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Ghost to golden August



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August, the ghost month. I at all times thought it will need to have been the Chinese language affect on our native tradition, however Google says that the ghost month is a part of the standard perception programs of a number of different Asian international locations as properly. In line with these beliefs, the ghost month is when the doorways of the spirit world are opened, and the stressed spirits seek for peace, prayers, or pleasure within the earthly realm.

What enhances and deepens the idea within the ghost month is that August typically brings heavy rains or typhoons, leading to floods. The ghost month is usually moist, gloomy, and inhospitable. The local weather enhances the eerie environment of August, as if nature itself is warning us to be cautious and to remain indoors, given the difficult climate circumstances.

Nonetheless, there have been indicators that August 2024 can be completely different from the standard ghost month.

Storm Carina arrived early, bringing torrential and record-setting rains and floods, and setting a dismal tone after a comparatively well-delivered presidential speech in the course of the SONA had eased the negativity within the air. However that was in July, not August. As a substitute, August started with a bang. From being ghostly, it turned golden, due to Caloy Yulo, who gained two gold medals. Feminine boxers Nesty Petecio and Ain Villegas contributed two bronze medals, bringing the Philippines’ whole to 4 Olympic medals—probably the most in our Olympic historical past.

I do know there have been disappointments too, however successful medals on the Olympics isn’t any straightforward feat. EJ Obiena and Bianca Pagdanganan got here near including two extra bronze medals, however destiny was not form to them. Neither have been the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Nationwide Golf Affiliation of the Philippines (NGAP), which did not present our nationwide golfers, Bianca and Dottie Arbina, with their uniforms. They supplied many excuses, however none justified the embarrassment our golfers confronted whereas having to stick the Philippine flag on their private T-shirts.

Anyway, what an August this has been to this point—so reverse its status—and I’m grateful. On the identical time, August nonetheless stays the ghost month, with two extra weeks to go. I counsel we keep cautious and cautious, even when we don’t want to give attention to the negatives. The world is turbulent; it’s not simply the spirits who search peace. The Center East is a sizzling international flashpoint, the Russia-Ukraine warfare continues, and the West Philippine Sea stays troublesome for Asia.

The state of affairs on the house entrance is equally troubling. The rivalries between the Marcoses and Dutertes are escalating in depth and turning into more and more contentious. It’s an uncommon battle arising from two companions who just lately achieved success in successful the presidency and vice-presidency. Nonetheless, a 3rd of the voters believes that the Fee on Elections (Comelec) secured this victory by way of a seemingly miraculous Smartmatic system. Missing technical experience, I reserve my condemnation on this matter. Nonetheless, I beforehand highlighted the illegitimacy of the 2022 elections on account of widespread vote-buying.

Whereas the two-thirds, amounting to roughly 31 million voters, who declare to have supported Marcos and Duterte have gotten embroiled in a deepening battle, I take solace in the truth that the minimal of 15 million voters for Leni are selecting to stay indifferent from the struggles of the deeply divided Uniteam. They need to proceed to distance themselves from this escalating dispute, which might doubtlessly flip lethal. It’s sufficient for these 15 million to uphold their integrity, thereby fostering honesty, transparency, and accountability in their very own lives.

In instances of chaos, we should floor ourselves and our households in basic survival ideas inside a spirit of bayanihan. Only a few amongst us are rich sufficient to comfortably climate sudden upheavals. We should safeguard our meals provide, try to supply as a lot as doable, and work collectively to ascertain a extra localized meals community.

If we concentrate, we discover that authorities initiatives at the moment are typically value tens and even lots of of billions. There isn’t a lot we will do about that besides hope that mission prices are inflated by not more than 30% because the rumored kickback is round 40%.

Whereas some people can interact actively in anti-corruption initiatives, most of us ought to focus our efforts nearer to house. Embrace sustainable practices and develop your meals wherever doable. These within the majority who face monetary hardships can mitigate the consequences of inflation by cultivating as a lot of their very own meals as they’ll.

By taking cost of our personal wants as a substitute of counting on others, we will additionally educate youthful generations to be resourceful. A resurgence of the Do-It-Your self tradition should start with meals manufacturing. Being self-sufficient empowers us, finally fostering confidence and resilience. Our kids and grandchildren won’t study these important abilities until we go them on. They’re already victims of what’s termed “studying poverty,” which naturally signifies an equal poverty in educating.

There’s a lengthy listing of issues which might be already mistaken that may worsen, however that’s not our focus on this article. Slightly, like our athletes who made it in opposition to the more severe of odds, we should attempt to go for the gold, too. We’ve got waited for our leaders to resolve our issues and, in consequence, we now have dug our personal holes deeper. There is no such thing as a Tallano gold, no 20 peso/kg rice, and no Uniteam – solely budol after budol.



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I pray, earlier than later, that we perceive how the brighter tomorrow is in our arms first earlier than the leaders strive it themselves. But when we fail, I consider that they, too, will fail.



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