Halo-halong may guava jelly

ISANG PAGBATI NAMAN SA INYO, MGA kapanalig at mambabasa ng aking muting kuntil-butil na kolum. Out of circulation for quite a number of months subalit balik naman sa himpapapel (meron ba nito? Hehehe…) ang inyong abang lingkod. Magbasa at mag-sipsip, este… mag-isip. Mamulat at magbulong , este… magtanong …

Mapansing iba ang pangalan ng aking kolum – ingles pa. The story behind is that this is the title of my column back in college. One dark night (“as dark as sin” … sulat pa ng isang author na nabasa ko), while musing on things to write, this phrase just crept into my consciousness. And it stuck. Actually either “Empty Shells of Reason”, or “Waves of Mutilation” … but I do not want to use the latter as this is one of the songs of the 80’s alternative band -- THE PIXIES.

So It is “Empty Shells of Reason”, a.k.a. DATELINE-NEW YORK. Taadaaaaah!!!!! It will still be ‘Taglish’ in form, or whatever fits my fancy and mood while scribbling and fitting words.

May 1 ngayon. Labor Day sa Pilipinas at sa marami pang bahagi ng daigdig. May Day kumbaga. But it is NOT Labor Day dito sa US. Labor day here is sa September pa and usually is a three day weekend, celebrated with Barbecue (note: dehins banana o camote cue), and picnics in the park. And dehins uso dito ang rally and mobilization tuwing labor Day. Unlike sa Pilipinas na kung saan ang uring manggagawa, at magbubukid ay humihiyaw na iparinig sa pamahalaan ang kanilang mga hinanaing, at mga hinanakit. Mobilisasyon sa Pinas usually is a nationwide event na. Venting people’s angst, and clamor for equality, and the basic necessities to live. Survive.

Tayong mga mangagawa na nasa labas ng bansa. Sana naman ay we also acknowledge the fact na kung bakit tayo nasa labas ng bansa ngayon ay dahil sa kakulangan ng trabaho sa Pilipinas. Na more or less 10% of Pinoys and Pinays are now outside the country either legally or illegally. Na ang ating mga hinaharap na problema sa immigration, racism, unfair labor practices, are extensions of the problems that Pinoys and Pinays sa Pilipinas also face. And that most of the time, the Philippine embassy and consulates, and OWWA is not capable of helping and ensuring the safety and integrity of us, migrant workers. Being hailed as “modern day heroes” is no longer flattering as our remittances keep the Philippine economy afloat. It is already a curse.

Kung iaasa naman sa susunod na halalan ang maaaring kalutasan, ay para na atang masyadong malabo. Unahan sa silya habang tumutugtog ang banda sa piyesta. Parang “trip to Jerusalem” o “musical chair”. Hagipan, at pataasan ng ihi. Bulyawan at unahan sa kaban ng bayan.

Just a thought, ano kaya kung meron din tayong “PARTY LIST” para sa mga OFW’s? Kung mahigit kumulang na 10 percent na sa ating ang nasa labas ng bansa, dapat ay may representasyon din tayo, di ba?

As sudden as my column sprout like mushroom after the rain, madalian din ito kung tapusin. Line that 80’s new wave band THE CURE sang – “everything’s coming to a grinding halt!”

Adyos for now. Peace. *

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