IT WILL NEVER BE EASY

CAVEAT: The photo is not mine.

Now, we the Filipino people are rich. I can’t imagine that The Republic of the Philippines is swimming through the depths of its debts. Frankly speaking we are rich in debts even before the pandemic starts but the huge amount shown in the image above was just accumulated from March 2020--which was according to the officials are needed in order to spur the conditions brought by the pandemic.

For the past late night talks of you know who, there are different versions which leads to the confusion of many Filipinos; statements saying that we have enough funds and those that negate the same. Allegedly, these debts that the Government seek is said to be for the continuous assistance to Filipino Families who are facing the crises brought by the pandemic, the assistance that neither each one of us deeply felt. In fact, the primary sources of assistance that Filipino families received does not come from the organization that promises BAYANIHAN or SUPPORT, but it was from the private sectors (SM Group of Companies, San Miguel Corporation, ABS-CBN Foundation, Celebrities and Artists seeking Donations and the like)  These huge amount can also be used for mass testing in order for us to feel safe most especially since the PALACE---put almost all cities under GCQ which I believe is not safe for there is an increase number of cases (ooopppsss I meant FRESH CASES) of COVID.

These amount of money that the Government now have which we clearly cannot benefit from will ricochet to us--because we are the ones who’s going to suffer; our taxes will be more and perhaps  we will pay for it until our greatest grandchildren have their own greatest grandchildren. Remember that taxes are the source of income of the Government, which we are obliged to pay.

March 9, 2019 when I first watched Ang Huling El Bimbo live, and early this morning, May 8, 2020 I watched the play again but this time, online. Resorts World Manila and Full House Production decided to share the masterpiece to everyone worldwide amidst the pandemic---to somehow ease the ennui and made us realize many things. Trust me, it really strike me the same way I watched it for the first time, I can’t help my tears as they fall because there are scenes which will make you snap.

Let me tell you my insights about this phenomenal Filipino Musical. The main characters: Joy, Hector, Anthony and Emman has significant role in our lives as Filipinos. You see, JOY is a young lady who lacked aspirations for herself, the only dream she has was to find a man who will be kind enough for her and will love her endlessly. But when she met and bonded with Hector, Anthony and Emman three college boys who dreams big of becoming a lawyer, director and ? respectively, (I am not quite sure of Emman’s dream because his dream was never his, it was his dad’s dream for him to be a general) everything changes, she dreamt big and wanted to go to school to help provide for her and her aunt, Tya Dely. But unfortunately, the night before Hector,Anthony and Emman’s graduation something happened which changes everything---and that includes their treatment towards their friend Joy. After that, they parted ways and never talked and reach out with each other but at-least they are able to “somehow” achieved their dreams. But Joy? She became “someone” a hooker, a drug pusher someone she should not be. Joy had a baby, named Ligaya who is eager to met his uncles from Ligaya’s past but never did Hector, Anthony and Emman granted that wish not until Ligaya’s death. For more details about the play, guys trust me you should watch it, and you’ll never regret it.

Watching the film for the second time, deepen my thoughts about it. For me, JOY IS THE EPITOME OF OUR MOTHERLAND, THE PHILIPPINES and HECTOR, ANTHONY AND EMMAN IS THE REPRESENTATION OF THE POLITICIANS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, EDUCATED PEOPLE, PERHAPS ALL THE FILIPINOS. Joy only aspired to have someone who will treat her nicely, is that the same thing as what the Philippines long for? Our beloved motherland only wanted the best treatment from its people the whole Filipino people but what did we do to her? We made her suffer since time immemorial, we made her believe that we are there for her, that we will fight for her until the end. But we became, Hector, Anthony and Emman college boys who dreams big, who inflict into Joy that everything is achievable but during that night, they did nothing and vowed to never ever let anyone know what really transpired. They continue to grow in the darkness but was able to achieve their goals. Let’s not deny the fact that during our childhood, we envisioned a better Philippines and brought that vision until we go to college and perhaps during first years of our work---this is true enough to the politicians, to the government officials who vows to protect our beloved motherland and serve the whole Filipino people. But when the power lingers unto them, they tend to forget what it really means to be in the position they dreamt of. They forgot to protect and serve our mother land. 

The night Joy died, she wrote a letter to Ligaya with the statement:

“Ilang beses akong umasa sa ibang tao, pero patuloy pa din nila akong binibigo”

When Ligaya read this, it strike me real bad. This is our motherland telling us that she only dreamt of being treated nicely by one administration and hoped that the vision of one administration will continue to treat her accordingly and give her importance---everytime she holds into a vision of an administration of a better Philippines she was always left crying and being disappointed.

Today, May 5, 2020 Tuesday marks the end of the most widely viewed TV Channel in the Philippines, the no. 1 Filipino Channel, ABS-CBN! The TV network was created in 1953, since then it really touched lives of many Filipino people not only who works for ABS-CBN, but let us say, all the Filipinos both within and outside the Philippines.  Well it is fair to include all those Filipinos at heart ;)

But despite the service that this network brought us---time lead it to its dead end. The worst part, it happened while the whole world is battling with the Corona Virus Pandemic. Where millions of Filipino people crave for everyday news on what is the true state of our beloved motherland. This event brought tears, anger and hatred towards the Philippine Government who robbed all the Filipinos the right to be well informed of what is happening in every corner of the Philippines, it was the only source of reliable information for majority of Filipinos.

Imagine all the shitty-ass move that the Administration is doing, all the in-transparencies that’s been going, and all the injustices that’s currently happening---all these will never be known by Filipinos without ABS-CBN. You might think there are different tv networks out there aside from ABS-CBN, there’s GMA, TV5 etc. But I will stand firm on my ground and will claim with pride that ABS-CBN is nothing like GMA or TV5. ABS-CBN makes each and every Filipino feel served and be treated as one.