Fires and porcupines, etc.

After more than a month, it would be so easy to fall into a state of helplessness, frustration, anger or depression as a result of all the global crises we are experiencing.

In our Barrio Kapitolyo alone there have been two fires in a period of one month, I have had to coach, mentor or advise some individuals regarding hard decisions to be made about business, work or should their children be “home schooled” (which I support). 

I have also had my encounters with “porcupines” who have been hurt by others, been dealing with stress and burdens for loved ones or people angry and feeling helpless about the corruption and incompetence of government.

 As a result, they consciously or unconsciously “bristle” at others who they perceive as people who do not appreciate the level of difficulties they have to face every day. We are all human and when times are tough, we need to know who and where our help comes from.

“Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber;  indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121: 1 to 8 

Nowadays, I regularly find myself saying: “This too shall pass” and “Check your to do list.”

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A respected journalist and opinion writer recently commented that many “columnists” are now having a hard time looking for topics to write, as shown by many of us now writing about multiple topics per column.

That is partly true, given that there is little to choose from in terms of traditionally “serious” materials. The problem is everyone, including all the “Marites-es” of the world, have commented and beaten these topics to death and over analyzed them to the point of paralysis.

 Even the government and its agencies feel threatened by forecasts and have resorted to counter threats regarding forecasts and analysis that could be misconstrued as “disinformation.”

 What I have noticed is that more and more people are “desperately seeking” not Susan, but strategies and D.I.Y solutions on how to cope with our collective current situation. How to save fuel, stretch the peso, create income, etc. Every bit of information helps people in need.

I’ve written about checking in at the Rizal Medical Center, a public hospital, and being confined in their ICU partly to show that government hospitals work and are more affordable for the “New Poor,” which is “Us,” the middle class Filipinos.

 Why spend a ton of money or go into debt by going into a private hospital? We never try because very few people actually give us their testimony. It’s just like tithing in church – tithes go up when people hear about how God blessed or provided for those who gave.

 I have written about taking the aircon bus to different parts of the country, as well as jeepneys and tricycles just to point out that there are practical and alternative rides instead of driving cars and SUVs. 

Yes, there is a fuel crisis, but it is not the end of the world or your traveling options. If, like me, you have to go to the province regularly, taking an aircon bus is not about travel or tourism, it is about trying out available options. And sharing the information.

I have also been championing the installation of solar power systems for residences and small offices because these will help free up disposable income spent on electricity, improve the quality of life at home, thereby making many Filipinos more productive.

One of our readers even wrote about a loved one who is bedridden and may suffer serious discomfort or complication in the event of a prolonged blackout. Many barangays have anywhere between 10 to 20 such individuals whose health could be affected. 

The question is, what emergency provisions or back-up plans do barangays have to help such bedridden individuals who may be attached to an oxygen machine or suction equipment and the like? Even HOAs should investigate or, better yet, prepare. 

As a result, I am now researching on possible solutions for our reader whose budget cannot cover the installation of a solar power set-up.

Such an “emergency” system may require using a smaller, inverter air conditioner (.75 hp), a small genset just for the period of the blackout or those power banks used by overlanders on camping trips. The motto is: where there’s a will, there is a way!

 Instead of lamenting on the sad or bad state of the country or venting or glaring at total strangers because of our frustrations or writing about a war so far away and out of our control, let’s go Lokal! 

I would like to encourage our readers to sit down with their family members and hold a corporate planning strategy or crisis management planning. Assume no one is coming to save you, so better make sure you never need rescuing. If no one will give you flowers, then plant a garden.