Silent Protest

I feel bad talking about kitschy New York living when my poor country is in shambles. In the past weeks, at least three events in the Philippines made it to the top stories in international papers (all bad news), and I have even been approached by my friends here asking if my family is well and safe.

I keep myself up to date with Philippine current events on a regular basis, and reading about the tragedies, poverty and disorder makes me feel like one of those clueless brats safely tucked inside airconditioned SUV's in Rockwell. Minus the aircon, the SUV and the brattiness, perhaps you would think that living in a place far away from the action adds to the "couldn't care any less" attitude. You're wrong.

Let's put it this way. When you watch the Super Bowl at home, even if you are miles away from the stadium, you still share the same excitement, the same feeling of triumph or defeat, you shed the same amount of tears and the same amount of joy. If your team is defeated, would you recklessly throw rocks on the TV to boo the winning one? Obviously you won't, that's just ridiculous.

The same way happens when you read about people trying to overthrow the Philippine government. You build the same amount of angst like fellows who are actually there first-hand, enough to make you protest, cry and kill like any other. You protest silently, but deep within you, you are bursting with sympathy, anger, disdain and disgust.

I do hope that there continues to be relief efforts in Leyte, that the masses will learn about having false hopes from showbiz personalities from the Ultra stampede, and that Gloria keeps herself together for the good of the country.