Resemblance of Another, or is He?

              A complete stranger shouldn’t bother me. I should let go what’s never been mine.

            Is this real or am I just fooling myself? I know that the recent heartbreak took its toll on me. My first heartbreak. Of course I had no idea how to cope with it. I did not cry, except in cases when I already felt like suffocating. I just kept to myself. I think I’m good at looking for ways to divert my attention. I always need to be pre-occupied, or else I would miss him again. Then there would be that overwhelming feeling to want to be in his presence, just to feel his caress, just to hear his voice. I put my mind in a blank state or I crowd it with too much things, either way, I am able to breeze through every single day, the hard way.

            I’m doing well. I’m moving on, or so I thought I am. No one would ever understand how I feel. So, I concentrate hard on blocking all the sentiments that creep through my system, my whole core. I need to build walls around me, which would be hard enough, which would not topple down in case I break the chains that restrains me and in case I pound hard against my barriers. It is difficult.

            I tried to have fun. I entertained myself with other people, with other men, for the hope of being able to feel alive again. Entertained in the sense that I talked and humoured with them. I ordered myself to be happy. But, this isn’t me. It is just a façade to show the world that I’m okay, that I’m not hurting. Did I do well? I will never know what others think of my performance.  In the end, it’s me I cannot fake. I feel so fragile. One touch and I would shatter into a million pieces.

            Recently, I became fond of somebody, a stranger at that. With my stalking skills, I learned his name and what he could amazingly do. I am someone shallow. I could be easily swept off my feet. With some superb talent or great personality, I would then be in total awe. Then I would be really interested. Then, without that person knowing, I turn out to be his instant fan.

My Stranger? I don’t really know him for real. I don’t even understand myself why I feel this way or why I like him that much. I thought that this was just me having fun. At least I would have an inspiration in my super frenzied life. Why not? Until one friend told me that he somehow resembled that of my past. Of course I denied that. I said My Stranger is totally different. The two of them are nothing like each other. But how should I know? I convinced my friend, but then again, it was me who needed a lot of convincing.

I get nervous when My Stranger comes around. My day isn’t complete without seeing him. Is this desperation in its extreme? Then it dawned on me. My Stranger was out of my reach. I had no hold on this stranger. Maybe I liked him for real. Although, how could I say that? We didn’t even have a close encounter except when he sat next to me once, or twice. Or maybe I was just hoping that he would fill the emptiness that I carry around with me.

In a snap of a finger, he can be with somebody he deserves, one meant for him. Who am i? I’m just an ordinary lady. Nothing much. I don’t want to start with the comparisons I normally do, else I drown in self-pity. It would be foolish of me to nurse these feelings. Utterly foolish. Perhaps, it would be best to stop this nonsense if I don’t want heartbreak all over again.

Maybe it would be best to wear a more convincing mask. I need a mask that doesn’t crumble to pressure, else it expose my raw insides. Then again, I have to let go. It’s the most difficult thing in the world. I’ve tried. And I failed more times than I could count. The only difference is, this time, I would let go of something that’s never been mine.

I know, I’m shallow.

Pause

Sa araw na 'to wala ka
Mabuti na rin 'to
'Di ako magsasawa
Ang sakit ng tyan ko
Wala pa nga ang mga paru-paro
Na iyong mga alaga

Pagod na 'ko sa kakabasa
Wala na nga yata itong katapusan
Pero sana naman
Magkaroon ako ng dahilan
Na di sumuko
Sa buhay kong ewan

Kailangan ko ng inspirasyon
Para ako'y mabuhayan naman
Desperada ba 'ka mo?
H'wag namang ganyan
Nakakainis lang
Ako'y laging lutang

Pwede 'pause' muna?
Pakiramdam ko kasi ang bilis-bilis na
Kakatapos nga lang ng isang exam
Pasa ba o bagsak
'Yan ang 'di ko alam
Sangkatutak na naman
Ang aking paghahandaan

Ikaw, kailan ka darating?
H'wag naman sana
Kapag ako'y nahihimbing
H'wag mag-alala
Hangga't kaya pa
Hihintayin kita

Estranghero

Ako’y nakaupo sa paborito kong silya

Nakabungad ang babasahin

Na kung titigan pa lang ako’y nahihilo na

Araw-araw nalang ganito

Kailan pa ba matatapos ‘to?

Pero nagpagtanto ko

Ilang taon pa ang titiisin ko

Apat kung maswerte

Lima, anim, pito

Ayaw ko ng bilangin

Naaalog na ang utak ko

May lalaking nasa aking tabi

Halaman ang nakapagitan

Di ko mawari

Pero may iba akong naramdamam

Sa nakaw na tingin

Meron akong napansin

Sa aklat mo may larawan ng gitara

Simula noon, sa silid-aklatan ako’y namamalagi na

Ilang umaga na napakaaga ko

Wala pang ibang tao

Kailangang magsunog ng kilay

Para di naman mapag-iwanan

Nagbago ang lahat

Nang isang araw matagal akong nagising

Ang aking paboritong silya

May ibang nahumaling

Hindi ako hiyang sa bago kong upuan

Sanay ako sa pwestong nakalagian

Anong magagawa ko?

Nasabi ko na lang,

Lord may rason ka siguro

Kung bakit ako nakaupo dito

Kailangan kong tanggapin

Na may bago na akong pwesto

Wala na atang plano lumipat ang babae

Na umagaw sa upuan ko

Lagi siyang maaga

Nauunahan ako

Isang hapon

Hala! Lord, bigla na lang!

‘Eto na ata ang rason mo

Yung tinukoy ko nung minsan

Tumabi siya sa akin

At nang araw ding yun nasabi ko

May crush na ‘ko, mas gaganahan na kong mag-aral nito

Hindi makagalaw

Akala ko ba magbabasa ako?

Bakit di ko namamalayang abot tenga na ang ngiti ko

Pasulyap-sulyap

Nahahalata na kaya?

Baka sabihin niyang weirdo ako

Sige lang, balang araw malalaman ko rin ang pangalan mo

Magaling nga lang siguro akong magresearch

Di nagtagal kilala na kita

Pero ako sayo hanggang estranghero lang ata

Sa aking pananaliksik

Ako’y sobrang bumilib

Nang makita ang galing mo sa pagtugtog

Wala akong masabi

Ako’y napanganga

Ang galing mo talaga

Kaya pala sa aklat mo may gitara

Tama na

Ako nalang ay patuloy na hahanga

Hanggang sa mapansin mo

Kailan pa kaya?

Rivals

During the primitive times, barter was the means of trading. It was not even mere exchange of goods at that; there was an exchange of selves in a mythical bond. Then came the Greeks who exchange goods between consumers in agoras or their markets, an activity which values contemplation. During the medieval age, the value of work and trade was viewed as imitation of God’s creation, cultivating the virtue of industriousness. At what point are we now? Most trade just to earn profit. Money is all there is.

Before, competition was far from one’s intentions. Guilds were built in order for those who have the same interests and capabilities to group together and hone their skills for the good of society. There was equal opportunity for everybody. Yes, in this new age, competition is not bad provided that it is a healthy competition. Of course people would be motivated to discover new things, to make things more efficient, and to improve quality and quantity of products to one’s advantage if rivals exist.

A monopoly is one market system that has only one seller. Some monopolies are natural monopolies and are allowed to exist, while other monopolies are prevented by antitrust laws that prevent price-fixing and aggressive tactics that keep competitors from entering the market. Monopolies have its advantages. It can lower costs and save space. It can even help save the environment since no other firms need to use more land. However, it can also use its status in order to create a barrier for other new firms. It can even lower its price, given that it already has enough money saved up, so that buyers of the new firm will turn to toward it. Also, a total opposite of this is when a monopoly decides to raise its price. It would be a burden for consumers if the good is inelastic since they have no alternative. They would be forced to pay for the goods at their loss and the gain of the monopolists.

Monopolistic competition’s major disadvantage is that competing firms are inefficient and the prices of the products usually exceed the benefits or value provided by the products or services. Also, this kind of market system emphasize on advertisements and promotional strategies. Sometimes, enormous amounts of money are wasted just because of the “brand” names. These convince consumers that differences of same products exist when actually there are none. Some goods are expensive since some firms have already established a name. A part of the price consumers are paying include advertisement costs. It is somehow an implicit way for consumers to finance advertising. These kinds of activities of monopolistic competitors intend to change people’s preferences and to create wants that otherwise would not have existed. These would eventually lead to an unproductive warfare.

In Oligopoly, there are cases where producers will unite against potential new entries in the market by controlling price fixation and there by creating an acute loss of revenue for the new producers.  When producers agree to increase the general price level, it could be favorable for them but this will also cause nightmares for consumers.

People will never be contented. When one want is satisfied, another takes its place. Many believe money makes the world go round. Some even wish for money to grow on trees. However, could money buy those which are really important for an authentic human existence?

Hinaing ng Lipunan

Ang isang sako ng bigas noon ay nagkakahalaga ng 1000 piso subalit ngayon, ito’y 1400 piso na. Ang sardinas na dati’y siyam na piso lamang ay 13 piso na. Ang de-latang gatas mula sa 32 piso ay naging 36 piso na. Ang pan de sal na karaniwang tinapay tuwing almusal ay ‘di rin nagpahuli; mula sa isang piso ay doble na ang halaga.

           

Napapansin niyo ba ang laki ng agwat mula sa dati at kasalukuyang presyo ng mga bilihin? Kung pag-iisipan, hindi na ito kailangang itanong pa. Ang ordinaryong Juan dela Cruz ay tiyak na nakakaramdaman sa krisis na nagpapahirap sa buhay. Sa panahon ngayon, malaki ang ginagampanan ng pera sa bawat estado ng mamamayan. Ang patuloy na pag-ikot nito ang nagpapatakbo sa ekonomiya ng bansa. Pera ang maaaring maging daan kung gustong mapaginhawa ang bawat kalagayan. Sa kasamaang palad, hindi lahat ay mayroon nito. Kung mayroon man, ito’y hindi sapat upang matustusan ang bawat pangangailangan.

            

Ayon sa isang kasabihan, pera ang nagpapa-ikot sa mundo. Ang pamahalaan din ay lumilikom nito para sa pondo at sa katuparan ng mga proyektong pambansa. Nagmumula ang perang naiipon, pinapasahod sa mga empleyado, at pinapagawa ng mga imprastraktura mula sa mamamayan din mismo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatong ng buwis.

            

Kasama ang umiiral na pagkolekta ng iba’t ibang uri ng buwis, napagpasyahan ng pamahalaan na ipatupad ang panukala sa pagtaas ng Value Added Tax (VAT) ng ilang porsiyento.  Ito ay ipinangangalandakang magdadagdag sa "kaban ng bayan" na iginigiit naman ng ilan na solong pinakikinabangan ng rehimen at mga kaalyado nito. Ang panukala sa kabila ng masidhi at malawakang pagtutol ng mamamayan ay ipinatupad.

Ang VAT ay tumutukoy sa pagbuwis sa mga mamamayan bilang pangkalahatan, hindi lamang mahihirap, kundi ang karaniwang mamamayan, mahirap man o nasa panggitnang uri. Ang pag-iral nito ay nagkakaroon ng malaking epekto sa nakararami. Tumataas na ang presyo ng bilihin, gasolina, pamasahe, at iba pa. Sa kabila nito, patuloy pa ring tumatanggi ang rehimen na magpatupad ng makatarungang pagtaas sa sahod at sweldo.

Ang karagdagang buwis na idadagdag sa mga negosyante sa anyo ng mga hilaw na materyales ay madaling mababawi kapag naibenta na nila ang produkto. Sa sitwasyong ito, ang mahihirap, kapos at ang ordinaryo ang papasan sa patong-patong na karga dulot ng napakaraming buwis.

Hindi malunok ng ilang mamamayan ang mga panloloko ng rehimen. Ang depensa ng pamahalaan ay dapat diumano magpasalamat ang mamamayan sa pagsisikap ng kongreso na ilibre sa pagtataas ng presyo ang mga tinataguriang "pagkaing pangmahirap" tulad ng instant noodles, sardinas, toyo, patis, bagoong at mga de-lata. At kahit magtaas pa ang mga ito, ayon naman sa gabinete, barya-barya lamang diumano ang itataas ng mga presyo.

            

Kung susuriin ang lahat ng empleyado ng gobyerno, artista, opisyales, may-ari ng mga establisyimento, nag-eeksport at import, negosyante at iba pang nagbabayad ng buwis sa buong bansa, mapag-aalamang ‘di lahat ay sumusunod sa panukala ng pagbubuwis. May ilang nagsasagawa ng tax avoidance o tax evasion — ang pag-iwas sa nakatakdang buwis.

Kung ang bawat sentimo at barya na bumubuo sa papel na pera ay matapat lamang na binabayaran, marahil ay hindi na kailangang mangutang ang bansa mula sa World Bank. Magiging matagumpay lamang ang lahat kung magtutulungan ang pamahalaan at mamamayan. Ang bawat indibidwal ay makakaambag ng malaki kung ang bawat isa ay susunod sa mga patakaran at proyekto ng pamahalaan. Sa kabilang banda, ang pamahalaan ay magkakaroon ng maayos na ugnayan sa kanyang nasasakupan kung gagamitin ang kapangyarihan nito para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Dapat iwasan ang pag-iisip ng paraan para sa ikakalamang ng sarili. Sa usaping ito, mahalagang gamitin ang kakayahan gaya ng tamang pamamahala sa pera at gamit nito upang makatamo ng ninanais na resulta. Sa pamamagitan nito, maiiwasan ang krisis na kinakaharap at dahan-dahang uunlad ang bansa.

Ang mamamayan, pamahalaan, at bansa ay maihahambing sa bawat hibla ng bahay ng gagamba. Ang konting problema o paggalaw lamang ng isang bahagi ay mararamdam ng lahat dahil ang bawat parte nito ay konektado. Sa maayos na pagganap ng bawat mahalagang parte, mapapatibay ang nasimulang koneksyon at nabuong estado — umihip man ang hangin o pumatak man ang ulan.

Ito ay base sa artikulo mula sa website na ito. http://www.pinasglobal.com/pilipinas/2011/02/evat-out-vast-in/

Heroes or Slaves?

 

Being away from one’s family, obeying commands from strangers and being discriminated are just some of the difficulties our fellow Filipino Overseas Filipino workers experience abroad. For the sake of providing life for their families, these people endure and sacrifice a lot.

Goodbye Dear Nurses?

When nurses were in demand, an exodus of Filipino nurses left the country for a chance of a greener pasture. Even doctors here in the country decided to study nursing for them to be able to work outside. What happens here? Our skilled workers are gradually losing in number. Their exemplary services are instead imparted to those who can even be considered as strangers.

Eventually, the tides turned, the most in demand job in the world perhaps was losing its fame. However, more are still convinced that they would have a better chance in life if they have nurses in the family so mostly students enroll in the course. Much to everyone’s disappointment, nursing graduates end up unemployed or just mere volunteers. Recently, there are some schools which even think of closing their nursing programs.

It is sad to note that our present-day Florence Nightingales are now in flight. If you’re willing to wait in queue for your one-in-a-million chance of hitting the nursing jackpot, then go ahead, get a nursing degree.

A Hero’s Welcome

If Overseas Filipino Workers are considered modern day heroes, do they even feel like they’re one? When OFWs come home, they do not get a heroes welcome, a medallion or a parade. Who gets all the attention? Many Pacquiao, the excellent boxer that he is. I am not at all against Manny. He is excellent in his own field and we Filipinos are proud of him. However, is it enough to label him as a hero?

With the word hero, the first thing that comes to my mind is Rizal or Bonifacio. They died years ago but their deeds are still taken into account up to these days because of its contribution to the status of the country. Now, “modern day heroes” refer to our OFWs. The question is, do we even value the role of these people? I would bet that only a few realize their importance. Usually we treat them as ordinary people who decided to go abroad for their own sake. Well, they deserve much more than that. The Philippine government benefits from them in many ways than we can count. If a statue would be built for every OFW who sacrificed for the country and its people, then one national park wouldn’t be enough to fit them all.

 

Fueling the Economy

Every modern day “hero” renders into the government a large sum of money before leaving the country. Included in this amount are the forced membership, processing, passport and other fees. Every day, about 3000 “heroes” leave the country. With that number and with each of their payment, I believe the government coffer will not run out. Even remittances of immigrants are heavily taxed. This implies that every transaction with these OFWs means revenue for the country. Where do all the money go then? Given all these, it seems like labor are exported and people are marketed in order to fuel the economy. Now, is there a difference between these OFWs and the slaves that date back in the prehistoric times who were bought, sold, traded, given as a gift, or pledged for a debt by their owner?

These OFWs are not only a form of means to keep the economy rolling, they also suffer under the hands of their masters abroad. There are those who are victimized and battered ─ just bearing the hurt of the bruises and emotional trauma. Some end up detained in their master’s houses or in death rows in prison cells. Relatives back home might as well pray that they receive a balikbayan box instead of a wooden box containing their beloved. These actually happen to the “heroes” who do not get the attention they deserve from our very own government.

Alienated Labor

I could actually identify the work of these OFWs as alienated labor, a term coined by the philosopher Karl Marx. It is in this aspect where the worker becomes the slave of things. Ultimately, there is dignity for man as he acquires mastery over nature and his own passions. However, this time around, work has become very important that it now determines where man is to live. It is as if man’s world revolves around the performance of work that man eventually becomes nothing without it. Like a slave to its master, man responds to what work commands without even considering the harms that are inflicted as long as he earns the pay. Here, he loses his identity as he assumes that of another.

In this case, man is embodied by our OFWs who work for the sake of their family’s survival. They set aside things that they actually are passionate about. His labor is not voluntary, but coerced, forced labor.

What is a Filipino?

Filipinos are creative, talented, and hardworking people. As stressed in the article, the Philippines owes it to their people to nationalize their job industries to provide quality jobs. I notice that corruption (also mentioned in my last reaction) always plays a major role in the country’s economy. If there were just no greedy men who would use its people as source of wealth…If funds were just allocated efficiently and effectively…Perhaps, we could grow as a nation.

In a draft edition of an Oxford English dictionary, Filipino is defined as a domestic worker. A Chinese columnist even coined Philippines as a nation of servants. We are not just domestic helpers, caregivers, or entertainers. We are much more than that.

Now, what is a Filipino? Are we ready for an answer?

In Need for a Bridge

 '

food for survival

home for a family to stay

knowledge for the future

When you decide to ride a plane to get you somewhere, you have to choose one of its travel classes. There is the first class where generally the most expensive and most comfortable accommodations are available. There is also the economy class which offers basic accommodations for commoners. Usually, these classes are separated by curtains or some other partitions just to keep passengers on their own side.

This example is an analogy of the gap between the rich and the poor. The wealthy can avail all the comfort and satisfaction they need while the poor are stuck in discomfort to what is within their grasp.


Fit to Survive?

This Pulitzer winning picture in 1994 of Kevin Carter never fails to tug my heart. It is a clear depiction of poverty in our midst. In this Sudan famine, a vulnerable young girl crawls her way to the United Nations food camp located a kilometer away. A few meters at her back is a vulture waiting for her death.

It is sad to note that there are a lot of people who are like this girl. Despite all the effort to stand, they end up getting crushed. On their way to progress, who stops to help? Who offers crutches to keep them going?


This made me think of the concept of Social Darwinism which states that only the strongest or fittest should survive and flourish in society, while the weak and unfit should be allowed to die. Is this one right way of viewing things? What causes this?


Did the poor choose to be poor? I believe no one wants to be deprived of the basic necessities. Everyone desires to live a good life. However, in the economic hierarchy in our society, those at the top, the rich, separate themselves from those at the bottom, the poor and the unfortunate.


Common Greed

Greed is the excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth. Usually, it is the rich who exemplify greed. How else could they maintain their status or even be coined as supreme amongst others if they do not embrace more than what they have? Here, an undesirable form of magis is exhibited. While average folks purchase more stuff when it becomes cheaper, those from the lavish class purchase the more expensive ones when the same is available for less, all for one objective -- to impress.


Political dynasty in our country is not uncommon. The wealth of the country is controlled mostly by people who belong in these dynasties. One clan could govern one land for centuries, the leaders passing their torch from one generation to another. This is their way of life. Perhaps, they fing politics as the sole source of livelihood. When this is threatened away from their hands, they resort to unimaginable means just to preserve their own brand of status quo.


For over 90 million people, well, especially those qualified in positions, aren't there others who are just as capable of governing the country? Can't the ordinary Juan dela Cruz have the chance?


Season of Giving

While only a few enjoy abundance, there is a greater number of those who suffer. Poverty locks communities in a cycle of under-achievement. This makes the poor, especially children, vulnerable to changes in the economy. When this is not addressed, a lot would inevitably accept their pitiful destinies.


Recently, I attended a Christmas party for needy children. Being with kids who became really ecstatic at the sight of gift bags and the sound of party music was an overwhelming experience. Their happiness was shallow but it embodied the true essence of the season. As i was placing food on the paper plate of one of the kids, I realized that he prepared with him a plastic bag. He said that it would be a present for his sick mom at home.

Ana Mae.  A cute little talented girl.

Young at heart

Christmas is not only for a few chosen people. It is not only for the rich, the privileged, or the famous. It is for everybody. It is one perfect time to at least lay down the differences and just be thankful for all the blessings. As for the few who are affluent enough, it's one perfect time to be Santa. Each one deserves a taste of a good life.


Genuine Treasure

The wealthy rides his luxury car, accenting his comfort and satisfaction, as he speeds his way to work. The poor takes in every single detail of the scenery he passes by as he goes to the fields on foot. On a very hot day, the wealthy sits in his rotating chair inside a glass-walled room, enjoying the chill brought by his air-conditioning unit. The poor, under the shade of trees, comfortably lies on a hammock, taking pleasure from the gentle breeze that brushes his skin. In the wealthy's mansion, bright sparkling chandeliers adorn the ceilings to illuminate his spacious room. The poor rests beneath jewels in the night -- stars flickering in the skies above.



This reflection is based on the article from this website. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080113-111995/Survey%3A_Rich-poor_gap_widens