Manong Chicharon

There's this late-60-year-old guy I used to see near Jollibee-De Castro selling chicharon. Unlike the usual street vendor, Manong Chicharon is always dressed in polo shirt, maong pants and rubber shoes. Where it not for the sack of chicharon he carries on his shoulder, you would not think that he is someone who is in dire need of money. It breaks my heart to see him work so hard when supposedly he should be at home sitting on a rocking chair watching TV (just like what I see in movies!). Out of pity, I buy his chicharon even though I find them expensive. It's been months that I haven't seen Manong- probably he is selling his chicharon in another place (I thought).

Now why did I remember Manong today? Hmmm...I was walking along Shaw Boulevard today (as usual, traffic kasi). And lo! I saw Manong Chicharon , dressed in his usual  attire and no longer selling chicharon, begging from the insensitive passersby. He holds a white paper on his other hand and begs the passersby to read it. I was really surprised to see Manong in such a heart-crushing situation. Why did he end up as a beggar? What made him gave up and allowed his life to be dependent upon others? Several months ago, seeing him selling chicharon reminds me of the old cliche- where there's a way, there's a will. Maybe Manong Chicharon has exhausted all his options to live and all there is left is the hope that one of those who walks along shaw boulevard will pay heed to the predicament he is in now. Aja, Manong Chicharon!

When the going gets tough...

♪♪ When the going gets tough, the tough gets going ♪ ♫. True enough, Boyzone! Life is a jungle-only the fittest survives. The struggle may seem like forever, but it will pass...soon...soon. And when the struggle is over, I will be stronger and wiser...and I will be geared up for the next battle! Aja!

Blessings vs Complaints

I attended a Sunday mass in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church ( a.k.a EDSA shrine ). As much as possible, I  would want to have the 3 pm mass because the celebrant would be Fr. Dave Concepcion. His homily never failed to make me laugh. His messages are also profound that it will leave you thinking until you go home. And my pondering led me to this question: Have you ever tried tabulating your complaints versus your blessings? Probably the list under "Complaints" would be endless while, on the other hand, you would still stop and think to complete a 10-item list for "Blessings". I don't mean to make this article sound like a daily reflection pamphlet ( not that I hate it :-)  ). Let me share a part of  Fr. Dave's homily and my opinions about it.

• An 80-year old woman was complaining to Fr. Dave , " Father, ang hirap ng tumatanda. Maraming sumasakit na parte ng katawan ko. Di ba unfair ang Diyos ?" and Fr. Dave wanted to answer her this way, " Lola, otsenta na po kayo. Ano pa po ba ineexpect nyo?"- Come to think of it. Reaching the age of 70 is a big achievement these days considering the kind of lifestyle we have now. Being able to live another year after 70 is already a bonus! (at least for me ü ).

• A man was telling Fr. Dave, " Ang hirap ng trabaho ko, Father. Nakakapagod!" And he simply answered, " Ah ganoon ba. Eh di tatanggalin na lang natin ang trabaho mo?" - Did it ever occur to you that the (false) agony that you are complaining now is a product of the things you desired to have? Be reminded always that WORK is a BLESSING.

• In a family dinner, parents would always tell their children, " Ubusin ninyo ang pagkain ninyo. Maraming nagugutom..." And with a hint of sarcasm the child would answer, " Bakit po? Kapag inubos ko ba iyong pagkain ko, mabubusog din ba sila?"  - Fr. Dave said that in every food wasted from your table, somewhere someone around the world has been deprived of that food; and in every pair of unused shoes you have, somebody is walking barefooted. Hmmm. I once asked myself the same question. Finally, I am enlightened! ü  It's always a blessing to have more than what you ACTUALLY need.

• A cancer patient ask, " Bakit ako pa ang nagkaroon ng cancer of all people?" And Fr. Dave replied, " Masuwerte ka pa rin dahil buhay ka pa. Maraming cancer patients na ngayon ay pumanaw na." - Even in the most adverse situations, there are always things that we should be thankful for.

And Fr. Dave ended his homily with this, " If you envy your neighbor's lawn because their grass is greener than yours, bear in mind that their water bill is also higher than yours."  ü ü ü