Of Asking the Right Question

I listened to a local radio program this morning and their topic was about whether it is appropriate to provide homosexuals with separate restrooms or not. To be honest, I find the topic very much absurd. In the Philippine context, I think that kind of debate should not be given too much attention. It is more logical to talk about topics on how to keep our restrooms clean and usable. When the time comes that cleanliness and usability of our restrooms are no longer a problem, then maybe we can jump into their topic.

Reconsidering the nature of the radio program, I should not expect an intelligent discussion from them. They only focus on how will they be able to draw a large number of listeners by arguing about some not so constructive topics.

Home Suite Home

Whenever I get admitted to the hospital years ago, I always find myself in a big hospital room with a number of beds beautifully arranged. The room is not air-conditioned, with no private comfort room, with no TV. Just a number of electric fans being shared by patients. The only items that belong to me that time are my bed, a white blanket and a white pillow.

Last week, I got hospitalized again due to pneumonia. I got admitted in a hospital in Lucena City. Unlike before, I took a suite room – the best room in the hospital. Though it’s not comparable with the suite rooms in the hospitals in Manila, I’m pretty much happy with it.  The room is air-conditioned. It has toilet and bathroom, a personal refrigerator, a cable TV, a long sofa chair that also serves as a bed for the person who accompanies the patient, and a personal table. Someone will clean the toiler and bathroom for you. Another person will knock on the door telling you that he/she will sweep the floor. Another person will mop the floor for you. Another person will hand in your food. Another person will solicit comments and suggestions on how to improve their service. Someone will also go to your room to give you a fruit basket. And the list goes on…

It just made me realize that there are so many things I should be thankful for.  That time, I didn’t worry about me being sick. I just focused on the blessings God has given me.

Cool, frosty gusts of wind

I’m thinking…

Of green grass and morning sunshine. Of raindrops and gusts of cool, frosty wind. Of pine trees and wide golf courses. Of hefty breakfast and cups of hot chocolate.  Of breath-taking views and warm smiles. Of long trips and short nights. Of clouds within my reach. Of seas that touch the skies.

Receipts and good citizenship

Whenever a business establishment fails to give me receipt, I see to it that I rebuke the manager if not the cahier or attendant. I always try to explain to them that it is their duty to provide BIR-registered sales invoice. Though sometimes, I find myself explaining in a not so nice manner. It’s just that I can’t tolerate the bad practices of some business institutions.

Take for example KFC. Have you noticed some service crews who walk around the restaurant and sell side dishes?  They don’t give receipts, do they? Another good example is Dunkin’ Donuts. Particularly the Dunkin’ Donuts stores located near bus terminals. I can name a lot of tax evaders but doing so will just waste my time. I hope every Filipino will pay attention to this little fact. I hope.

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The title of this blog entry was borrowed from an article written by Cielito Habito published in Money / Inquirer Columns of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on August 06, 2007