Her and His Story

Then there's the internet. Almost everyone suddenly becomes (want to be) a storyteller. Visually, literary, even musically. It has its dark side, but the surge is practically good news from the cloud. It made everyone read and write events, ideas and lessons that make up human history and evolution. A milestone that provides reminder of mistakes, more learning and vision.

Doers say, "talk is ka-cheapan", but why does the world keep on talking?

PHILIPPINES WOULD STILL BE MY HOME AND IT IS AS LIVEABLE (OR YET BETTER) AS SINGAPORE

Singapore has a very efficient transport system, real clean, green, safe and liveable environment. “Grabeeeeee!” You would never be late and lost in the lion city, even if you are a rural native. The city FASTLY transports and CLEARLY directs you to any place, worry-free. “Far” is immaterial in the city because trains, buses and taxis could take you in a calculated time. And there are no traffics because the number of private cars is regulated. Households are taxed more when they own cars. Elders won’t even need a guide to complete the city tour in 2-3 days because the longest ride is only 30 minutes. Maps and directions are everywhere and people (not just locals) are so helpful and courteous. “Nakakaputang-ina ka sa bait nila.”They would offer their train/bus seats, help you buy your train fare, change your S$100 to pay exact bus fares and return your lost bags.

Public transport fares are strictly regulated with electronic taxi metering, bus and taxi receipt and train fare card machines, thereby, freeing tourists and regular commuters from scrupulous taxi drivers from high-charging.

The city is so clean, you won’t even dare spitting. Not that there are millions of street-sweepers and garbage collectors. Singaporeans are discipline not to litter. And note this: NO FLIES, NO MOSQUITOES, despite being in a tropic. Though some areas are also flooded, you could actually swim and snorkel in the floodwater.

The city (including the town center) is real green with sufficient open spaces, trees and habitats for fresher air and wildlife. Heavy forests and lakes are literally visible in the city, not in the suburb. They too are accessible to residents. In fact, some subdivisions and housing villages are across the heavy greeneries. What is best, the greeneries are declared protected areas.

Buildings and communities with historical and cultural values were well-preserved and integrated in the modern city like Chinatown, Little India, City Hall, Old Parliament, Supreme Court, bridges, etc. They never were eyesores to tourists.

More, the city is safe, not technically crime-free. You can loosely display your bling-blings and gizmos in public places without any fears of theft.

Singapore is more than liveable, it is Utopia. And I am travelling back. Greta is even planning to work and settle in the city. But the city would just be my holiday city.

PHILIPPINES WOULD STILL BE MY HOME AND IT IS AS LIVEABLE AS (OR BETTER YET) SINGAPORE.

In general view, a household saves SD1,623 after averagely spending its month income of SD4,867 to household needs and wants worth at SD3,244. Among 5 income groups, 3 (middle to highest 20%) subsisted with savings ranging from SD582-SD6,632.

Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhyyy….. substantial saving plus a liveable environment - What a fucking life! And convincing me to move in the city would honestly be unnecessary. The city is indeed perfect especially for migrants, tourists and foreigners like Filipinos.

Achtung, baby! But the figures were just for ONE-PERSON HOUSEHOLD. Life for most Singaporean family of 4-5 members is a totally different story. Since most 2 of its members are earners, household income could double to SD9,734 and possibly, saving too at SD3,246. And since there are 4 members in the family, household expenditure expands four-folds to SD12,976, leaving the household with SD3,242 deficit.

Isn’t it poverty, in general view?

YES! IT IS! Just… LIKE…. in the Philippines. And even worse.. in micro perspective.

The said expanded household expenditure is primarily an expenditure of an “earning”, not “schooling”, one-person household. Thereby, the expenditure – or rather the deficit - could swell more with its 2 more dependent schooling members.

To make more things clearer for Filipinos who die to go out, not only in Singapore. Most workers work 12-16 hours a day, 6-7 days a week because of heavily “demanding” work and to earn extra, which still is not enough. If by chance you are granted a day-off, you either spend it still to a “demanding” work or rest, and not to family day-outs/movie/holiday.

Yes! The city may give you Singapore dollars (SD 1 = PhP30) and lesser income tax (2 of 10), but you spend in “costly” Singapore dollars. Singapore may be one of the most liveable city. But it is not providing the residents and workers the TIME TO ENJOY the environment they developed and income they earned.

Most Filipinos may economically be impoverished but, at least, we still managed to laugh, smile, enjoy time and celebrate life, making us the second happiest people in the world next to Indians. And we should be proud of that! We should start priding ourselves (we’re happier), our beaches (not man-made), our rich marine life (we’ll sure have a better Underwater/Ocean Park), our fiestas (we’re more sociable and free-spirited), our Christmas (we have merrier holidays), our families (we’re more bonded)…our Filipino culture.

STAY and let us work forward. Let us capitalize on our brand of “happiness” similar to Tibetans because, I think, it should be the brand of development. Well, I think, it is already because scientists are now exploring the science of happiness.

With innate “happyness”, our work towards a more “developed” country would then be lesser compared to other nations. Let alone our governance and system if they end unrepairable.

What is wealth, if it results to higher suicide rates (Japan). What is wealth if elders are left un-nurse (Singapore). What is wealth, if it cannot provide happiness (1^st World countries).

“Right now, we are leaving the country in droves because we think there is no future here. But the Philippines has so much hope (and promise)”. I certainly agreed with Carlos Celdran’s recounts.

I am God's steward, not a breeder

Sunday. I took my nephew (no, not the one crying) to SM Wonderland. Just as i duck down to enter the playground or rather a safehouse for children of shopping parents, i begun reflecting.

Am i ready to parent?

NO! Was the quick answer. To children, the playground really was a wonderland. To me, it was a horror house with real little monsters. Shrieking, crying, shouting, running, petty tug-of-wars over toys, throwing toys etc etc etc. Not i didnt have colorful child years, but everything a normal kid does best horrified me. I simply cant attend such new need yet when i still have my selfish needs to accomplish. Though i practically lack focus in my life, i still believe accomplishing one thing before another. Otherwise, the meat remains raw. And though i highly tolerate most things including children, i am not sufficiently responsible parent yet-financially, emotionally. I cannot take bringing in another life on earth, as biblically demanded, and shortly cutting it because of hunger, disease, ignorance and sadness.

I believe God always provides and even poor families could still subsist, but i think multiplying is less greater than stewarding a better life.

I then remembered a toy hit my shoulder when i was starting this. I hope it wasn't God's strike of disapproval, rather a affirmative tap at my back, saying, "you get it right there, son" :-)