CATASTROPHE

The world is becoming an unsafe place to live. The polar region is warmer. Glaciers are melting at a rate faster than they should. And the rest of the earth is experiencing extreme heat and cold conditions. Experts point out to the thinning ozone layer as the primary cause of such circumstances. As of late, rainfall pummels summer time. Floods have turn the rainy season into a disaster. There is a change in the weather condition all over the world. A big part of what is happening nowadays can be attributed to our unresponsive stance on the major issues of today. Humanity is in transition. And unless people join hands in turning the tide around, earth will eventually head towards destruction and the humanity into extinction.

One often unseen source of the world’s miseries is the garbage. Majority among the population think that the excess and the junk of used resources are gone with. Consumers bring out their trash and dump it anywhere but their own backyards. A big misconception of common occurrence nowadays is to view all garbage as disposable and therefore biodegradable. At least the governments nowadays are implementing the segregation of garbage items and monitoring the dump sites of these trash. But it is never enough. All citizens must be responsible not only in taking out their garbages but in knowing where these things go. All of us roam the earth. It is just right that everyone takes care of the place we live in the best way we can.

One basic responsibility that anybody can do is to throw his trash into a designated area. It is much harder for the other person to pick up what someone has just thrown. There is no shortcut. People must get involved. Garbage disposal is becoming a problem of grand standing. There are countries that impose penalties on its erring citizens for dumping their trash anywhere. It is a good sign that there are governments who care about the environment. But companies can do better. Industries should clean up their backyard to allow a more conducive place for nature to grow.

Floods and global warming will get worse unless the governments and their people will cooperate in preserving and protecting the natural elements of the environment. Trees, watersheds and forests are vital to the existence of all living things in the world. All living organisms rely on trees for air, for food and for other basic needs. The seemingly endless cutting down of trees to make way for industries to emerge and develop is the biggest threat to our existence. The emergence of natural disasters are signs that abuses against nature must be stopped at all costs. Development becomes nothing if it comes at the expense of the elements that keeps the earth alive.

As oil, plastics and other toxic resources are being dumped anywhere, more and more organisms and plants have been annihilated. With all the expenses that companies are using to make profits, it is time for them to pay back. These industries must set the limits in expanding their line of businesses. Dumping of waste materials must be properly monitored. There is a need to recycle all non-biodegradable items. Saving the earth is not merely a priority. It is a big commitment for all human beings to make the world a better home for generations to come. Our survival is a signature of our responsibility as protectors of the environment.

SPIRALING OUT

Government regulations have been instrumental in making lives difficult for all consumers worldwide. Consider the distribution and price control of oil. The world has become too dependent on the Middle East for its supply. The Arab world knows that without oil, the world will never move so whatever these people demands, countries bring to them in a silver platter just to appease their needs and demands. But now is the right time to put some discipline into the meteoric rise of prices. The organization that controls the oil is becoming helpless in halting the recent crisis. Their clout and influence is thinning out. It doesn’t make sense as to why the entire globe will depend on one part of the earth in order to get going.

Nations must join hands and look for other options. Drilling explorations should be given a priority. People have lived long enough to know that the Middle East oil only makes the Arab countries richer and the rest of the world poorer. Perhaps governments should also tap the brilliance of the numerous experts to make things happen. The world is entering a new era of coping up. Developed countries have spell out the forthcoming doom. The monster which has been intended to make life easier for the wealthy nations has fought back and is now affecting us all.

Big countries have implemented programs that has gone uncontrollable. Take the case of the World Bank. Loans continue to flow to hard-pressed places in the world. There is no looking back. Third World nations just keep on borrowing. Everything is adjusting and updating around the globe. Right now, the key to survival is never to get behind. Lagging back means getting killed on the opportunities that lay ahead. Things are offered on the table, and it is up for any nation to pick it up, join the bandwagon and move on. Guess where this coping up with the world’s standards have brought us? Nowhere but in struggling and compromising situation.

Industrialization and globalization are being pursued nowadays. Countries which are incapable of joining the trend are pressured to reconsider. Otherwise, the development progress of these areas suddenly become dim. The world is engrossed in making it to the top. And why not, the perks of a good life is a reward nobody wants to decline. But is it? The more a nation moves closer to its dream of being successful draws it further from the rest of the pack. Competition is always there. The world’s standards are becoming unmanageable. Everyone is following it. Instead of making it adjust to the world’s needs, it has become a barometer for all countries to follow. Capitalism has been trend for years. Developed countries let it loose. And today, the world is focused on it. Governments must take the initiative at this stage. All noses are being led to hard times ahead. Everybody wants to live a life of luxury and a life of ease. By following the standards of the big countries, the rest of the globe is becoming increasingly helpless in coping up. Countries must unite and organize themselves into groups to stay competitive and put themselves within striking distance of the world leaders. By being attached to a group, the chances of being recognized as a player becomes strong. The union of nations make countries valuable and in position to be recognized.

TEACH THEM YOUNG

Treasures enlighten our homes especially if they are our lovable and adorable kids that we are talking about. All of us are caught in awe when we hear our children speak and act like adults. And why not? They are probably smarter than we are at this age. Maybe it’s about the milk. What about the vitamins that these kids are presently supplemented with. Technology may have a role in expanding and training the minds of our children these days. But whatever it is, we are definitely proud of what our little angels can do.

When I scolded my son just last night about some mess he did, I am amazed that he took it in stride. I know because he said, “Even if you are angry with me daddy, I still know that you loved me.” How can you not like a child like that? I fondly remember the time when he also told me that he doesn’t want to be a genius. I asked him why. And he replied that he simply wanted to be cool, that it is enough for him to write, to read and do math. I always smile when I remembered my son whispering to me that we should not call his grandma fat because she will get angry. His grandmother had a good laugh about it.

Children are the mirror of our actions. They are good imitators. I am always amazed at what my son can do. And all parents should too. Whenever he gets tangled with problems usually with his own doing, he dials my number at the office and talks to me about his concerns. He asks me how to spell this word and that word especially when it is associated with passwords for an online gaming website. A lot of people instill discipline at a very early age. While this is helpful, it also shuts down a child’s growth and creativity. Discipline usually breeds fear in any kid’s mind. The room for expression is cut off at that very instant. The child keeps the pain to himself, and he pours it elsewhere with destructive and undesirable actions.

While our children need discipline to keep them in place, it is more important to pamper them with acts of love. It never hurt a bit to tell them every now and then that we love them. I always tell my son that I loved him. At any given moment, he also tells me that he loves me. Praise them for every good deed and accomplishment. This will build their confidence up. No matter how small the act a child does, inspirational and good words will keep him or her going. I shower my son with praises when he finishes his food during breakfast. I praise him when he eats vegetables. I praise him when finishes a stage on his computer game. Things may be trivial to us adults but it mean so much to our little ones. Let us uplift their spirits all the time. When our kids feel frustrated or confused, let us take the initiative to pull them out of their dull moments. We may not know it but children can sense if something is amiss. My son has asked me time and again if I am happy. I inquire what made him ask me that question. He tells me that I sometimes don’t smile. Today, no matter how many problems swirl around, I make it a point to smile at my son to complete his day. We can make a difference in our children’s future. Be it a hug or a tap in the back, do it because it means so much to them.

A SMILING PHILIPPINES

When Magellan landed in Mactan in 1521, it wasn’t his conquest for King Philip of Spain that made him stay. It was the hospitality of the people that attracted the Portuguese conquistador to stay. Today, Filipinos are known for their hospitality. All throughout the archipelago, guests and visitors are offered and given the best service and treatment deserving of royalty. Even in the far-fetched rural areas where resources are wanting, anything available and of value are offered. It will be a trademark that Filipinos will be known for throughout the world. Although, struggling all through out their history, the Philippines has been a paradox. In no other place on the globe can anybody find a group of persons who loved fun so much. Despite all the hardships and the difficulties that the Filipinos have to bear most of the time, they can still manage to find the comfort of laughter and celebration in their lives. A smiling Filipino can be found anywhere in the world. Friendly, encouraging and helpful, these are the traits that make Filipinos a rare breed in this already chaotic earth.

The Philippines has been a favorite destination for most foreigners. For many, the islands is a paradise. The beaches are a favorite getaway to unwind and relax from the physical and mental rigors of urban life. Nature comes at a premium. Although, the country is slowly rebuilding itself into one of the world’s competitive industries, the Philippines continue to maintain its countryside as a place for anyone to enjoy and savor. Resorts of all sorts which ranges from caves, mountain trails and rivers among others lay throughout the islands to be visited and revisited time and again.

The archipelago is a diverse collection of numerous tribes with each group having a distinct and unique quality worth looking into. All year long, different regions celebrate their festivals as a way of showcasing their wares for the world to see. Traditionally a religious people, Filipinos use these feasts to thank the Creator for all the blessings which they’ve enjoyed throughout. Filipino products a big attraction especially among foreign guests who bring these things to their homelands. In addition, exotic Filipino dishes and fruits allow everyone to savor. Regions in the Philippines are represented by their own resources and Filipinos take pride in what their place has to offer.

What distinguishes the Philippines from the rest of the world is its array of talents and brilliance. Known also to be a world class traveler, Filipinos has contributed a lot to the world of arts, music, entertainment and science. There is at least a single Filipino in any agency or organization in the world. By far, the biggest contribution that the Philippines has given to the world is its flexibility and adaptability to function in any aspect of human life. Filipinos can easily train and function on any level of profession found in many countries. A lot of engineers, doctors, businessmen, singers, dancers, mechanics, caregivers and domestic helpers have given the world a glimpse of what the Filipinos can do.

The Philippines may be somewhat lagging behind in the economic race from the rest of the world, but being a prime destination to spend a vacation is the country’s biggest attraction. Nature is at its best. And the people are the best in any part of the globe. There is a certain sense of comfort among Filipinos at a first glance which are unfound in other nationalities.

DAVAO AND THE WORLD

A glimpse of Davao will bring people a look into one of the fast-developing cities in the globe. Known for the exotic and delicious durian fruit, Davao City bears a picture of comfort and serenity away from the usual urban adventure. It is still a paradise. While most cities in the Philippines have been besieged with tropical storms, landslides and flood, the city known to be the home of the Phillipine eagle projects a getaway image from the grinds of city life. Right now, Davao is slowly developing its countryside by building houses, subdivisions and resorts. Foreigners and locals alike have made the city their home. What makes it unique is the way it has handled the natural habitat surrounding the urban area itself. Although, there has been a gradual transformation of the place into a metropolis, nevertheless, trees, flowers and its natural landscape are pretty much visible to view and enjoy.

Davaoeños are lucky to enjoy and to utilize one of the best water on earth. The watershed which shelters the water source is being protected at all cost. An abundance of flowing water is very much in existent around the city. The hospitality of the people is definitely world class. Discipline is strictly being implemented throughout the city. Thanks to the city mayor. Davao City has made it to the headlines more than once. It is no secret that the international community, the Human Rights Group in particular criticizes the way the city government handles its affairs with regards to the extra-judicial executions around the metropolis. It maybe ironic but Davaoeños have never felt secure in their life. The HR Group should have identified the casualties. The killings have been focused mostly on the undesirable elements of the society. Any visitor can access the corners of the city 24/7. Now, how many places can anyone point out for its safety?

The key for Davao to boost its worth and value in the global stage is to maintain its reputation as a disciplined city. Investors and guests will never hesitate to visit the place if their security is guaranteed. When people are able to roam the metro without hesitation, the freedom is just priceless. Our “kababayans” all over the country and the foreigners will have an unforgettable stint in Davao if they can flex and stretch themselves out without the danger of getting hurt by the bad elements. Discipline reinforces security. Full implementation of the law must be applied.

Th city government must join hands with the Department of Tourism to promote global competitiveness. More than eating the durian, more than watching the Philippine eagle fly, and more than enjoying the trek to the country’s highest peak, the Mt. Apo, Davao has a lot to offer. What about the efforts of the people around the countryside? How about boosting our fruit and crop production? Contributing to the progress of the nation can start at our own very backyard. Developing Davao will bring forth dividends, not only for Davaoeños, but for all Filipinos. Let us make Davao City the shooting star of the South. Sounds impossible, or even ridiculous? Cooperation and contribution from the people mean everything. Watch for a grand breakthrough.

IN DISTANT LAND

It was a good thing that technology had come up with cell phones and laptop computers to allow the world to connect from both ends of the globe. People stayed in touch with one another almost every minute. It also opened up the lines of communication about what was happening within or on the other side of the continent. Events and updates were reported immediately from the Philippines to Singapore, from Tokyo to Berlin and from China to Brazil. The earth had been filled with interesting people. Differences between races could indeed bring humanity together. Or did it?

I often heard in the news the unlikely acts of my fellow Filipinos who worked overseas. Accusations swirl around that they committed murder or some related offenses. Not until my girlfriend worked for a multi-national company in Singapore did I understood the magnitude of such acts. The world was impressed with the way this nation had been achieving success in the midst of worldwide economic crisis. Most people thought that there was comfort in being able to earn Singapore dollars. It brought some sort of stability among Filipinos to get a job in that country in order to support a family back home. But right now, I don’t see any comfort in my girlfriend’s decision to work in Singapore. The company hired her as an assistant manager. Four or five months into the training, she talked about going home. I don’t know how to comfort her when she cried over the phone or when she texted me with words of anguish that she’s being pressured to quit her job. I think pressure is natural for a trainee like her but I don’t think that it should be extreme as what she expressed. When she arrived in Singapore last January, she felt all alone. There were two of them from the Philippines hired to work in Singapore. They were later assigned to different branches. The workplace comprised of Malaysian, Singaporean, Chinese and Filipino nationalities. It would be understandable for racial differences to occur between them due to a contrast in cultural backgrounds. The language barrier barred them from fully comprehending each other’s behavior. But when it would be the manager who made things unbearable at the workplace then it would be another story. She didn’t mind working though long hours without overtime pay. What she complained about was how she was treated with contempt as if she came from a distant planet. She couldn’t remember a day without being scolded. Her managers always looked for every detailed mistakes on her job. Even things like arranging items were blown out of proportion. She was told that she was engrossed when folding textile items. She always requested for instructions but her bosses brushed her aside. Her routine was filled with criticisms and scrutiny. She later told me that she would cry inside the stockroom or at the comfort room. To some extent, she would shed tears while walking or riding on the train and the bus. I understood that pressure at work could be necessary as it would be a preparation to overcome adversity and future hard ships. But minute to minute reprimands could be viewed as mental torture. I remembered the Flor Contemplation story years back. What could had led the poor woman into doing the thing she paid with her life was the constant nagging and scolding she received from her employers. It was too much for her. And in the end, her mind just twisted.

The plight of my girlfriend and that of Flor Contemplation couldn’t be called isolated. Many Filipinos shared their situation. There were even worst incidents that could be heard around the world. I condemned such acts. Destructive criticism could lead to a mental breakdown. My girlfriend’s companion later said that she wanted to commit suicide amidst the pressures at work. It must be some pressure because in the Philippines, grilling at work could be taken in stride. In relation to my girlfriend’s recent situation, I would caution Singaporeans to stay clear from Davao City. Add to that all abusive foreigners like the Koreans who got themselves into trouble with the city mayor and the provincial governor. Davao would be unsafe for the society’s bad elements, and it sure would also be unhealthy for other nationalities whose discipline could be compared to the animals in the zoo.

SHOW SOME CONSCIENCE

Integrity is perhaps the biggest thing missing in the government today. Nobody cares anymore about hard work, honesty and service. And it shows. A struggling nation with millions of citizens in anguish means that everything in the Philippines is probably rotten. The main issue is about the national treasury. Numerous individuals desire for government positions to acquire money and more money. Being an official is the easiest way to gain wealth. The responsibility to serve the country remains a campaign slogan to get elected into public office. Although many people fail to notice it, government officials promise to make things possible during their campaign days. Filipinos bear such process for years. How the nation put up with all the corruption is a big question until now.

Peace and tranquility can be deceiving for a government official. Robbing the national coffers is a daunting task. In another way, admiration can be given to these elected individuals for taking the time to unleash their abilities to acquire the money of the Filipino people. Tricks and techniques become methodical so as to erase all tracks of internal investigations should suspicions and accusations arise. These persons wake in the morning energized by the wealth they accumulated throughout their so-called service in the government. They have the latest cars. Their children goes to the best schools. They go on vacation abroad. But who can blame them? Life is hard. They have to make sure that the lives of their families are well taken cared of. It is a natural thing for these cockroaches to thrive on the resources which they never earned. They feast on the hardships of the Filipinos, not taking into consideration the difficulty of the citizens to be rewarded of their keep.

While most of the citizenry live below poverty line, the leeches sitting on top of the government benches enjoy the comfort of their big houses and abundant food. Their wealth can probably feed off numerous generations of their families. And they are doing these at the expense of the entire nation. Forget about conscience. Forget about integrity. Once in service, the bills and the coins start to pile in. Who says working as an elected official is a white-collared crime? There is a lot to enjoy when an individual becomes a leech right there and then. Perks and bonuses are like flowing water. Almost instantly, these things start pouring in. Ah, corruption, acquiring wealth in through the pen and the paper. It is the greatest job in the world. There are many places around the countryside who have leaders wearing fashionable clothes, drive in expensive cars, throw lavish parties, spend their time abroad, and yet their areas of responsibility are covered in dirt and mad. These cockroaches have a lot of balls to roam around town and show off their wealth for everybody to see.

Whatever is happening around the country seems to be insignificant. While many elected people care, there still a lot of work to be done. Deserving government officials have a long way to go. They still have a lot to do. But the most important contribution that they can give back to the citizenry who voted them upfront is by weeding out their ranks with all the undesirable and corrupt leeches. It is a big job to consider. But it is the only way to clean up the government of its acts of corruption. Officials, good and the hood, have been working side by side for decades. Once elected, it is just impossible for the citizens to remove these cockroaches from public office. All the Filipinos can do is endure. It is now in the hands of the deserving people in the government to take out those persons who have nothing to show but gold and more gold. Can an individual sleep peacefully knowing fully well that many people outside his grand mansion are lying on dilapidated shanties and empty boxes laid out on the streets? Oh, sleeping for them has never been better. Who cares about the poor people? None maybe. Cockroaches and leeches never believe in God. They only go to church to please the watching eyes of their neighbors. But time happens to one and all. It will be quick, and it will be without warning. Wrath comes in like lightning. It is only a matter of years or months or hours or even minutes and seconds before rewards for deserving leeches and cockroaches are handed down.

DON’T BLAME THE GOVERNMENT

While the nation is in chaos, it is easy for everybody to blame the leaders of this country for all the difficulties and miseries that befall on every Filipino. Sectors from all corners and movements throughout the countryside engage in a lot of bickering and call for immediate changes. It is easy to pin anybody down especially when hardships prevail in many aspects of everyday life. It also opens up the truth that the citizens in this country can be easily manipulated for that matter. It only concludes that Filipinos are too dependent on government regulations. The trend that Filipinos keep on blaming the people given with a nationalist function only makes the entire society inflexible. If Filipinos believe that they are powerless in the midst of trouble, then there is no opportunity for an economic take off. What happens out there is not really a government issue. The usual problems today in the Filipino society resides in the citizen’s inability to get out of his way to assist or to help in any way possible.

People are too concerned about the dividends of their own actions. It seem that the world owe them something. Individuals are born with an opportunity to make something out from themselves. Although, the situation is bleak nowadays, it is not a big reason to give up and wait for assistance from anyone. Persons find fault in the decisions of their neighbors. They forget that their lives are largely what they are for what they did pursue in the beginning.

The government has been set up for management purposes, to put in a sense of harmony in an otherwise complicated and multi-opinionated community. Lest people forget, the government is filled with individuals which are counted upon by their fellowmen to function according to the laws passed and implemented. But somehow, along the way towards nation rebuilding and development, events have quite took a different approach than many actually hoped for. Filipinos look and expect a promising future. The problem is, most expect a rather ideal picture. Citizens fail to analyze and grasp the idea that the individuals catapulted into government positions are merely ordinary mortals like all you and me. There’s nothing magical in what these government people can do. The truth is, they commit a lot of blunder than most of us. And they do those things under the public eye and during broad daylight.

Reprimanding the government people is like assessing the actions of the entire society. They are what we shall become under given circumstances. The clamor for changes reflect a national yearning to make life easy and manageable. Everyone has a responsibility to make things work for this country. Only more is expected from the individuals in public service. Filipinos are brilliant people. They expect nothing less than a perfect life to live through the ages. But such belief and such principle can perhaps spell doom for a nation who has been struggling for years. Too much brilliance have something to do with it. Everybody has a noble idea about running things. Everyone has a unique approach in dealing with specific situations. Imagine an airport with numerous planes along the runway heading for different and contrasting destinations. In a capsule, yes, that is how the Filipino society is viewed today.

I truly and totally sympathize with my fellow countrymen for everything that has become of the Philippines lately. I despise the deeds that Filipinos in service do to their country. But I believe that we can do better. If Filipinos assume different roles then the nation will have a fighting chance in showing the world its true mettle and character. Perhaps relishing that leadership position to someone who is more capable is a good idea. Associating ourselves deep with the government is perhaps inappropriate considering that the entire Filipino citizenry is bent on making a name for himself in the world stage. You want to be a leader. The other guy want to be a leader. Where does that kind of mentality put us? Where are we heading with such an idea? With all the horses heading towards different direction, can we expect the wagon to reach home? I know this because there has been a time that I also wanted to be a leader. And just like most kids, my friends and I end up pounding each other as to who should be in charge. Guess where did that situation put us now?