Anna Bermudo: Kindness Behind a Pretty Face

Anna Bermudo: Kindness Behind A Pretty Face

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

When I took a respite at a Jollibee joint in Divisoria, particularly, corner of Sto. Cristo St., due to my heavy packs, I found out that I needed a separate bag for some items intended to be given to one of my friends in Baseco. It was then, that I noticed one of the crew who was cleaning tables. I told her my problem, without much ado, she left and when she came back, she had a paper bag which was just what I needed. Her prompt assistance impressed me, despite her doing something else during the time. She practically dropped everything and attended to me, although, customers were beginning to crowd the room.

My appreciation for such kind act, made me ask her permission if I can share it with friends. She shyly hesitated, but I had my chance to take her photo quickly, when she began to clean my table. She thought I was joking when I aimed my cellphone/camera for a quick shot. I found the photo to be hazy when I checked it at Baseco, so I came back to the burger joint. Luckily, I found her having a late breakfast in a sidewalk food stall near Jollibee. I practically begged her to allow me to take a clearer photo, explaining to her that what I am doing is for the benefit of others who might be inspired by people like her. Fortunately, she conceded and even cooperated by giving information about herself.

Although merely, a high school graduate, she courageously left her hometown in Zamboanga to seek a “greener pasture” in Manila several years ago. She had no chance of pursuing her studies, as she had been helping her family by sending whatever amount she could afford from her wage when she found a job. I could see that her right attitude has earned her a well-deserved job in the world-renown Filipino burger outfit which is also acknowledged for its fairness in dealing with employees.

 

Anna is pretty, an attribute that could land her a much better-paying job in cafes that could be double or triple compared to what she is earning in Jollibee. But I could surmise that despite temptations from friends, that always happen to pretty girls from the countryside, she opted to work in a family-oriented establishment. Her clean and smooth face is not covered even by a thin swipe of rouge, and she wears no jewelry, not even a single stainless ring. Her simplicity has accentuated her pretty face…. that veils an innate kindness.

 

 

 

 

Ryan Natividad: 14 years old Pa Lang, Factory Worker Na, Ngayon ay may Sariling Negosyo

Ryan Natividad: 14 years old Pa Lang,

Factory Worker Na, Ngayon ay may sariling Negosyo

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Noon pa man ay interesado na akong magsulat tungkol sa mga naglalako ng mga gamit na naglilibot saan mang lugar dahil nagustuhan ko ang kanilang pagtitiyaga na magandang halimbawa sa iba na ang gusto ay kumita agad ng milyon-milyon sa negosyo.

 

Nang makita ko ang isang grupo na kumakain noon sa karinderya malapit sa amin, nagulat ako nang tawagin ng isa sa kanila na “boss” ang kasama nila na sa tingin ko ay parang college student lang. Nakita ko rin ang mga nilalako nilang power tools tulad ng barena. Sa kahihintay ko ng tamang panahon upang makausap ng masinsinan ang tinawag na “boss” ay saka naman sila umalis sa dating tinitirhan. Mabuti na lang at makalipas ang ilang buwan ay natiyempuhan ko ang taong gusto kong kausapin sa isang karinderya na nadaanan ko.

 

Siya si Ryan Natividad, 26 taong gulang at may isang anak na 8 taong gulang, kasal kay Sienna Javier, at sila ay taga-Bulacan. Sa katitinda ng mga power tolls ay napadako ang grupo niya sa Cavite.

 

Galing siya sa isang broken family dahil grade six pa lang daw siya ay naghiwalay na ang kanyang mga magulang at siya ay napapunta sa kalinga ng kanyang nanay. Dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay, 14 taong gulang pa lang daw siya ay napasabak na siya ng trabaho sa iba’t ibang pagawaan o factory. Hindi rin siya nakatapos ng high school, kaya nang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon kalaunan ay pinasukan na rin niya ang negosyong kalye o ambulant vending sa gulang na 19 taon. Noon niya natutunan ang pagbenta ng mga power tools at kahit papaano ay nakakapag-ipon pa siya.

 

Sa gulang na 23 taon, naisipan niyang mamuhunan upang lumaki ang kayang kita kaya humiram siya ng 30 libong piso sa kanyang nanay upang maipandagdag sa naipon na niya. Nang lumago ng kaunti ang kanyang negosyo ay kumuha na siya ng ilang tauhan. Sa loob ng tatlong taon ay nadagdagan pa ang kanyang mga kalakal kaya ngayon, ay may apat na siyang tauhan. Nakatira sila sa isang studio type na apartment sa Bacoor City at sinusuyod nila ang mga kalapit na lunsod at bayan sa paglako ng power tools.

 

Sa gulang na 26 taon, nakakabilib si Ryan dahil may sarili na siyang negosyo na nagsimula sa mahigit lang sa halagang 30 libong piso. Paano na lang kaya kung ang puhunan niya ay mahigit 100 libong piso na sa tingin ng ibag tao ay “barya lang”? Sa uri ng kanyang pagsisikap, baka hindi lang apat na tao ang kanyang natulungan!

 

May mga seafarers at OFWs na tuwing magbabakasyon ay hindi bumababa sa 50 libong piso ang cash na nahahawakan at yong iba pa nga ay mahigit 100 libong piso. Subalit sa ilang araw pa lang nilang pagbabakasyon ay ubos na dahil sa walang pakundangang paggastos. At, kung wala nang madukot ay ang mga ipinundar na gamit naman ang binibenta, hanggang bandang huli ay uutang na. Madalas pa itong nagreresulta sa away-asawa lalo pa kung maluho ang misis. Karamihan sa mga ito ay hindi nakakaisip na mumuhunan sa isang negosyo upang maaasahan kung sakaling may mangyaring hindi maganda tulad ng pagkatanggal sa trabaho, o di kaya ay upang may “mapaglibangan” man lang para sa karagdagang kita ng mister, ang misis na naiiwan sa Pilipinas.

 

Kaylan kaya mag-uugaling Ryan ang mga uri ng taong nabanggit ko?

 

 

The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

While Divisoria has always been known as the shoppers’ Mecca, especially, during Christmas, there is” another side” of it which I do not want to present as an image of poverty but that of perseverance, patience, and honest endeavor. This is the “other Divisoria” which many people just refuse to see as it might cause them to puke! The accompanying photos show how these honest Filipinos contentedly strive to live in sheer honesty.

 

The skeptics always say, “it is their fault for going to Manila and suffer deprivation”. These hypocrite skeptics have  TV, radio, and occasionally read newspapers, so they should know that the provinces from where these people who are eking out an honest living on the “other side” of Divisoria, are infested with NPAs, Abu Sayyaf, opportunistic landlords, and loan sharks. For the arrogant, the world is just for those who can afford to live decently. On the other hand, as these skeptics have not endured days of hunger, they may not understand how it is to make a difficult decision to live a hand-to-mouth life in Manila by scavenging in garbage dumps, rather than die of hunger and be in constant fear for dear life in the province.

 

It is true that the slums have been in existence for many decades now, but there would be no slums had the government ever since the time the nation has become independent, did not get infested with corrupt lawmakers and officials. The slums have been around since the time that deprivation and exploitation have been propagated by learned Filipinos who found their way in the halls of Congress and Senate, as well as, agencies, even at the helm of the government. Unfortunately, the seed of exploitation has grown into an uncontrollable proportion today, making corruption as wrongly and unfairly viewed to be always a part of the Filipino culture.

 

The striving people from the slums near Divisoria, and other districts of Manila, in this regard, may be viewed by the arrogant as akin to dogs and cats, because of their many children, oftentimes making them utter unsavory remark, such as, “they know they are poor, yet, they keep on having children”.

 

How I wish these skeptics can also openly, make biting remarks –

• to the corrupt politicians and government officials, such as, “they graduated from prestigious universities and colleges, yet, they do not know what is right or wrong”

 

• to the filthy rich, such as, “they have plenty of money, yet they can’t even throw a piece of bread to a beggar”

 

• to the stiff-necked Catholic priests, pastors, and other religious ministers such as, “they are supposed to be representatives of the Lord, but they can’t afford to take a look at the spiritually hungry”

 

Finally, compared to the disgusting hypocrites, loan sharks, corrupt government officials, arrogant “religious ministers” and conscienceless rich, who are supposed to be learned and intelligent, the people who honestly make a living such as those who belong to the “other side” of Divisoria, are worthy to be called creatures of God – true human beings…slum denizens who are viewed by aforementioned with utter repugnance.

 

(This blog will definitely, not hurt those who do not belong to the mentioned “classes” of loathsome Filipinos.)

 

 

Wilma Palagtiw: Repairs Junked Shoes and Bags to be Sold for a Living

Wilma Palagtiw: Repairs Junked Shoes and Bags

To be Sold for a Living

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

One early morning, while cruising the old railroad track of Divisoria where junks were sold, I chanced upon a woman who was engrossed in repairing a shoe. Her various wares on display were repaired bags, shoes, and other junk items. She obliged for some photos when I asked her, adding jestingly that I would send them to a movie outfit.

 

She was Wilma Palagtiw who hails from the island of Negros, so that we comfortably conversed in Cebuano and Ilonggo. She learned the skill of shoe repairing from her husband who has been in the trade for a very long time even before they met. That morning, Felix, her husband was out doing the rounds of garbage dumps for junks.

 

Without telling me her exact age, she confided that she was almost fifty and has six children with four already doing part-time and contractual jobs in different stalls in Divisoria. The two younger ones are both in Grade 7. Their pooled financial resources are enough to get them going every day with even a few pesos set aside for emergency needs, especially, for school needs of the two younger kids.

 

I did a quick mathematical estimate of their joint income, such as if a sales attendant of a stall in Divisoria receives 200 pesos a day, multiply it by 4, so that’s 800 pesos a day, and for a straight duty in a month without day off, the four elder children should be earning 24,000.00 pesos. Deduct the lunch for the 4 of them at 50 pesos each, so that’s 200 pesos…hence, 800 (total earning of the 4) less 200, that leaves 600 pesos net earnings of the 4 in a day.  Finally, multiply the 600 pesos by 30 days that leaves 18,000 pesos net total earnings for the 4 kids.

 

Meanwhile, Wilma shared that she and her husband don’t earn much from selling junks. For every item sold, they earn from 5 to 20 pesos “profit” after deducting the cost of materials that they use for the repair of the junks. They cannot afford to offer their goods at a higher price due to stiff competition among “buraot vendors” like them.

 

The small room that they rent gives them just enough comfort as they retire for the night, especially, for the kids. The worst days for them are those of the “flood months”, as there could be no income for several days. Despite the hardship, Wilma was still all-smile while conversing with me. I had to leave her as customers were beginning to stop by to gawk at her items that are neatly displayed, while she braved the biting heat of the sun at eight that morning.

 

If only the rest of us are brave and contented like Wilma, then, there would be no more crying to the Lord, blaming Him why there is no pork dish on the table, or why the money is not enough for a brand new cellphone, or why the remittance from a toiling husband abroad is delayed in coming, etc. etc.etc…..

 

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal

Ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Madaling araw nang makasakay ko si Allan Recato sa jeep papuntang Baclaran.  Masuwerte siya at pinasakay siya ng drayber ng jeep dahil ang iba ay ayaw sa mga magtataho na ang dalawang timbẳ ay kumakain ng malaking espasyo na ayaw ng ibang pasahero. Galing Cavite ang jeep na iilan lang ang sakay. Dahil magkaharap kami, naramdaman ko ang ang mainit na singaw ng taho mula sa timbẳ nitong stainless na ang bigat ay mahigit 30 kilo.

 

Payat si Allan kaya hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong magtanong kung okey lang siya. Nakangiti siyang sumagot na okey lang naman dahil mahigit 18 taon na niyang pinagtitiyagaan ang pinagkikitaan niyang ito. Sa kabubusisi ko ay nalaman kong apat ang anak niya pero nang tanungin ko kung ano ang trabaho ng misis niya, hindi agad siya sumagot. Bandang huli ay sinabi niyang “inabandona” sila ng misis niya dahil nakakita na ng bagong asawa sa abroad…sa Gitnang Silangan. Wala na silang kontak sa isa’t isa.

 

Naging palagay yata ang loob niya sa akin kaya tuluy-tuloy lang ang pagbigay niya ng impormasyon tungkol sa pamilya niya kaya nalaman ko rin na ang panganay niya ay 17 taong gulang na at ang gusto ay maging nurse. Ang sumunod na dalawa, 13 at 12 taong gulang ay inabot ng K-12 program kaya pinag-iipunan naman niya ang pang-matrikula. At, ang bunsong 6 na taong gulang ay nasa elementarya pa. Habang nagsasalita siya ay kinunan ko siya ng litrato dahil pumayag naman, pero bago yon ay talagang inamin kong balak kong isulat ang makulay niyang buhay. Naputol ang usapan namin nang bumaba ako sa kanto ng MIA Road.

 

Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa bahay ng kaibigan kong nakaratay upag hatiran ng mga pagkain at diaper, ay naalala kong hindi pala kami nagpalitan ng celfon number, lalo pa at naramdaman kong parang may gusto pa akong dapat malaman.

 

Kagustuhan yata ng Diyos na maisulat ko talaga ng maayos ang buhay ni Allan dahil pagkagaling ko sa kaibigan ko at sumakay ng jeep papuntang Baclaran, nadatnan ko siyang nakatayo malapit sa LRT station. Upang hindi na magkalimutan, nagpalitan agad kami ng numero, at noon ko nalaman na hindi pala talaga siya taga-Las Piἧas, kundi taga-Pasay. Pumupunta lang pala siya sa Las Piἧas tuwing madaling araw upang humango ng taho upang ibenta, at ginagawa niya ito dalawang beses sa maghapon. Pagbaba niya ng Baclaran ay naglalakad na siya papuntang Taft Avenue sa Pasay hanggang makarating sa Vito Cruz, sa Malate na bahagi na ng Maynila.

 

Sa pag-uusap namin uli, humingi siya ng tulong kung paanong matunton ang misis niya na ang pagkaalam niya ay kung ilang beses na nagpalit ng pangalan. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang larawan ng misis niya at lalaking kinakasama nito. Walang kagatul-gatol ding inamin niyang ang bunso niyang anak ay hindi niya talagang tunay na anak kundi anak ng misis niya sa bagong lalaking kinakasama. Umuwi lang pala ito noon nang mabuntis at upang sa Pilipinas isilang ang anak niya sa pagkakasala. Akala ni Allan ay magbabago ang misis niya pagkatapos maisilang ang bata, subalit, nang mailuwal ay iniwan na silang tuluyan. Masakit man, ay tinanggap na lang niya ang kanyang kapalaran. Pinipilit na lamang niyang igapang ang pangangailangan nilang mag-aama, pero para sa kursong nursing ng kanyang panganay, hihingi daw siya ng tulong sa kanyang dalawang kapatid.

 

Kaya pala noong sa jeep pa lang kami nag-uusap, parang may gusto pang sasabihin si Allan sa akin subalit bigla akong bumaba. Mabuti na lang din at parang may lakas na tumugaygay sa akin patungo sa LRT kung saan siya nakapuwesto na parang hinintay lang ako, dahil pagkatapos naming mag-usap ay umalis na rin siya upang ituloy ang paglako ng taho. Sa Ingles, ang tawag yata sa ganoong uri ng lakas  ay “Divine Providence”.

 

Sa gulang na 41 taon, bakas sa mukha ni Allan ang mga hagupit ng kapalaran kaya sa biglang tingin ay mukha siyang mahigit nang 60 taong gulang, lalo pa’t halos puti na rin ang kanyang buhok. Nang maghiwalay kami uli ay pinalakas ko ang kanyang loob at nangakong magkikita uli kami upang makilala rin ang kanyang mga anak. Habang naglalakad akong palayo ay pinagdasal ko na lang na sana ay huwag siyang magkasakit dahil ang tingin ko ay parang bumabagsak na ang kanyang katawan na nakikita sa sobra niyang kapayatan.

 

 

 

Ang Dalawang Uri ng Problema

Ang Dalawang Uri ng Problema

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Problema ng iba’y kung anong ihahalo

Sa isang kilong karne

Samantalang ang iba…hapon na subalit

Hindi man lang nakainom ng kape.

 

Problema ng iba’y kung saan kakain

Sa Jollibee ba o MacDo

Samantalang ang iba…hanggang tanghod

ang magagawa’t laway ay tumutulo.

 

Problema ng iba’y ‘di bago ang celfon

Nahihiya sa mga kaibigan

Samantalang ang iba…isang pares na tsinelas

Ay naituturing nang isang karangyaan.

 

Problema ng iba’y saan magbabakasyon

Sa Hongkong ba o Amerika

Samantalang ang iba…malaking problema na

Ang baon at pamasahe patungo sa opisina.

 

Problema ng iba’y luma na raw ang kotse

Dapat palitan, at nakakahiya

Samantalang ang iba…wala man lang sapatos

Na magagamit sa pagpasok sa eskwela.

 

Problema ng iba’y wala daw laptop o tablet

Kailangan daw sa school nila

Nguni’t ang iba …ballpen man lang at papel

Pati notebook ay punit, ni textbook ay wala.

 

Bakit hindi muna tumingin ang iba sa paligid –

Silang nagsasabing kapos daw sa pera?

Bulag ba sila o manhid…walang pakiramdam?

O talagang sagad sa buto ang pagkaganid nila!

Isang Kending Hinati, at iba pang Kuwento

Isang Kending Hinati, at iba pang Kuwento

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Malaking bagay ang pag-uusap kung minsan ng magkakaibigan upang sumariwa ng mga nakaraan. Nangyari ito nang magkita kami nina Del Merano, mag-asawang Mona at Reuben Pecson na isinama ang tinuturing kong “miracle baby” nila noon, at ngayon ay binata na, si JR. Ibinuntis ni Mona si JR nang panahong mayroon siyang malaking cyst sa sinapupunan, subalit sa awa ng Diyos, nakaraos siya sa pagbuo nito hanggang maipanganak bilang isang malusog na sanggol. Ngayon si JR ay isa nang piloto. Pananalig sa Diyos ang naging kasangkapan ni Mona sa pagkakaroon ng isang matagumpay na ngayong anak na Piloto.

 

Sa mga kuwentuhan namin, lumabas ang pinakatago-tago sigurong kuwento ni Del tungkol sa kending hinahati pa niya upang magkasya sa maghapon niyang pagsi-sales call noong kami ay nagtatrabaho pa sa Philippine Airlines (PAL). Isa si Del sa mga pinagkakatiwalaang Account Officers ng PAL. At, dahil sa kanyang pagka-single mom, tipid na tipid ang ganyang gastos. Nagulat daw ang kasama naming kasabay niya sa pag-sales call nang ilabas niya ang kalahati ng isang kendi at isinubo bilang miryenda. Ang natirang kalahati ay kanyang itinabi para sa hapon naman.

 

Ikinuwento rin niya na sa pagpipilit na makapasok sa PAL ay halos nanikluhod sa nagbibigay ng typing test na bigyan siya ng ilang pagkakataon na umabot sa pang-apat hanggang abutin niya ang standard na bilis sa pagmamanikilya. Mangiyak –ngiyak siya nang makalusot sa test. Ang unang trabaho niya ay sa Accounting Office subalit napansin siya ng namumuno ng Internationals Sales Department na si Manny Relova, kaya on the spot ay sinabihan siyang mag-report sa opisina nito upang mag-issue ng mga tiket na pang-international. Dumaan siya sa masusing pag-aaral ng iba’t ibang pamasahe sa eroplano, kasama na ang sa iba pang airlines. Dahil sa kagalingan niya, mabilis ang kanyang promotion hanggang sa ma-assign sa iba’t ibang international station bilang District Sales Manager.

 

Naalala ko noon ang kuwento niya nang ma-assign sa San Franciso (USA). Ang tinirhan niya ay walang kagamit-gamit kaya sa sahig siya natutulog nang kung ilang araw. Kahit bago sa America ay malakas ang loob sa paglibot kaya sandali lang ay dumami na ang kanyang kontak at mga kaibigan na nakatulong ng malaki sa kanya bilang District Sales Manager.

 

Nag-resign siya nang bilhin ng San Miguel ang PAL, subalit nang bilhin uli ito ni Lucio Tan ay inimbita siyang bumalik na malugod naman niyang tinanggap dahil iba daw na challenge ang nararamdaman niya bilang kawani ng nasabing airline. Iniwan niya ang isang managerial job at ang malaking suweldo mula dito. Bumalik siya sa kumpanyang nagbigay sa kanya ng magandang pagkakataon upang mabago ang kanyang buhay, lalo pa at siya ay single mom. Ipinakita ni Del na ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob ay nakakagaan ng damdamin. Ngayon si Del ay District Sales Manager na uli ng San Franciso (USA).

 

Rowena Soliano: Hardworking Single Mom from the Far Sarangani Province

Rowena Soliano: Hardworking Single Mom

From the Far Sarangani Province

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Regular visitors of Isetan Mall along Recto refer to Rowena Soliano as the “girl in black”, although friends call her “Weng”. She hails from Sarangani Province in southern Mindanao. She’s got an exotic face and always chick in her tight-fitting black outfit, that make her stand out in a crowd of shoppers in the mall while delivering ordered snacks to patronizing employees. She also loves to braid her hair in various ways every day that adds to her being a stunning looker. She has been working with a coffee shop located on the fourth floor of the mall where the videoke area is located.

 

In 2013, she fell in love with a persistent suitor whom she thought was serious in his intention. Unfortunately, their relationship got sour and realizing that something was seriously wrong with their relationship, she broke up with him despite her being pregnant during the time. She went on with her job at the mall, but went home when she was about to deliver her baby. After a year in Sarangani, she went back to Manila and implored her employer to take her back. She left her baby girl, now almost two years old in the care of her mother, to whom she regularly sends money.

 

Her job at the coffee shop starts at 10AM when the mall opens until its closure at 9PM. She seldom finds time to sit down, as just when she arrives at their stall after a delivery, another set or more of ordered snacks are waiting to be delivered again.  Despite her hectic schedule, her smile never leaves her face. The only break she gets is when she had to take a late lunch – standing. Another short respite is for a stolen moment for light and late dinner, still taken standing.

 

She is fortunate to have found a kind employer, a reason enough for her to love her job. It was her first job when she arrived in Manila from Sarangani Province. When I had a lengthy talk with her, I told her about the international resort that Manny Pacquiao is putting up in Sarangani. She told me that she was also told about it by her mother. However, she has apprehensions if she could be given the chance to land a job in such big resort due to her insufficient educational attainment. She told me that she barely finished her high school. She is also aware that there are plenty of four-year course graduates in their province and in the field of tourism, yet.

 

Weng is the opitome of the struggling youth from the province who try their luck in the bustling city of Manila, some of whom are unfortunate to have ended as prostitutes that ply their trade along Avenida. Some became exotic dancers in discreet beerhouses in Recto, Caloocan, and Cubao. Like their elder contemporaries who brought with them their families and ended living on sidewalks while surviving on recyclable junks collected from garbage dumps, the youth from the provinces of Mindanao are left with no choice but take the risk of uncertainties in Manila, rather than be recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) and Abu Sayyaf.

 

Sarangani, the province of Weng,  is already infiltrated with NPA and drug dealers. The tentacles of Abu Sayyaf which is notoriously known for its kidnap-for-ransom activities have also been wriggling around the area for a long time, too. Worst, job opportunities in Sarangani is like the proverbial needle in a haystack. These are available at General Santos City, the nearest urban area, but for hopefuls like Weng, no opportunity is left, considering the thousands of graduates from several colleges and universities around the southern Mindanao area every year.

 

How can we then blame provincials like Weng for coming to Manila and add up to the already teeming population of the city? Yet, those who have not experienced distressing life in the province just cannot restrain themselves from uttering hurting invectives.   And, practically adding salt to the wound, are the incessant and oft-repeated arrogant declarations of the president about jobs and progress that the country and the Filipinos are enjoying!…and, under his administration, yet!…but the big question is, where are they?

 

Rose

Rose

(para kay Rosita Segala)

Ni Apolinario B Villalobos

 

Kung siya’y iyong pagmasdan

Mababanaag mo sa mga mata niyang malamlam

Bigat ng pinapasang katungkulan

Hindi lang para sa mga mahal sa buhay

Kung hindi, pati na rin sa malalapit na kaibigan.

 

Mayroon man siyang kinikimkim

Hindi kayang isiwalat ng maninipis na labi

Ang matagal nang pinipigil na damdamin

Nakapaloob sa nagpupumiglas na tanong

“May kaligayahan kaya para sa akin sa dako pa roon”?

 

Marami na rin siyang inasam sa buhay

Nguni’t maramot ang kapalaran at pagkakataon

Kabutihang kanyang pinamamahagi sa iba

Kalimitan ay palaging may katumbas na luha

Pati na pag-abuso na nagbibigay ng matinding pagdurusa.

 

Sa kabila ng lahat, marubdob pa rin ang paniniwala niya sa Diyos

Na siyang tanging nakakabatid ng lahat ng kanyang paghihirap

At alam niyang darating ang panahon na kanyang makakamit

Pagmamahal at katiwasayan ng kalooban na sa kanya’y pinagkait

Samantala, kanya na lang iindahin, mga darating na siphayo at pasakit.

 

(Si Rose ay taga-Quezon at nang mapadpad sa Maynila noong 1972 ay kumuha ng maliit na puwesto sa Recto, sa bahaging kung tagurian ay “Arranque”. Sa bahaging ito ng Maynila makakakita ng mga alahas na binebenta ng mura dahil karamihan ay nabili ng bultuhan o maramihan sa mga bahay-sanglaan o pawnshop. At, sa ganitong uri ng negosyo sumabak si Rose, subalit hindi sa pagbenta, kundi sa paglinis na kasama ang pagtubog upang lalong tumingkad mga alahas. Ang puwesto niya ay nasa ilalim ng hagdan patungo sa ikalawang palapag ng lumang gusali, kung saan ay may inuupahan siyang kuwarto, kasama ang kanyang pamangkin na si Marivic.

 

 

Marami siyang kakumpetensiya sa uri ng kanyang trabaho – mga lalaki, kaya napabilib ako sa kanya nang malaman ko ang kanyang trabaho. Ayon sa kanya, pinipilit niyang makaipon upang may magamit sa mga emergency na pangangailangan kaya alas- siyete pa lamang ng umaga ay nag-aabang na siya ng mga kostumer na gustong magpalinis ng alahas, at inaabot siya ng gabi dahil sa kanyang pagtitiyaga.

 

Sa probinsiya pa lang nila ay marami nang natulungan si Rose, subalit hindi siya naghangad ng kapalit. Nakakaramdam siya ng kasiyahan sa pagtulong sa iba upang hindi sila makaranas ng mga kahirapang napagdaanan niya. Ayaw niyang umasa sa mga kamag-anak, kahit na yong mga natulungan niya, kaya nagsisikap, at pinapasa-Diyos na lamang niya kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanya, subalit kahit papaano ay nag-iingat pa rin siya.)

 

 

The “Other Side” of Divisoria

The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

While Divisoria has always been known as the shoppers’ Mecca, especially, during Christmas, there is” another side” of it which I do not want to present as an image of poverty but that of perseverance, patience, and honest endeavor. This is the “other Divisoria” which many people just refuse to see as it might cause them to puke! The accompanying photos show how these honest Filipinos contentedly strive to live in sheer honesty.

 

The skeptics always say, “it is their fault for going to Manila and suffer deprivation”. These hypocrite skeptics have  TV, radio, and occasionally read newspapers, so they should know that the provinces from where these people who are eking out an honest living on the “other side” of Divisoria, are infested with NPAs, Abu Sayyaf, opportunistic landlords, and loan sharks. For the arrogant, the world is just for those who can afford to live decently. On the other hand, as these skeptics have not endured days of hunger, they may not understand how it is to make a difficult decision to live a hand-to-mouth life in Manila by scavenging in garbage dumps, rather than die of hunger and be in constant fear for dear life in the province.

 

It is true that the slums have been in existence for many decades now, but there would be no slums had the government ever since the time the nation has become independent, did not get infested with corrupt lawmakers and officials. The slums have been around since the time that deprivation and exploitation have been propagated by learned Filipinos who found their way in the halls of Congress and Senate, as well as, agencies, even at the helm of the government. Unfortunately, the seed of exploitation has grown into an uncontrollable proportion today, making corruption as wrongly and unfairly viewed to be always a part of the Filipino culture.

 

The striving people from the slums near Divisoria, and other districts of Manila, in this regard, may be viewed by the arrogant as akin to dogs and cats, because of their many children, oftentimes making them utter unsavory remark, such as, “they know they are poor, yet, they keep on having children”.

 

How I wish these skeptics can also openly, make biting remarks –

• to the corrupt politicians and government officials, such as, “they graduated from prestigious universities and colleges, yet, they do not know what is right or wrong”

 

• to the filthy rich, such as, “they have plenty of money, yet they can’t even throw a piece of bread to a beggar”

 

• to the stiff-necked Catholic priests, pastors, and other religious ministers such as, “they are supposed to be representatives of the Lord, but they can’t afford to take a look at the spiritually hungry”

 

Finally, compared to the disgusting hypocrites, loan sharks, corrupt government officials, arrogant “religious ministers” and conscienceless rich, who are supposed to be learned and intelligent, the people who honestly make a living such as those who belong to the “other side” of Divisoria, are worthy to be called creatures of God – true human beings…slum denizens who are viewed by aforementioned with utter repugnance.

 

(This blog will definitely, not hurt those who do not belong to the mentioned “classes” of loathsome Filipinos.)