Smile Naman Diyan

By | May 17, 2019


       Inahen: Tandang, salamat sa korona. Reyna ang peg ko nitong Mother’s Day.

       Tandang: Sino’ng gumupit ng palong ko???!!!!

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       ‘Ika nga, huli man din daw at magaling, late pa rin. It does not change any circumstance, but although this comes really late, allow me to greet the Mothers in the universe a “Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day.”

       The same cordial greeting goes to all fathers and non-genetic martyrs who took the role of motherhood so that a child may flourish and be given the full potential to be a loving and productive citizen of the Earth.

       But come to think of it. Motherhood is a 24/7 unrequited state of patience, strength and resilience. Add in the hard work, the unending trail of tears, the litany of self-sacrifice, the infinite optimism and all the Godly virtues that only a superhuman — rearing children from age one to 92 — could do.

       Amazingly, motherhood works 365 days a year; and promises, like a nuptial vow, “until death do us part.”

       So technically, every day is Mother’s “Superhuman” Day. (Yehey! Technically, my greeting is not late!)

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       Ang sabi ‘da: The only time a mother genuinely smiled when her child cried was when that child was born.

       I love this quote like no other. It says a lot about being a mother.

       How about making your mother smile again?

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       Quoting Rudyard Kipling: God could not be everywhere, and therefore he created mothers.

       No wonder, I would like to believe that I hear Mom’s voice anywhere I am.

       Me, grounded again?        

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       Someone once said: Life is like basketball … you miss the shots you never take.

       Not that the result of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals first game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors on May 15 matters, but the euphoria of the semifinal Game 7 between the Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers (92-90) on Mother’s Day (May 12) still lingers in memory banks of fans.

       The score was tied at 90, four seconds to go. Kawhi “The Claw” Leonard received the inbound pass, turned the corner, flew and let go of the rock. He dared the chance against a taller defender. Drama added to suspense, the ball bounced four times on the rim, as the loud horn blared. Finally, the rock gravitated through the net.

       But, wait! Remember that time when Kawhi fumbled and sent the ball out of bounds in a crucial play seconds to go … and the other team won? Remember those times when he could not get his jumpers in? Yes, these were lame moments, but he did not let these misfires lame and lessen him.

       His persistence and desire to be what he wanted to be was noted when he sank a similar playoff shot against the Orlando Magic. And on a great Toronto Sunday, he nailed it again, a feat worthy to be dubbed “The Shot”!

       Kawhi would have missed that historical first buzzer-beater in an NBA playoff Game 7, if he did not take the shot.

       Excited and smiling Raptors fans have this to say to encourage their team: PUSH THE ROCK PAST THE BUCK.

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       It’s not all about The Claw and balls, but he indeed embodied the soul and spirit of the boys and girls and men and women who were brave and gallant enough – in their own unique way — to dream big, to take and risk the shot, to miss a few times, to return to the arena and get back to the task at hand, to step up to the plate, to raise their being to a new higher level, and be the winner.

       One thing is clear. While they claimed victory for themselves, they also transcended their limits to lift up others – their loved ones, their friends, their teammates, their community, and even those who opposed them and from whom valuable lessons were learned.

       Truly, they are the ones who have given mankind the better chance to make the world a better place to live in. And I am sure that you, like Kawhi, are one of them.

       Ngiting matamis naman diyan.

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       “Hey! Why the pout?” asked Mang Karding.

       After a swift sip of fastfood coffee, Impong Tasyo sighed and said: “It’s over, it’s done. Tapos na ang halalan sa Inang Bayan. The people’s ballots have spoken. Yun lang, wala man lang isa sa mga ibinoto kong senador ang nanalo. Katulad ko, marami ang frustrated, kalat na parang cancer.”

       Mang Karding: “Huwag naman. Delikado ang prostate cancer.”

       “Hay naku, Mang Karding. Hindi uubra ang antiseptic sa septic ulcer mo!”

       Ka Betong: “Smile ka na lang, katoto. Ang sumimangot, may nakabarang kulangot.”

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       Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ng sambayanan kundi tanggapin, labag man sa loob, ang resulta ng pambansang hangalan … este, halalan. All that can be done now is to willfully (or grudgingly) and overtly (or covertly) congratulate the winning candidates.

       Come on. Let us allow fate and history to judge the elected ones.

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       Tsismis trulili: Totoo ba na ang mga talunan sa mga elections ng community organizations dito ay nagtatayo ng panibagong grupo? Sulit nga ba sa community ang kasabihang “the more, the merrier”?

       Is it also trulili na ang dahilan ng mga intense power play sa mga community organizations ay walang kinalaman sa hockey. Kung ganoon, refresh us … ano ang reason/s behind?

       O, ngayon, maglaro tayo ng basketball. Pero … bawal ang buwaya!

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      Really, Filipinos are that emotional?

       Oh, yes! A recently released Gallup 2019 Global Emotions Report showed that compatriots in the Philippines ranked as one of the most emotional in the world.

       The report, based on a survey of 151,000 people in more than 140 nations, said six in ten Filipinos admitted to having felt either positive or negative emotions on the day before the poll was conducted.

       Among the questions were, “Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?” and “Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?”

       However, Filipinos jointly shared top spot with the people of Niger, Liberia and Ecuador. After them in the rankings were the populations of Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Peru; and ranked as third most emotional were the societies of Nicaragua, Honduras, Sri Lanka and Guatemala.

       The Gallup Report said its findings could be used by global leaders to review insights into the emotional health of people in their societies e.g. even as the U.S. economy was growing, more Americans were stressed, angry and worried.

       Seriously, Filipinos are that emotional? Smile naman diyan!

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       Here’s another reason to further flash that bigger, wider smile: Filipinos ranked third happiest people in the world, Gallup International’s 41st annual Happiness, Hope, Economic Optimism poll showed.

       Despite having experienced more than its share of disaster, poverty and conflict, Filipinos have continued to greet each day and moment with glee. Now, isn’t that gratifying?

       The world’s happiest people are in Fiji, followed by Colombians.

       Ooops, atin-atin na lang ito, ha: The same Gallup poll reported that Filipinos are the second most stressed people in the world, behind the Greeks.

       Pero hindi naman tayo nag-iisa. The study also found that people worldwide are getting angrier, sadder and more worried.

       Ayayay! Balik blackboard and write 100 times – Now is the time for all good men to SMILE.

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       Sampaguita says: “Panahon na para magsaya, forget mo na ang problema. Pa-dance dance, para sumigla, rock ‘n’ roll hanggang umaga. Wa ko type ang magpa-cry cry, type ko ay todo bigay. Kaya join na lang kayo
let’s all have a good time.” #####