I was doing grocery with my mom this afternoon for pansit. Surprisingly on a saturday afternoon, the store had only average number of people getting through their list, so it was quick to get around. There were a couple of free taste promotions in between the aisles: one for nutella, another for a brand of kiddie cheese, and one for a brand of instant cup noodle.
My mom and myself stopped in front of the old lady and her instant-noodle promo cart suggesting we were eager to try it. She served one tiny cup of soggy soup, handed it to my mom, and handed a tiny cup of, well, sliced kiwi fruit to me. I had a blank face as to why I’m getting the fruit instead because I know it’s not what she’s suppose to promote, and there’s no other tiny cup of kiwi fruits on her cart. She gestured her hand on her mouth and said “EAT”, and I smiled.
Unquestioning, I walked away eating the fruit.
It is crystal clear as the Malacañang’s chandeliers that any president is a people’s president. As a highly democratic country, every Filipino knows that a President is seated upon by the mass, by the voting population. This position is undoubtedly powerful that the most influential and wealthiest men and women in our coutry aspire for it. It comes not only the resposibility to lead and govern the nation but also the authority and prerogative to appoint people who will work inside the government.
I would be lying if I say that the current system is flawless, not to mention honest. It needs a complete change, a strenous overhaul inside-out, and to be effective with it, it is important for the president to be extremely careful and wise who his allies would be. This assignment alone, if successful, is indeed a great task and a true show of being a nation’s president.
Kicking somebody out in the current administration doesn’t mean Aquino is not being a president of his foes. Because if he did kicked you out, he just exercised control over you right?
If Aquino does not feel good about people seating in his offices, it is one of his perks to choose who he wants to work for him. If his reasoning led to believe that you are not good in the current role you are taking, then you are out. It’s that plain simple.
Sometimes, when you might not want the decision of the president, you can’t just call it as not being president-like to you, because if you are mature enough, you will realize that perhaps, your time is up.
Kayo po na naka-upo,
Subukan nyo namang tumayo,
At baka matanaw,
At baka matanaw ninyo,
Ang tunay na kalagayan ko.
(Ganito kasi ‘yun eh.)
Tao po, nandyan po ba kayo sa loob ng
malaking bahay at malawak na bakuran, mataas na pader pinapaligiran,
At naka pilang mga mamahaling sasakyan,
Mga bantay na laging bulong ng bulong,
Wala namang kasal pero marami ang nakabarong,
Lumakas man ang ulan ay walang butas ang bubong,
Mga plato’t kutsara na hindi kilala ang tutong,
At ang kanin ay simputi ng gatas na nasa kahon,
At kahit na hindi pasko sa lamesa ay may hamon,
Ang sarap sigurong manirahan sa bahay na ganyan,
Sabi pa nila dito mo rin matatagpuan,
Ang taong nagmamay-ari ng isang upuan,
Na pag may pagkakatao’y pinag-aagawan,
Kaya naman hindi niya pinakakawalan,
Kung makikita ko lamang siya ay aking sisigawan.
Kayo po na naka-upo,
Subukan nyo namang tumayo,
At baka matanaw,
At baka matanaw ninyo,
Ang tunay na kalagayan ko.
Mawalang galang na po,
Sa taong naka-upo,
Alam niyo bang pantakal ng bigas namin ay di puno,
Ang dingding ng bahay namin ay pinagtagpi-tagping yero,
Sa gabi ay sobrang init na tumutunaw ng yelo,
Na di kayang bilhin upang ilagay sa inumin,
Pinakulong tubig sa lumang takuring uling-uling
Ang gamit na panggatong na inanod lamang sa istero,
Na nagsisilbing kusina sa umaga’y aming banyo,
Ang aking inay na may kayamanan isang kaldero,
Na nagagamit kapag ang aking ama ay sumueldo,
Pero kulang na kulang parin,
Ulam na tuyo’t asin,
Ang singkwenta pesos sa maghapo’y pagkakasyahin,
Di ko alam kung talagang maraming harang,
O mataas lang ang bakod,
O nagbubulag-bulagan lamang po kayo,
Kahit sa dami ng pera nyo,
Walang doktor na makapagpapalinaw ng mata nyo kaya..
Wag kang masyadong halata
Bato-bato sa langit
Ang matamaay wag magalit
O bato-bato bato sa langit
Ang matamaan ay
Wag masyadong halata
Wag kang masyadong halata
Hehey,(Wag kang masyadong halata)
(Wag kang masyadong halata)
Yeahhey…
i was laughing at myself exactly a year ago. it was the agoniest, most sorrowful birthday i had, and i just can’t believe it it’s almost humor. i remember it well because i was wide awake and working as a waiter during the epic turn from june 6 to june 7th of 2009. it was very lively in the casino, and every color of lights were blinking not because they were happy that i aged but because they were just like that naturally, every single godforsaken day. the first and in-the-nick-of-time gift i got was a neat stack of dirty plates from rahul, an indian co-worker. i did not get a single cent of tip, how nice.
i was relieved to finish my shift and walk for home by half past 4 in the morning, and slept until noon to cook something in a pity attempt to say that i’ve celebrated it. i have as a guest my 2 argentines flatmates, and 2 filipino friends, jet (and her partner) and cielo (she later on joined me in queenstown adventure).
the good thing is that i usually don’t feel my big day to be any special than the rest of the 364 or 365 (during leap) days in a year. perhaps, my friends and family are more excited and happy for me starting with the bombardment of my facebook and friendster account, and sms.
in the afternoon, i walked around the town with nico and ended in a computer shop. pathetically hoping and completely disillusioned, i checked for IT jobs, but there was none.
today, i started being 27, and thank you for the time.
PS
i’m now wandering and lost around kuala lumpur with mom and sister.
