TO BE very honest, I’ve been super lazy in the last few weeks.
The rains in New Jersey last week didn’t help.
Nor the promise of a gay staycation that didn’t happen.
There was also a monkey pox scare going around.
Plus a few Redturds that went trending on social media because of their utter stupidity.
***
Since staying at my aunt’s in New Jersey last April, I’ve adjusted to walking their dog.
And to feeding it, and making sure it has done its toilet.
Before America sprang an hour forward for the daylight saving time, I woke up at very cold 6:30 mornings for my sunrise photos; these days, I wake up at 5:30, and still I feel like just rolling in bed.
Rain or shine, I wake up for my sunrise photo, but the dog wants to walk with me.
So I take the dog and make sure it pees and poops before we go back into the house.
***
Back at the house, I feed the dog.
I also start my coffee, and scroll on my social media feeds.
Coffee makes me go.
Toilet also means bathing for me.
And who wants to sleep after coffee and a morning bath?
So then, I watch movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video or Hulu or Disney Plus.
And then, my auntie calls for breakfast around 8 or 9.
***
I wash the dishes, and then, I’m back to my movies.
Or I read books.
I know that I should be writing for the Palanca contest this May, but I always say that I’m also looking for inspiration when I watch films and read books.
And then, I fall asleep sometimes; just to be awakened for lunch around 2pm.
Then, I walk the dog again because the cute guy I got a crush on runs around the subdivision at that time.
Then, I go back to my movies and books.
***
And wait for my sunset photography (around 8pm these days).
The dog does its last pee and/or poop ritual for the day around 9pm.
I take a night shower, and continue my filmathon until about 11:30 or midnight.
Daybreak, sunrise, morning, repeat.
***
In the aftermath of the May 9 elections, the Filipinos were a little sad.
Or it could just be my soc-med feeds.
Most of my 5,000 friends and 6,000+ followers are Kakampinks.
Individually, I attend to their psychological needs.
I chat up my people via Messenger.
Collectively, I have withdrawn a little bit in my public posts.
Because it would seem like people have lost their sense of humor.
***
It is true that I am not affected by netizens’ response to my posts.
That I only post to satisfy myself, and perhaps to entertain my friends and following.
But if I see that my posts are not enthusiastically received, I backdown a little bit and give people space to heal.
***
Without my asking, people communicate privately to me about what they find and how they feel about social media posts in the aftermath of the national elections.
If they are irritated or sad, I comfort them.
I give them an example of moving on, I tell them about trusting the bigger plan.
I assure them that those who have put their faith in the wrong people will be punished by the heavens and karma.
That the stupids will suffer greatly in their lifetime.
And I urge them to just better themselves, and look out for their self-interests and what they deserve.
***
I was very clear during the campaign that this could be my last elections.
That’s why I traveled the world and campaigned extensively.
After this battle, the Philippines will be the job and responsibility of the next generation.
My opinion is still largely the same.
In fact, I’m a little pleased that my candidate did not win.
Because now, I can just wash my hands off the concerns of the Filipino people.
I’m 53, why stress over general poverty and corruption?
***
If called to service, I still might serve the Filipino people.
But I will always reserve the right to refuse.
No more heroics.
No more sacrifices from my part.
The 21st century Filipinos are clearly not worth dying for.
The earlier we understand this, the better our lives will be.
The 2020s Filipinos can be bought.
The 2020s Filipinos can be stupid, all about 31 million of them.
And that’s a lot of rotten apples in one basket!
***
My idealism died in this 2022 elections.
Not because my candidates did not win.
But because the people I most respect in the Philippines—thinkers, creatives, artists, lawyers, doctors, teachers backed up my candidates.
And our collective defeat is just too sad for my old age.
After May 2022, we really should review: What is it that we love about the Philippines?/PN
