Ghost to golden August

August, the ghost month. I at all times thought it should have been the Chinese language affect on our native tradition, however Google says that the ghost month is a part of the standard perception methods of a number of different Asian international locations as effectively. In response to 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 assumption 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 ambiance of August, as if nature itself is warning us to be cautious and to remain indoors, given the difficult climate situations.

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

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

I do know there have been disappointments too, however profitable medals on the Olympics isn’t any simple 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 date—so reverse its status—and I’m grateful. On the similar 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 world flashpoint, the Russia-Ukraine struggle continues, and the West Philippine Sea stays troublesome for Asia.

The scenario 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 lately achieved success in profitable the presidency and vice-presidency. Nonetheless, a 3rd of the citizens believes that the Fee on Elections (Comelec) secured this victory by means 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 may 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 elementary survival rules 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 attainable, and work collectively to determine a extra localized meals community.

If we listen, we discover that authorities tasks are actually typically value tens and even tons of of billions. There isn’t a lot we are able to do about that besides hope that venture prices are inflated by not more than 30% for the reason that rumored kickback is round 40%.

Whereas some people can have interaction actively in anti-corruption initiatives, most of us ought to focus our efforts nearer to house. Embrace sustainable practices and develop your meals wherever attainable. 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 an alternative of counting on others, we are able to additionally train youthful generations to be resourceful. A resurgence of the Do-It-Your self tradition should start with meals manufacturing. Being self-sufficient empowers us, in the end fostering confidence and resilience. Our youngsters and grandchildren won’t study these important abilities except we cross them on. They’re already victims of what’s termed “studying poverty,” which naturally signifies an equal poverty in educating.

There’s a lengthy checklist of issues which can be already unsuitable that may worsen, however that’s not our focus on this article. Quite, like our athletes who made it towards the more severe of odds, we should attempt to go for the gold, too. We’ve waited for our leaders to resolve our issues and, consequently, we now have dug our personal holes deeper. There isn’t any Tallano gold, no 20 peso/kg rice, and no Uniteam – solely budol after budol.

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