Que Horror!

Driving in Metro Manila can sometimes really get into my nerves. There is a big difference now from the time when I started to learn how to drive. Before the problem wasj ust buses and jeeps loading and unloading wherever they please but now, we also have a lot of motorcycles. And they really don’t care if they are on the right lane as long as there’s still space. They counter flow, cut your lane and all sorts of ways and means to get ahead of you. It’s just crazy!

Have you ever wondered why we are like that? Why do we like to make “siksik”? (Sorry, as much as I try to refrain from sounding too “kolehiyala” -a college school girl here, I just can’t think of an exact English translation for the word right now) So have you ever wondered why? I have, many times in fact. Whenever I see people queuing at boarding gates I really don’t understand why almost everyone wants to be first when we all have assigned seats. Funnyisn’t it? In the malls people go where everybody is. At some food joints, we are likely attracted to go where there are a lot of people; believing they have really good food. When we’re with friends, we like to be so close to each other. The way we express ourselves almost always includes touching, tapping one’s shoulder, holding hands etc. I’m sure I am not the only one who has observed this around us. And I am sure you also have participated in queuing and squeezing in spaces one time or another. Don’t deny.

Human behavior is such an amazing phenomenon. The events I illustrated above actually are also reflected on Philippine art like painting. Try to search for photos of Philippine artworks. You will see that most Filipino painters fill the whole canvas with detail unlike Japanese art where the treatment is always minimal.This art form is often referred to as “Horror Vacui” or fear of empty spaces. I explained this concept to my half-Filipino friend who grew up in Europe for him to understand why people here don’t mind bumping into one another and why his Filipino relatives always give him a “high five” or tap his shoulders. Now he’s back in Italy and sure misses the warm touch and smiles only we can give.

Sometimes there are things around us that irritate us or make us feel so annoyed. It is so easy to say that there is something wrong to what we see and observe on a daily basis without much thought. In reality, it is just a difference in culture. And there is nothing wrong with it. I believe we can further improve as a country but we also can’t deny who we are.

True wisdom only comes from knowing oneself.

Of Emeralds and Rubies

Some years ago there was this game called "bejeweled" I'm not sure if you guys remember this game where you just have to match as many jewels of the same color together to earn points. It was an addicting game and I admit I have been bejeweled, like most of my classmates were, back in med school. Whenever we'd have to wait for our next class we would open our laptops and play as if it was a tournament.

One time inside the student council office, one of my co-officer was playing and I, on the other hand was sitting beside her supposedly writing my patient-doctor report. But of course, I couldn't help myself glance at her game and what's worst? I couldn't help myself giving her instructions as to where she could make a move. Good thing she's not the type who would get pissed or annoyed easily even if I was ruining her game. 

After she finished, one great idea popped out of my cerebellum and I told her with conviction- "You know this game is pretty much like our life, we face problems/obstacles and sometimes all we have to do is to take one step back to see the solution or have a good friend beside you to help you through." Then she told me with amusement "How in this world can you think of that when we're just playing a simple game? Where did that come from?" At that point, there was a 3-second moment of silence then a burst of laughter filled the small office which lasted for more than 60 seconds.

On my way home, I continued to contemplate on that very ordinary experience. If you think about it deeply, somehow it speaks of truth. Truth that in life there are several paths to problem solving.

1. Timing- some are resolved right away and some just needs more time
2. Perspective- sometimes we can easily see the solution with our own eyes but some needs another person's point of view
3. Last but not the least, when it's game over, we can always start anew

So don't despair when obstacles come your way. Life is like a game thus, we must ENJOY IT!