In a recent article, we shared a post with a list of negative things about the Metro and asked netizens to write a more positive list about Manila, if possible. Unfortunately, nobody could, but two particular netizens made an impact on us in the comments section of that post: Charles Ticzon and Luningning Arabiran.
They really made us stop and think about the way we all live our lives. Taking notes from their comments, we have listed some of the things that we think everybody needs to think about and consider every single day of their lives. If we all decide to live better and treat our city better, who knows? Maybe we don’t need changes in the government to see changes in our city and changes within ourselves.
When you eat candy, where do you throw your candy wrappers?
Or any type of wrapper, for that matter? Do you throw them on the street? What about your cigarette butts? Don’t see a bin nearby? Pocket your wrapper and wait until you find one. Or stick it in your bag. Need a cigarette? It isn’t hard to smoke at designated areas where you can dispose of your cigarette butts properly.
If we all make the conscious effort to dispose of trash the right way, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about public places getting littered up all the time.
Do you complain about other drivers not following the rules when you actually do the exact same thing yourself? Whether you do it rarely, sometimes or everyday, the fact is that you are still breaking the rules just like everybody else on the road.
If we all make the conscious effort to follow the rules on the road, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about the insane amount of traffic that we get on a daily basis.
When you wanted to get on a bus, were you standing in a place where you were allowed to wait for one?
Yes, we know how it feels when you want to get to where you are going and it’s insanely hot outside – too hot to walk to the proper sakayan ng bus. Yes, we know how it feels when you want to get home and try to get a bus, but everyone’s running and shoving their ways to get onto one – screw who was ‘in line’ first. In the Philippines: there are no lines.
If we all make the conscious effort to actually line up for buses at the proper bus stations, though, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about traffic and maybe we wouldn’t have to fight to get onto the buses that we need, either.
Other questions to ponder on: When you were at work today, were you actually working or were you playing COC? Are you more invested in the entertainment industry than in pressing social matters?
Ticzon adds, “Ang gobyerno isama mo lahat ng nagtatrabaho para sa gobyerno, including pulis, sundalo, teacher at mga pulitiko, wala pang 5 porsyento ng populasyon natin yan.” [Rough translation: Even if you add up everybody who works for the government, including the police, the soldiers, the teachers and the politicians; they still won’t add up to 5% of our population.] We the 95% of the population defined our country what it is today. Not the oligarchs, corporation not even the government. You, me, and nothing but us can change everything. Let’s stop the bandwagon mentality of “if everyone is throwing stuff everywhere, why can’t I throw whatever the heck I want anywhere?”. Yung ganun, alam mong mali ginagawa mo pa? Disiplina lang sir, ma’am. [Rough translation: If you already know that what you’re doing is wrong, why are you still doing it? It’s all about discipline, ladies and gentlemen.]
On that note, Liningning says, “Let’s encourage people to do their part in nation building. Kasi if we always look at what others are lacking while doing nothing ourselves, how are we better than them?.” She reminds us that “The change starts with you.
1. Yes, voting is one. 2. Paying taxes 3. Following traffic rules 4. Not littering 5. Segregating trash 6. Composting, rainwater harvesting and promoting sustainable development. 7. Patronizing Philippine made products. 8. Leaving your car behind if commuting by public transport is possible. 9. Reading news articles and researching more before commenting on them. 10. Loving your country.
Basically, the last one enconpasses everything. How much do you love the Philippines? Instead of always complaining, how about we become real Filipinos and fight for our country? Change has to start with you.”
We love inspiring netizens like these two. Got anything else to add to what they had to say? 🙂
Angeline Rodriguez is a geek and a self-proclaimed superhero. She reads. She writes. She loves. You may get to know her better on her personal blog: https://www.lilmisswonderwoman.com
How to Fix the Current (Depressing) State of Manila
In a recent article, we shared a post with a list of negative things about the Metro and asked netizens to write a more positive list about Manila, if possible. Unfortunately, nobody could, but two particular netizens made an impact on us in the comments section of that post: Charles Ticzon and Luningning Arabiran.
They really made us stop and think about the way we all live our lives. Taking notes from their comments, we have listed some of the things that we think everybody needs to think about and consider every single day of their lives. If we all decide to live better and treat our city better, who knows? Maybe we don’t need changes in the government to see changes in our city and changes within ourselves.
When you eat candy, where do you throw your candy wrappers?
Or any type of wrapper, for that matter? Do you throw them on the street? What about your cigarette butts? Don’t see a bin nearby? Pocket your wrapper and wait until you find one. Or stick it in your bag. Need a cigarette? It isn’t hard to smoke at designated areas where you can dispose of your cigarette butts properly.
If we all make the conscious effort to dispose of trash the right way, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about public places getting littered up all the time.
When you drive, do you drive like the rules don’t apply to you?
Do you complain about other drivers not following the rules when you actually do the exact same thing yourself? Whether you do it rarely, sometimes or everyday, the fact is that you are still breaking the rules just like everybody else on the road.
If we all make the conscious effort to follow the rules on the road, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about the insane amount of traffic that we get on a daily basis.
When you wanted to get on a bus, were you standing in a place where you were allowed to wait for one?
Yes, we know how it feels when you want to get to where you are going and it’s insanely hot outside – too hot to walk to the proper sakayan ng bus. Yes, we know how it feels when you want to get home and try to get a bus, but everyone’s running and shoving their ways to get onto one – screw who was ‘in line’ first. In the Philippines: there are no lines.
If we all make the conscious effort to actually line up for buses at the proper bus stations, though, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about traffic and maybe we wouldn’t have to fight to get onto the buses that we need, either.
Other questions to ponder on: When you were at work today, were you actually working or were you playing COC? Are you more invested in the entertainment industry than in pressing social matters?
Ticzon adds, “Ang gobyerno isama mo lahat ng nagtatrabaho para sa gobyerno, including pulis, sundalo, teacher at mga pulitiko, wala pang 5 porsyento ng populasyon natin yan.” [Rough translation: Even if you add up everybody who works for the government, including the police, the soldiers, the teachers and the politicians; they still won’t add up to 5% of our population.] We the 95% of the population defined our country what it is today. Not the oligarchs, corporation not even the government. You, me, and nothing but us can change everything. Let’s stop the bandwagon mentality of “if everyone is throwing stuff everywhere, why can’t I throw whatever the heck I want anywhere?”. Yung ganun, alam mong mali ginagawa mo pa? Disiplina lang sir, ma’am. [Rough translation: If you already know that what you’re doing is wrong, why are you still doing it? It’s all about discipline, ladies and gentlemen.]
On that note, Liningning says, “Let’s encourage people to do their part in nation building. Kasi if we always look at what others are lacking while doing nothing ourselves, how are we better than them?.” She reminds us that “The change starts with you.
1. Yes, voting is one.
2. Paying taxes
3. Following traffic rules
4. Not littering
5. Segregating trash
6. Composting, rainwater harvesting and promoting sustainable development.
7. Patronizing Philippine made products.
8. Leaving your car behind if commuting by public transport is possible.
9. Reading news articles and researching more before commenting on them.
10. Loving your country.
Basically, the last one enconpasses everything. How much do you love the Philippines? Instead of always complaining, how about we become real Filipinos and fight for our country? Change has to start with you.”
We love inspiring netizens like these two. Got anything else to add to what they had to say? 🙂
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About The Author
Angeline Rodriguez is a geek and a self-proclaimed superhero. She reads. She writes. She loves. You may get to know her better on her personal blog: https://www.lilmisswonderwoman.com