Sunday, January 7, 2018

scorned heroes

Residents, companies answer call to donate food, drink to Metro Cebu firefighters

very heartwarming. but it would be more heartwarminger if you also recognize the constructions workers, jeepney drivers, etc ... who suffer EVERYDAY 10 times more than these firefighter's ordeal. when a jeepney stops in the middle of the road to load/unload a passenger you might scream from the top of your lungs in anger. and you have every right to do so. but just keep in mind that the jeepney driver's body is probably already very soar such that every little clutch, break and gear shift movement becomes painful. try driving for 12 hours in your aircon luxury car, stopping and going every corner. YOU WILL DIE !!! now imagine doing this in dusty, humid, polluted, and hot environment, not to mention having to do cash register duties receiving fare and giving back change. not for 3 days like these firefighters, not 1 week, not 1 month, but for decades.  imagine the ramblings of your friends in facebook whenever they get stuck in traffic for just 2 hours or their flight is delayed for 4 hours even if all they have to do is sit in a comfortable environment doing nothing and can even listen to stand up comedy, podcasts, financial news, speeches of donald trump, telebabag (bluetooth of course), or intellectual audio books to keep them entertained. what's even more impressive is that many of these jeepney drivers support not 1, but 2 families - complete with dog and everything and the each family don't even know the other exists. that's astonishing !!!

just think about it. if you own a successful business here in the philippines, you think you can succeed in that business in america or australia? chances are, the competition landscape is tougher in other countries because you don't have home court advantage. so you have to be thankful that you reside in the philippines. then think about the chaotic countries like in africa and middle east. my theory is that one of the reasons why they are chaotic is because they don't have the temperament and perseverance of filipinos to enjoy life despite the odds. jeepney drivers and construction workers are doing the hard part or they are the ones making amazingly huge sacrifices to give you the life you enjoy right now. of course everyone including you plays a role in the success of society but it's the hard laborers who are making the most sacrifice. besides, you need them more than they need you because they will fare better in a primitive society where survival activities are labor intensive. it's easy for them to be self entitled or act like a normal person and not be so disciplined and hardworking and turn this country into a socialist hell hole like venezuela. this is why i fear leftists. of course you can easily migrate to canada, or australia but your life won't be as great because you don't have home court advantage. so the next time a jeepney drivers stops in the middle of the road to unload/load a passenger, instead of screaming in anger, give them a break and even appreciate and think about how lucky you are to have them as your kababayan. it's also a useful and practical virtue you can teach your children.

(for more of my knowledge bombs, click the "ian's knowledge bombs" banner at the top of this article and choose any article in the table of contents that piques your interest)

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