Arrogance is like a dope that destroys
the very fabric of one’s being.
“My land is as wide as the eyes could see,” Pedring said.
Unperturbed, Titong gamely quipped “(W)e have the biggest mansion in town. We could invite townspeople and all could fit in without a doubt.”
“I ran for Governor but I lost with 100 votes,” Edong added, tongue-in-cheek.
These exchanges among old and middle-aged men are classic and you could hear them at coffee shops. Try sitting for a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons, Country Style and Starbucks and one will drown with an array of colourful and mystical claims from compatriots who have no qualms of arrogating unto themselves the privilege of heralding their personae, existent or non-existent. Absent any demand, they wanted respect and recognition. That is not the question, however. The issue is when men in their twilight years, or even those approaching the proverbial sunset, become shenanigans and begin to paint the canvass more than Van Gogh. Without them knowing, their art surpasses those of real artists. And without the armour of a gladiator, they devour their audience like beasts of the field in search of their prey. Theirs was a theatre of make-believe.
“I used to be the manager of Hilton,” Poncho, grey-haired and beer-bellied, insisted. His peers were struck with quintessential disbelief.
“I was a major in the Philippine Constabulary,” Pete, mustachioed and gout-stricken, injected.
There is really nothing wrong with flaunting one’s personal feat or success. That is the pride of every man who honestly worked his way up. The problem is that kind of attitude betrays the basic concept of humility which characterizes a civilized society. Arrogance is like a dope that destroys the very fabric of one’s being. Too much of it kills. Less of it enlivens.
“We have a fleet of cars. Mercedes, BMWs, Subaru, you name it,” Betong exclaimed.
Unwilling to be outdone, Lito waited for his break and nonchalantly said “I have a house in Baguio. I have a condominium in Pasig.”
At the first blush of hearing such dazzling statements, one could surmise that the speakers have a lot in their breast to thump with than what people perceive about them. They have to add to the glitter that their gold bracelets and necklaces fail to get attention, let alone their flashy cars. And it doesn’t matter whether they were acquired from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia or in the narrow streets of Ongpin.
Generals, congressmen, ambassadors, governors and mayors are a favourite subject of discussion any less than Pidol. Identification or relationship with these people (as Filipinos are wont to do) mystifies listeners who were encapsulated with the enigma of seemingly untold stories never before unraveled before them. It doesn’t matter whether the people they mention are corrupt or hooligans, what matters is the position of those they flaunt as it would vicariously entitle them the esteem that goes with it. They love to be within the cordon sanitaire of kings and queens and the high society they represent.
Why, even a local mayor in a small town in Tawi-tawi would be given a red carpet when he visits Toronto. An ambassador is treated like Julius Caesar.
Sometimes, men are like Don Quixotes in search of the windmills.
There is nothing wrong with acting like a Don Quixote as people do once in a while, but to repeatedly do it without hesitation is anathema to human decency which is slowly vanishing from the totem pole of values by men who live in the shadow of the past and running from the grim and bitter reality of the present.
No one really cares about one’s palatial homes, expansive lands and titles. To a reasonable man, he prefers to entomb them within the catacomb of his unassuming mind.
But with a battered ego as they face the cobwebs of everyday life, people crave for honest and inspiring stories that could soothe their present circumstances and mitigate their miseries.
Live within one’s compass and act within the square.
Briefly Speaking
Who has custody of the dog when spouses divorce? While the issue of custody usually applies to children, domestic animals or pets are a bone of contention in divorce proceedings. They may be subject of custody.
A caregiver who files her application for permanent residence outside the duration of her work permit could still apply for permanent residence through humanitarian and compassionate grounds. That is if she fails to restore her status within 90 days of the expiration of the work permit.
A domestic assault conviction could disqualify a permanent resident for citizenship. Unless it is a first offence and evidence is strong, think again before making a plea of guilty.