THE CHINESE FAN AND THE LOTTO

The Chinese Fan 

I began experiencing strange things after graduating from college. That was in the late 90s, just before the approach of the new millennium. 

I was on board a Victory Liner bus bound for Manila. I was seated all alone at the back. A male passenger who was seated three empty seats away and in front of me lifted a tabloid as he read it. The banner headline on the tabloid’s back page read, “ABOT KAMAY ANG GINTO” (gold is within a hand’s reach). 

I seemed to be under a spell. I felt as though I was hypnotized. I was following what the banner headline suggested. 

I looked around and tried to find out whatever it was that was within the reach of my hand. I found a Chinese fan on a vacant seat some five feet away from where I was seated. I picked the fan up and tried to spread its blades wide open. There on one of its inner blades were written five (5) numbers like 17, 24, etc. (I could not remember the three other numbers). And the last character was a symbol—that symbol of infinity that we learned in our Modern Mathematics subject in my freshman year in the high school. 

After reading what was written on that Chinese fan’s inner blade, I lifted my head, looked around, and as the bus reached the junction area in San Fernando, Pampanga, it made a stop right in front of a lotto outlet where a signboard in bold letters read: PLAY LOTTO HERE. 

As I was very nervous then, I threw the Chinese fan outside of the Victory Liner bus’ window. 

A few years had passed after that incident and, one afternoon, as I exited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Main Gate, I went to the lotto outlet just after the Main Gate Pedestrian Lane. As I approached the betting window to make my bet, I found on the window pane a Chinese fan similar to the one I mentioned above. And I remember that incident. I smiled as I picked up that Chinese fan that was probably inadvertently left by a female bettor. That Chinese fan is still in my possession up to this date. 

No, I did not win in that draw. 

PARANORMAL PHENOMENA

There are occurrences in our lives that are inexplicable and very difficult to comprehend. They not only make us wonder why but they even seem to (or really) debunk some scientific theories that we learned in school. 

I have my share of the inexplicable. I did not know if I was possessed then or there was a problem with my nervous system. Or both. I turned to Religion for an answer but I was very much confused and afraid. In fact, for quite some time, my faith in God was shaken. 

I sought professional help but the psychiatrist just prescribed a number of tranquilizers which I used not for a day nor week nor month but for years. And before I knew it, I was heavily dependent on them. In fact, I couldn't do without them. 

I experienced sleepless nights and there was even a time when I was wide awake for days. I was psychosomatic, I thought I was sick. I thought I was losing my head... I thought it was the end of me. 

In my next blog posts, I will share with you some of my  supernatural experiences. However weird, I hope you'll enjoy reading them. 

BANYO QUEEN

 Noong sa Harris Street sa Olongapo pa ako nakatira, malaki ang bahay na inuupahan ko. May dalawang  kuwarto sa itaas at isang maliit na kuwarto sa ibaba. Dahil nag-iisa lang ako roon, naisipan kong tumanggap ng boarders.

Sampu ang naging boarders ko: 8 males and 2 females. Lahat sila except for Gelai ay sa itaas (second floor) natutulog. Si Gelai ay doon sa maliit na room downstairs natutulog.

Minsan, nang pumanaog ako’t walang tao sa ground floor, napuna kong may nakapaskel na note sa may dingding sa tapat ng dining table. The note read in part:

“SINO KANG LALAKI KA NA TUMATAWAG SA AKIN NG 'BANYO QUEEN'? DINIG NA DINIG KITA SA KUWARTO KO... BAKA AKALA MO...!"

Nang may mga lalaking boarders na dumating, tinanong ko sila.

GAUDZ:  Ano ‘yang nakapaskel na iyan?

JOEREX:  Sir, si Jeho po, tinawag niyang ‘Banyo Queen’ si Gelai. Narinig siya, nagalit. Nagsulat ng note at ipinaskel sa dingding.

GAUDZ:  Huwag ngang kung anu-ano ang ibinabansag n’yo sa mga kasamahan n’yo ha! Gaya niyan, mukhang mataray ‘yang binansagan n’yo! Baka pagmulan ng kagalitan ‘yan! Huwag n’yo nang uulitin ‘yan ha!

JOEREX:  Opo, sir.

GAUDZ:  Nasaan ba siya?

JOEREX:  Sino po, sir?

GAUDZ:  Si Banyo Queen! 

SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT

CURRENT ISSUES ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(Note: Twenty years ago, our Division Chief who was then pursuing a master's degree, requested me to do this ‘take home’ final exam for him. Thus, ‘current issues’ here refer to those in 2001.)

QUESTION 1:
Development per se is Human Development. Government policies and resources are all geared towards the attainment of such goal but still 70% of the total populace is within the poverty threshold that hinders development. Give an honest critic/analysis WHY President Aquino, President Ramos, and President Estrada (30 mos.) FAILED to alleviate the standard of living of their constituents. Explain briefly.

ANSWER:
Development has always been the thrust of any government or administration. Laws are enacted, policies are formulated, and government resources are utilized for the achievement of such goal. The Aquino, Ramos, and Estrada administrations each had its own program geared towards the attainment of goals on national development designed to alleviate the economic woes of the people. Despite their efforts, however, a great percentage of the total population still lives within poverty level. And poverty has always been a deterrent to growth and development. Why did Presidents Aquino, Ramos, and Estrada fail to ease the people’s economic burdens? Where did they go wrong?

President Aquino

President Aquino’s ascension to power was very popular and a rather dramatic one. Her term, owing to the previous oppressive conjugal dictatorship, was characterized by monstrous problems, yet both the poor and the oppressed saw it as a ray of hope that will liberate them from social injustices. The economy was in shambles; there was a huge foreign debt it inherited from the previous regime; the military was divided; there was a series of coup attempts that scared the investors away; and with the coming of “Kamag-anak, Inc.,” the nation’s economic problems were perceived to linger on. Still, and very unfortunately, forces beyond government and human control—that series of natural catastrophes: Mount Pinatubo eruption, earthquakes, typhoons, and floods that were so devastating—contributed much to the misery of the people.

Another giant factor why the Aquino administration wasn’t successful in easing the people’s economic troubles was the case of ill-gotten wealth the Marcoses reportedly stashed abroad. The amount according to reports was in tens of billions of dollars. That huge amount could have been used to pay the country’s foreign loans or to finance income-generating projects that will provide employment for the masses.

With these almost insurmountable problems enumerated above, government projects and programs did not materialize as planned to uplift the lives of the people. The Aquino Administration, being a transition government, therefore, did not accomplish much especially economic-wise. Its greatest achievement, so far, was the restoration of democracy.

President Ramos

President Fidel V. Ramos started his term right. The transfer of power from President Corazon C. Aquino was so peaceful it became the envy of the rest of the world. It thus gained the confidence of foreign investors to invest in the country. The Ramos’ presidency had for its goal the making of the Philippines as the “new economic tiger of Asia.” With his government’s efforts to restore peace in Mindanao, it was easy for the nation to gain the title of New Industrialized Country. And having continued the previous administration’s programs and projects, President Ramos had uplifted the Filipinos’ standard of living. The advent of globalization, however, probably affected the country’s economic climate negatively such that some of its economic gains were left unnoticed.

President Estrada

President Joseph Estrada’s administration was characterized by political turmoil that (as reported by the media and as, obviously, judged by the Filipino people) had its roots from widespread graft and corruption, cronyism, economic plunder, and a lack of moral ascendancy to govern. With just barely two years in office, the Filipinos became disgruntled with the administration. Accused of so many charges, Estrada became the first Philippine president to be impeached. As the impeachment trial went, the nation turned politically unstable. The peso plunged to an all-time low. And as pro-administration senators sitting as judges in the impeachment trial made some sort of maneuverings, people flocked to EDSA and staged a giant indignation rally which turned out to be People Power II. With all these uncertainties that characterized the Estrada administration, it is apparently easy to perceive why his administration failed to alleviate the standard of living of his constituents.

QUESTION 2:
People Power succeeded again with all those so many reasons/issues/charges that ousted President Estrada. You are a master’s degree holder in Public Administration hired as Consultant on Local Government. WHAT will you do to attain Rural Development? Explain briefly.

ANSWER:
Economic activities sustain and develop citizens as well as localities, both urban and rural alike. In urban areas, agriculture is not a means of livelihood but industries that provide employment to the people and income to the local government. Urbanites are engaged in these economic activities the whole year through. In the rural areas, however, the main source of people’s livelihood is agriculture. Unlike in urban areas where people work continuously the whole year through, in rural areas, people are engaged in farming during planting season which usually leaves them idle and unproductive after planting.

As a Consultant on Local Government, I will suggest the creation of more economic activities for the inhabitants especially when the planting season is over. I will introduce to them various livelihood programs where people can be productive and earn more. Naturally, the community where they live will also benefit from their toils. Such livelihood programs as furniture-making, slipper-making, hog raising, poultry raising, etc. will be introduced. For those who lack capital, the local government should extend assistance to them by lending them money to be paid in due time and at minimal interest rates. And for them to further benefit from their labor, I will suggest the tying up or linking of their livelihood activities to export entities. This will make them as well as the community where they belong even far more productive and developed.

THE MEANING OF DEATH

This short article was my reflection paper in our Theology 211 class (1994) under Ms. Carlota Aquino, one of the best and most pleasant professors of Columban College in Olongapo City.

Death is the most unpleasant thing one can ever think of. To those whose lives are centered on material and worldly things, it means the end of enjoyment and happiness. To romantic couples who are very much in love, it is unbearable grief as it means parting with those who made their lives worth living. Still, to some, death means a horrible monster that transforms everything of value into nothingness.

Many fear death. I believe everyone does. But this should not be for, despite its morbid nature, death has a vital role in everyone’s life.

For me, death gives a deeper meaning to life. It has to stand by somewhere if only to remind us that we are but travelers in this world. Since well-meaning people are aware of the certainty of death, they make the most of their time on earth. They make the most of what they can make in life. Because they are aware that they will someday die, they do things that will enrich their very short stay in this world. Indeed, sometimes, it is only through the thought of death that we are able to really value, appreciate and live life to the fullest!

Death also means relief—like a breaking away from a long and agonizing fight with an illness which brings one so much suffering—physically, emotionally, mentally, and otherwise. It means liberation from all sorts of slavery our earthly life subjected us to. It also means peace—at last!

Death is life's equalizer. For everyone--rich and poor, powerful and powerless, mighty and weak--will heed its call. 

Most of all, death has a purpose. For what is Death doing there if it won't serve anything at all? It is a great transition--for it is through death that we are born to eternal life. It is a fulfillment of God's mysterious plan for us. For it is through death that we are finally united with The Creator.

HELLO, ATTORNEY!

(Below is a personal letter I sent to someone nice to me.) 

Hello, Attorney!

I remember Friday morning and the memory of our meeting often haunts me.

Siguro, dahil sa medical checkup mo... sa pagpapa-blood chem mo. Kasi, iyan din ang reason why despite Gapan-based na ako ay bumalik ako sa Olongapo. Nagpa-blood chem din ako rito kasi nahilo rin ako and my BP rose to 170/90. E, hindi naman ako high blood!

Since yung unang blood chem resulted sa high blood sugar, nagpunta ako sa Diabetologist. But before he prescribed medicine, he required three more blood chems for confirmation kung diabetic ba ako. Fortunately, hindi. So, hindi siya nag-prescribe ng kahit anong medicine.

I tried to analyze… bakit kaya? Since I had anxietty attack when I was in the province, I attributed the health problem to CHANGES; i.e., change in residence... change in the usual ways of doing things.  I am very much aware naman that change especially when sudden or abrupt and disagreeable can trigger anxiety.

Then I rationalized, "Ah, kaya pala may pre-retirement seminar. Anticipated or expected ang ganitong eksena. Kaya pala the last time I saw my psychiatrist, he asked me how I regard retirement".

So, balik muna ako sa Olongapo. Tuloy muna kung ano'ng naging familiar sa akin in the last 47 years that I had been away from home sweet home.

I have also realized that when one is in his twilight years, life gets more precious. Nothing but LIFE ITSELF becomes the only thing that matters.

Hindi na importante ang material wealth (buti na lang ever since ay strange sa akin ang bagay na 'yan).

Hindi na ang physical and outside beauty and glamour (okay lang din sa akin kasi wala naman ako nun).

Hindi na ang power and position (never ding nagkaroon ako).

Hindi na fame or popularity (lalo namang wala ako).

Kasi, mapasa-akin man ang mga iyon, if I have no life, paano ko mae-enjoy ang mga iyon?

And because life has become more precious now that I am a senior citizen, I am focusing on three major factors that will give me a good chance to live longer:

1. Foods and drinks that I take into my body

2. Activities that I do, and

3. The things that I think about (or my attitude towards people and circumstances).

Ang dami ko nang ini-snub na foods and drinks. I don't eat red meat anymore -- beef, pork (pero chicken, in moderation). I don't drink softdrinks and coffee. And I avoid as much as I can oily, sweet, and salty foods.  At kung anu-ano pang unhealthy and harmful substances. Nakuntento na lang ako sa sinigang, pinangat, bulanglang, paksiw, inihaw, steamed veggies o yun bang ipinatong lang sa nilutong kanin. Ang advice ko sa sarili ko: hindi baleng hindi masarap, basta't malusog! Look! No more gout… no more arthritis... no more rayuma. I mean, matagal nang hindi umaatake. Problema ko lang, itong patis na ito. Ayaw pumirma sa divorce paper.

But what's more amazing --- wala akong maintainance medicine.

Sa activities naman ---- brisk walking early in the morning, some light physical exercises, washing isang tambak na dishes (my stress reliever), and going to market. I also have an "ADOPTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM" which I hope to successfully carry out.

Sa attitude naman, dati naman na akong pasensiyoso, hindi magagalitin, Through the years, I have gained a high degree of tolerance with regards to dealing with super obnoxious and irrational people. And despite the strings of traumas that adorn my very colorful life, I still believe I have to let go of the past and move on. Yes, let go... and let God.

Also, I am determined to TRULY forgive and forget those who oppressed and harassed me (especially my irrational office superiors) and those who maligned my name. And I have forgiven them. Yun nga lang, isinumpa ko muna sila bago pinatawad.

(Joke lang yung last line, Atty.)

Lastly, thanks for the pleasant memories! I remember you would either email or text me, "Gaudz, admin leave na..." due to the storm. Or, "Gaudz , may vacancy sa..." (Saan nga bang department yun?) Imagine, HR Manager entertaining me!

Anyway, I hope okay ang result ng blood chem mo. O baka naman pregnant ka uli? Ikaw kasi, nag-asawa ka ng a la Yorme Isko. Ka-guapo na, mabait pa! 

Thanks again, Atty! God bless!

Gaudz

25 Nov 2019 

CONGRATULATIONS, MARIA RESSA!

 

Maria Ressa

Congratulations, Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner!