Save it for another day

As I write this post, the Philippines is leading the Southeast Asian games medal tally. Something to be proud of, really, for Filipinos not just here in the Philippines but also overseas.

This is refreshing news after weeks of controversy over the ₱50-million cauldron, the complaints of unfinished venues and media center, issues in logistics and lack of provisions for both local and foreign athletes, participants being removed from the games for voicing out irregularities, etc.

While this was all going on, supporters of the administration were quick to defend the committee handling the games. It got irritating how some of them say that all of these are just attempts to put down the current administration, even if the complaints were pretty obvious as it came from the foreign delegates and athletes.

The other side has not stopped as well.

The 2019 Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony last Saturday, which was met with mostly good reviews and comments, was still not spared by a few who just can’t seem to set aside their political agenda for once to appreciate it. A writer described it like “perya” (tacky circus) and suggested they could have ballet dancers perform instead.

Supporters of President Duterte and the opposition (Liberal Party) were both having it on social media, throwing shade at each other and it already got so toxic I can’t even begin to describe it. It’s sad that respected news outlets and journalists had played their hand too; some of them would only report based on their personal biases.

I don’t think this is going to stop anytime soon because it’s all about propaganda. Now more than ever, it’s pretty easy to spread fake news, hate, and criticism because of social media. Even if fact-checking these days is easier and should be the first thing one should do, we all have gotten too lazy that we just impulsively react and share what we see.

But if you want to remain sane these days, then you should stay away from such discourse. This is the very reason I hardly join in on debates online or allow myself to get triggered by nasty headlines. Aside from the fact that I am neither pro-Duterte nor pro-LP, fighting over it will only be a waste of my time and energy.

I’m willing to bet that there are even some who hope that the games will fail, but let us not forget that the success of the SEA Games is the country’s success too. If it fails, it’s not only the Duterte administration that would go down, but the Philippines as well.

There’s nothing wrong with having a political stance but I believe there is a right time for everything. At the moment, what’s best is to set aside the differences and be pro-Filipino more than anything else. We should all stop the bickering on social media and just give our all-out support to our athletes, not to any political party.

Make no mistake though—after the games, I think it’s only right to order an audit on the expenses and investigation on some of the lapses that happened. If this government wanted faith from their people and at the same time silence their critics (if that will ever happen), then transparency is the way to go.

Until then let’s all WIN AS ONE.

Grateful Heart

Except if you’re a Filipino living in the States, Pinoys generally don’t observe Thanksgiving. For me at least, I’ve only been directly affected by that American holiday when I worked for an inbound call center more than a decade ago. It’s one of those rare times of the year when reps rejoice because of the low call volume.

A relative in the US told me that Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, is a big deal for most Americans as Christmas Day would be for us Filipinos. Families gather together for a Thanksgiving feast of large roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce. They usually have enough leftovers to last them for many days, that people in the office and in school would get sick of eating turkey in sandwiches, salads, casserole, pie, etc.

Another one of their age-old traditions is watching the NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the morning and the NFL in mid-afternoon.

After which they wait for Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. It’s the official start of the Christmas shopping season where many retail stores are on sale. I heard how a lot of people would camp out the stores to get the first dibs on the sale items. In recent years, Cyber Monday became a thing. It’s the Monday following Thanksgiving when retailers encourage people to shop online, to probably prevent frantic shoppers from raiding the stores on Black Friday.

“Parang mga baliw!” (They’re crazy!) — an older cousin (who had been in the US since the late `70s) once said, obviously not one to risk stampede for sale items.

***

While it all sounds like fun to me, it’s not like we’re missing out on anything just because we don’t have Thanksgiving. We have our own traditions worth mentioning.

If it’s just about spending time with family and friends over food, we have Noche Buena, Medya Noche and town fiestas for that.

If it’s about dashing to stores for sale, duh—we have that too. Make that all weekends from the beginning of ‘-ber’ months.

Turkey? I bet lechon is waaaay better.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being a Thanksgiving grinch here like Chandler Bing. I’m not even going to burst your festive bubble by telling you about the genocide and slaughter behind the commemoration of this holiday. Instead, I’m here more to say that whether we celebrate it or not, one thing rings true: We should always focus on giving thanks for all our blessings.

My heart is full of gratitude that every day for me is actually Thanksgiving Day. No matter how tough circumstances may have been for me at times, I begin and end my day thanking the Lord for all the blessings, graces, lessons, hope and even trials that He gives me. Thanksgiving is not just for answered prayers because I know how some unanswered prayers lead us to a better way based on His grand plan.   

Remember: A grateful heart is a happy and contented heart.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Infinity plus 1

I woke up to sad news this morning. My former Math teacher and class adviser in junior high school passed away.

The details of his passing are still unclear as of this writing. From what I initially heard, his body is already showing early signs of decomposition because he had been dead for 2-3 days when he was found inside his condo unit.

This teacher was notorious for being strict. Unfortunately for me who’s struggling in his subject, he’s never short on the insults and the name-calling. I will never forget how he once threatened me; that he’ll throw a stapler right smack on my forehead because I was having a hard time solving an equation on the blackboard. (Do that at this day and age, and that will be enough to get him to Raffy Tulfo’s show.)

Except for when I was already in college, I was never, ever a teacher’s pet. When I look back and think about why some teachers didn’t like me back in high school, I honestly can’t find a justifiable reason. I mean — I know I might have been talkative in class, but I was never rowdy or unruly; I might have been a slacker at times, but I was never irresponsible; it may look like I was cold and indifferent, but I was never disrespectful.

Maybe it has something to do with how I come off to them. Perhaps it’s my overall mien that made me somewhat unlikeable to some members of the faculty. 

Then again, compared to other teachers who hated me just because, sir would only lose his cool on me during his class. And I really can’t blame him if he flips out on me. My brain cells usually go kaput when I am asked to solve an equation in front of the class.

I understand even then that his anger is more of frustration, especially when he knew I am pretty good at most of my subjects (and an academic scholar even). When the bell rings signaling the end of his class, nothing becomes personal. As a matter of fact, he’s particularly nice and fair to me. 

This sets him apart from the other teachers who resort to berating a pupil beyond the usual teacher-student interaction. Bully teachers criticize you not because you are struggling on the subject or for having bad behavior, but just because he or she doesn’t like you.  

I see nothing wrong with having a strict teacher if the purpose is to build up the student to be better. That’s how sir was to me. His approach may be to instill fear but it worked in earning my respect. It’s no wonder why despite his notoriety, he is well-loved by his former students.

Through infinity, sir. Rest in Peace.