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SOCIETY is like ONE BIG PARTY!! –editorial

            After approximately 45 minutes of random doohickeys and thingamabobs, we (our group) believe that society is analogous to one big party!! WOO!!!

            In a society, there’re different kinds of people with different personalities. If you’re lucky enough you’ll get a chance to meet some of them. It’ll broaden your understanding of the world.

There’s a clash of moral structure and belief and this’ll lead to either a compromise or a conflict. Either you resolve it or you don’t. The grey area is a bit complicated.

There’re a lot of situations wherein one wrong move may lead you to grave consequences such as breaking the law.

Supplies are always present and the options are varied. Without it, life will be much more difficult.

More often than not, it has a governing body that makes sure that every thing is okay. Without it, everything would be chaotic.

            In parties, it’s almost the same. How? Well, first, it's about diversity. We have a stereotypical notion that the people in parties are socialites, fashionistas, or even celebrities. But the fact is that parties are really a mix of different people. It’s a place that is very diverse because it's composed of people with different personalities, characteristics, even behavior. It’s a society that is standing on its own.

            Second, since it is diverse, some conflicts are bound to happen. Well, it’s very fortunate that a lot of these conflicts aren’t major disagreements. Otherwise, the term “party” would be comparable to “death” or “morgue.”

            Third, there’re a lot of certain temptations in parties because you’re in a position to do mischievous acts without anyone scolding you. These temptations have consequences ranging from a week of no gimmick to an actual experience of being a mom or a dad.

            Fourth, there’s food. Unless it’s a Muslim party near the end of Ramadan, the variety of scrumptious meals is astounding. It’s essential because, well, who wants to go to a party without food?

            Last, there’s a party planner who functions like a president in a government. Without him, there wouldn’t be a guest list, a theme, a menu, etc. In short, won’t be a party without his/her planning capabilities.

            So, there. May we all find happiness and excitement in the biggest party of them all, Society. We’re all invited. Dig in! J

Mealtime by Jose Miguel Escucha

    When I took my set of pictures, I couldn’t help but notice that all of them were related to food or eating.  We all know that eating, or the consumption of food, is an integral part of life, because without food and the nutrients it provides no one would be alive.

     The food is also an important part of any culture as it defines what is important to that culture.  Food exclusive to certain parts of the world help define how the people thrive in those environments.

    In the Filipino culture, food, the preparation of food and the consumption of food are important to all of us because it is the most common experience we all share.  We Filipinos share our love of food with our sense of community; we celebrate all the important facets of our lives, like birthdays, graduations, homecomings, reunions, etc. with food.  The ninong of my brother celebrated his birthday today and his family marked it by having a party.

    In my neighborhood, there are plenty of places to eat.  From the food counter at our corner to the fish ball cart across the street, food is everywhere; we never run out of things and places to eat.  Early this morning, I even got a cup if taho right in front of the Iglesia de San Agustin.

    Even the mass, an important part of the Roman Catholic faith, is actually a ritual based on the Last Supper.  The Holy Communion is an act of eating, as we consume the flesh and blood of Jesus.  This act intimately bonds us to God and to one another.

    But as I right this, I can’t help but feel hungry.  So I’m of to have a snack…

Succorers by Anika Martirez

            Down south, entering a community known for its nearly palatial homes, flashy automobiles, fresh breeze, elite country clubs, strict rules and regulations, sociable residents, and exclusive schools, one would pay the least amount of attention to the working class—these are the domestic helpers or whom we know as “yayas”, drivers, security guards, construction workers, and house boys. After all, they are but part of the mere working class—our “work horses”—or at least we say so.

            In this activity called the sociological walk, I would like to focus the spotlight on them—the working class of Ayala Alabang Village. In this little “Alabang bubble” of mine, which I call home, I discovered there was more than meets the eye. And yet I didn’t even have to look far.

            Three houses from my own, I snapped a photo of two maids conversing, sitting on the dusty curb by the corner of my street, each with a dog to watch over. It seemed as if they were caught up in intimate gossip. A few blocks from home is a school (De La Salle Zobel) where I took more pictures of random people—the security guard manning traffic flow of cars entering and exiting the campus, yayas picking up their alagas, drivers patiently waiting for the kids, and bus drivers under the waiting shed amidst the deadly 3pm heat. Two streets from that main avenue, I continued my stroll, seeming as leisurely discreet as possible, snapping away with my phone’s camera. I gave notice to helpers sweeping the stray dried leaves off the road, a manong segregating garbage, a group of taut, exhausted construction workers finishing their day’s work, some helpers playing a game of badminton in the middle of the street, and another two walking the cutest shi tzus. And to think just giving such people the time of day or at least even considerable notice wasn’t something I’d normally do on an ordinary day.

            This simply goes to show how they, too—the ones deemed as marginalized, must be given significance as well. They go on living each day like a routine, and yet they do each of their respective jobs with passion, and as evidently seen, they put a lot of sweat into what they’re doing—literally and figuratively. After a day’s work, they still manage to have time for themselves, seeking joy even in the most trivial, and most regular activities possible such as chatting with fellow helpers, playing sports, giggling, texting away, singing their hearts out while sweeping, and even “bonding” with their owners’ dogs. They, too, enjoy the simplest joys and pleasures that life offers them, even if it means through working for others—serving those higher than them. Daily, they give dignity to the minutest job they are faced with. That is their way of life.

            There is, after all, a clear social diversity—an evident social marginality. They, the helpers, are somewhat excluded from the world of the “cream of the crop”. Who would have thought that in a community like this one, a different society thrived—whose members are worthy of their own “limelight” as well? In a world I am so used to living in, this 45-minute experience was somewhat an eye-opener—though it may sound cliché, this is the truth. As far as our country’s concerned, there are more poorer people compared to the well-off and wealthy. The poverty level in a country like ours is extremely higher than the affluent. Although as sad as it may seem, this is reality—a reality which we face everyday. These simple folks make us, who are more fortunate, life easier. Sad to say, we take them for granted most of the time. We then realize that these are human beings no different from ourselves. Like I said, we are just more privileged than them. And again, since we are better off, it gives us no excuse to treat them inhumanely than what they are entitled to. As I have noticed, as I observe with our own helpers at home, they give meaning to a very mundane task that sometimes puts me to shame. A simple, downgrading job such as washing my own dirty clothes. I sometimes rationalize that they are being paid to do these jobs but again, gives no reason for me to treat them badly. Everyday people, simple people, less-fortunate-than-us people—let’s face it, we need them. They are part of our society, our lives, whom we have to give importance to and who deserve our respect. I must admit that this activity has drilled awareness in me. It makes me realize how blessed I am to be what I am, what I have.

            Like my Mom would always say, “Helpers… You can’t live with them, you can’t live without them.”

Money Matters by Robert Mendoza

            June 29, 2007, seven o’clock in the evening. Instead of taking a tricycle, I decided to walk along the busy street of Don Antonio, Quezon City.

            While I was walking, I saw a gas station. There were a lot of gas-boys and gas-girls who offered their services when customers demanded for fuel. I consider their tasks as hectic because of the fact that they have to serve everyone until their shift ends.

            Then, I saw a line outside the Lotto booth. There were approximately 30+ people who’re willing to line up just to get a chance to win at least five million bucks. Despite the low probability of winning, they still engage in such acts.

            After that, I passed by an old barbershop and I saw one of the barbers outside the building. He was texting someone. Maybe there weren’t any more customers at that time thus he decided to slack off a bit.

            There were numerous turo-turo food stations. I didn’t get too close because the owners might use their “selling charm” to persuade me. I mean, even if a meal only costs forty pesos, I’d rather save that amount. My house is only a couple of minutes away.

            Finally, when I was only 50 steps away form my humble abode, I saw the policeman who guards the gate of our subdivision. Hell, we all know that you won’t earn much from that profession, but it’s a noble job. I salute you, Manong Guard!

When I got home, I couldn’t help but notice that all the thingamajigs I saw is connected with one of the few earthly objects we can’t live without. It’s a five-letter word that starts with “M” and ends with “Y.”

            Okay I’ll give you 5 minutes to ponder on this…

            Tic toc Tic toc Tic toc Tic toc Tic toc…

            It’s money. It’s the dirty paper that forces us to embark on numerous tasks so that we’ll be able to maintain the things that we wish to maintain. Come to think of it, people don’t just do stuff for the sake of it. It’s either a want or a need. Since working class people need money, they work for it. They program themselves to be efficient at work. To sum it all up, money matters.

            They say that money makes the world go ‘round. Even if you’re a charity worker or a non-profit artist who doesn’t necessarily want money, you still need it to do what you want to do.

            That’s all. I have to ask my dad for allowance. Baboosh…

Convergence by Mika Sollano

All these pictures were taken at different public places and get togethers. They were at moments wherein I was a mere spectator to the activities happening around me, in my everyday- weekend- life. The common denominators would probably be the situations and the initial topics of conversation. Having things, or let’s say stimulators such as cigarettes and alcohol can really act as catalysts to the success of a conversation--whether friends or acquaintances these things surely speed up the getting-to-know-you’s.

The conversations all begin quite the same, “how are you?’s” “what have you been up to?’s” and the like. More unconventional yet very popular, at least in my life, greetings would be “do you want a drink?’s” and “can I have a cigarette?’s”. Once some sort of common interest has been established it would be easier to go about things and conversations. From there topics begin to range from hobbies, music, professions and so on. Different levels in relationships also dictate the extent and depth of a conversation.

Most of these conversations begin with questions; these show how we are curious beings. Only very seldom do they begin with statements thus emphasizing that we are very much interested in other human beings. With regards to those who are already very much acquainted, they enjoy remystifying and reacquainting themselves with their peers. 

Ultimately all these different activities are truly very similar in nature. In the core they all begin with the same intentions.