FIL-AM FRIENDSHIP DAY

I am not pro-American. Far from it. I did recently pass up on an all-expense-paid trip courtesy of my Aunt to California and Las Vegas this August because of prior commitments. I don't want to sound ungrateful, I do miss my relatives in the States, but really I'm not big on visiting California or Las Vegas. I would definitely want to see New York someday though. Anyway, this post is about growing up Pinoy albeit with an 'American' sensibility. I think.

My Manileno friends in college at the UP Baguio often chided me for being too 'American'. You see, growing up in Baguio in the 70s, we spoke English at home. My parents had instilled in us the use of the English Language because we would fare better in school -- English being the medium of instruction in our predominantly American, if not Belgian, educational system up north. My contemporaries and the older generation would attest to this. We did pride ourselves for speaking, writing and thinking in our impeccable "Baguio-English".

Now Baguio being a Colonial Hill Station established by the Americans has its unique character not seen in the entire archipelago. And this is ingrained in our lifestyle as well. Although predominantly Catholic -- we don't parade our santos during Holy Week or other fiestas. Ditto the presence of penitents. Or other acts of sanctity. I think the American Protestant ethic had permeated well into Baguio's psyche -- all the better I would say.

For one, my grandparents' generation frowned on hypocrisy. The type where someone like Imelda would publicly announce on an occasion like her 80th birthday that she is 'sincerely' sending get-well wishes and offering prayers to someone like, say, Cory Aquino. Oh no, in Baguio the older generation of gentlemen and ladies would behave more prudently. Dona Victorina would be ostracized in Baguio. No matter how much she would kiss-ass to the Americans. The Americans introduced the public school system, instilling in us all that education is a right, not a privilege. The American missionaries/teachers were also egalitarian, not feudal like their Spanish counterparts.

It is this same 'small-town-america' ethic, I think, that made us keep our noses to ourselves. Never the lot to gossip about our neighbors or pry into their private lives if we weren't asked to. Something I find utterly intrusive down here in Manila where every juan and maria thinks and feels they're entitled to what little personal space I already have. And struggling to protect. For example, I hate it when riding a jeepney that is almost empty and the next person who boards sits right next to you, his or her legs nudging you. Then he/she hands you his/her fare for you to go all the way to the driver to deliver. What the...?! Or how about all the pushing and shoving in grocery stores, department stores, the market, MRT? In Baguio, good manners was and is everyone's business and not reserved only for the rich and educated, as is the excuse down here in Manila (kasi wala silang pinag-aralan).

There are other lessons we have imbibed from our American founders. Cheating of all sorts was frowned upon and severely punished in school. Either in the classroom or out in the grounds during playtime. The social stigma of shame was in place. Something our politicians especially GMA have failed to heed.

Empathy is another thing we exercised up North. And still do today. We give to the less fortunate without being self-righteous about it. We give neighbors a ride during a rainstorm. We send over food to our sick friends. There was a time that the only beggars you would see in downtown were the blind singing and smiling their hearts out. There were no street children in Baguio. Or street adults for that matter. What big shock it was for me the first time I studied in Manila and saw the countless babies and kids being tended by their emaciated mothers or grandmothers out in the streets of Quezon City begging for food. I was terribly disturbed to tears at how all the rich folk in Manila seem to take the needy for granted.

Up north we value courtesy. We queue in the post office, in the grocery, in City Hall. Palakasan I believe was introduced by corrupt politicians during Marcos time. We are courteous people when driving in Baguio. We are mindful of pedestrians. We abide by traffic rules and speed limits. Even our taxi drivers give the exact change to passengers -- something totally amiss in Metro Manila.

The list can go on. Why am I comparing this experience to Imperial Manila? Because Manila is the seat of power, economically and politically. And Metro Manila, in all its polluted and corrupt state, sadly carries our national character. I am writing this now as I am bothered by Randy David's column in the Inquirer today. Please click on link below.

I am Filipino. And I am proud to be one. I may not speak Pilipino eloquently or wear the barong tagalog on a regular basis, but no one can doubt my being Filipino.

And I can make a mean adobo. Anyone care for some?

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." -- Abraham Lincoln

BETTER BE READY THAN SORRY / EARTHQUAKE

I am not about to spew doomsday speak and cause panic and alarm. (Click on link below) But Manila does have its history of earthquakes dating back as early as 1658. The thing about earthquakes is that they're unpredictable. They don't give warning signs. They just happen. And sometimes they occur wreaking destruction and claiming casualties.

Such was the case with the July 16, 1990 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon. That day will remain etched in my memory for as long as I live. Now may I share with you lessons we've learned first hand from that experience.

Preparedness is best prior to emergencies. Power will be cut off. Ditto water supply. Here's what we all can do:

1. Always have canned food available in your pantry to last at least a week until situation simmers down. Make sure you have gas for cooking food and boiling drinking water.

2. Have an Emergency first-aid kit where all household members know where to find it.

3. Candles and matches for the long brownouts. Make sure rechargeable flashlights are charged! Don't know if mobile phone transmission towers will be working, but it's a good idea to have a charged spare battery. Expect phone networks (mobile and landlines) to go berserk a la 9/11.

4. Have a packed bag ready with the basic essentials for each family member in case you need to leave your home. Include a change of clothes, toiletries, first-aid kit, cash (ATMs will be down the first few weeks until situation normalizes) and other items you think are indispensable. A whistle just in case another big aftershock occurs and you find yourself trapped in the rubble, rescuers will be able to find you when they hear you blow on the whistle.

5. Sleeping bags and tents also umbrellas and raincoats will definitely come handy as some may prefer to sleep in their yards instead of inside their homes as aftershocks will occur after a big earthquake.

6. Best to wear comfy clothes and sturdy shoes after a big quake. Easier for you to get around. Always have a full tank in your car/s.

WHAT WE CAN DO NOW:

1. Ask your neighborhood association, PTA, district, barangay for plans during a big earthquake. How prepared are they? Form a group that will handle emergencies. Designate an area in your neighborhood for relocation (basketball court, park, gymnasium, school, etc.) and have the local council declare this as so.

2. Ask your school to make mandatory fire and earthquake drills. (We used to have a lot of that in elementary back in Baguio in the 70s, and when the earthquake did happen, I tell you, it helped a lot.)

3. Have a qualified engineer check your residence and assess how the structure will hold up in case of an earthquake. If budget allows, make necessary repairs now! Or move out to a stronger house if you're renting. Know emergency exit points in the building you live in and/or work at.

4. Inspect how your house is set-up. Are mirrors, frames securely attached on walls? Are bookshelves potential traps in doorways, corridors? Do you have several bric-a-brac free- standing on top of furniture, cabinets, shelves? These could cause severe injuries when they topple off during an earthquake.

5. Pinpoint to your local Barangay, District, Councilmen, Mayors, Congressmen potential danger spots or weak structures like old houses, half-demolished buildings, etc. and make sure they do something about it!

IN THE EVENT OF AN EARTHQUAKE:

The first thing to do is stay calm. Move to a flat clear space if outdoors. Stay under sturdy desks if indoors. Never take the elevator. Best not to go with the crowd, panic may ensue and cause a stampede. Look for alternative exit points. When driving, stop car until earthquake ceases. Avoid driving on bridges after a big aftershock, the bridge may have suffered damage and not passable to vehicles.

When the situation has simmered down, and all members of the household are accounted for, join a volunteer group to help out in first-aid, a soup kitchen, a clean-up drive, etc. It will take your mind off the tragedy and make you feel you are somehow in control and on top of the situation. It's also a good way to reach out and give to those less fortunate.

Starting today and everyday, be grateful for everything you have. Hug your kids/parents and tell them how much you love them.