Such a time as this!

BEFORE the brouhaha over this pestilence started, I was in Bohol. Yes, overstaying. I was having fun. Totally! But while in Bohol, I also keenly followed the news in China. You see, my newfound lens for ASEAN and the international scene were influenced by my graduate school course at UP Open University. Suddenly everything that happens around the world and the ASEAN region are seen from fresh eyes!

I must thank the course and my UP Professor, Prof. Rolando “Roli” G. Talampas, for pushing me beyond my limits! Yes, it was a commitment to painstakingly undertake weekly research and submit my Assignments on time! I was late only once for the entire semester but only for hours – not more than 24 hours! Prof. Roli, thank you for pushing me and for the grade! Awesome!

Now back to the story, I travelled back to General Santos City fully aware that Bohol had plenty of Chinese travellers. Of course, I expected the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City to be filled with them. Indeed, they were at the airport but looking wary. Perhaps they already carried the worry with them after hearing the homeland news while on vacation.

At the airport, no one was wearing THE mask and everything carried on normally but I couldn’t shake off the dread. Blast grad school! On hindsight, why didn’t I buy THE masks while still in Bohol? I should have thought about it. However, I remember everyone was sending masks to Luzon because these were the days following the Taal Volcano eruption. I must tell you, we really use mask in the house. I am asthmatic and I use mask whenever I do house chores. It saves me from an unnecessary asthma attack.

But back to the epicenter of my story. Upon the 2nd or 3rd day of my return, I drove to the nearest mall and visited the pharmacy. What would you know! There were no more regular masks! The available mask was sold at P32 per piece. I was aghast! I didn’t buy.

Thank God in the coming days, a family member, Shiloh Ruthie, was able to buy 10 pieces – it’s rationed now. When the bunch was about to go zero, I was able to buy 10 pieces, as well. Thank God for rationing. Then I heard from a friend – Ben – that a pair of N95 masks sells at P99.00 at a certain hardware. Good news, right? I immediately requested Kharlyn to buy, BUT, it already cost P129 per pair! Blast the profiteer! I had it bought anyway.

The following week, I requested Kharlyn to buy another pair BUT the price had already risen to P150 per pair haha! Bloody businessman! I said, nah, don’t buy anymore. Again, blast the profiteer!  Where is your heart, man? The lack of ethical and moral standard is appalling!

And then the craziness started. The competition between and amongst legitimate, fake, and confusing information. Goodness! It’s both a battle and a race! I can only imagine the frustration and chagrin of the trained communicators and journalists. But that’s the advancement of technology for you – never mind the ethical standards of communication.

However, owing to the extraordinariness of the circumstances, I guess, we just need to extend our patience and understand. Should we? It’s entirely up to you.

But then again, everyone has a story to tell, right? Everyone goes through all sorts of emotions during these uncertain times: fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, desperation, hopelessness; then back to calm, hope, motivation, inspiration, kindness, generosity. Hopefully, it all ends with our knees bent.

Some rant out their frustration, anger, and desperation; some choose to be rational and objective; while some others prefer to be positive. To each his own.

We are cut out differently; made of different stuff; come from different backgrounds with diverse belief and value systems. We differ in principles and convictions but we share the same humanity, and, hopefully, the same moral fiber – all Filipinos. I say hopefully because I believe it to be so.

Truth be told, I have read so many posts, from the absurd to the hilarious; irresponsible to utter junk; informative to intellectual. I surmise that people respond to a crisis differently. However, the irresponsible to utter junk is unacceptable and unforgivable.

Why? Because I trained in communication all my life and there are certain professional and ethical standards on crafting one’s thoughts into words, posts, or messages.

A threat is looming over our heads. We abruptly realize how vulnerable we are; how frail; how powerless. And yet, we are strong, we are powerful, we are reliable and dependable. Yes, for in our weakness, we are strong. It is a promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

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Food for Thought

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

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For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com./PN

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