Tag Archives: Philippines

Paskong Pinoy

litratongpinoy

Winter Cafe, sa loob nga lang ng mall.

Ang snow? Peke.

Ang Winter Inn? Hindi pwede pasukin.

Winter Cafe

Ganyan talaga ang mga Pinoy, mahilig sa scenery na hango sa ibang bansa: snow, Santa, pine trees, sled at kung anu-ano pa. Understandable naman dahil wala ang mga ito dito.

Pero sa isang banda, hindi naman masama ang ating parol, Misa de gallo, puto bumbong at Panunuluyan.

Paulit-ulit nating naririnig at nakikita, masaya talaga ang Paskong Pinoy dahil pagpatak ng -ber months, umpisa na ng paghahanda para sa araw ng Pasko.

Katulad ng mga nagdaang taon, ang obserbasyon ay pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay at iyon ay narireflect sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko: mas konting pailaw, konting regalo, konting handa,  konting “bago”  na gamit at maabilidad na pagtitipid.

Pero kung tutuusin, secondary naman lahat ito, hindi ba? Dapat ang pokus natin ay ang kapanganakan ni Hesus na ating tagapagligtas.

Sabi nga ng isang kanta ng APO, “Kahit na anong mangyari, ang pag-ibig sana’y maghari, sapat nang si Hesus ang kasama mo, tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko”

A Different Christmas Wish

Writing about Christmas wishes made me think about what I really want this Christmas and beyond.

Like a beauty pageant contestant, I wish for joy, love and more blessings from the Lord. Throw in world peace and I am as happy as a lark. I know it is probably too much to wish for something like that during this time of turmoil.

Oh, before I forget I need weight loss pills first before i even think I can join a beauty pageant, LOL.

Kidding aside, the developments happening after the bloody mass murder in this third world country ruled by power hungry and corrupt officials is frightening.

What is more frightening is that other appointed officials are on the same boat with the suspects who have deep ties with the sitting president.

How Much is Your Life Worth?

How much is your life worth? No, I am not talking about life insurance rates but something else.

One time while I was listening to news on the radio, the topic was about people who are paid to end the life of other people. To my astonishment, I learned that it takes not much to pay for someone to do such thing.

As with the recent massacre that happened the other day, it is not surprising if money changed hands. How much for the lives of 40+ people?

I don’t know and I probably don’t want to know.

Whoever said politics is dirty is probably right although dirty is not the name of the game anymore. In this case, it is gruesome. Or perhaps indescribable is more apt.

In Philippine politics, is it “if you can’t beat them, k!ll them?” or “if someone wants to beat you, cut short his/her life?”

I hope not.

Goons and Guns Amidst the Poverty

The grim scene that happened last Monday down southern part of  the country is considered by a lot of people as barbaric, savage and dastardly act.

This happened after Efren Penaflorida was awarded as CNN Hero of the Year for 2009.

What a shame, the massacre that is.

No wonder some people who live there have moved to different parts of the country.

No wonder a lot of professionals have opted to work and live overseas than stay here.

In this impoverished country of close to a hundred million people, poverty is very much apparent that even the basic needs of the people are not given due attention.

Health care? Can not be compared with Blue Cross North Carolina because even the “Cheaper Medicines Bill” took a while to be passed. Nurses, good ones are almost extinct because they are overseas earning greenbucks. Doctors are going that way too, as well as other health care practitioners. And teachers. And engineers. And everybody.

Sure basic education is free but that doesn’t mean children go to school. No, they can’t go to school because it takes money to pay for transportation, food, uniform and school supplies. Money that their families do not have and if they have, these would rather be spent buying food for sustenance.

Politicians are so visible these days because elections are nearing.

Bah, I don’t believe in promises anymore than I believe in dilly-dallied alliances.

God help this country.

White Sand Beaches

I miss going to the beach.

Panglao, Bohol

Sure, it is icky sticky and hot out there but at least, it is a natural body of water and does not need any chemicals nor spa filters to make the water clean.

Sunset views are a sight to behold too as soft winds blow to cool the remnants of heat from the sun.

This photo was taken at Panglao, Bohol by my then 13yo daughter while they spent summer vacation in Bohol.