Random Thoughts

On turning 80

I googled the matter of how many have reached the ripe old age of 80 years old in the world today, and I was surprised to read that there are only around 2 percent. Translation: dalawa lang kada 100 katao. Salamat talaga. Many thanks to Our Father and my parents for scheduling my existence. I am so happy to be unconscious before my birth. Just imagine being told in the first day of human creation thousands of years ago that I am scheduled to be born in 1946. Ang tagal ng pag iintay na yun di ba?

Electing a President in 2028 –

It’s something like this. Every 6 years, the stockholders of one of the richest countries on earth — itago natin ito sa pangalang Pilipinas — will hold a General Assembly to choose a caretaker of its wealth and people. Usually, around 5 candidates have the guts to submit their application for the job. The clash of opinions on who is the best candidate becomes a battle for hearts and minds. Will the stockholders vote for the one they love or will the presidency go to the one who has a better track record of handling monies and people. The problem is as old as democracy. And the masses are emotional, like a teenager in love with the village tough guy. The scholar-looking, honest and competent suitor will have no chance. It’s a matter of the heart. The bugbugan and hiwalayan will happen 10 years later. Abangan. It’s more fun in the Philippines !

Individual Filipino excellence –

We pride ourselves with the collective spirit which we call Bayanihan. I beg to disagree. Rather, I would say we are individualistic. We excel as lone stars. Collectively, we create trash, heavy traffic, syndicated crime and corruption, among others. But singly, our models reach stardom. Rizal, Ninoy, Lea, Alex, Pacquiao, Yulo, and many others come to mind. Mountains of trash in various landfills prove my thesis. Filled traffic yellow boxes on intersections argue against the fabled pakikipag kapwa tao ng motoristang Pilipino. Kanya kanyang diskarte. Bahala na kayong mga naisahan, nasingitan, o naloko.