Why We Like What We Like

photo courtesy of www.interpersonal-compatibility.blogspot.com

   Lately, there have been a lot of posts about people liking certain things that are a hit right now. Some writes how it makes them feel good, while some even managed to wrap it around the current socio-political time that the country is entering. People have started arguing passionately about the things they like and has even managed to latch onto whatever faint scent of dissent that they smell on people. 

   Liking things, tv shows, movies, books is part of of how we forge relationships with other people. Similar interests binds us and allows us to relish in the feeling of liking and making us feel that we're not alone in this. On the other hand those that have a different interest than ours provides a chance to discuss this and see why we like what we like.

   Sad thing is, there are those who need to intellectualize whatever it is that they like not because to explain the rationale of their emotion but rather avoid being called a fan. At the end of the day, what we have to remember is that we follow what we love and share it others and if they like it too then good for you and if they don't then we should respect their choices. Dismissing each other to validate your own liking does not make your own argument sound smarter. You'll just sound like an ass. 

Of Spoilers

photo courtesy of giphy.com

   A lot of people went wild and vented their frustration in social media about being spoiled by the season five finale of Game of Thrones. Coincidentally they were spoiled by going to social media. So there. 

   I was never the one to get spoiled anyone who posts spoiler scenes in television shows or movies. I get more anxious to watch the show even more when I learn of certain memorable scenes. But a lot of people aren't like me and I can't blame them. For them, they want to experience the scene without any preconceived notion and being spoiled not only destroys that feeling but also makes their watching less enjoyable. 

   People who tweet or post spoiler scenes is not entirely to blame either. It is still their right to post what they think is something worth sharing. It's also not their fault that they managed to watch the movie or television show before anyone else did. The most that could probably asked from them but not really expect is to exercise restraint in sharing so that they don't spoil it for the rest. 

  Spoiling is two way crash site. For those sharing even a hint of what's about happen, they run the risk of spoiling for everyone and if they are going to get a lot of flak for it, then so be it. For those that does not want to spoiled, the best way is to just avoid any avenues where they run being spoiled. 

  As for me I still would watch every show and movie with an anticipation no one can spoil. 

Towards freedom

photo courtesy of www.southupdates.com

   Today, we celebrate the Philippines' Independence Day. We've been enjoying this freedom we have and surely have manifested it a lot of ways. From owning properties, to airing our opinions in social media, freedom is truly alive in this country. But aside from these things that we are free to do, we, myself included may have forgotten that there are still things that we are not free from. For starters, we are still not free from the bigotry and hate that several minority groups are still experiencing. From the LGBT to the indigenous people, oppression and suppression of the rights are still prevalent. Moreover, it seems that we are still enslaved by the backward thinking when it comes to politics and social issues. These things are so common that sometimes I have to admit that I'm also guilty of them. In order to be free from the shackles that prevent us from being a decent country where one could live, I guess that we have to start with ourselves and how we open our minds to not just what's happening inside of our backyards but also on a global scale as well. 

   Here's to our path towards freedom. 

Gridlock

photo courtesy of thegypsy.org

   Earlier, I left Malacanang to go Allan's place in Pasig. Normally, I travel early during Saturdays, but today I wanted to try out and see what I'll discover if I leave the house on a later time. So after my morning work ended, I left at around 2:30. 

   What I found out was terrifying.

   

   There were already a lot of commuters waiting for jeepneys and buses. I made my way to the bus terminal that goes to Pasig. When I boarded, I noticed that were only a couple of passengers there. I thought it would be that way all throughout the  bus ride. I was wrong. The bus hasn't gone that far from the terminal when a throng of passengers got in. Slowly the bus became full and crowded.

   Heavy build up of traffic seems to have sprung in our route and soon after we were stalled every couple of minutes. This is what the average working Filipino deals with. This and the sucky transport system and the constant news of inefficiency of the government. Sadly, we are also to blame for things escalating to this. We never really bothered to care. We took everything as the reality of things and just soldiered on instead of fighting the system and changing the way things are.

   But before that happens, I hope this traffic won't get us late. 

Slowly We Go Back

photo courtesy of indianexpress.com

   Typhoon Hagupit is slowly making its way out of the country and so far from the reports given by the different government agencies concerned and the media, the damage is still quite big but the loss of life is minimal. As it moves across south of Manila, the public is warned to still remain vigilant even if the typhoon has diminished in strength, it could still bring in a lot of rain and it still might flood the metro.

   A lot of cities along with Manila has declared the suspension of classes and work but for others especially those who work at BPOs, the daily grind still continues. And though it's important to earn a living, safety still is of the utmost importance. No debate on that. For those who will go to work tonight, make sure to take extra precaution, keep constant communication with your loved ones and with the people at work. 

   While we wait for the typhoon to leave the country, let's all be thankful that there wasn't much casualty. Let's also commend our national weather forecasting agency for being close to accurate in projecting the path and the strength of the typhoon. The different local government agencies also did it right this time by preparing for the storm's possible damage days before it actually gets here.

   Once this is all over, we all go back to our daily lives. But let's all try and do our part in not contributing to the effects of climate change

The waiting game.

photo courtesy of forums.archeagegame.com

   So now we wait. 

   Typhoon Ruby has weakened in the update given by PAGASA earlier, but in their last bulletin, the storm has regained its strength and will still follow its projected path. Everyone still advised to take the necessary safety precautions and to monitor the updates provided on all channels of communication. 

   While we wait for the round of information on the effects of the typhoon, the best thing to do is to stay calm, make sure that we have a ready stock of food items. That means, no panic-buying, its obviously hording, so stop. Charge all mobile phones and make sure they have load credits. We don't want communication to fail just because we're out of load. 

   We may not be able to prevent whatever damage the typhoon may bring but we can be sure to minimize its effects if stay vigilant, alert, and calm.  

Hagupit

   Typhoon Hagupit will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility several hours from now. The government sure did act quickly by laying out the scenario and likelihood of what's to come once the storm landfalls. Unfortunately, it will be passing by Eastern Visayas, where it was heavily damaged by typhoon Haiyan last year. PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration), NDRMCC (National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council) have urged the local governments who will be in the storm's path to prematurely evacuate their residents, especially those that are living in coastal areas as storm surges going up to 4 meters high are likely to appear.

   This has always been the scenario in the country whenever a typhoon is about to hit us. I know, that this is the global effect of global warming, and we're a long way from combating its deadly effects but this cycle of always waiting in anxious anticipation has got to stop. The government and its citizen should start working together in dealing better whenever a typhoon comes. A reliable weather forecasting system, a coordinated disaster response program, and cooperation are factors in ensuring that property damage and loss of life is minimized or better yet, prevented.

   But for now, we should stock on food, batteries, and other stuff needed for emergency purposes. Make sure our phones are charged and with call credits and always check in with your loved ones if you're outside when the storm hits.  

   Measured optimism is what we all need.