Gibberish

Gibberish                                                                                                                              March 26, 2009 12:50 am

I recently discovered that whatever truth there may be, it is first and foremost a story. A story that only my cynical self has dared to probe.  A story that has no substance but a mere opinion, hearsay, a futile train of thought.  A philosophy that is so common we ignore it even exists.  This is a story of the myriad irony in this thing called life.

First, let’s talk about the social aspects of inequality.  It has always bothered me why society has a form of stratification since time memorial.  In any culture, there is a universal hierarchy, a form of superior-subordinate relationship.  Not that I insinuate oligarchy because I do believe that abolishing the former will only make things worse in terms of social order and harmony but the thing is, for most of us it has become a reality that we just started to accept. The modern age equivalent of the white, male, tall and western man is the dominant culture in American society and in our own colonial mentality; we still adhere to the standards of Uncle Sam’s ideologies.  Well, enough of our being “indios” I think the little-brown Filipinos should start recognizing their own accomplishments without any more depending on the say of dignitaries in the “land of the free and brave.”

Here’s a related but not similar example. Why do certain Filipino athletes’, Filipino Pop-stars, Filipino geniuses who bring honor to the country need to be recognized abroad first before we recognize them in our own country.  Does international standard necessarily overtake national ones?  Or is it just but natural for us to take pride in foreign awards and recognitions instead of treating our own as the best ones? It doesn’t make sense.

Second, I really hate and at the same time wonder the hypocrisy and mediocrity of the Philippine Educational System. I’m referring actually to the whole educational idea per se.  Yet, I myself am a victim and a number one patron, so sue me, yes I qualify for mediocrity.  Criticism aside, I think that there is a form of serious imbalance in the way the system works. 

For one, how many professional graduates do we produce each year and how many among them get employed for the first 6 months.  I’m there, the demands are low and the supply is high but how about considering shifting focus from white collar jobs to blue collar jobs.  And who says that only graduates can have a higher chance of getting ahead out of life. I personally knew some, even in my age or my batch, who ventured into business (even starting with really small ones like cart-types) yet gradually it paid off.  Well, this is not just talking of measuring success or progress in terms of financial gain but more on the self-fulfillment of proving one’s worth.

Here’s a funny scenario we see at home.  When parents start verbalizing their dreams for their children, they usually start by giving them a good education so that when the students (their children) graduate, they can land a stable, well good and (let’s say) high-paying job.  Is becoming a mere employee of the government, or that multi-dollar, private company the end of the dream?  How come others are brought up to think that way? Wouldn’t any parent suggest or dream that their children be the proponent or visionary leader of something that is unimaginable.   I think the world would be a better place if we just transcend the accepted caliber of excellence.  And it will even be a lot better world if we start to apply or actually put into practice what has been so easily conceived in thought.

Another irony or dilemma that is so common in the actual educational curriculum is the absurdity of ideas or theories that we so readily absorb.  I often think about how many times I have dealt with the question “who ever invented this theory?”  Especially when the lazy self gets the better part of me, I stop and question the sensibility of learning a theory so rampantly abused or misused in the real-world politics.  It’s a vicious cycle and system that is just hard to break.  And who am I to suggest or even thought of creating a difference when I myself cannot be disciplined to deviate.  It’s all gibberish.  It’s all just classical and rhetoric.

Lastly, I wouldn’t want to cross this point but I will say it anyway.  I see a great deal of problems rooted in the belief that I will call (for this article) “the lie of trusting one’s life in faith but not supporting it with works.”  The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia yet we see all forms of corruption and wickedness.  Of course by biblical standards, man has a fallen, selfish-nature and we inherited that very nature to sin but is this the end of the story.  Definitely not, because we are created with a free will and God’s perfect plan only materializes when we do our part and exercise that gift to choose.  Now I’m already sounding like a preacher here and not that I am an expert in morality or matters of the church but we know that we can always choose.  We choose to be righteous or we choose to do wrong. Wrong in the sense that it will not be for the common good.   In its basic premise, we harvest what we plant.  Life reverberates and actions have consequences.  Faith is not a mere abstract word we use by simply mentally saying we believe yet do nothing about the situation.  This explanation is stupid.  I know it does, it’s a very basic “you-know-already.”  Anyway, it’s so ironic and surprisingly generic that even in our day-to-day “bahala na” values it is being accounted to as faith.

Well, so much for my weary-wary thoughts, I think it’s time I get some sleep.  So here’s a goodnight for now. Oops, morning!!!   

23

Today is my 23^rd Birthday.  I’m a little ecstatic but more of overwhelmed. 

Now it’s 12:30 in the midnight and my birthday had officially elapsed, so let’s rewind a little bit and talked about today.

There was nothing extra-ordinary or fancy about it but somehow, something significant really happened and I cannot allow my memory to escape this time.  Here’s my list of the 23 people I commend for appreciating, remembering, and sharing with me my unforgettable 23rd birthday.  Cheers!

1. Mama    -               I love you Ma, thanks for the Singapore trip surprise
2. Ate Twinkle -         Thanks for the card
3. Ading Dexter -      Thanks for buying the rose
4. Dad -                      Thanks for driving me and for always preparing my water every morning
5. Ading Angel -        You’re a little out of mood but thanks for waking up early
6. BJ-                           Thanks for the sincere greetings
7. Vina-                       Thanks for taking the pictures and for talking to me in the phone until this very minute  just to check if I’m okey. Thanks also for scaring me but oh, please I’m trying to write here. (okay turning off the phone now, bye)
8. Lola-                       Thanks for the breakfast
9. Cousin Peng-         Thanks for bearing with me in looking for that lacy, lacy lavender blouse that I
10. Insisted on using (though it was unfound and probably misplaced until today)
11. Cousin Glenby-     Thanks. Even if you didn’t showed up because you left the house too early
12. Cousin Vergel -     Thanks for the silent nod and reactions.  I know we’re so noisy and loud but you just observed around, smiling in your seat.
13. Kuya Roland-        Thanks for cleaning the office
14. Marife-                   Thanks for honestly forgetting and immediately hugging me the moment you knew14.    Ma’am Precy-       You’re always kind to me, thanks for dropping by in the morning and waiting for me so we can get home together in the afternoon.
15. Ma’am Vio-            Thanks for the Hug, for the concern (checking out on me), and the stories
16. Sir Abet (LAU)-     Thanks for the greeting and the shyness.  You’re always humble, timid and a gentleman.
17. Sir Steve-              Thanks for the greetings.
18. Sir Rene-                Thanks for the kiss (so chummy) and for allowing me to go on a leave on   Apr  6 -8, 2009.  I badly need a vacation.
19. Sir Neil-                  Thanks for singing a birthday song.
20. Ma’am Mayet-      Thanks for being the first one to greet me in the email
21. Sir Mark-                Thanks for greeting me the moment I told you
22. Derylle-                  Thanks for the pretty flowers delivered via email (you have a beautiful heart young lady.)
23. Ma’am Len-          Thanks for being the last person to call and greet me in the office (before logged-out, somebody still remembered)

This is supposed to be just 23 but the list continues.  I also would like to extend my gratitude to the following people

Kuya DARWIN-                     Ate Twinkle’s boyfriend working in Manila (I’m glad you texted, I was so happy and excited hearing that beep)

Ate Jen (C. of Combank)- You are so beautiful and prudent ate.  Making mention of the Trip to Cebu and sharing other escapade plans with you had me something to look forward to. Special thanks for the food. It goes out for Ambot and Fe as well.

Ambot (Combank)-              Thanks for the hug, girl. And the charms, simply seeing your face lights my day.

Sir Jerry (Cureg )-                 I really appreciate your dropping by the office to shake my hands, very warming.

Ma’am Lhen (new accounts)-            Thanks for the gift.  That’s really awesome, to know that somebody bothered in the branch and to think that we’ve only known each other for a brief time.

Mhina-                                   I love you girl.  I didn’t know that you’re back since Monday, and sorry for the short notice assignment in Santiago, I’ve already arranged to move it for next week (Mar 30-April 3) with Ma’am Merlie.  Anyway, thanks for saying yes in acting as reliever in lieu of my vacation leave. Meant a lot to me.

Sir Dick (branch MO)-          Thanks for the jokes.  You are quite a fun lately, you’re always cracking jokes.  Far from the stern Sir Dick that I knew before.

Sir Boyet -                             Thanks for the teasing and updates for my lovelife. And the silly advises.

Ms. Lotus-                             Thanks for the greetings. Thanks for mentioning the salary loan application. Upon confirmation that it will be sent to your branch, you sincerely appreciated the gesture.  At least, it made me realize that I did something productive this week.  Let’s just wait til it’s delivered.

Kuya Alex-                             Thanks for assisting the applicants and directing them to my office.

Kuya Marvin-                        Thanks for paying the Country Club bills payment in Union Bank (I can’t imagine life without messengers like you)

Kuya Roland-                         You made life a little easier for me. Double thanks for preparing and dishing out the plates we used.  Thanks for that last minute additional “pakwan” merienda.

Ate Joan-                               Thanks for being the last person who sent the greeting through a text message   

Ate Kiana-                             Thanks for the YM Greetings

Cheeky-

Ifever I forgot to mention somebody…you were either apparently out-of-sight or I never heard anything from you. Except for the pre-greeting calls I received from APO pipz.

Time is swift.  People come and go.  Things change. Circumstances cause us to leave or go elsewhere.  But the work must go on.  People move on.  Life continues to revolve and people constantly evolve. Time is unstoppable.  And by 5am today, I’m going to meet the Governor and talk about my transfer.  As for my present job where I am currently connectied, I still don’t have a fabricated story for the reason of my half-day leave (hope I can be back in the office before 10am today).  Yesterday, I turned 23.  This might just be the biggest change so far–shifting in another career.  I’m not sure if I wanted or needed this.  But got to decide soon. I’ll make the decision, I’m sure. I just need a time off so I can think it over (one and a million times)                                                             

    Morning!!!!Have a long-day ahead, valerie