Disiplina Naman!

In the car last Saturday, we were listening to a news program talking about the stampede at Ultra where over 60 people were killed. The "Wowowee" program of ABS-CBN was going to celebrate its one year anniversary with a handful of wonderful prizes - from generous cash cheques, house and lots, cars and many more. People from the barrios flocked Ultra weeks before the said event, camping out there for days - in the hope of improving their current lifestyle (obviously, this is ironic). If my memory serves me right, there were over 300,000 Filipinos anticipating the said program.

Unfortunately, when the gates opened, people from the back began pushing the ones in front - due to excitement and perhaps impatience. Many fell on the floor and were inconsiderably stepped on. Most were women - as observed when they read the death list on air. I even heard on the ABS-CBN radio station that a woman fainted because she has not eaten anything in days (okay, that was stupid). Her seatmate, who knew nothing about her, freaked out and kindly brought her to aid givers.

Family members got separted, physically and spiritually (some died, remember?). At least 12 children were found and were brought to the ABS-CBN station for pick-up. The victims (died and injured) were segregated into identified and unidentified and brought to respective hospitals and Arlington funeral parlors with regards to their segregation. ABS-CBN professed to shoulder the expenses, if I am not mistaken. Many government sections were mobilized. It was a wide-scale operation to aid the poor masses trapped in the puddle of their own shit. (subject to personal interpretation)

Willy, the host of the program, was shown yesterday, crying - why did this have to happen to his program, while all he wanted to do was to make people happy. That's life man!

The show was cancelled to give respect to the ones who perished or were injured in the said occassion.

Back in Fontana, my peers were advertising this joke they received via text - an edited version of the Wowowee theme song - saying how stupid we Filipinos are that the "kaban ni Wowowee" has been reduced. I was most particularly not amused at their immature folly and lack of concern.

One. We are Filipinos, whether we like it or not. Let us help each other, rather than mock each other because of the other's poor decisions.

Two. Just because we are already somewhat well-to-do, does not mean that everybody is. They are people too, who hopes for a better life. They believe that in taking part of this game show, they may actually gain something out of sheer luck. That is their belief, and we have no right to persecute them because of that. Pagbigyan niyo na sila sa kaligayahan nila.

Three. Our country is no way getting any better. The most corrupt country in the whole world. The E-Vat is imposing weighty taxes. Filipinos are starving everyday. Get it in your head - Mahirap na ang buhay ngayon. People are willing to indulge in illcit drug affairs, kill and steal to keep their families alive and well. People are willing to degrade themselves into a heap of shit, just to feed their families. What's a better alternative/risk? To steal, kill or join a game show? Now, waiting and camping outside Ultra for a chance at LIFE, what's so stupid about that?

Four. Discipline. One of the few virtues we Filipinos lack. We can't even follow traffic rules. How dare we call ourselves a "Christian country" when we are so self-absorbed. Discipline involves a detachment from the self in order to create order. I am no perfect example, but I know one thing, if we truly care for others, we would not be engrossed too much on our personal gain and would somehow think how others would feel or be affected.

What kind of lesson are we teaching the children by this show of self-righteousness (for one, two and three) and lack of self-discipline (for four)?