whenfictionandworldlitcollide

[whenfictionandworldlitcollide]

We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers by Alejandro R. Roces

Written in time of the Filipino-Japanese war in the year 1945, the short story depicted the usual atmosphere of the Philippines around the hostile environment the war had created—one of which having American soldiers around the vicinity. Filipinos usually call them “Joe”, as told by the unnamed farmer in the story, wherein he encountered one while he was plowing his land. The soldier was out of liquor and asked the farmer if he has some while bragging all the liquors he drank and offering his already run out supply of whiskey to which the farmer replied while declining the offer that Filipinos are mild drinkers. Still, the farmer suggested the soldier to have some lambanog back in his nipa hut, and having no options, the soldier agreed.

Upon entering the farmer’s nipa hut, two cultures collided, and their contrast was shown in this part of the story. The pine and coconut tree were mentioned, and how they symbolize each country, as well as Filipino customs and how the foreigners react to it, such as the pouring of lambanog on the ground. But despite the differences, the two continued their agenda and started drinking the “jungle juice”, as the GI call it. But at the first shot, he was showing utmost discomfort, and then eventually described the drink as “radioactive”, whilst the farmer was fine and was weirded out by his reaction. The soldier then hallucinated and passed out, resulting for the farmer carry him back to their barracks. A friend of the soldier asked him if he wanted some beer, to which he replied and declined again, saying that Filipinos are mild drinkers.

It may seem to others that the story was written in a way that is so plain, you may question what its point really is. But if you would look deeper, it may tackle so many topics and with the use of Psychoanalysis, may support the argument aforementioned in the beginning that using our unconscious thoughts may fuel realizations and make us aware of the said thoughts in order to understand things around us. The farmer and the American soldier, in numerous times, had somewhat proved how Psychoanalysis works in everyday situations—even as simple as drinking spirits which was the main event in the story.

To begin with, in the first part of the story the American was boasting about the liquors he had drank, ranging from whiskey to expensive ones like Chanel Number 5, implying that he is a master at drinking; whereas the Filipino farmer humbly said that he is a mild drinker, but what happened in the farmer’s nipa hut was the opposite of what the soldier was insinuating at the beginning, for he passed out and realized late that he could not handle the lambanog. His unconscious thoughts during their drinking session were already hinting how strong the “jungle juice” was, and indeed it proved itself right. If he had been aware of those thoughts, then higher the chances of him not passing out. In addition, in their drinking session the soldier fervently denied the signs of him not taking the drink well. Denial is one of what Sigmund Freud believed to be called as one of humans’ defense mechanisms, wherein the someone’s ego blocks upsetting or overwhelming experiences from awareness, causing the individual to refuse to acknowledge or believe what is happening .

It is not only the soldier that didn’t follow his unconscious thoughts and stuck to what was his original perspective, but the farmer also. He was no stranger to blocking the subtle hints he saw during the whole ordeal and let his own set of perspectives rule his conscious mind instead of opening his mind further—for he, too, could’ve prevented the American from passing out. In view of this, it is seen as he frequently referred to himself as a mild drinker and was weirded out by the soldier’s reaction to the drink he prepared. He saw all the signs that the soldier couldn’t take the drink any further at his first shot, but he commented that first shots are always a minesweeper in their own accordance. He also mentioned in the story how the American looked like, and knows at the back of his mind that his visitor was not feeling well. Still, he let his usual conscious thoughts which had engineered him to think that lambanog wasn’t that strong for it was a usual drink around their barrio, resulting for the soldier to pass out.

In conclusion, the short story matched how Sigmund Freud’s theory works, minus the “curing” part. It showed what may happen if we tend to ignore our unconscious thoughts and the factors affecting the things that we are doing. Accordingly, if we stick to our usual ways which our conscious mind always reminds us, we may not see certain situations clearly and have the best decision available. Psychoanalysis revolves around the concept of humans being not aware of the many factors that affect their behaviors and emotions. We could say that the soldier and the farmer both showed the concept of the whole theory, by ignoring the factors and their subtle hints and following the usual things they were programmed or used to do, hence resulting to the soldier passing out, which could have been avoided.

To put it simply, us, humans, should not depend on our usual ideas and emotions that the norm had us programmed to act or behave upon, instead we should open our minds further and reconsider other factors that may affect the circumstance we’re in. We have to let our unconscious thoughts guide us, instead of putting up certain defense mechanisms such as denial, because we cannot grasp the whole idea of what our unconsciousness is telling us. It is important to be aware with our own mind, in order for us to be more rational with our choices and decisions.

[whenfictionandworldlitcollide]

Ang danas ni Anto (Si Anto sa panulat ni Rogelio L. Ordoñez)

Simple lamang ang titulo ng storya, direkta sa kung anong tinatalakay nito, walang ibang itinatagong kahulugan. Umiikot ang kuwento sa pangalang nakabanggit sa pamagat, inilalathala ang buhay ni Anto mula sa mga salita ni Manong Roger. Pinapakita ng pamagat kung sino ang pangunahing tauhang pinag-uuspan sa buong storya, at iyon ay si Anto.

Matapos makaranas ng sandamakmak na kamalasan at mapagod sa gulo ng Maynila, napagdesisyunan ni Manong Roger na tumungong Batangas upang magbakasyon. Silang dalawa ng pinsan niyang si Mando ay mahilig uminom ng tuba sa may dalampasigan, at di kalauna'y napansin niya si Anto na dumadaong pa lamang no'n. Binigyan sila ni Anto ng isda, pampulutan, at bilang pasasalamat ay inalok siya ni Roger sumalo sa kanilang inuman. Tumanggi ito miski sa alok niyang sigarilyo, at takang-taka si Roger dahil magpahanggang sa bumalik si Anto sa kanyang tinutuluyan sa may niyugan ay hindi man lang ito ngumiti sa kanilang buong usapan. Doon ikinuwento ni Mando ang buhay ni Anto, simula sa dati'y may kaya ang mga ito, malaki ang bahay at lupa. Ngunit isang araw ay mayroong dumating na taga-siyudad at pilit kinukuha ang kanilang pag-aari. Hinabol sila ng taga ni Ka Basilyo, ang tatay ni Anto. Umabot sa korte ang labanan sa lupa--at dahil walang maipakitang titulo ay natalo ang pamilya ni Anto. Sa sama ng loob ay inatake ang kanyang ina at namatay. Matapos no'n ay may mga pulis nang kasama ang taga-siyudad, may panakot na gigibain ang bahay nila Anto; hindi na nakapagpigil ang tatay ni Anto at nakapatay ng mga kasama ng taga-siyudad, wakwak ang kanilang mga bituka. Natigil lamang siya noong nabaril ng mga pulis. Matapos ang insidente, ang dalagang kapatid ni Anto ay nagtungo sa bayan upang manilbihan na katulong ng mayor at si Anto naman ay kinupkop ni Ka Masyong. Ngunit matapos ng ilang araw ay natagpuang nagbigti ang dalaga.

Hindi pa rin matanggal sa isip ni Roger ang kwento. Isang araw ay lumuwas si Mando pa-bayan at siya lamang ang naabutan ni Anto na bumabarik sa dalampasigan. Ipinag-ihaw pa siya ng isda at kahit na umuulan ay nakinig ang bata sa kanyang mga kwentong hinaluan ng kalasingan. Magmula no'n ay mas naging malapit si Anto kay Roger, hindi pumapalya na magbigay ng pulutang isda sa kanila ni Mando at tahimik na nakikinig sa kanilang mga palitan ng usapan. Hindi pa rin nakitang ngumiti ni Roger si Anto.

No'ng pauwi nang Cavite si Roger ay nagpumilit sumama si Anto. Tumulong ito sa bukid ng tatay ni Roger at sa lahat ng gawaing bahay, ngunit hindi pa rin nakitang ngumiti o makipagkaibigan man lang sa iba. Sa pag-aalalang baka nabuburyo na si Anto sa kaka-saka at bilang regalo na rin, binigyan ng tatay ni Roger si Anto ng ilang bagong damit at dalawang daang sisiw. Alagang-alaga ni Anto ang mga sisiw, at pulos ang kanyang galit nang matagpuang patay ang lima dito. Hindi siya natulog hangga't nakita niya ang dagang kumain sa mga alaga niya. No'ng umagang iyon unang beses na nakita ni Roger ngumiti si Anto, hawak-hawak ang patay na daga. Nasundan pa ito nang maulinigan niyang namatay si Ka Berta--isang chismosa sa kanilang barangay at si Ka Ignacio, na isa namang mayamang propiyetaryo. Palaging masayang ibinabalita ni Anto ang lahat.

Dumating ang kamalasan sa pamilya ni Roger at kinailangan nilang ipagamot ang kanyang tatay na ngayon lang nila nalamang may ulcer pala. Napilitan silang ibenta ang kanilang lupa kay Ka Mamerto, isa ring propiyertraryo. Bumagsak ang lahat ng gawain kay Anto pero walang patid ito sa pagtulong. Determinado silang maka-ani upang mabawi ang lupa, ngunit sa kamalasa'y bumagyo at wala silang nakuha mula sa kanilang mga itinanim. Isang araw ay inutusan ni Roger na bumili si Anto ng Ginebra matapos ianunsyong aalis na sila sa sarili nilang lupa. Sa kanyang pagtataka'y matapos ibigay sa kanya ang alak ay humingi si Anto nito. Kailanma'y hindi niya nakitang uminom si Anto--unang beses lamang no'ng gabing iyon. Kinabukasan, kumalat ang balitang patay na si Ka Mamerto, labas ang bituka. Magmula no'n ay hindi na nakita ni Roger si Anto.

Hindi makakaila ang diperensya ng mayaman sa mahirap, at hindi rin maikakaila kung paano manamantala ang mga naunang nabanggit. Masasaksihan ang kalupitan ng mga mas nakatataas sa mga maralita mula simula hanggang tapos ng kwento sa anyong pagkuha ng mga ito ng lupa sa mga magsasakang walang kalaban-laban. Gamit ang kanilang impluwensya ay ipinapasailalim nila ang mga magsasaka upang sila'y mas maka-angat pa. Ngunit mapapansin ding bagama't sa lipunan ay masasabing mas maraming oportunidad ang mga taga-siyudad kaya di hamak na mas nakakalamang sila sa mga taga-probinsiya (na ipinakita sa kwento bilang larawan ng kahirapan), nagagawa pa rin nilang manloko ng kanilang kapwa kahit na mayroon na silang yaman sapat upang mabuhay sila. Taliwas sa mga taga-probinsyang kahit salat ay walang kagatol-gatol na tutulong sa ibang tao.

Makikita ang malasakit at pandaraya ng mga tao sa kanilang kapwa sa akdang si Anto. Una'y ang sapilitang pagkuha ng lupa sa kanila na wala man lang konsiderasyon, o ang mga mayayamang negosyante na walang paki-alam sa mga nasa ilalim ng kanilang kapangyarihan. Pero naroon din ang mga matulunging tao ng probinsya, at ang kanilang mabubuting intensyon.

Ang labis na pagkatuwa ni Anto tuwing may mga namamatay na mayamang mamamayan ay bunsod lamang ng kanyang masidhing damdamin ng paghihiganti sa mga taong pumatay sa kanyang tatay; dito ako pinaka naawa kay Anto, dahil nabulag na siya ng galit at di mahayaan ang sariling matuwa sa mga bagay sa kanyang paligid, bagkus ay ang pagkamatay ng mga taong nananamantala ang nagbibigay saya sa kanya.

Sadya ring nakakalungkot ang katotohanang walang laban ang mga maralita sa mga may kaya kahit na sabihin pa nating pantay ang kanilang mga karapatan. Kahit kailan ay hindi sila naging parehas sa mata ng lipunan.

Pero isa ang tumatak sa aking isipan sa akdang ito. Pinaliwang ng sumulat kung gaano kaiba ang buhay sa siyudad kaysa sa probinsya kahit na mas maraming oportunidad sa nauna. Payak man, ngunit mas pinili ni Roger ang manirahan sa probinsya sapagkat mas masarap sa pakiramdam ang simpleng pamumuhay kasama ng mga taong tutulungan ka ng walang halong panghuhusga.

[whenfictionandworldlitcollide]

ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! through a student's eyes (ABNKKBSNPLAko?! by Bob Ong)

ABNKKBSNPLAKo could be treated as one of classic Filipino book staple because of its humorous narration of what school life is for an ordinary Filipino student. It follows the story of the author’s journey from elementary, high school and college, recounting all of his pranks and childhood memories, up to the confused teenage phase, while not leaving out the times where he was in the lowest of the lows. It included the famous FLAMES game, crushes, and the let downs of university life told in the funniest and most witty way possible. It also didn’t leave out his adult stage wherein he faced what reality really is.

In his anecdote, Bob Ong was on the path of discovering himself in his early years as an elementary student in a public school. In here he experienced everything a typical kid goes through—buying from the infamous “tray” loaded with snacks from the school canteen, games that included SOS, and many more. One scene that strike me the most is when he had his recognition, and his mother came late. It was the first time he noticed what it felt like to be on top, but no one’s there for you. Later, he also discussed his Cathay Pacific backpack and compared it to the big trolleys that children use nowadays, saying that he doesn’t know if the new generation only have much more subjects to learn, or we’re just becoming dumber as time goes by.

Then high school came. It was the point of pimples, first crushes, first fallouts—everything firsts, you’ll have it in high school. Here, he discovered that high school was way different from elementary. There are certain rules to follow—like having your hair cut in 2 by 3, many things are prohibited, these rules should be followed, etc. He ended the passage with a note from Grant Gilmore, “The better the society, the less law there will be. In heaven there will be no law… in hell there will be nothing but law, and due process will be meticulously observed.” Following this quote was a line of, “Hell ang high school. Cool.” He then proceeded to one of the most remarkable scenes for me where he proved he is on his path of realizing and developing his principles. They are rushing their school project when suddenly, a teacher announced that they have to do rosary since it’s rosary month. Then one of his classmates asked, “Sir, paano yung non-Catholics?” Bob Ong was tempted to say he’s a non-Catholic even if he’s not, but he ended up still going to the rosary session, upholding his principles and understanding the reality that he needs to choose between two things. He also discussed how students are heavily graded based on their academics, rather than their character—which we may see in many politicians. Intellectual people, yes, but lacks empathy.

Come college, and this is where the theory of phenomenology will be heavily discussed as college was the 360-degree turner of his life. He thought that college was going to be easy. He applied for various universities and was accepted in all of them, but what happened was he was not really decided with his course. He even joked with him saying, “Basta may “computer”, ayos na ‘yan!”. This started his downfall.

He was constantly late for his classes. He never had any interests in the subjects, and the commute was making him tired even before he arrives at his school. One time he arrived late, and the instructor prohibited him to take the prelim exam, stating that he should go to the dean to get a permit. The dean did not see a valid reason to allow him to take the exam, and this is when he realized something. That he allowed himself to be dumbed down by his instructor. If he was truly concerned of him, he should just let him take the exam since he still arrived within the period.

After that incident, he started slacking off from school. He dropped off, was depressed. It came to a time wherein he goes to school even though he’s not enrolled, just to pretend that he’s still okay and was not letting down his family. He didn’t know where he would be disappointed—with himself or with the education system which was seemingly bringing down students like him with unnecessary subjects or tasks to do, painting a world wherein if you receive a bad grade, you are a failure. But then it dawned to him what he really needs to do, and got back to school through a vocational course. He discovered that people in vocational courses aren’t stupid like others say, but are normal students like the majority of the population. Surprisingly, he became a teacher—being in the opposite perspective of the world he lived in for so long: school.

ABNKKBSANPLAKo shows Bob Ong’s development in finding out who he really is and why he exists through his journey in school, which many can relate. How he addressed his life as a teacher heavily supports the idea, as he realized that we exist for the academic standards, aiming for high scores in tests, quizzes and projects without totally giving credit for one’s character and expertise. If you are a wiz in one subject but failed the other and you do have good conduct, it doesn’t matter. He realized the reason of existence for most students like him: getting a card with grades that are capable of flying colors, and a diploma which is like a ticket to this world to be respected and looked upon to.

It also came to him that we often exist to brag our achievements even though we’re nowhere near what we wanted to be, so we veil ourselves in this make-believe world of successfulness, for people often quick judge those who are below them. He demonstrated this example in a setting of a high school reunion. In such event, you’ll usually hear others peak performances after graduation, and those who had nothing to flaunt are left in the dark. After reading that part of the book, you might ask yourself, am I existing for my success or of other people’s expectations?

Lastly, the author realized that his life wasn’t always what you were told when you were little—always birds and bees and colorful bed of flowers. That not every child had their own childhood. That it is okay to fall down, as long as you’ll able to get yourself up. And that exam scores don’t define you as a student, but your take on life will. The world is made up of various “free” lectures that you can use at your expense. And eventually, we will all graduate somehow—just in our own different ways.

He ended the book in a line that says, “Nakabalik ako sa lugar, pero di ko na naibalik ang panahon.” On this part, he came back to his old school to claim his records from the registrar, and it was like he took the trip don the memory lane. Here, he truly shows that it finally dawned to him what his true reason for existence was, and that was to live according to his time phase and not out of others expectations.

[whenfictionandworldlitcollide]

Yours Truly, The Internet

Cyber bullying takes on life on a whole new different level-- and mainly its effects are on the psychological aspect. Considerably, it's more dangerous than physical damage. The mind holds every vital means in our body and we cannot have it malfunctioning.just shrugged it off but deep down, she knew all she wanted was the rope to embrace her neck.

Internet became a very notable tool when it comes to connecting and communicating. It does its job well-- but maybe too well. Lurking in it are different anonymous monsters ready to invade your nightmares, whispering everything coming from their voiceless throats that will make you crumble . Still, teens nowadays, like Anna, chose to stay and put up with what seems the Internet's newest feature-- cyber bullying.

A simple post could could lead into a emotional breakdown. Cyber bullying usually does in damages psychologically, inflicting scars onto the mind permanently and branding a person into someone they are not. The Internet made itself look like more of a necessity than a socializing device. And it was turning into a home of virtual bullies whose shields are screen and swords are keyboards. They lash differently, and the gashes they leave will be out for the public to see. Often teens who receive libelous statements written across social media sites have nothing to run into but to the Internet also. With the insults posted and shared unto numerous sites as the unseen bullies dominate, this results for the victims to cower and lose all their links to their personal relationships in the real world-- adversing what the Internet's use, which is to have opposite ends meet.

Also, victims usually recoil and let the bullies take over their life as for the Internet is what they already treat as their reality. Most of them develop different mental disorders such as BPD or Borderline Personality Disorder, wherein the person has the inability to control their emotions. Also anxiety-- developing fear of the unknown. And most likely, depression. Never ending sadness that comes out of nowhere, blocking your airways and making you gasp for happiness. Some of them are abused virtually, which they couldn't handle and eventually would ensue to suicide.

Cyberbullying takes on life on a whole new different level-- and mainly its effects are on the psychological aspect. Considerably, it's more dangerous than physical damage. The mind holds every vital means in our body and we cannot have it malfunctioning.

One click, one life lost. Words typed in, another soul has left the world.

[whenfictionandworldlitcollide]

Byahero Adventures

Hindi ako ‘yong tipo ng taong marami nang napuntahang lugar na puwede kong maipagyabang sa Instagram o Facebook na makakakuha ng limang-daang likes. Bibihira lang akong makapunta sa mga Instagram-worthy na mga lugar dahil sa kalahati ng katawan ko ay binubuo ng cancer cells kaya naman madalas, imbis na sa mga tourist spots ako namamasyal, nauuwi ang mga gala ko sa iba’t ibang ospital sa Maynila. Nitong nakaraang bakasyon, sa loob ng dalawang buwan ay binagtas ko ang kahabaan ng Novaliches, Blumentritt at Santa Cruz para sa aking radiotheraphy sessions. Siguro nga’y ni isang outing ay wala akong napuntahan sa buong summer vacation ko, pero hindi ako nabigong maranasan kung ano nga ba ang pakiramdam maging isang tunay na byahero, salamat sa gulo at polusyon ng Maynila.

Ginagawa ang session ko ng radiotheraphy sa Jose Reyes Medical and Memorial Center na matatagpuan sa Santa Cruz, Maynila. Bilang nanggaling pa kaming Caloocan, kailangan naming sumakay ng tatlong jeep bago makarating sa aming paroroonan. Magsisimula ang aming paglalakbay sa Novaliches, Quezon City—kung saan matatagpuan ang iba’t ibang terminal ng mga dyip, UV, at bus paplabas ng lungsod. Ang Novaliches o “Bayan” para sa mga kabarangay ko ay maituturing mong isang mini-Divisoria. Kung tinatamad kang magpakalayo-layo para bumili ng mga murang damit, sapatos, at gamit pang-eskwela, sa Bayan ang bagsak mo. Katulad sa Divisoria, mayroon ding mga tindahan dito kung saan tumutugtog sa kanilang malalaking speaker ang, “PASOK MGA SUKI, SAMPU, SAMPU, BENTE, TRENTA, AT IBA PA”. Kahit saan ka tumingin, samu’t saring tinda at mga negosyo ang makikita mo. Para bang isang napakalaking mallna walang aircon, at ang sigaw ng mga tindera ang magsisilbing gabay mo sa pagbili. Sinakop na rin ng mga sidewalk vendors ang kalahati ng daan, kasama ang mga latag nilang mga gulay at prutas. Lalakarain namin ang kahabaan ng lugar na ito na nagmistulang isang megapalengke ng Quezon City hanggang sa makaabot kami sa sakayan ng Blumentritt, kasabay ang sandamakmak na mga nagmamadaling tao na kung hindi ka marunong sumabay sa agos, ay paniguradong babanggain ka.

Ngayon, ibang usapan na ang mga jeep papuntang Blumentritt. Kung sa Bayan ay mayroong mga speaker na ang tumutugtog ay mga pang-engganyo sa mga mamimili, ang mga dyip sa rutang ito ay ririndihin ang iyong tainga sa mga kanta ng Ex-Battalion at mga OPM songs na ni-remix upang maging tunog hiphop. Para bang kambal ng mga patok na dyip sa Teresa. Katulad ng mga patok, mala-Vin Disel rin kung magmaneho ang mga driver dito. Bilang mahaba ang daan mula Novaliches hanggang Blumentritt, ang drayber na kulang sa diskarte ay lugi sa traffic ng Pinas. Kaya kasabay ng bass boosted na mga speaker ay ang pag-eksyerda ng inyong dyip sa highway at ang dasal mong sana, hindi kayo bumangga sa kasabay nyong ten-wheeler truck. Instant roller-coaster ride, Enchanted Kingdom who?

Pagbaba mo ng dyip, sasalubong sa iyo ang palengke ng Blumentritt. Pero iba ang palekeng ito sa mga normal na palengkeng nakikita niyo. Dahil dito, ang palengke ay mismong nasa gitna ng daan. Kung sa Bayan ay sinakop na ng mga tindera ang sidewalk, dito ay literal na daanan na ang sinakop. Baliktad ang kalakaran dito dahil ang mga sasakyan ang makikiraan sa mga mamimili at tinda, na nagreresulta ng mabigat na trapiko tuwing rush hour. Sa Blumentritt mo makikita ang pinakamurang mga gulay, karne, at isda—isama mo na pati ilang mga damit, china phones, at phone case.Sa bandang dulo nito ay ang riles ng Philippine National Railway, kung saan sa mismong tabi ay mayroong karinderya. Hindi ako nagbibiro, halos nasa tabi lang ito ng riles at nakahain sa lamesa nito ang iba’t ibang ulam na mas ginawang nakakatakam ng polusyon ng siyudad.

Matapos bagtasin ang lugar ng Blumetritt ay sasakay muli kami ng dyip papuntang Santa Cruz. Ang lansangan na daraanan namin ay ang mismong ruta ng LRT, kaya kasabay ng busina ng mga sasakyan ay ang maingay na tren nito. Kadalasan ay hindi tatagal ng trenta minutos ang byahe. Papara kami sa Tayuman, sa mismong tapat ng Jollibee na nakatayo na doon simula noong dalaga pa ang nanay ko. Ito ay sa kadahilanang karamihan ng mga gusali sa Maynila ay matatagal na at antigo, kasama na ang iba pang establisimyento. Sa pagsakay mo ng jeep ay may ilan kang makikitang mga gusaling halata ang makaluma nitong disenyo. Hindi mo na kailangang pumunta pang Vigan para makakita ng mga antigong imprastraktura, sa Maynila pa lang busog ka na—may kasama pang usok ng tambutso.

Ngayon, sa lugar ng Santa Cruz mo naman matatagpuan ang tanggapan ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan at ang ospital kung saan ako nagpapagamot, ang Jose Reyes Medical and Memorial Center. Sa tapat nito ay tabi-tabing mga pamilihan ng mga murang medical supplies, bunsod na ang JRMMC ay isang pampublikong ospital at minsan, salat sila sa gamit. At dahil nga tabi-tabi sila, lahat ng mga aparato ay bagsak presyo kaya naman madalas ay dito ang punta ng karamihan ng mga pasyente. Sa di kalayuan ay makikita mo rin ang ilang mga fastfood chains, ang istasyon ng Tayuman sa LRT, iilang mga karinderya, at mga sidewalk na puno ng plastik at basura. Ngunit makalat man ang Maynila, tuwing papasok ako ng ospital ay madadaan ako sa gilid ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan na mayroong mga nakapaligid na puno sa tabi. Tuwing maganda ang panahon at mahangin, pakiramdam ko ay nasa isa akong parke at namamasyal—wala sa ospital na puno ng karayom at dugo.

Ang mga lugar na iyan ang araw-araw kong binyahe sa loob ng dalawang buwan. Malayo man sila sa depinisyon ng tourist spots ng bansang ito, hindi ka naman mabibigo sa adventure na maaaring ihatid sa iyo ng Metro Manila, na panghabangbuhay na maisasama sa mga karanasang magtuturo sa iyo paano nga ba baybayin ang magulong sentro ng Pinas.