Light Is Life

     I remember we did not have electricity growing up. I was already in high school when electrification came to our barrio. The setting before electricity was so rural and dark, and  typically after dinner, we slept early except when it was bright full moon when we used to hang out under the moonlight.

     Now there is electricity, and the convenience of using electrical appliances is at our fingertips. The only setback is that there are black outs every now and then, something I never experienced when I was working in Singapore and Malaysia. Sometimes it makes me wonder how do they do it that our electric companies cannot do.

     

     The good news is that our youngest brother gave us two solar lamps that come handy at night, especially during black outs. Since he has given us, there has been two black outs in a week's time. I can't imagine how we were so pitch dark during black outs then. Now we have solar lights in front and at the back of the house, literally a light in the darkness.

Bright front 

Bright backyard

     

I Miss Malaysia

     When I say I miss Malaysia, it is an understatement. I miss my old life working in Malaysia from 1993 until 2010, my longest work life in a foreign country.

     It was my first time to work abroad because I had to since my family was poor, I had to work abroad to earn more so I can support my family. I went to Malaysia without even knowing a single thing about Malaysia, that it was a Muslim country. That time, my knowledge on Muslims is based on my perception of the terrorist Muslims in Mindanao.

     When I started working there, almost all my neighbors were Muslims, there were a few Buddhist Chinese and Indian Hindis. From then on I studied the Malaysian life, culture and all including religions as Islam, Buddhists and Hindustan. I learned that Muslim religion is not the Muslim I used to know in the Philippines. I became friends with many Muslims and had a deeper understanding of the religion.

     It was in Malaysia I learned how to drive a car, and I bought my first car, JFC2341, Jerry's First Car, I would joke with my friends. It was also in Malaysia I found life long pals, especially those I've worked with in Jotun Paints for almost ten years, my longest career job. They are my friends until the end of my life, genuine friends who I can rely on when I'm in dire situation. I won't forget them for the rest of my life.

My Malaysian gang who are my forever friends

Everything Is Worst?

     Sad to say that everything is worst in the Philippines, I say that as a returning OFW who worked in Malaysia and Singapore for about 30 years. Manila is developed maybe but it is overcrowded, overpopulated and dirty that I can't blame this Hollywood actor who once said rats are running around the streets. Once you go to the provinces, there is no development, unemployment is rampant, and the population is dirt poor. Thus when government officials come to bring cash, it's a relief but what they don't know is that they are selling their souls and the future of this country.

Jobs and employment should be better for the people

     The Filipinos are a talented lot, very intelligent and skilled, remaining untapped to grow the country to be among the best in Southeast Asia. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are much better politically and economically. If this country is led by a President who is visionary and for the people and supported by leaders of the same ilk, it can reach greater heights. What today is the leaders supporting the President and the President himself are all after their own interests, it's never the interest of the poor people.

     I saw these top lists of countries, and they are true. I don't need thorough studies to prove them. Unfortunately, they are the wrong lists to be included among the top.

Manila is I'll managed

Wrong priorities and values 

Is this something to be proud of?

     Metro Manila, where the Philippine capital city is, has the worst traffic in the world, and it does not surprise me. Last time, as an OFW, every time I go back for holiday, I would spend 3-5 hours in the jam before I can reach home, that sometimes I would say it took faster for my flight from Singapore to Manila than travel by car to my house from the airport.

     This list I agree to the fullest.

Very, very true

All Souls Day 2024

     This is my second time to see the cemetery in town gets crowded by people paying respect to their dead. The crowd is huge which slows down the traffic.

Paying respect to the dead 

     I didn't go down from the car as my physical ability is hampered by the chaotic tombstone layout, only my family did. Sad to remember departed loved ones, I pray for their eternal rest.

The crowded cemetery entrance

The crowded way to the new extension of the public cemetery