Waking up to a new day is a second chance to choose the best path, do what is good and be what is right.
Hello, July! Hello, summer! Hello, people of the True North. Let’s have a toast!
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Lately, sports fever drew fans to bars, patios and bubbly wells. The outdoor summer thirst is quenched.
Good! As the cheering decibels rise, small businesses hurt by pandemic lockdowns and restrictions are, painstakingly but surely, stepping up to the plate.
First, there is the puck-whacking and stick-wielding playoffs in Canada’s most-loved wintry sport – hockey. By the time this column and Balita fill racks, it would have missed the first two Stanley Cup Finals matches (June 28 and 30) between the Montreal Canadiens and defending champion Tampa Bay Lighting. The editorial deadline was June 27. Of course, you may have watched the games in a watering hole or in front of the boob tube.
(Boob tube, says Wikipedia, is an American slang that describes the “boob” as a stupid person and “tube” for television set or programming, as the sets had vacuum tubes in them back in the day. Boob tube must have spawned the catchphrases “off the couch” and “get a life.”)
It’s a long playoff date. Look ahead, grab the beer and chew cashew.
Second, never-ending kicking and running are expected to raise fan adrenaline during the 2020 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Championships. Add to that the echoing “Ole, ole, ole, ole” chant at the Copa America. While rooting for your soccer teams, fill the mugs of beer and trays of food. Care to wine and whine, dine and pine, anyone?
Third, the Toronto Blue Jays are out there, batting to catch a wild card berth in Major League Baseball. C’mon, if you’ve got a sermon on the mound or a sales pitch, go for a slide in a bar or a patio or maybe hit a homer.
Fourth, of course, is the hardcourt hoopla in the National Basketball Association playoffs – between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers in the west and the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks in the east.
However, I’m wishing I could slam dunk the pizza slice and the bubbly malt down my throat while watching a Raptors game; or stuff a conversation with Raptor trivia. There is no falling star, I know. It’s noon. Uugghhh!
Fifth, is the TV on for a night of American football? Be sure you have the accuracy of a quarterback when you pass the remote. Remember, the wife loathes football but loves the mall.
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Fine players of Team Canada will soon compete and endeavour to bite the medal and raise their country and fellow citizens above the social, medical, economic and political woes haunting and hounding everyone everywhere.
In a few more summer weeks, from July 23 to August 8, 2021, Canada’s Maple Leaf will fly and wave beside the flags of 204 other countries expected to send 11,091 athletes and officials representing 339 events in 33 sports (50 disciplines) at the XXXII Olympiad (2020 Summer Olympics) in Tokyo, Japan.
Proudly bearing and wearing the colors and symbols that glorify the virtues of the True North, Team Canada will absolutely show what being humble in defeat and what being magnanimous in victory mean.
That they have opted wisely — without excuses, exceptions and entitlements — to join the world’s community of true sportspersons must be lauded.
An Olympian is an Olympian is an Olympian. Be the Olympian who strives for nothing less and will always be more regardless of what.
Mabuhay! Team Canada. Keep the Torch of the Five Rings aflame and aglow.
*****
July 1 is Canada Day, isn’t it?
For a moment, let us look back and ask ourselves: Why do we highly regard Canada as a great country, the home we have sworn to stand on guard for?
Below are replies from members of the Filipino-Canadian community I interviewed when I worked as reporter-editor for various active local broadcast and print media in Toronto back in the day.
Responses were as varied as their ages (from 18 to 69) and Filipino roots (from Aparri to Zamboanga); but they were one in thanking Canada and in proudly professing themselves as Canadians.
“Proudly Canadian, I will always appreciate Canada for opening its doors to people from other lands.”
“Canada looks at diversity as its greatest asset.”
“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures the same privileges and rights.”
“I am proud to be Canadian. Canada may be an imperfect democracy, but its citizens try daily to make it better. Leaders endeavour to correct historical injustices.”
“Taxation may be silently frowned at, but this pays for many of the visible benefits — educational, health, labour protection – and the infrastructure and many other socio-economic services people enjoy.”
“We can speak our minds freely but responsibly. Canada is a tolerant society and it values the diversity of its people.”
“Multicultural Canada, by giving me the chance to live in this country, has broadened my insight about a global village where equity is respected.”
“Canada allowed me to keep my Filipino heritage and be proud of it. As a Canadian, I was exposed to a wealth of positive opportunities and experiences that fulfilled mine and my family’s dreams. The quality of life we have is unmatched and I look forward to a brighter future!”
“Canada’s quite complex cultural milieu helped me understand why the country and its people try even harder to imbibe the need for all – regardless of race, creed, color – to work for harmony and peace.”
“Canada has afforded me the opportunities and lifestyle most people could only dream of. It is a place where I have the freedom and luxury to be myself, in every sense of the word. Canada helps me celebrate my ethnicity.”
“Despite the taxes and the snow, I have grown as a person. Canada gave me all the chances to overcome my struggles in life. Although resentful at first, I had to shift careers to later find out my new line of work was more fulfilling.”
“Most, if not all, immigrants went through a transition. The courageous ones who took on the challenges of living in Canada have proven that they, too, can get over hurdles and succeed.”
“Canada’s equal opportunity policy was the gateway for me to do what I loved to do.”
“Canada is like heaven to me. It is a family-oriented country. Its people are honest and straightforward, but respectful and compassionate. Opportunities are accessible and limitless. Innovations and new ideas are within reach and affordable.”
“Education in Canada opens a lot of ground for the young ones; thus, their aspiration of who they want to be is not impossible to achieve.”
“I have been here for 13 years. My children are educated and cultured here. We owe our successes and maturity to Canada, which moulded our destiny.”
“Canada’s efficient educational system has given all my children a good perspective. They are living their own lives, blessed with honest means of living.”
“I am thankful that Canada has a huge support program for the education of its people. It helped me.”
“Canada is appreciated for its splendid health care system.”
“Canada’s high regard for the welfare of its seniors is amazing.”
“I thank Canada for its stable political system, one of the best in the world.”
“Canada is very much respected globally. It is a peace-loving nation, the home of peacekeepers.”
“I’m a proud Canadian enjoying freedom, stability and peace that no other country can possibly give me.”
“Canada has a world vision of peace and fellow Canadians strive to share and make Canada their field of dreams, their life and their home.”
The following are the top two responses
“Canada taught me about life … that there are no guarantees in life. It taught me how to cook, how to clean, how to file my own income tax. I have a great career path. I have deep and strong friendships that smashed every wall of the erstwhile cultural divide. Thanks to Canada, my dreams have come true.”
“Being Canadian means being the most polite and unassuming person in the world. We are known to say ‘Thank you’, ‘Please’, ‘Excuse me’, and ‘I’m sorry’ with utmost respect in conversations.”
Maraming salamat, Canada, the true North, strong and free … We stand on guard for thee.
For remembering and celebrating how far we have gone, may this greeting of a Blessed Canada Day be a portent of the best that is yet to come.
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Good, Impong Tasyo likes all of the above. He even copied some of them on strips of white paper.
Did I not tell you that Impong Tasyo also bought a trash bin?
Can’t we just talk about M&M vaccines (Mix and Match, as proffered) and Herd Immunity? #####