Why do some people use the term Latinx?

Jean-Marie Valheur

Young, handsome and exceptionally well-endowed

I like to write. All answers I have written, you may copy, you may use any lines you enjoy, you may copy, paste, share, translate, publish at your leisure — just credit me by name, is all. It’s the bare minimum a decent person would do.

Who am I? Just, somebody who likes to write. It’s really not that complicated. I exist, you exist, we all exist. Just briefly. And my brief existence, I dedicate to writing enjoyable little things for no one in particular.

Question: I have been trying to add Spanish to the languages that I can speak and I don't understand why this term is used. Is it a real Spanish term?

My father-in-law at the time, Filipino, was reading an opinion piece in a ‘progressive’ online magazine once. Furiously, he closed his laptop. Then opened it again. Then motioned us to come and have a look. “Since when I am I no longer a Filipino, when did I become Filipinx? What is this madness? Who decides this for me?”

The writer opined that, since Filipina was a feminine form, and Filipino distinctly masculine, the default ought to be Filipinx. He was so mad.

“We fought the Spanish. We fought the Americans. We fought the Japanese. All so we can say with pride that we’re Filipino… now they want to take that from us and make us say we’re… Filipinx… like some sort of space aliens?”

There were a lot of curses. It was beautiful, furious, righteous anger and annoyance. Something tells me if Latinos are as open to the “X” as Filipinos, then this spastic, overly inclusive nonsense will soon be stopped in it’s tracked.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXIX) : Back on air and first diplomatic impressions

A great day of honor awaited all of us: my mother became 90. She had "one more wish". "Let's go to the Waterfront Insular Hotel again", she asked Rossana and me. We went there. After that, she never left the house again. A year later, just four days after my birthday, she never woke up from her nap. In the morning, during breakfast, were her last words, "Those were the best 16 years in my life that I was  allowed to spend with you and our Filipino family".

Yes, that's so true:  the most important thing about having a Filipino family is that you will always have someplace to go, even if it’s your third or fourth cousin from your mom’s side whom you haven’t seen in fifteen years. For Filipinos, when a family shows up at your door, you let them in. Much like how Robert Frost’s famous poem goes, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”

For months I have received phone calls, emails and even letters telling me when I would finally be hosting a classical music show on the radio again. "And what do you want to do? Can you still manage of all this in addition to your teaching and other work"? Rossana asked me with a big frown. "If you help me, I can do anything", I answered her in a confident voice. The then 104.3 FM Edge Radio Davao gave me time-slots on Sundays: in the morning from 9 to 11 and as replay from 7 to 9 PM. Ludwig van Beethoven and all classic masters were back again. 

While Rossana kept our business in Davao City going, I traveled to Manila several times a year. For several years I have enjoyed speaking to the different ambassadors (photo with Ambassador Thomas Ossowski). Main topics were the situation in Mindanao and the Philippine-German relations. I had learned a lot on the latter subject from my mentor, Monsignore Hermogenes Bacareza, Father Gene. The former Philippine Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Minerva Jean A. Falcon mentioned it during on of her speeches: Philippine-German relations are built on the strong foundations that link the people and culture of two countries. Formal relations between the Philippines and Germany began only in the 1950's, but the social  and economic relations date back to the colonial times when Hamburg opened  a consulate in Manila. The Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, stayed in Germany from 1886 to 1887. It was in Berlin where he published his novel Noli Me Tangere.

Rossana and I were then invited to Manila: 60 years of Diplomatic Relations between Germany and the Philippines & 24 years of United Germany. A touching event, i.e. together with the Philippine Madrigal Singers and  an amazing violin soloist a la Vanessa Mae.

Back in Davao, I continued my German language teaching. In the meantime, I, as well as my students, had got used to a very special phenomenon: Filipino Time. Picture this: You turn up at an event 30 minutes late. You probably didn't mean to, but that's just how things turned out. When you get there, you realize you're not late at all because the organizers accounted for Filipino time and set the real start of the event an hour later than stated. But I could never imagine being late with my radio program as well as teacher at the university ... .

(To be continued!)

The "Great Resignation"

Unless you’re walking into a glossy, new, upgraded role, leaving a job to head in a different direction can be hard, upsetting and even leave people feeling like a failure. Faced with the prospect of quitting, Denver, Colorado-based organisational psychologist Melissa Doman, MA, says, “typically speaking, people still self-criticize. For many people, their job is heavily tied to their identity and their self-efficacy”.

 

When I blink back after almost 50 years of work, I've quit my job several times. Yes, quitting – particularly without a job to go to – can be emotionally challenging and carry stigma - as writer Joanna York got it to the point. Most of my colleagues  thought that I was rushing into a bad decision. I was already anxious about having quit and their remarks put more doubt in my head.

 

Still, despite these factors, indications are that many people want to leave their jobs. In fact, 41% of all workers are thinking about handing in their notice, according to a recent global survey by Microsoft. In the US, a record number of workers quit their jobs in April 2021, and similar waves are anticipated in nations including the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There’s even a name for it: the Great Resignation.

 

Joanna York describes it like this: There are multiple reasons for this trend, from people re-evaluating what they want from their careers during the pandemic, to the stress of juggling home and work life, or even discontent with employers. Whatever the motivator, many who choose to leave their current roles will find the process emotionally challenging. ‘Quitting’ often comes with negative connotations, both from the people around us and from ourselves, even if we have good cause.

But the upheaval caused by the pandemic – and the sheer number of potential quitters – could help us remove the stigma around resignation, and re-frame it as a more positive choice.  The negative feelings the brain can cycle through after quitting can be significant, with shame, guilt, fear and a sense of failure all common reactions.

 

Also important is asking for advice from the right people at the right time. When I moved to the Philippines for good in 1999, I got the right people at the right time at my side. I tried to temper the fear and the uncertainty. The fact that I made the decision that's right for my life and my career was a privilege. And an opportunity. Or even many opportunities... .

 

The Resiliency of a Filipino is Built into the Culture

 

A little-known fact about Filipinos is that a polite way of greeting someone is to invite them to share your food. When you approach Filipinos while they’re enjoying a meal, they will greet you with a cheery “Kain tayo or Kaon ta,” which translates to “Let’s eat.” Small gestures like this are built into the Filipino culture, one of which is the ironclad habit of helping your neighbours or giving food to those who don’t have it.

But more than generosity and innate friendliness, Filipinos are also some of the most practical people in the world. In the face of hardships, Filipinos are less likely to question why such difficulties could happen but are more likely to accept that bad things do happen. The real question for a Filipino is, what should we do next?

These can be seen during the corona pandemic when so many people lost their jobs. Instead of throwing their hands up, the resilience of the Filipino spirit showed in how most people adapted to their change in circumstances. Whether it’s to sell baked goods online or to learn to buy and sell items via popular eCommerce websites or to find work online, most people in the Philippines looked at what needed to be done and took the next step.

The Resiliency of the Filipino is finding strength in family. There are times when the Filipino culture of having a close-knit family can be a pain, like when your Auntie asks when you’re getting married, something that happens often enough during the holidays. But the great thing about having a close-knit family as most Filipinos do is that there’s always someone to lend you a sympathetic ear and even a helping hand when times get tough.

2021 © BAROK AND TAKYA BISAYA PODCAST

Why was Mindanao not fully converted to Christianity ...

 ... unlike Luzon and Visayas in spite the Philippines being a Spanish colony for over 3 centuries?

By: John Carlo Dacillo

Mechanical Engineer

Space, Technology, Military and Philippine Culture, Politics and History enthusiast. Loves to read all stuff

Because the Spaniards failed to conquer them. The Moros along with Lumads had resisted them successfully. Thing is, only parts of Mindanao were not conquered. Some parts of it were conquered. The natives absorbed Spanish influences like Luzon and Visayas, take Butuan for example and Zamboanga that even speaks a Spanish Creole language. Also, Luzon was not converted in its entirety too because the Spaniards failed to conquer the Highlands, the land of Igorots.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine available soon in local drugstores

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday, August 24, that Pfizer’s vaccine, which has the highest efficacy rate of all COVID-19 vaccines in the market, will soon be available in local drugstores after it received full approval from the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This file photo taken on November 17, 2020 shows vials with COVID-19 vaccine stickers attached, with the logo of US pharmaceutical company Pfizer. (AFP/ MANILA BULLETIN)

During a virtual press briefing, the Palace official noted that Pfizer’s COVID-19 was also the first vaccine to receive the emergency use authorization from the US FDA.

“Well, magiging commercially available na po ang Pfizer. Kaya konting panahon na lang po at mabibili na sa ating mga botika ang Pfizer kung ito po ang inyong (Pfizer will become commercially available. That’s why in a little time we can already buy in our drugstores the Pfizer vaccine if that is your) preferred brand,” Roque said.

The US FDA on Monday night (Manila time) granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 shot, clearing the path for more vaccine mandates there and abroad. The White House believes that this will persuade unvaccinated people in the country to get their jabs.

In a survey, three out of 10 unvaccinated individuals said they are willing to get their COVID jabs as long as the vaccine received full approval from the FDA.

Roque said that Pfizer-BioNTech still has to be granted with commercial use approval by the Philippine FDA, but he believes this will be a non-issue.

“Dahil meron tayong polisiya ng Philippine FDA ay mas mabilis naaaprubahan for commercial use ang mga bakuna’t gamot na meron ng approval sa mga stringent na FDAs gaya po ng Estados Unidos (Because the Philippine FDA has a policy to quickly approve the commercial use of vaccines and medicines that has approval from stringent FDAs like the United States),” he explained.

Pfizer has a reported 95 percent efficacy rate, a higher rate compared to the other vaccine brands used by the Philippines such as China’s Sinovac and the United Kingdom’s AstraZeneca.

Filipinos’ preference for the Pfizer vaccine was the basis of President Duterte’s earlier order to local government units (LGU) not to announce the vaccine brand in various vaccination sites in the country.

The Philippines has largely procured China’s Sinovac owing to the President’s friendly relations with China, as well as the lack of available supply of Western brands.

Roque also revealed that there will be some 362,700 doses of Pfizer procured by the government that will arrive in the country on Wednesday, August 25. This is part of the five million COVID-19 vaccine doses expected to arrive in the Philippines this week.

© 2021 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.

What are the creation myths of indigenous Filipinos?

 

By: 

Bisaya

https://barokandtakya.com

Every culture has a story or legend that they use to describe the origin of their tribe. For Filipinos, the tale is about these three princesses who wandered out into a vast nothingness one day and were swallowed up by enormous waves, only to be saved by a mighty bird.

With so many years between then and now, most people would think our beliefs are just fanciful tales from old superstitious times. But in fact, as science has begun to show us more and more just how small this world is--that we're all living on one planet with creatures including plants and oceans that we have yet to explore--and faced with environmental changes through pollution and climate change; these fantastical legends now find more meaning than ever before.

The ancient beliefs of our ancestors can be found in the old creation myths, which are more like poetic stories about how everything was made. Here in the Philippines, many of these tales come from indigenous tribes like the Tagalogs, Ifugaos, Mangyans and many more.

The Tagalog people, for example, believe that their role on earth is to tend to rice plants, while it's the spirits' job to take care of everything else on Earth. The ghosts are like little elves, the creator said to them. You're like helpers and guardians of the rice plantation.

Even with this seemingly simple task, some spirits have gone bad, and they cause disasters--they're also known as engkanto. Some enjoy playing tricks on humans by making them hear noises in the night or seeing things when there's nothing there at all.

For the Filipinos, these stories not only tell of how everything was made, but they also teach a moral lesson about how to behave and what happens when people don't apply what they know.

How does the Filipino language sound to foreigners?

 

By: Lea Velasco

I made a German friend listen to some Filipino music just recently, and what he said was actually very interesting as it’s the first time I’ve ever heard a non-Filipino tell me how the Filipino language sounds like to them.

He said “It’s like a mix of Bahasa and Español.”

I can quite understand this interpretation, and it’s so perfectly well put.

It’s basically breaking down the ingredients that made the Filipino language what it is now; South East Asian (More probably Malayan) + Spanish influences.

How are you going to determine and distinguish Philippine Contemporary Arts?

 

By: Bisaya

Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

The key to Philippine Contemporary Arts is how each artist reflects on their personal experiences. Creativity and innovation set artists apart from their peers, not whether an art piece looks like a traditional painting.

When I was first introduced to Contemporary Filipino Art, I found it hard to understand as everything looked like something done before by someone else. It wasn't until my professor started talking about how their own personal experiences influenced their pieces that I truly understood this type of art form for the first time. Once you understand what makes your work stand out, all you need is creativity and innovativeness to make your unique identity shine through in your work! Remember: never be afraid of experimenting.

Contemporary art is ever-changing. It opens the world to unique perceptions and encourages innovation. So when you find something that inspires you, could you share it with others? Your great influence will set Philippine Contemporary Art apart from typical Filipino art forms that have already been redone a million times over by other artists looking to be famous overnight.

Remember: it's not about whether the art looks like a traditional painting, but how you use your own personal experiences to make an impression that is truly yours! Innovate and create. Be yourself and be creative. That is how Philippine Contemporary Art will really stand out in the world!

Are our work messages as private as we think?

 

We all need to vent about tasks or colleagues sometimes. But if we gripe on work devices, can our bosses read our messages? I asked myself this question many years ago when I was still working in Germany. Now, as a retiree, I might be my own boss but I am still communicating with people around the world. Those employees all still have a supervisor, chef or boss.

Ask yourself: have you ever had a bad day at work, complained to colleagues about it over an internal messaging app and then worried that your boss might be able to read all of your complaints? Turns out, you have every right to be concerned; communications on a work device are rarely as private as they may seem. British writer Mark Johanson helped me and you, my dear readers,  a lot with some interesting answers and links.

In July, Netflix fired three marketing executives for messages criticizing colleagues on what they thought was a private Slack channel. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained in a LinkedIn post that it was not a simple case of employees venting on Slack, but rather “critical personal comments made over several months about their peers”, including during meetings when those peers were presenting. “It's also worth noting that we don't proactively monitor Slack or email,” he continued. “The Slack channel was open, so anyone could access the conversations even though the employees concerned thought it was private.”  Wow, here we are!

I strongly agree with Mark Johanson in saying that workers are often seduced by the illusion of privacy when it comes to workplace communications, mistakenly believing that they can privately chat, send emails or even video conference on a company computer without their employer viewing that information afterwards. Yet, what appears private in the moment can often become public with the click of a button. The reality is that technology exists for employers to track virtually all workplace communications by all employees at all times, even if companies are rarely transparent about the level to which they do this.

So, where should companies draw the line – and what should workers bear in mind before they send that unguarded message?
 

“Employees should assume that whenever they’re using work owned and issued equipment, anything that they may do – including written communications or websites they may visit – is subject to review,” says Boston-based Heather Egan Sussman, head of law firm Orrick’s global Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation Group. Very well said and very true!

Of course, there are legitimate reasons why companies monitor internal communications. Sussman says that companies in sectors including financial services are heavily regulated and need to proactively monitor communications as part of their compliance programmes. Anyone who deals with sensitive materials (such as health records or government contracts) may also be proactively monitored, to protect the company’s business, reputation and resources.

Companies outside these sectors often take a more reactive approach, says Sussman, capturing communications through a records-retention programme (which archives data for a set period of time) and then looking back on that information only when it’s necessary to address an issue. This includes not only messages and emails, but often video calls on Skype, Zoom or Teams, too, which can be recorded and logged.

Brian Kropp, chief of research for global research and advisory firm Gartner’s HR practice, based in the Washington DC area, says the only time companies really go back and look through these communications is when there is reason to believe there’s been some sort of performance management problem, data theft, harassment or other complaint that warrants an internal investigation. General griping that doesn’t target an individual is rarely cause for concern. Similarly, everyday managers don’t typically have the ability to freely conduct keyword searches for things like their names.

I learned that when companies do suspect unprofessional behavior has taken place, there are minimal restrictions to prevent them scrutinizing employees' workplace communications. Even though US and European laws do protect communications on things like collective bargaining, Kropp says that, “anywhere in the world, there’s no legal requirement that says employers have to inform you about the data they are collecting about you”.

My advice: Keep that in mind - in a professional environment, it may be best to assume that you’re being monitored and behave accordingly. The best way to share frustrations is "face-to-face" or with private units not linked to your work. Since we are all social media fans, try to avoid communicating also here on a work-owned device. It  can open you up to monitoring.

How did Philippine modernity and popular culture also develop, and why do we keep on doing all these practices until this time?

 

By: Bisaya

Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

The origin of Philippine modernity results from several processes that occurred within the country and outside it. In this way, it is also an outcome of the process of globalization.

Historical accounts have shown that after the Spanish introduced new ideas and innovations to our shores, Filipinos could absorb them into their culture and make these fit into their way of life. It is also worth noting that American occupation and the second world war have shaped our country's present national culture even as they established a colonial system different from Spanish colonialism until its end in 1946.

The Americans' influence proved significant, especially in terms of infrastructure development, particularly transportation and communication networks, which were needed to administer the archipelago during their era of control effectively. In addition, some modernization efforts were carried out starting in 1922 when the National Government was created after an agreement between American Governor-General Leonard Wood and revolutionary leader Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. This is manifested in the setting up of various facilities such as schools where students could learn new skills, including art education; hospitals with healthcare services accessible to more Filipinos; and public buildings such as courts of justice, which helped maintain law and order.

The American occupation institutionalized the introduction of new ideas and innovations through the educational system after it took over in 1901. Thus, for example, the Americans started a program for teaching the English language in schools, which eventually became the medium used to teach subjects like mathematics and foster nationalism among students.

In addition, modern media technologies were introduced, resulting in changes in Philippine culture, including those affecting popular taste. Media content is now influenced not by oral traditions passed on from generation to generation but by what is being shown on television screens or projected onto movie theatres' screens because these are available anywhere at any time. It is true that even before the Spaniards came, Filipinos already had a culture of their own. Still, contemporary Philippine culture is different from what it was in the past, just as Philippine society has changed.

Culture is dynamic, which accounts for why we are still doing practices that were once common decades ago. For instance, Filipinos have been attending wakes to pay respect to the deceased and socialize with others while consuming food prepared by relatives of the departed person. This practice remains relevant until today because many people still go to wakes mainly because they do not want to offend grieving families who may feel alone after losing a loved one. Another example is dancing, such as sexy dances, which some people have continued performing despite criticisms received from other people. This was very much influenced by the introduction of new forms of popular culture from foreign sources in the first place.

Interestingly, these examples perpetuate until this time because, in a way, the people have been conditioned to continue doing them.

Despite all the new things introduced to our society over time, many Filipinos still keep ancient practices alive for no other reason than to preserve these as part of their culture.

Isang' intensifies into tropical storm — PAGASA

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

Tropical cyclone “Isang” (international name “Omais”) has intensified into a tropical storm while over the Philippine Sea on Friday evening, Aug. 20, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.

PAGASA said that storm Isang has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Its location was estimated 835 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon as of 10 p.m.

PAGASA said the storm is still not expected to have a direct effect on the country until it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Isang may continue to intensify until Saturday evening, Aug. 21 when it is likely to reach its peak intensity.

“A weakening trend may commence by Sunday which may result in Isang being downgraded to tropical depression category by Monday evening (Aug. 23),” PAGASA said.

The State weather bureau pointed out that the easterlies or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean remain the dominant weather system that may bring partly cloudy to cloudy conditions across the country in the next 24 hours.

However, there is a high chance of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA warned the public against flash floods or landslides that may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often associated with short-lived heavy rain, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXVIII): Christmas and Teaching

Yes, Christmas was celebrated differently in the Philippines than in Germany. We had got used to it over the years. Our family adopted some of our German traditions too - as much as possible.

As in many other Christian countries, Christmas is the most special time of the year in Germany. Though the most important ingredients of Christmas across the world are the same – festive cheer, family time and delicious food – each country has its own special way of celebrating this magical festival. There are some  Christmas traditions and rituals that are quintessentially German.

St Nicholas Day is a favorite holiday with German children. On the night of December 5, children clean and polish their boots and leave them outside the door before going to sleep. Next morning, they find their shoes filled with nuts, candy, and small gifts from St Nicholas. He also makes an appearance in shopping malls and children’s clubs. Though Santa Claus has also become popular in Germany, St Nicholas is much more important than his American counterpart. 

The Advent calendar is an important countdown to Christmas for German children. Everyday for four weeks preceding Christmas, a window in the advent calendar is opened to reveal a poem, parts of a story, candy or a small gift. Advent calendars flood shops across Germany during this season, while many parents prefer to make their own.

The tradition of Advent wreaths was started by German Lutherans in the 16th century, and today the wreath is still an icon of Christmas in Germany. The wreath consists of four candles in a bed of pine cones, berries, dried flowers and Christmas ornaments. Different families have different traditions when it comes to Adventskranz. Some will bring it out during the first week of December and burn one candle every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas. Others will display the advent wreath on the last Sunday before Christmas and have the entire family sit around it, munching on Christmas delicacies, singing Christmas songs and watching Christmas movies.

Granted, the magic of Christmas markets has spread to many other countries and continents, but the origins of Christmas markets can be traced back to the German-speaking part of Europe in the Middle Ages. A few thousand Christmas markets are held all over Germany each year. The next time your heart warms at the sight of twinkling lights adorning the adorable Christmas market in your part of the world, remember that you have the Germans to thank for it. Of course, Christmas Markets with mugs of steaming hot Glühwein, and the Feuerzangenbowle, which is an immensely potent German Christmas beverage that is as much a feast for the taste buds as for the eyes. Rum with a high alcohol level is added generously to mulled wine, and the concoction is set in flames. Memories that faded over time in the Philippines. Freezing temperatures and lots of snow on the way to the Christmas Mass - only possible in Germany.

One day I got a call from the University of Southeastern Philippines, Institute of Languages and Cultural Arts. in Davao City. There had been a large number of inquiries regarding German Language Classes. "Well, I have never been a teacher before", I replied Dr. Patricia Elbanbuena, the then Director of the institute. "But you are a journalist, and I think your German is perfect to be a German language teacher", she tried to allay my fears.

I taught German at USEP for almost 12 years. 

(To be continued!)

How is the rest of the Philippines different from Manila or Metro Manila?

 

By: Joy Gutierrez

I understand that Manila is distinct in that it is an economic (and cultural) hub and population center, but how is it different from the average Philippines and Filipinos?

I grew up in Cebu City. So my impressions of Manila are that of a Filipino living outside of it. Metro Manila is huge. It is composed of 16 cities or municipalities in a 620 sq. km. land area. Cebu City is tiny by comparison. Life in Manila is very different from life in other provinces.

I find that life in Manila is very fast paced. Like any metropolitan city, everything is far away. Your daily commute eats up a lot of the time in your day. When we think of Manila, we would always have that in mind: everything is far away. Of course Manileños will probably disagree with me but you asked how the rest of the Philippines differs from Manila.

Life outside of Manila is more slow-paced where hanging out at the mall is actually a thing (usually it is to have coffee with friends among other things), the beach with crystal clear water is less than an hour’s drive, and freshly caught seafood is widely available daily.

The cost of living in Manila is also higher. Wages are higher too but if you factor in the cost of living, I doubt they would end up with more disposable income.

Air pollution is a bigger problem in Manila than it is comparatively, to the rest of the country.

It is easier to commune with nature when you live outside of Manila where beaches, rivers, waterfalls and lakes are in abundance. I also find that the further you are from the cities, the friendlier the people are.

EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF

 

And of course: every woman for herself. It's used for saying that everyone needs to look after themselves and not worry about anyone else. Everyone looks out for his or her best interest. Originally this phrase expressed approval. It appeared in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale (“Ech man for him-self, ther is non other”), implying that if one did not look out for oneself no one else would.

Yes, each person does what is best for himself or herself. Yes, times are getting tougher. I think you, my dear readers, know what I am talking about. No reason to list everything again. Sometimes, there is no team spirit in this office; it’s definitely every man for himself. Neighbors would tell each other: mind your own business. The tone between us humans is becoming more and more harsher.

Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Important helpline is Psalm 27:10 for them. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.” 

And solitary survivors like Robinson Crusoe, or the hero in the movie Castaway, fascinate. But the loner is someone who purposely holds himself aloof, like the Unabomber, Mathematician Ted Kaczynski. People doggedly moving ever farther away from one another constitute hell in C.S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce.

Fact is  -  Proverbs 18:1 says:  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment. 

Living in community and helping one another is foundational for all who wish to follow Christ. We know from Acts 2 that the early church took this seriously, seeing many examples of believers helping one another, including materially, so that there would be no one in need within their group.

Much has been written about the benefits of strong relationships. I wrote about it at this corner several years ago. People are healthier, live longer, and are generally happier if they have strong friendships beneficial for helping and encouraging each other. And let me repeat it - especially during these tough times ... .

Jim Mathis , a writer, photographer and small business owner in Overland Park, Kansas, got it to the point last year, when the pandemic started: "Personally, one big change that took place when I decided to follow Christ was shifting from a self-centered existence to community-centered living. My life changed dramatically for the better when I stopped looking out only for myself and started finding ways to help others with a sense of community. Life went from an individual sport like a race to a team sport, working toward our mutual benefit".

The other pandemic

 

Editorial Manila Bulletin

Early this month, the Department of Health reported that the National Center for Mental Health had been receiving more calls from adolescents. The report, however, included that such distress calls had been on the rise from all age brackets since the beginning of the pandemic.

It’s the same all over the world. In the US, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based on data released in June 2021, “63 percent of young people reported experiencing substantial symptoms of anxiety and depression.” In Europe, a Cambridge University-published study has shown that these symptoms are more observable among the older populations, although it is disheartening that, increasingly, young adults, even students, are also falling prey to loneliness, which can lead, as the research has pointed out, to “a six- to 10-fold increase in risk for worsened depressed mood, anxiety symptoms, and sleep problems.”

It’s all par for the course during a pandemic when physical distancing, social isolation, mobility restrictions, and constant media exposure to COVID-19 are normal and even necessary. Along with the elderly and those who live alone, older teens and young adults are the hardest hit because, just as they are beginning to build a world outside of their families, that world and its many possibilities are indefinitely on hold.

There’s a call for governments in many countries to intervene with social care policies to mitigate the long-term consequences of increased loneliness, such as worsened mental health problems. A Harvard Graduate School of Education-led research recommends a robust social infrastructure, including national, local, and community campaigns to increase awareness of the importance of social ties. Even here in the Philippines, there are more government, non-government, and private organizations addressing mental health than ever before.

Alas, there is not enough help in this world for lonely people. While it is not considered a specific mental health condition, loneliness does, especially when prolonged, affect general health—physical, mental, and emotional.

On your own, there are many ways to address loneliness, such as keeping active or engaging in meaningful causes.

But sometimes it’s all in the disposition.

Train yourself to find joy in as many ordinary things as possible, to see the silver lining in every dark cloud, to see the friend in everyone, even in yourself.

Learn to accept that many things in life are 100 percent beyond your control. Just as it is in you as a human to succumb to the worst of circumstances, as happens to the best of us, it is also in you as a human to soar above them.

If you hate this and you hate that, if the only things that make you happy are things you can’t do every day, like weekends or vacations or the company of friends, it’s only logical you will be miserable most of the time. Protect yourself from yourself by keeping fear, helplessness, hopelessness, resentment, envy, anger on a leash and replace them with a sense of hope, a sense of wonder, and positivity.

Allow everyday things to make you feel alive and you may be happy, sometimes worried and saddled with troubles—that’s life — but still capable of being at peace and full of hope.

If all else fails, call a mental health professional.