, I think this statement from Malacañang is rather hypocritical. There are many other aspects from which the government can save. Say, downgrade the vehicles that politicos use—these people usually ride luxurious SUVs, with V8 engines which means that a full tank would more likely cost P4,000; plus the security convoy, et ceterea et cetera. But of course, they won’t do that.
This government’s decision to “celebrate” Independence Day differently is absurd and irrational. It only shows how narrow these people think. It only proves how these people care for their popularity, rather than the identity of the nation. Disregarding national festivities such as the independence day by moving it out of its original date just for the sake of “holiday economics” and worse, ignoring it are proofs that this country is still enslaved.
From that time to 10:00, I held my class; gave out lectures and activities; and went to La Salle for my afternoon class. I was too tired that I took a nap in the faculty lounge. When I regained my strength, I took lunch, and minutes later went to class.
The class went as what we normally do—from 1:00 to 4:10. Afterwards, at 4:20, I started my writing lab tutorial. This carried on until 6PM. Exhausted, I went home and took a rest.
***
Well, some might have a more stressful Thursday, but it isn’t the point. That Thursday was June 12, the Philippine Independence Day, and I can’t forgive myself for failing to greet my students. How could I have forgotten it?
While there is no one to be blamed but me (since I was too preoccupied), I may also say that it was because of what happened—or what did not happen. That Thursday was an ordinary Thursday. There was nothing “extravagant” and “traditional” to at least remind me, “Hey, you’re supposed to celebrate, today’s when you’re country got its freedom from 400 years of Spanish Colonial rule.”
GMA chose to “celebrate” Independence day with a flurry of booths in Luneta, which aim to provide services to Filipinos (i.e. job opportunities). However, I can’t help but ask, “Why on that day? Can’t the ‘service to the Filipino’ be done on another day? Or even EVERYday?”
The move of GMA was supported by the premise that the government is trying to save funds. While this is very timely, I think this statement from Malacañang is rather hypocritical. There are many other aspects from which the government can save. Say, downgrade the vehicles that politicos use—these people usually ride luxurious SUVs, with V8 engines which means that a full tank would more likely cost P4,000; plus the security convoy, et ceterea et cetera. But of course, they won’t do that.
This government’s decision to “celebrate” Independence Day differently is absurd and irrational. It only shows how narrow these people think. It only proves how these people care for their popularity, rather than the identity of the nation. Disregarding national festivities such as the independence day by moving it out of its original date just for the sake of “holiday economics” and worse, ignoring it are proofs that this country is still enslaved.
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