Back in the homeland, SSS means Social Security System (Paseguruhan ng Kapanatagang Panlipunan.)
Lately, the state-run insurance agency warned that it would lose projected income unless it raises the amount of contributions of its members – workers in the private formal and informal sectors, including those overseas.
The warning comes amid congressional hearings on two – House Bill 8304 and Senate Bill 1965 – of five proposals seeking to defer the legally-mandated SSS contribution rate hike, due to pandemic-related reasons.
Whatever the debates would achieve, I hope Philippine politicians and SSS officials would most amplify the sense, soul and sensibility of SSS as a financial service for workers who made the agency grow and kept it alive.
*****
Under pandemic circumstances, the Triple S shout-out is “Save lives! Stay home. Stay safe.”
Yes, folks! Spring is near. Summer is heating up. September calls for the ‘eyeball.’ Covid-19 may be out of sight, but it is lingering.
We do not need 25,000 jaguars (guwardya) to protect and secure our sacred capitols against any virus.
But we do all agree that we need a million times or twice that number of vaccine injections in the arms of people; and that we need a million times or twice that number of health care professionals, frontline and essential workers, first responders and neighbours to look after and secure everyone’s wellness and well-being.
We are all in this together, aren’t we?
*****
Tatang Isko says: “So be it. Swat the fly. Send in the clowns.”
Seriously, I could not make out what Tatang Isko meant. So I ventured to ask him.
His reply: “Amen I say to those who speak of and listen to reason. Amen I say to those who search for the truth. Amen I say to those who do what is legally and morally right. So be it. Sa mga inis sa mga pasaway, I suggest swat the fly.”
“Tatang Isko, ano naman po yung send in the clowns?” naitanong ko.
His answer came with a short oft-told joke: “The wife asked for the newspaper. The husband handed over the laptop and said online news is on-time news. Bang! Crash! Splat! The fly is dead. Now, humour me.”
*****
Child’s playground Triple S treats: Swing, Slide, Seesaw.
When they were toddlers aged two and three, my exuberant grandchildren found means to satisfy their need for play and pure fun. I became their willing playground of choice.
Softly cuddled in my arms, I would sway them from slow to fast, release them onto the bed where they get a thrill bounce, climb down and toe the swing line, while shouting “no more monkey jumping on the bed.”
Other times, they would ask me to sit and put together my legs, get to my lap and simply slide down the makeshift ramp – again, for the second time, once more or until I had to attend to either the dishes or the laundry.
As if the swift slide was the foregone conclusion, they would seek for the seesaw. Perched on my feet or armpits clamped in my hands, they would ask me to bring them up and down. Or they would sit on my shoulders and command me to do a quick knee bend or two.
That was serious exercise way back then, even for a strong, sturdy, athletic Lolo like me.
Fortunately, times have changed. My grandchildren grew so fast, in height and in weight.
I also became older and took on the visible maladies of aging.
How I miss the fun. I wish I can turn back the clock. However, I can still bask in the sunshine of good memories – a smile on my wrinkling face and a glass of cold lemonade at hand.
The swing, slide and seesaw will work in this pandemic era. I can only imagine.
*****
How fascinating! Space Satellites Sent.
As if the moon never shone brightly to enshrine a romantic evening or as if drones were not calibrated to take a naughty peek or two, there are those who still took great delight in launching a rocket with 143 satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The new satellites are added to thousands more in the horizon’s vastness.
By the way, a satellite is a man-made mechanism revolving around the earth or moon or another planet to collect information or for communication.
I pray that having more ‘Big Brothers’ in outer space never intends to change the universally-accepted norms of privacy and respect; much more, loving your neighbour as yourself.
It is 2021, not 1984.
Worth the pandemic while is lending an eye and a thought to the work of English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic Eric Arthur Blair (pen name: George Orwell).
*****
It’s Due By Then! This is neither a political blurb nor is it a proverbial string on a finger.
This is my vivid recall of what bookworms are told by Librarian Celia and other book keepers of yore when they stamp the return date of a book freed from the school library for a week’s perusal.
Reading has been my cup of tea. I find it aesthetically and intellectually rewarding to extend my line of sight from a mere mix of letters to an organized collection of words I can put meaning to.
Anything my eyes catch will always be a wonder to read – a house number, a street sign, a shop ad, a newspaper item, a leaf from a book, pages of prose and fiction.
I will always be glad to witness bus and subway riders immersed in a hardbound or lost on an e-book. They have made good use of their time and leisure.
Despite strict lockdown protocols of late, I am happy to note that most branches of the Toronto Public Library (TPL), since January 14, have remained open and continued to serve communities.
Even if restricted to contactless holds pick-up and drop-off of library materials only, the TPL service showed that books are in orbit in the premiere city.
From everywhere in the world, the value of books — as an ally against pandemic boredom and potential mental impairment – is absolutely appreciated.
*****
Noted with love and pride in my heart, my granddaughter Zoe Karel wrote, illustrated and had her first book “Animals in the Jungle” published by the St. Nicholas Press.
Zoe Karel was then five years old.
Her teachers, who helped her with the book, described Zoe as having “developed a love of learning while exploring her classroom, her school (St. Nicholas) and the greater community. She has enjoyed using a number of materials and has been especially interested in the Arts. Water colour painting has been a passion … Her illustrations are colourful and upbeat and complement the story well.”
In a footnote, the publishers noted: “Animals in the Jungle was written and illustrated by Zoe David Galicia … for the purpose of celebrating Literacy and Art for the Toronto Catholic District School Board Education Week EXPLORING PATHS OF JOY, May 3 to 8, 2015.”
She has set the standards. Tell me. How can I beat that?
*****
It’s Due By Now. For so many times, friends have encouraged me to write a book.
Why not? I guess I better start writing one before Memory slowly wears out.
*****
Smile. Greet. Converse. Hum. Sing. Tell a story, Listen to the tale. Do a chore. Stroll leisurely. Be glad. Spread goodwill. Stay humble. Show kindness. All is good.
Desmond Tutu, a South African civil rights leader, once said: “Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelms the world.”
Millions of individuals actually walk the goodness path every single tick of the clock in that part of the world where the heart and humanity rule.
Spread goodness. It builds bridges of appreciation, love, respect, understanding and peace between and among people, especially in the era of Covid-19.
Ultimately, utopia may no longer be a figment of the imagination, but a reality.
*****
Here are inspirational quotes on goodness and kindness:
- “Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest.” – Francis Bacon“
- “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” – Mother Teresa
- “The simple act of caring is heroic.” – Edward Albert
- “I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” – Pablo Casals
- “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” – Plato
- “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
- “What this world needs is a new kind of army – the army of the kind.” – Cleveland Amory
- “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama
- “That best portion of a man’s life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” – William Wordsworth
*****
Someone once said: “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
It is February, the month of hearts. Advanced HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY. #####
