Switching On the Sun

“No man is an island” is an idiom that means people essentially depend on one another as much as people live for others. I suppose even one’s self-centered tendency expresses some point on how such selfishness allows others who are not to realize their windfall for not being one. But if such egotism influences others to rather be the same, it exemplifies how “no man is an island” should rather be responsibly considered. Other people live their lives with the thought that living it their way without regard for what others will feel as it is their life anyway clearly substantiates their naivety on social responsibility or social relation if I may say so. If self-expression is the reason then do it privately if the only purpose is to assert it for your own satisfaction in the first place. However, if publicly addressed, expect people’s individuality not to uncompromisingly conform with your thoughts as well. Being defensive of criticisms further manifests your egocentricity. How ironic ...

In every election, we are to seat selected officials into public service. On top of it all (say the Presidential election), the top seat will be taken on by a new head. As ordinary citizens, we are all hoping if not assured of the realization of our patriotic hopes in line with the current promises of whoever would claim victory but not necessarily the confidence of a greater number. The “democratic disadvantage” over our system is that too many candidates are allowed to run for the same position. Thus, winning is based on majority vote; however, the rest of the voting public combined who did not support such candidate outnumbers the winning votes. Unless it’s a landslide triumph, there are more people to convince still of the winner’s capacity to lead us. The bigger drawback is that most of these substantial number aren’t as supportive, treating the victor as the adversary, sourly substantiating themselves as the opposition. There is no unity. The biggest setback though is amongst a...

Last Friday was the Philippines’ 68th commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). Fearlessness would have been a good thing to manifest… courage, a good thing to emulate… A day prior to that, I received a Gold Credit Card from EastWest Bank. It was quite a surprise as I didn’t apply for it. However, they misspelled my name. Possibly intended or otherwise, it seemed a living-up-to-their-name sort of a thing. “Going East but West bound or vice versa?” Or apparently a surprise that does not want to stir astonishment or a ‘go’ ordered stopped... “Activate, deactivate”… It’s about the opposite as the astounding offering also enthused apprehension. Or they could have thought of the coinciding holiday for heroes to lure clients into a daring situation for investment… Does EastWest mean from Northwest to Northeast or Southwest to Southeast? Or does it just denote its global coverage? Why not Northsouth? Just a thought… Not that I’m leaning towards the opposite for a change in subje...

With my wife and two kids scheduled to go down to Manila early today, I kept on reminding my wife of possible occurrences in need of extra heedfulness. How seemingly calculating of me as well to ask my wife to text me every now-and-then if only to inform me of their whereabouts for the duration of their approximately 6-hour trip. Though I was on sick leave, I have to go to work for some pressing issues. Consequently, I wasn’t able to see them off. The only consolation for a worry-free waiting while working would have been text messages as confirmation of their travel status. However, I didn’t receive any. I was concerned of their well-being to the point I can’t fully focus on whatever I was doing. Close to being worried-sick, I thought I was suffering from a separation anxiety disorder. It’s a different case when I’m the one traveling. This time, the thought of their vulnerability in a place they’re not too familiar with gave me apprehensions. After quite a while, a call from my wif...

Declared as non-working holidays are the final days of the Holy Week. It is to commemorate how Our Savior manifested His being as such. Redeeming us all from our transgressions, the occasion to gratefully rejoice entreats us. Yet how are we to do that? How does the Lord want us to go about it? With the long weekend serving to be a respite from work exhaustion, quite a lot engage in worldly jubilation. Just when we were saved from our indiscretions, how ironic of us and revel still with the lack of good sense… It’s expected for us to do so through prayers and sacrifices; that’s as far as the church is concerned. What is a 3-day renunciation of earthly desires compared to a year as their dispute beckons us to be as dutiful. As if prayers aren’t implored throughout other days and devotedly working for family’s bread-and-butter most of the time isn’t reparation enough, the rationale to celebrate life is yet questioned. It is but human for us including church elders to see the obvious but...