Just venting....

Just venting...

My Pen Mates,

As feared, our networking group has become a podium to advance social propaganda. What was intended to be an online site to get and stay in touch, seem to have passed that point where people shared stories, found hometown friends and relatives, exchanged pictures, recipes, health tips, a little bit of gossip, and recollections of happy memories. Over a period of two months, the idea of a grand reunion was loosely discussed; associated programs, projects, meetings have been hatched, and a general feeling of goodwill emerged from such discussions. It has of late however, taken a soapbox format where vapid agendas are starting to emerge.

I consider participants in this forum as the elite members of the group for two reasons: First is that they have access to online connection, hence a sign that they are a degree above the rest of the class. Second, and perhaps a bigger indicator, that they do choose to participate in the discussions, indicating a personal perception of sophistication and ability to communicate in this media. Of late, this elite group have veered towards social commentary only tangentially related to a reunion, but more towards innuendo and marginal provocation. I am disappointed that the rest of this sophisticated circle is being quiet about this trend, or have dovetailed into this emergent slant.

But the substance of this propaganda is so simplistic that it's junior level political science cum socio-economics; that's what's so frustratingly disturbing. Talk about change, getting rid of poison, throwing out the bad so the good can prosper__like it was a linear event that follows a concatenated series of actions given ideal parameters, is so transparently self-serving and reflects ill-will towards parties who have no means to respond, that it's become so...childish. Having gone as high as standing on a molehill and seeing beyond the field, we have convinced ourselves and have become quite certain that the mountaintop is ours to conquer as well.

My friends, getting ahead in life and getting far from humble beginnings does not make one worthy to bear the mantle of saving our hometown from its impoverished state. This is not conventional warfare where you have to vanquish the enemy to impose your will after its demise. This is guerrilla warfare with multiple fronts, where meager resources are allocated in consideration of a long protracted engagement. That you are certain of the outcome is commendable, that you think you'll get all you want--even when you toe the political process--is wishful thinking.

So stop talking about creating livelihood to support the market, and improve taxation, and generate funds for social services, and investment in health, which will fuel further growth! That utopia belongs in the preamble and sounds good as a political platform and as inscriptions on libraries and parks as a declaration of principles! Let's engrave that in stone and get to work__ one objective at a time:

Don't politicize the used clothes/toys/books program. You don't need a banner or flag to announce that your "Batch" is doing this. Approach friends and classmates in need and distribute these items without fanfare.

Start a food program for hungry schoolchildren. If their parents keep them in school, they'll get free lunch as long as they maintain respectable grades. Again, institute without fluffing your feathers and beating your chests. Grace and I will commit to a $50 monthly contribution towards this. There is no way in the world that one cannot get the same commitment from other members of this elite group. These kids need nourishment to learn and are still too young to "fish" for themselves.

Execute the scholarship program now or outline the existing format if one exists, so sponsors can coalesce around it. Examine the drop-out rate and find the cause; if it's economics, then extend the tuition assistance.

Harbor no illusions, accept the political realities of guns, goons, and gold in Philippine politics. The very same people who used the slogan to expel one dictator employ the same paradigm to hold on to their thrones. This is not resignation and surrender, it is cultural assimilation. Among us are people who worked to throw out the US bases from the PI but are now working to instill US presence in another nation. You want to enter politics? Prepare to turn into them. It's your means of survival.

And finally, let us live our values. We cannot keep an advocay against poverty and hardship and difficulty in finding livelihood, then fork over to our children three, five hundred pesos to eat at Jollibee for lunch or buy a new skin for their DS. We cannot be catching raindrops dripping through the roof in coffee cans and mayonnaise jars, and turn around and buy the latest Maybelline kit and Coach apparel. If materialism follows hard work, success is hollow and reveals a weakness in our fundamental character.

This last one warrants closer assessment. Children in our hometown are skipping a cultural segment because they have access to Western lifestyle and norms. They see and crave what the media feeds them so they have to have camera cell phones for the sake of having them, Nike outfits because Kobe looks good in them, Tag Hauer watches, high energy drinks, Guitar Hero, wireless mouse, PDA's. It does not matter that these serve little to make them better people, it's just what's in and they need to be in the circle. That few can afford them is not the sad part, it's that we as adults lift no finger to dissuade them from that distorted picture of prosperity. They skip being kids because we allow them to be immersed in this material soup, ignoring the horrible mindset we are cementing into their young minds. Again, let us get back to the basics: values which raises respectful, God loving, hard working individuals; independence and focus to stay the course and resist the temptation of the material world; and to look beyond themselves, and be able to look their neighbor in the eyes and see their brothers and sisters.

Stop thinking like Marxist idealists. That mentality should have been outgrown by now and replaced by pragmatic efficiency. The problems that exist evolve even as they are being eradicated. But basic human decency is constant and universal. Once we shed our craving for titles, bestowed honors and recognitions, power and bling, what remains is a pillar of hope, at peace with itself and accepting of the fact that he/she needs to function in an imperfect world. But the little thing that can be done to make it better, should be done now__one molehill at a time.

Pungol-pungol labat ni; say palandey wadtan ya man-alagar...

Mon