A reason to stay happy..

I like commuting on weekdays. It is in here that I feel the privilege of being a student, aside from going to classes and meeting my teachers and classmates. The student discounts on fares make me feel happy because I can save my meager amount of allowance and be able to spend it on other things. A 1.50 to 5.00 cutoff to the fare is really a big amount, for everyday commuters.

It is not only me who agonize the devils of high inflation rate that causes the prices of the commodities to rise because it is largely felt by the Filipinos. Oil and other petroleum products are some of these commodities. Even though oil companies would implement discounts on public vehicles, still this is not enough for the Filipinos. As seen in the photo above, Filipinos are able to find ways to cope up with the worst situation of high prices of the oil commodities. Three Filipinos, and it looks like a family, have opted for a bicycle to bring them to the place where they will go. In this way, they can save money for riding a jeep or pay gasoline if they have any means of transportation that uses gas. Also, is a good way of helping the environment against pollution since it uses no gas.

Despite the hardship of being in a very hot sunny day, together driving his family, the man still manage to smile, which looks very good to me. His smile signifies that glimpse of hope that motivated them for survival. It really shows that Filipinos are very much “maabilidad” especially when situation calls for it. The man uses other way to help him survive the difficulties of life. If all Filipinos would think like this as a whole, then our nation is still not a hopeless one right?

Even challenges come our way, like facing the difficulties of experiencing the high prices, still let’s not lose hope. We can still find reasons to stay happy, like on my case, the student discounts on public vehicles. We’re not the only one who only experience the crisis of high inflation rate, just look at the recent financial situation faced by America. I believe that it all starts on optimism, that if we just look on everything that happen to us in a positive mind, then it can lead to positive results. Let’s continue being “maabilidad” and be proud of it because there’s still a silver lining behind those dark clouds that enshrouded each of us.

Another image of Philippine politics

Seeing this picture, I can say that this is another comeback of the world’s boxing Filipino champion in his country from an international fight abroad. I don’t know those people behind him. Maybe supporters or just plain extras just to show to everyone that they’re with Manny Pacquiao.

As far as I remember, that familiar face beside Pacquiao is the son of Lito Atienza, the ex-mayor of Manila, by which lost to the recent mayor, Mr. Alfredo Lim. This was the time when he was campaigning for elections because he would run into the local office. Everyone knows that he is using Manny Pacquiao’s popularity. I can say that they have hidden agenda why they always make a way that there would be a “float” around Manila to welcome Pacquiao. In this way, if people would recognize them and in turn would vote for them because of Pacquaio’s fame then they can pursue their plans in making a political clan in the area of Manila. I don’t question the accountability of Atienza’s son, because I don’t know him and I don’t reside inside the city. But it shows how political clans are very evident in the Philippine politics. Sons and daughters of these famous clans in the politics would always run for office after the term of their parents. Political families are of advantage on serving according to their own interests, because people of the same blood would help each other to achieve their needed benefits.

This is the image of Philippine politics. It is always the battle of selfish politicians who have the wealth and the power against the politicians of good character and has the sense of service to the nation. They use connections to be in power, to be in the government. Voters, choose to be insensitive, and rather stay deaf and blind on the language of politics. We have to do something. Let’s not allow Pacquiao to be dirtied on politics. Politics is not for him. He must be an instrument to change our politics, not another image of fame and wealth to run for office. He has the power that can exude cultural effervescence to his fellow Filipinos, so use this as a way to unite people. I truly believe that if there stand a good leader, then good followers will follow. Filipinos lack that image of a leader with passion, responsibility and proportionality to serve. Good people in the government end up being “trapos” too once they enter the game of politicking. We need change. We need a hero that can inspire us, who can moved us into our consciousness so that we can make a step towards political change. We need to respond, to act and do something. If we, hand in hand, work together towards that common goal of progress then I can see that it is not impossible to make our country a better place to live in, where people live in peace, harmony and justice.

20/20 Vision

I cross the street and I see people walk, people talk, people fight, people starve, people sleep, people die.

I see people drive cars, ride cars, steal cars, watch stars.

This is reality. We watch people die—watch, and tuck the memory of it away, keep it in a box we sometimes open to brag about seeing it.

We watch people dig through trash for something, anything to eat, to sell, to wear. We watch them as we inch opposite them in the street in utmost disgust.

We watch people who donate to charity act like the aforementioned—hypocrisy at its best.

This is reality. Our eyes are open but can we see clearly?

-Jacklyn Rose C. Gagaoin