there was a time when thoughts of living in a slum area brings a terrible feeling. not that i or my family is rich. but because most of the time the stereotype idea is that the slum equals the most hardened criminals in the city. the common thought that it’s where they live. the place where you’ll definitely find them.
i live in the slums now. and i realized there are more to it than just being a cradle of law-offenders. i will not deny it. almost all the time, we worry of our safety especially when night time comes and we find ourselves a hundred meters away from the house. during our first night in the area, we heard men (more correctly teenagers) talking about drugs. not talking very subtly but more of squabbling over who had taken more and who hadn’t. loud and unfearful.
another night, a drunk neighbor was going amok. he was pissed over an unidentified enemy who had thrown a bottle which crashed near the place where he was singing noisily at a time when everyone was craving for sleep in preparation for the next day’s work. typical slum area happenings, right?
but why are we here?
i think our only reason is the economy of housing here. we are renting a house which could possibly costs a double if located in a more urbanized area (the amount we are paying now is only a third of our previous rent in makati). anyways, it is still one ride away from work. believe it or not, a bedspace or a boarding house is a booming business here. and that is what i meant when i say there is more to slums than lawlessness.
really, it isn’t that bad. everyone here knows somebody before they considered becoming a part of the community. in our case, a friend owns a house here. though i don’t venture going into their house because they are confusingly located at the center of the village. going there means a maze of narrow and dead-end streets. while our house is situated just a stone’s throw away from the road.
and our view includes the frequent coming and going of passersby. i think, if i’ll gonna stay put in our window sill watching everyone in a day or two, then i would know the faces of everybody who lives in the area. i would know who talks out loud and who gossips a lot. i would know who seldom go out and the frequent travelers. i would know the students, the workers and the bullies. i would know who belongs to who and the group they belong to. that is how in just a month’s stay here i was able to observe the goings and comings of these people.
there are a lot of children here. and the good news – education is an “in” thing. every morning on weekdays, i hear them noisily clamber into their school services. with mothers shouting many different reminders.
workers in uniform are a frequent sight also. the place is a starting point for “promdis”. it is where their journey of finding success begins. many of them came to try their luck in the metropolis. with low-cost housing, it isn’t really that bad.
but what makes the area a hot spot?
it is when along the way something went awry. the trouble starts with bad companions or belonging to a wayward group. and it happens as people always crave to be accepted. but this can still be described as marginal.
a lot of good people still lives here. people who make ends meet in a decent way. people who dream for a brighter future. people who want to survive in the midst of hardships and struggles against poverty.
that’s why the next time someone tells me he/she dwells in a slum, the first question that comes to mind is – what do you dream about?
my sons and daughters,
it will be at your time when you will be judging the results of our watch. only you can answer if we had been mindful of what the future will hold for you.
as of present (mid 2008), an economic crisis is grappling the country as the rest of the world is. fuel prices are in the hike as well as the basic and food commodities. from time to time there will be roll-backs. a result of the world’s oil price going down or politicians trying to look good at people’s eyes? since the 2010 election is getting near.
let me tell you about oil first. the price will continue to go up. that is definite. there is so much demand and very little supply. the solution, i think, is to tap an alternative sources which can supply our demand for energy. better if this sources can be found in the country so that there won’t be a need to import this commodity. bills need to be passed, too. renewable energy bill, please? our inventors and their inventions should be given proper attention. since they respond to the call of the moment – discovering solutions to alleviate the hardships effected by the crisis. next step is a lifestyle change. men are slaves to gadgets. it’s one reason why we consume too much oil. i wonder what it will be like in your days.
here comes politics. i could only describe it of being at its worst. its real bad. no one seems to care so much to make a sacrifice of their self-interest. it’s in the system, i guess. this is how that works. a green guy starts young and full of ideals. then he plunge into the world of politics. and he experiences first-hand how the system works – filthy and corrupt. at first, no bending of sorts to the green guy. but the longer he stays in politics, slowly and persistently the system is creeping into his sinews until his ideals are totally replaced with the reality of greed and ambition. little by little, he becomes what he opposed at the very start. A TRAPO!
my sons and daughters, the system is so entrenched that it will be too hard to uproot.
what solution can i propose? – a single term for elected post with a tenure of 6 years. but he can run again after someone else’s term. of course, this is radical thinking. still, i believe this will do more good than harm. 1st, no one will plunge into politics without a concrete plan. 2nd, elected officials will solely focus either on serving the country or building an empire for him/her self. he/she can either asks “what can i do in 6 years?” or “how much wealth can i amass in 6 years?” man, in our time you can do a lot. unlike before when travel takes most of our time and communication takes a long route.
this way, responsibility falls on the shoulder of the citizenry. they choose who governs them (every 6 years), lesser fraud on elections (because an incumbent cannot run) and politicians will not look at public office as venues for power and greed.
disadvantages i can think of: 1- an election every 6 years is expensive – i rather loose a few cents in securing your future than big-time amounts in dubious government transactions.
2- election fraud – an incumbent will not run so he/she supports someone from his/her party and uses the government machinery to win. as always people’s vigilance is the key. (one fact: no politician at present will see his/her party’s goal bigger than his/her own interest).
3- nepotism – i can only blame the people for allowing this to happen.
4- concentration on election – an elected official has only one term thereby he/she can’t think of the next election as an advantage. he will concentrate more on serving so he can be elected again when the next man’s term ends.
what am i trying to get rid of here? a SEASONED politician – a TRAPO.
our country is going to the dogs because it is being run by TRAPOS!
do i still believe in this country? is there still hope for the philippines?
“the question is just leadership. people are willing to help but they need to be inspired that they know they can make an impact.” (dr. corazon de ungria. 60 minutes. manila bulletin. 27 july 2008.)
my sons and daughters, i’ll stop for now and hope to be able to write again.
sharon (megastar) was right. there are already a lot of things we need to worry about. and we don’t need another senseless battle between these two stations.
but the hard fact is – it affects the whole nation. they deliver the news. they bring daily entertainment. i guess, not a soul in the archipelago (philippines) had not been in contact with either of these two stations. and the fight extends beyond the country’s border (tfc or pinoy tv?). they are a staple in filipino lives as rice is.
stunningly, we are riding along. look at the advertisement industry. every product has to draw a talent from each station. nice if these could put them together. worse fact is – each endorser has to have a version of the commercial to fit in to his or her “own” station. for this reason, it is impossible to tell who the brighter star is. because a kapuso talent might be a nonentity among the kapamilya fans. and vice-versa. so, the final measure of fame is – if both fan bases recognizes the star.
competition is healthy but there is no victory in any war.
i’d like to raise these questions while these two stations are killing each other – for what purpose? quality shows will put any at the top. (hoping pinoy viewers will consider quality). because if viewers take sides they are actually cheating themselves. depriving themselves of good entertainment and quality shows their less-preferred channel do offers.
a concrete example, both stations will not play a song popularized by the rival network’s artists. isn’t that cheating? and the music industry suffers. the movie industry suffers. hurting the artists’ and talents’ career as well.
with these in the premise, their news will never be comprehensive and unedited.
one last point, these two stations are keeping foundations and sponsors many other charity. talking not about the two stations own gain from these causes, we know each are helping a lot of people. can’t they consider these recipients and look beyond rivalry to think how lifting the burden is much easier because their nemesis exists? can they accommodate to help the other network’s beneficiaries?
i’ll root for any of them which can. and be proud to be!
i’ve been wanting a lot to write about this guy. i just hope this will not get me into trouble.
i don’t know the man. except for the articles i’ve read about him. anyways, this post does not concern him much. and neither of anyone who’s playing a big role in the political drama which is ripping the whole north america these days.
before i proceed, i want to put these few words from pres. truman as an introduction.
“and don’t think for a minute that the men who were defeated for the presidency were necessarily weaker men or less capable individuals than the men who beat them, and don’t forget that it’s an honor to run for the presidency even if you’re defeated.”
“the people are responsible for the kind of government they get. when the people elect a man to the presidency who doesn’t take care of the job, they’ve got nobody to blame but themselves.”
(where the buck stops. the personal and private writings of harry s. truman. edited by margaret truman. 1989.)
i will sound sexist and racist but i do think it’s the truth. but do remember that it is just my opinion. and also that i ain’t an american.
obama won in his presidential bid for the democrats nomination because hillary was a woman. that is hard to accept but she was right. being a woman has a disadvantage. and this is one of them.
why is obama going to win? or lose? because he is an african-american. in other words, a black.
if i am to vote, i will definitely choose someone whom i can identify myself with.
i might be called mr. simpleton, but in the end, the battle is really about races. and the real question in america’s election right now is – are you a white or a black?
this is in response to what i read. rdasia. june 2008. a healing fire. sokreaksa s. himm.
witnessed how the khmer rouge brutally murdered his family. including children ranging in age from 2 to 13. i wonder how years later these murderers will just simply admit they have no choice then. it was an order from the top brass. when their manner of execution showed no mercy and guilt.
i espouse peace in all things but I also struggle in accepting forgiveness is the only way of being everytime i hear and read stories like this.
>why do men kill another?
i’ll never understand.
is putting an end to someone’s life
serving a higher plan?
they kill for food.
they kill for a dress.
they kill to get gain.
they kill to please.
they kill because of fear.
they kill because of jealousy.
they kill because of envy.
they kill because of ambition.
they kill because of faith.
life is precious.
but who decides?
whose lives to prolong or cause its demise?
are you the weaver of life?
this is to make some points clear.
on my first post of the topic, i tried not to repeat the word insignificant. and avoided the synonyms of it and downplayed achieving too.
in my readings i found what i want to emphasize. it’s this – keep things in perspective. it’s being positive but realistic. (phillip c. mcgraw. listen to what you’re saying. reader’s digest. feb 2005.) this is to say that sometimes winning is not really everything. playing the game is. and at the same time giving it your best shot. not to win but to play well.
but before getting into the game, you have to choose wisely. are you really up to it? choosing your battle wisely is one great advice. why grate your teeth on something not worth your time? which does not contribute to your well-being nor advance you to your goal.
choose your battle wisely. and when you are already engaged in the field, give it your best shot. do not let others and even yourself drag you down.
sometimes, we find ourselves caught up in a middle of a war we did not list our lives for. i think, to quit is the best option. here’s a quote i read from andrea hontiveros. “sometimes out of desperation, we insist on thinking & hoping for things to work out & we forget that other option: you can get out. quit. after all, failure is associated w/ quitting and so we strive against it. but one has to realize that sometimes when you quit, it does not mean defeat. there are times when it is really utterly senseless to stay”. (abuse me!? i quit! andrea hontiveros. 2 april 2008. transit weekly magazine.)
she made clear that sometimes to quit is not to give up but to choose a higher road.
these are just my thoughts in how to enjoy life. unsolicited advice. anyways, find the niche that is just yours. what works for me may not produce the same result for you. we are all learners here. in a subject called life.
if i’m to say a good reason, the best that i can give is “i have no idea”. i guess, i’m just a restless guy who is looking for some excitement in life.
can’t i get it here? for sure, there are many different ways to have that, here!
yah, i definitely agree. only that, i’ve been here for almost 4 years already. i think i’ve seen enough. though, of course, there is more to be explored. i’m craving for a new place (i’ll tell about it next time). new sorroundings. new people to meet. (sounds like an adventure and fun. i wish.)
the plan is – i’m heading back to my native town – bulan. i’ll be there for two weeks or a month (that’s the limit). vacation. sarap! then i’ll be going to the new place i’ve been thinking about (a lot of times!). sounds real easy. but i’m expecting struggles along the way. it’s a part of everything.
what am i going to miss? i think, the first is who. many people who had been very nice to me. my housemates. the associations i made at work. people i met in my other activities. thank you guys! i maybe the best but everyone of you are the greatest!
now the what? i’ll definitely miss my daily routine. the drudgery, the power play, the conflict, the tension-filled environment of and at work. the daily commute. the edsa traffic. the trains. the skyscrapers. wow! my life for the past 4 years.
i’m not leaving because of a problem, or struggle, or pain or any negative emotion. i read somewhere that if this be the case “problem flies with you”.
i’m leaving in pursuit of something.whatever that is – it’s mine to revel, for now.
happy times!
i know that writing about my hardships and pain i am indirectly telling bad things about people. it’s what i hate about memoirs and real-life-letter-based tv programs (both maalaala mo kaya? or magpakailanman). the author tends to exaggerate his or her pain putting other characters in a villain status. breaking trust and undermining kin loyalty. unavoidably i’m guilty of that now.
but allow me to clarify my position. i always believe in the saying “if you can’t say anything good; better say nothing at all”. that’s why it’s a shock to me when group activities which targets closeness of members encourages telling undesirable traits of and to one another. i’m not comfortable with that.
how about writing? believe me, it is never my intention to hurt anyone’s reputation. i think, inflicting pain benefits no one. i know what hurting means. i’ve been thru that. i don’t want another vengeful soul because of my actions. though unknowingly i might had offended somebody. which for that i do apologize.
i dream of a world where no one cries because of pain. where no one is afraid or make afraid. i want each of us to treat each other better. i am making you aware of my pain so that you’ll know how to avoid making them. i may not change the world but at least it’s a little less cruel without you and i participating. i also know there are many who has the same disposition as i do. whose lives exemplify the motto of the martyrs “live as if you’ve never been hurt”. and i hope with their influence the world will truly become a much kinder place.
one more thing, my blog seems to exude very forlorn emotions. and i hate that. let us be happy. because that’s what life is all about – happiness!
in the bus
galing ako ng trabaho no’n (forgot the exact date). 11 in the evening, i guess. 2nd shift ang pasok ko, 2 pm to 10 pm. i was in a bus bound to novaliches. doon kasi ako nakatira dati. dahil wala akong barya, ang ibinayad ko ay malaking “bill”. hiningan ako ng konduktor ng 2 piso. wala akong naibigay. kung kaya’t sinabi niya mamaya na lang ang sukli ko.
out of the goodness of his heart, binigyan ako ng katabi ko ng dalawang piso. sabay sabing, “itong dalawang piso ang ibigay mo. baka ‘di ka na suklian mamaya”. i don’t know the man. complete strangers, ika nga.
and i did what he suggested. worried din kasi ako. minsan kasi modus operandi na ng mga konduktor ang sakit na makakalimutin.
the man get off at the corner of sauyo (malapit sa hsbc). i think, sasakay pa siya ng jeep bound to baesa. i did not get his name. and i was not able to fully thank him.
but thru this blog, i hope, he would know how grateful i was.
in the net
i posted this question after watching “jumper” (the movie). mali pa nga ang word ko dito. i think, “skipping” is the more correct translation.
but this name picked it up and answered it.
thanks man!
Q: What’s the song playing when they are in the bar where Rachel works? They were talking about “escaping formalities” (from iamthebestph in Makati City, Philippines )
A: “Ahead by a Century” by The Tragically Hip. (thanks to bongki , Dubai, UAE-originally from the Philippines )
here are the people who’s been with me for a year. i don’t consider them simply as my friends. they’re more of a family. we’ve lived in one roof for a year. forged friendship. created memories together. we might not be as close as we would like to think but living together had revealed to us each other’s personality. parts of which we may not like and the other parts we definitely love.
we are going separate ways soon.
and what we all did together will start to immortalize as memories.
but one thing is for sure, i’ll be missing them.
inay
kt
tn
mary
r.e.m.
jl
h.r.v.
m.a.e
inay, me, m.a.e and kt
guys (and gals too),
what can i say? ganito lang pala kabilis ang isang taon. noong una, i was apprehensive if i’ll ever fit in. but you made it easy for me.
maraming nangyari sa buhay-buhay natin habang magkakasama tayo (i kept a daily account). i started living in the house on the last week of june 07. dumating si gn, weeks later. then pumasok si jl. bale 9 na tayo. when in fact, house rules requires 6 persons only. but mas masaya pag marami. si inay, tn, kt, mary, gn, t.y., r.e.m., jl at ako. nag-voluntary exit si ty. bawas ng isa. umalis din si gn. 7 na lang. pumasok si m.a.r. at si m.a.e.
after a while, umalis din si m.a.r. pumalit si h.r.v..
daming eviction. at ngayon parating na ang big night.
we may go to different places but i’ll always remember that for a year we lived together – sa bahay ni ate.
iamthebestph