YOUNG VOICE
Birthday Presence
Colorful triangular flaglets being hung on telephone cables proudly bear a company's logo. Ferris wheels, roller coasters and merry-go-rounds keep the nearby plaza crowded with people. Drumbeats and xylophone chimes join the tossing and turning of majorette batons, contributing to the jovial music that fills the streets with cheer. Mouthwatering foods as well as guests abound in almost all houses. These describe a typical Filipino fiesta, one custom that's unique to the Philippines. It's a festivity where everyone gets to make use of aluminum wraps for take home, have a VIP pass to almost every house in the community, and crown the most attractive lady as queen. Just a week ago, I hosted a barangay fiesta's coronation night. There were gowns bathed in glittering designs and for a few hours, the barangay was transformed into a royal court with five princesses and a queen. But as I had the bird's eye view on stage, I saw more than tiaras and scepters.
There were limited chairs and they were reserved for distinguished guests who sport garlands. The rest stayed at the back, standing all throughout the program.
Wait, isn't this a barangay fiesta? Isn't this celebration intended for the residents, too?
The fiesta commemorates the history and culture of the place. It's like a birthday celebration for the celebrator to blow one's candles on the cake.
At that fiesta, I saw the celebrators left standing at the back, unnoticed while the guests took center stage and enjoyed the limelight.
There was disappointment in the eyes of the audience after realizing that the guest they were waiting for failed to come. Streamers with large striking fonts of the guest's name filled every corner of the barangay, showing the anticipation that everyone felt. I salute that guest for doing such an amazing job of crushing these poor people's hearts. Add to that, I applaud to that guest for making my job as host for that night more difficult, because that person was supposed to be in almost all parts of the program. Say goodbye to scripted and prepared hosting, and say hello to impromptu and panic blabber.
A people's hope is like a balloon. As it grows in strength it fills up and expands beautifully but when you pop it obliviously it explodes in the most repulsive way. It results to nagging, clamor, rallies, uprisings, revolts and sometimes petitions for impeachment.
I couldn't put all of the blame to our culture. We are, as you would expect, impeccably hospitable and self-sacrificing. But, let us not forget the most basic principle of living --- give when you have something to give. Let us provide ourselves with decent chairs first before letting other people sit on an expensive couch. It may appear to be a saint-like quality that we Filipinos practice, but sad to say, in the end, that generosity we give is often times abused and taken advantage of. We give and give and leave nothing to ourselves, but those who took from us don't usually do the same thing. This, I believe is not selfishness, it's just a simple thing I call justice. Those whom we look up to, whom we wish could lead us, the guests we treasure --- may they realize that sometimes simple acts like attending a barangay coronation night and staying for a while would save an average man's hopes of being a few meters away from a human being he admires. Mr. Honorable, please believe a seventeen year old when she says, spare a little time from your busy and hectic schedule to smile and wave at some hundreds of excited people who also spared a little time from their busy and hectic schedule just to see you.
These coming months will bear witness to many fiestas and festivals. I hope the next time I host a coronation night, there will be more seats enough for everyone to sit. I hope the streamers and welcoming marching bands will not be wasted in regrets and disappointments.
I see no logic of giving the best if we haven't receive the best in the first place. The birthday celebrator deserve more than your presents. They need your presence.
(For comments and reactions please send an SMS to 09186363090 or an email to reylangarcia@gmail.com. View my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)