Statistics show that cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. However, statistics failed to show that the leading cause of cardiac arrest is stress, and the leading cause of stress is driving in Metro Manila. Hence, by transitivity, the leading cause of death in the Philippines is driving in Metro Manila.
Of course, there's a flaw in the logic. There are other leading causes of death, like singing "My Way", or other causes of stress, like listening to someone sing "My Way". However, in my experience, I believe my logic is correct.
I am often angry getting home. That seven-kilometer drive is hell for me. It seems people just want to get home so fast they they fail to realize driving so recklessly will take them home longer. And the seconds they save weaving in and out of traffic will turn into hours of waiting once they have an accident. Buti kung sila lang ang mapeperwisyo; damay pati iba.
Only in the Philippines will you see a three-lane road turn into seven lanes. To think there are now more SUVs on the road than Beetles. These big cars will just cut into my lane, not fearing that their F-1 Ford will wreck my 1990 Toyota Corolla. Palibhasa comprehensive sila, samantalang TPL lang ako. 'Di ba nila naisip puwede silang matetano sa sasakyan ko? And the price of my car will not even pay for the damage in case I scratch them.
It is the rich, the government officials, and the expats that drive so wildly. Is this some kind of a symptom, that because of their status they believe they own the country? And that "owning the roads" is just a manifestation of this belief?
Then, there are women drivers. No, I won't generalize that all women drive badly. There are just a few women drivers, so that, percent-wise, we seem to think that all should not be given the license to drive. Compare that to jeepney or bus drivers. Because these PI, I mean, PU drivers are so many we don't believe that all jeepney and bus drivers are bad ones. Almost all, but not all.
But, percent-wise, I think the one with the highest percentage of bad drivers compared to the total are those driving government-accredited tow trucks. They are always on the look-out for stalled and illegally parked cars, and fail to see the traffic signs. Perhaps, just like IBM salespeople, AMWAY distributors, or MMDA traffic aides, they, too, have their quotas to fulfill.
I am trying to be proactive with the situation. Listening to Francis Kong on 98.7 DZFE, The Master's Touch, is always enlightening. Popping audiobooks by John Maxwell in my casette player is not only entertaining but educational, as well. Giving way to those cutting my lane makes me more relaxed. However, when doing so, I cannot hear my radio because of the horns blaring from the car behind me. Malas niya, ako ang nasa harapan niya. I also plan to stock up a lot of books by Alex Lacson, "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country", and distribute them along the road.
Driving in Metro Manila need not be stressful. However slow the flow of traffic is, one can get home in one piece, if not in one sane mind, if we just all follow the traffic rules. And if everybody does so, traffic will not really be slow after all.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Getting Old
Lately, I have been reading about brain power, how we can manifest the things we want, and, unconsciously, the things we don't want, with the use of our mind. For instance, our body reacts to what the mind dwells on. If we dwell on good health, that is what we'll mostly have. But if we dwell on being sick, although the cause may not be organic in nature, we'll often feel indisposed.
I rarely had any major colds last year. Once I feel that a cold is coming, I will immediately go into my meditative stance, and imagine all those anti-bodies attacking the viruses. And if that doesn't do the trick, I just take my ever-reliable Pey Pa Kua. I believe this is why I did not have the sniffles.
The other night, I helped my daughter on her homework. She was working on "the nose", its structure, functions, and ailments. I got our thick American Health Handbook, looked at the index, and turned to the page where all of the answers can be found. The book said that the common problem of the nose is the common cold (thus, the word "cold" Ű). I read that children are very susceptible to colds, but as one gets older, one gets it less often.
Diyosmiyo! So, that's the reason why I'm not getting the colds. It's not because I had the power to visualize, but it's because I am getting old. And I thought my hair is turning white because it's in our genes.
An email once circulated the Internet describing the different circumstances a man goes through his life. It said that as a young man, he had the time and the energy, but not the money. Once he is working, he has the money and the energy, but not the time. When he retires, he has the money and the time, but not the energy.
Now, I understand what mid-life crisis means: I don't have the time, the money, and the energy....AND I'M PANICKING!
I'm shocked when I learn that most of my co-employees were born when I was applying for a job. And I get depressed when I realize that the Math problem (In how many years will Danny be twice as old as Rose?) is actually happening to me.
Several years ago, I took a job of teaching grade school students. I almost accused one student of lying because he wrote '1990' as the year of his birth. I thought then that people born in the 90's were still drinking milk from the bottle. I couldn't imagine advising them about their problems on love. I met him recently, and he's now in second year college, taking up Computer Science. In a couple of years, we could become co-workers.
Of course, there are benefits of getting old. I'm easily forgiven if I tend to forget some things, like the name of a friend, my car keys, or wearing pants going to the office. I get to enter the elevator first. Co-workers respect me, not because of my position or my abilities, but because of the color of my hair. In fact, it becomes a conversation piece (Colleague: "Your have a lot of white hair." Me: "That's a sign of wisdom." Colleague: "I hope so.")
Then, there are the disadvantages. I hate it when some new employee hold me when we're crossing the street or kiss my hand during Christmas parties. And I'm not called Iho anymore, but Tito. I dread the day when they'll call me Lolo. That'll be the sign that I'm about to retire.
The other day, my daughter was watching the cartoon series "Totally Spies". I overheard one character say, "It's not how old you are, it's how you are when you're old." Sometimes, cartoons can be so educational.
There is a saying "Beautiful young people are acts of nature; beautiful old people are works of art." Nature was not good to me, but, at least, I can still be an art work. And with the life-expectancy of males pegged at 72 years, with the help of God, I still have almost thirty years to mold this person into one of His masterpieces.
I rarely had any major colds last year. Once I feel that a cold is coming, I will immediately go into my meditative stance, and imagine all those anti-bodies attacking the viruses. And if that doesn't do the trick, I just take my ever-reliable Pey Pa Kua. I believe this is why I did not have the sniffles.
The other night, I helped my daughter on her homework. She was working on "the nose", its structure, functions, and ailments. I got our thick American Health Handbook, looked at the index, and turned to the page where all of the answers can be found. The book said that the common problem of the nose is the common cold (thus, the word "cold" Ű). I read that children are very susceptible to colds, but as one gets older, one gets it less often.
Diyosmiyo! So, that's the reason why I'm not getting the colds. It's not because I had the power to visualize, but it's because I am getting old. And I thought my hair is turning white because it's in our genes.
An email once circulated the Internet describing the different circumstances a man goes through his life. It said that as a young man, he had the time and the energy, but not the money. Once he is working, he has the money and the energy, but not the time. When he retires, he has the money and the time, but not the energy.
Now, I understand what mid-life crisis means: I don't have the time, the money, and the energy....AND I'M PANICKING!
I'm shocked when I learn that most of my co-employees were born when I was applying for a job. And I get depressed when I realize that the Math problem (In how many years will Danny be twice as old as Rose?) is actually happening to me.
Several years ago, I took a job of teaching grade school students. I almost accused one student of lying because he wrote '1990' as the year of his birth. I thought then that people born in the 90's were still drinking milk from the bottle. I couldn't imagine advising them about their problems on love. I met him recently, and he's now in second year college, taking up Computer Science. In a couple of years, we could become co-workers.
Of course, there are benefits of getting old. I'm easily forgiven if I tend to forget some things, like the name of a friend, my car keys, or wearing pants going to the office. I get to enter the elevator first. Co-workers respect me, not because of my position or my abilities, but because of the color of my hair. In fact, it becomes a conversation piece (Colleague: "Your have a lot of white hair." Me: "That's a sign of wisdom." Colleague: "I hope so.")
Then, there are the disadvantages. I hate it when some new employee hold me when we're crossing the street or kiss my hand during Christmas parties. And I'm not called Iho anymore, but Tito. I dread the day when they'll call me Lolo. That'll be the sign that I'm about to retire.
The other day, my daughter was watching the cartoon series "Totally Spies". I overheard one character say, "It's not how old you are, it's how you are when you're old." Sometimes, cartoons can be so educational.
There is a saying "Beautiful young people are acts of nature; beautiful old people are works of art." Nature was not good to me, but, at least, I can still be an art work. And with the life-expectancy of males pegged at 72 years, with the help of God, I still have almost thirty years to mold this person into one of His masterpieces.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
My Christmas 2006
The two worst places to be in last Christmas season were SM (collectively taken as one) and EDSA. A far third is the opening day of Enteng Kabisote 3. At least, may choice kang manood muna ng Tatlong Baraha.
Bakit naman kasi lahat ng kumpanya sabay-sabay mag-celebrate ng kanilang Christmas Party. So, you'd bring your family to the party, kasi libre pagkain. At saka sabi ni Boss, eh. Then, sabay-sabay ding matatapos ang mga party kaya ang hirap kumuha ng taxi. Siksikan na sa daan, 'di lamang sa dami ng sasakyan, kun'di dahil na rin sa dami ng tao.
And one has to go to SM and buy gifts. Kasi, lahat ng kumare at kumpare mo sa office dala-dala rin ang pamilya nila sa party. Wala ka tuloy lusot sa mga inaanak mo.
The Philippines is said to celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world. Officially, it starts on Advent (sabi ng pari, it should start on December 25) and ends on the Feast of the Epiphany (or, sa tulad naming matatanda, the Feast of the Three Kings). Unofficially, it starts on the first 'ber' month (when you'd already hear Michael Jackson singing "Give Love On Christmas Day") and ends on Valentine's Day (the next gift-giving, money-spending season). However, even on December 25, people don't celebrate Christmas at EDSA. 'Kala ko nga, Christmas means giving. But you'll never see that at EDSA. And the bigger the vehicle, the more "un-giving" is the driver.
EDSA has become a virtually parking lot last month. Buti na lang at malamig ang panahon. I would always look at the temperature gauge of my car, praying that the needle will not hover the red area. As for the gasoline, lagi naman nasa E 'yung needle. I'm just hoping my car will not suddenly stop. At least, alam ko kung ano ang dahilan, kung nagkataon.
But I still have to be thankful for. I have my 1990 Toyota Corolla, listening to 98.7 DZFE, The Master's Touch, and my Wheeler's Club card. Kahit ano'ng mangyari, makakauwi rin ako.
One time, I passed by Five Star, the bus liner, not the firecracker. I saw a family of five at the sidewalk. The father was carrying two heavy luggages, the mother was carrying a baby on her right arm, while holding a boy of three with her left hand, and a girl of five was in between the adults, holding a Barbie-like doll, bought at Divisoria. Malayo ang mga tingin, hoping to see an empty taxi that will bring them home. Swerte na lang nila kung makakita sila ng bakante. At kung ang driver ay hindi pa mamimili o magtuturing, well, they would have experienced a true Christmas miracle.
It has always been like this, every Christmas. No, I'm wrong. I think the situation is getting worse. Every year we always say that we should lessen the "Ho! Ho! Ho's!" and add more "Hossanas". Unfortunately, the world is getting more materialistic. And we get caught in this giving so that we can receive. Thus, I would never give in to the driver entering my lane because he will not give in if I were to enter his lane. Unahan lang 'yan! Buti na lang siningil ako ng City of Las Pinas sa amelyar ko, which I have not paid in the last five years. At least, may dahilan akong hindi mamigay noong Pasko.
I do hope you all had, and are having, a meaningful Christmas. The season need not be celebrated once a year, then feel melancholic after, lalo na sa mga 'di na bata, na naubos ang sweldo at bonus sa kakapamili. If we will just remember the reason for the season, and live it, then everyday will be Christmas. Even at EDSA.
Bakit naman kasi lahat ng kumpanya sabay-sabay mag-celebrate ng kanilang Christmas Party. So, you'd bring your family to the party, kasi libre pagkain. At saka sabi ni Boss, eh. Then, sabay-sabay ding matatapos ang mga party kaya ang hirap kumuha ng taxi. Siksikan na sa daan, 'di lamang sa dami ng sasakyan, kun'di dahil na rin sa dami ng tao.
And one has to go to SM and buy gifts. Kasi, lahat ng kumare at kumpare mo sa office dala-dala rin ang pamilya nila sa party. Wala ka tuloy lusot sa mga inaanak mo.
The Philippines is said to celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world. Officially, it starts on Advent (sabi ng pari, it should start on December 25) and ends on the Feast of the Epiphany (or, sa tulad naming matatanda, the Feast of the Three Kings). Unofficially, it starts on the first 'ber' month (when you'd already hear Michael Jackson singing "Give Love On Christmas Day") and ends on Valentine's Day (the next gift-giving, money-spending season). However, even on December 25, people don't celebrate Christmas at EDSA. 'Kala ko nga, Christmas means giving. But you'll never see that at EDSA. And the bigger the vehicle, the more "un-giving" is the driver.
EDSA has become a virtually parking lot last month. Buti na lang at malamig ang panahon. I would always look at the temperature gauge of my car, praying that the needle will not hover the red area. As for the gasoline, lagi naman nasa E 'yung needle. I'm just hoping my car will not suddenly stop. At least, alam ko kung ano ang dahilan, kung nagkataon.
But I still have to be thankful for. I have my 1990 Toyota Corolla, listening to 98.7 DZFE, The Master's Touch, and my Wheeler's Club card. Kahit ano'ng mangyari, makakauwi rin ako.
One time, I passed by Five Star, the bus liner, not the firecracker. I saw a family of five at the sidewalk. The father was carrying two heavy luggages, the mother was carrying a baby on her right arm, while holding a boy of three with her left hand, and a girl of five was in between the adults, holding a Barbie-like doll, bought at Divisoria. Malayo ang mga tingin, hoping to see an empty taxi that will bring them home. Swerte na lang nila kung makakita sila ng bakante. At kung ang driver ay hindi pa mamimili o magtuturing, well, they would have experienced a true Christmas miracle.
It has always been like this, every Christmas. No, I'm wrong. I think the situation is getting worse. Every year we always say that we should lessen the "Ho! Ho! Ho's!" and add more "Hossanas". Unfortunately, the world is getting more materialistic. And we get caught in this giving so that we can receive. Thus, I would never give in to the driver entering my lane because he will not give in if I were to enter his lane. Unahan lang 'yan! Buti na lang siningil ako ng City of Las Pinas sa amelyar ko, which I have not paid in the last five years. At least, may dahilan akong hindi mamigay noong Pasko.
I do hope you all had, and are having, a meaningful Christmas. The season need not be celebrated once a year, then feel melancholic after, lalo na sa mga 'di na bata, na naubos ang sweldo at bonus sa kakapamili. If we will just remember the reason for the season, and live it, then everyday will be Christmas. Even at EDSA.
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