independence day

i'm kind of tired but i really want to write today because you know, it's independence day.

so yes, today is our Independence Day! but i've never felt so detached from what's going on around me than now. i have seen lots of flags bantered around but i have also seen our ignorance on how to properly raise them. it seems that for most of us, it is enough to hang your flag outside the house. but did you ever think of how to hang it properly. for sure, i was never taught that in school! actually, there are provisions in the law that states how and when you can raise your flag! so look around you. i've seen flags hanging and attached to bamboo or 2x2 poles near trees. i've seen flags rolled up on its poles because of the wind. i've seen the tarpaulin mahalin ang bayan ripped off (think quezon avenue). i remembered reading somewhere that flags are not meant to be raised on/near trees where the branches can affect its "flying" (can't find the better term for this). you cannot even hang our flag outside a residence that includes a foreigner! imagine that. but everywhere really, there are small (but grave) disrespect for our flag. i hope we can be educated --- soon!

today, in the mrt, free rides where given during peak hours. i was able to enjoy that gift this afternoon going home. however, my joy turned a little bit sour when in the middle of chaos happening inside the train cars during peak hours, i realized that there is a healthy looking, young man in the girls' car! what, is he with a pregnant woman, i ask? no! is he disabled? no! then what is a guy like that actually doing there? wny was he allowed by the guard to ride there? then, i found out. he was with the DOTC! how i knew that? he was wearing his ID proudly! DUH!!! a person like that isn't supposed to be there but he uses his minute power to ride the mrt free, and more hassle-free (compared to the guys' cars, perhaps). a person like that shouldn't be respected! a person like that should learn how to use his "authority" properly. he is i'd say, a disgrace to his department. and you know what? i could have understood it a little if he was wearing his uniform, but no! he was wearing civilian clothes - a t-shirt, shorts, slippers! isn't that a little bit disappointing for a person working for the government?!

so what did i do for my country today? nothing really that great. i paid for my purchases with a receipt (that means, the tax will be given to the government). i listened to my co-workers in a meeting and that perhaps, is helping my country, too because in helping each other achieve our goals, we are helping our country. i'm not sure if that makes sense to you but it certainly does for me.

and when i finish this entry, i'm going back to my presentation so i could give a better presentation at the office tomorrow. Lord, guide me on this endeavour. Amen.