My family has always been optimists- Papa Porfirio, Mama Brigida, brothers Tony and Hec, sisters Tesi and Joy. It is no wonder that this outlook in life is the same thing that allows the new generation of this family to cope up beautifully in the most trying of circumstances. We were taught to make ‘diskarte’ of situations that may sometimes be difficult…often admonished to use’ your coconut!’, to make do with what is available and at hand, and never, never forget to show a positive outlook in the midst of difficult situations. My family is a regular and ordinary family- it mirrors most families in the country. Everyone moves to strengthen family relations. Those who can should help the less fortunate members of the family get back on their feet; the elders guide the younger ones; the younger ones take heed of the wisdom of the older ones.
Of course, the rebellious manifests itself from time to time. They are generally tamed back through very open discussions , a genuine listening ear and a ready hand for support.
Parang ganun lang kasimple, one might say.
But that is so true.
Sometimes, concerns that require simple solutions get complicated because we attempt to be so in finding most profound answers .
My hope for our kababayans made victims by Ondoy, Pepeng, Ramil, etc, remain very strong. The year will not close with them not getting back on their feet. I just know.
So it was with a loud YES that I clapped my hands as Iwatched Sec. Clinton’s announcement of a 5M dollar additional contribution for the Metromanila flood victims. Hindi naman ako maka Kano, ha, pero humanga ako sa mga Markano sa dagdag na tulong. Tanggapin lahat ng tulung at gamitin sa malaking rehab na kakailanganin. Iwaksi na ang kakurakutan, mahiya hiya naman kaya yung mga taong gumagawa nyan.
Ang karma, anjan sa tabi!
I know that the local leaders of Marikina, Cainta, Pasig, Antipolo, Pateros, and the nearby towns will have developed their rehab plans and work is underway. If there’s anything that I notice, it is the readiness of citizens to take part in his own rehabilitation. True, we should not rely solely on government. Dapat, on our own, mag effort din naman, de bah?
Bright spot din for me when I saw kidnapped Irish priest Fa. Sinnot talking about his experience in captivity. He was released unharmed on the same day that Sec. Hillary Clinton visited Metromanila.
Nangataas ang kilay nga mga dalahirang naasiwa sa sequencing ng mga events- darating si mam Hillary,
Swak naman sa timing ang release kay Sinnot- ay naku,hwag nang pagdudahan! Antayin nang makauwi si Sinnot sa Ireland, ano ba naman kayo!
I have not stopped looking for bright spots in my daily life. Last week, I thought it was the end of me when I had a very serious asthma attack- the first after 30 years. As a child, I was asthmatic and I had asthma bouts but they were not serious enough to warrant an overnight stay in the emergency room.
But my latest asthma attack was a frightful experience for all of us in the house most especially me- I was trying to gulp in some air so I could breath but nothing came in my airways. The nebulizer gave me relief and so with the ventolyns, salbutamols, benadryl caps, robitussin and saline solution.
As I went through these moments of terror, I realized the personal excesses that ruled my life for 30 years- chain smoking, food indulgence, and the absence of even just simple exercise regimen. I knew I had to live healthier.
Today, I still have not left the house- I was asked to rest completely. I have not smoked for a week now.
I have not overeaten ( I simply can’t taste anything). I am also determined to do walking exercises as soon as I am allowed to.
Because of my malady, I have requested my friends from Centro Escolar University for the deferment to next semester of my scheduled lectures on media management systems. I have looked forward to this lecture work but it will be physically impossible for me to make a success of this activity- I could not even finish a short sentence without huffing and puffing.
No worry. I will put into good use all the vacant time that I may have towards making a healthier human being out of me.
Till next issue, friends!
Hi and so sorry, Dean TG Carey of CEU Liberal Arts and best friend Direk Ed Villarante of CEU Mass Com, co lecturers Coy Reboroso of IBC13 and Cynthia Ulanday- Santiago, ed in chief, Mod Magazine.
Welcome to Manila, Tony Sicat!
