Laws are Laws

One of the most hilarious moments of all the seasons of Amazing Race is when Season 5's Colin and Christie had a conversation with one Filipino taxi driver. Their dialogue went like this:

Christie: We need to hurry! We're far behind. We need to win. Go as fast as you can!

Taxi driver: It is prohibited to go beyond 100 kph in this highway.

Colin and Christie: oh.

Taxi driver: So I have no choice but to break the law.

Colin and Christie: Yes!

* * *

It shows how hospitable we are; how even our taxi drivers can speak decent English; how humorous we could be; and how willing we are to help other people, especially foreigners, especially reality show contestants visiting our country. Nothing wrong with these, I guess. But our propensity to break our own law is another story; and to do it with what seems like jubilation in front of foreigners and international TV is downright shameful.

For the benefit of the doubt, maybe the driver was just excited. But in no case is this incidence extraordinary. Filipinos break our own laws because of manifold reasons. It could be because (a) we are certain we will not be caught; (b) we don't fear our own punishments; or (c) because it's a norm. Maybe, it's all these and more.

But don't expect other people in other countries to do the same things we do. To them, laws are laws.

In the face of a predicament of another Filipino sentenced to 'death penalty without reprieve' in China, for drug trafficking,  don't expect leniency. Drugs are drugs. It ruins lives and put other innocent lives in danger.

This is not the first case where a kababayan is sentenced to death because of drug trafficking. We should have learned the first time or the second or the third...

Whatever reason they have for doing what they did is beside the point. It's illegal and I'm quite certain they know that. Not that I don't sympathize, but what is wrong is wrong. Our leniency towards law implementation does not extend to other territories. We must respect their laws even if we don't respect ours. 

On Gay Rights

"There are people who have said that I’m being brave for being openly supportive of gay marriage, gay adoption, basically of gay rights, but with all due respect, I humbly dissent. I’m not being brave. I’m being a decent human being. And I don’t think I should receive an award for that or for merely stating what I believe to be true, that love is a human experience not a political statement. However, I acknowledge that sadly we live in a world where not everybody feels the same. My family and I will help the good fight continue until that long awaited moment arrives, when our rights are equal and when the political limits on love have been smashed." – Anne Hathaway 

This is one of the most compelling statements I’ve ever encountered. I first came across this statement of Anne Hathaway in Tumblr. It has gained thousands of ‘likes’ and reposts.

Some assent to her views and some question it. Of course, I share her views and I appreciate her advocacy.

Also, I think this is a proof of how statements – more so, advocacy – of prominent people could be so influential. Anne Hathaway – from how I see it – is a good person; and a good person fighting for a cause would somehow equate to it being a worthy one. She was able to give confidence to those she’s advocating for and to those who have the same belief.

On gay rights: I believe in the love of my God, that my God is an understanding God. I refuse to acquiesce that He would punish people because of their gender-preference. You could be the straightest guy on earth but also the most evil one. It doesn’t matter what inclination you have as long as you’re a good person.

On gay marriages: I believe in love, whatever kind it is as long as it’s true. And if a gay marriage is founded on love, by all means, let it be.

* * *

Prejudice is just ignorance. - Blaine, Glee Season 2

Remembering the Maguindanao Massacre

It was a crime so heinous that everyone wanted to see justice be served instantly. But two years has passed and  justice for the deceased is still beyond reach.

Dying is a given. But to die the way they did is inexplicably unfathomable. Heartless. And all for what? The desire to stay in power? Unimaginable. Unforgivable. Evil.

Let us not forget the 57 people whose lives were wasted because of the continued existence of the climate of impunity and warlordism in our country. May those responsible for this crime, who thinks they are beyond the reach of law, be punished for what they had done -- for ruthlessly murdering those women, journalists and other unknowing victims.

May this never happen again. Let us not forget. Justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre!

Lola Aurelia and the Power of Kindness and Social Media

Photo by Reddie Js (Reposted from Facebook)

Netizens have sympathized with this image of Lola Aurelia with a note on her back stating that a certain Luis Matias is missing. Lolo Luis is Lola Aurelia's husband. It turns out, he had been missing for two weeks prior to the day this picture by Reddie Js went viral.

For the entire day of November 22, 2011, my news feed was filled with the picture. The news was such a hit that it reached national media attention. The evening broadcasts featured the story with the good news that Lolo Matias was found near a train station in Quirino. Lola Aurelia and Lolo Matias were reunited, and as they say, it was the best news for that day.

This story is overwhelming.

Lola Aurelia and her dedication to find her husband through her own meager way... I will no longer speak of the power of love for the picture and videos of their reunion can already speak for themselves.

The power of kindness is another story. Reddie Js, the one who took the picture, posted and asked his friends to share. This exemplifies what a simple act of kindness and concern can do. He did not know her yet he took it upon himself to, first, talk to her. She was a stranger but he talked to her and had enough compassion to ask her story. How many among us would actually stop our busy lives and do what he did? I hope all of us will emulate him and do our random - or maybe not so random - good deed everyday.

But this success story would not have been possible if not for the thousands of people who shared the post and contributed to its being viral. Time and time again, social media has proven to be useful in terms of information dissemination and, sometimes, inciting actions. We are aware how negative these social networking sites can be, but this positive side of the coin, in my opinion, far outweighs its defects.

A happy ending to a good story, it's what everybody wants and needs to hear these days.

13 Things LRT1 Experiences Taught Me

1. Some people can be so evil, selfish and inconsiderate!

It’s understandable that you have to fight for your rightful places in LRT1, especially during rush hours. But still, hurting other people – in the form of unnecessary elbowing, pushing and cursing – can be avoided.
Manners. It’s either you have it or you don’t. And under stress, people’s true colors will show. Unfortunately, those colors are those I’ll prefer hidden.

2. I am relatively a good person. =)

There were countless times that I could push, elbow and curse foully but I did not. Because that’s not what’s right, proper, and I don’t know what other human beings are going through. I’m just happy to know that under unfavorable conditions, I find myself behaving accordingly.

3. Sometimes you have to give ‘till it hurts – literally and figuratively.

I sometimes just find myself making my body as small as possible (and that’s saying something!) so that other people who are also in a hurry could fit in. Uncomfortable body positions and people pressing at different parts of your body can hurt.
And sometimes, when other people look more desperate, I just have to step aside.

4. Sometimes, you just have to bitch it all out.
Don’t catch me on a bad day; I can be a total bitch. Being too good makes me restless afterwards. That’s why sometimes, I intentionally forget what is “proper” and “civilized”, I just bitch it all out to persons who are VERY deserving.

5. When there’s no choice involved, deal with it!

It’s just the fastest thing from my place to my work. I don’t want to deal with EDSA traffic. Time and additional sleep are the most valuable every weekday morning.

6. Be competitive and Be Assertive

As I said, you have to fight for your rightful place. Everyday, it’s like a jungle out there; the fittest survives. Assertiveness when lines are crossed and when thieves are taking advantage of the chaos is also necessary.

7. Strategize.

I know how many kinds of trains there are, where exactly they open and who are my most aggressive competitors during a particular time. =)

8. Always smell good.

This is more of an announcement. Please.
And I’ve heard, the non-female area can smell really awesome. (If you know what I mean.)

9. The “Special Area” can really be entertaining.

Most of the time, I position myself nearest the Special Area for the elderly, less-able, children, and pregnant women – including their companions. I have a game called “Who will give their seat to whom”. And some toddlers can just really take all the stresses away.

10. Always maintain poise and grace

After all the uncomfortable moments before, during and after the train ride, maintaining poise and grace is a skill.

11. Making it in and out always gets me.

Carriedo Station, where I board every day, is almost right in the middle of Baclaran-Monumento Route. It’s also in Manila and right in the middle of a crowded area. Going in and out of the train everyday is a challenge. Every morning, people would kill to get in. Every evening, getting out looks almost impossible. Just to make it in and out the right station is an everyday achievement.

12. At the end of every ride, you just have to let go.

Don’t let it ruin your day, it’s not worth it. There are more important things out there to conquer. Letting go is a talent.

13. It’s a lot like life.

When you fail to ride one train, another one comes along.
Waiting is a necessary pain to get to where you want to be.
It is a ride, not the destination.
It can suck so badly.