True North, Strong and Free

The likes of Impong Tasyo will always be a booming voice to reckon with anywhere, especially at a mall’s reconfigured square tables where seniors mill, with a small cup of coffee and a muffin to while away the hours.
Always abuzz like a wasp about to sting, Impong Tasyo seizes every intervening second of silence to get himself be heard and to make his views either be tabled or floored.
Impong Tasyo, this time, excitedly interrupted a candid conversation on bed habits – as if no one feels dispirited when awakened by a vibrant morning greeting of “Rise and Shine!” — to tell the group that a lot of eyes and ears were lately glued to the boob tube (U.S. slang that describes the “boob” or a stupid person and “tube” for television set or programming, as the sets had vacuum tubes in them back in the day – Wikipedia). By the way, the term “boob tube” could be the precursor of contemporary catchphrases “get off the couch” and “get a life”.
Ka Ponching struck back: Why are you so keen in the seeming confusion and commotion among American politicians and their legions and minions down south?
With a sigh, Impong Tasyo replied: I’m not. I’d rather watch firm, strong and determined men like us kick balls, like what they do at the 2018 FIFA World Cup games in Kazan, Russia. Didn’t you know that South Korea crushed Germany 2-0 and booted the defending champion out of the race?
Smiling, Ka Ponching butted in: Good! Now, can we go back to sex and the CT scan?
*****
Just a thought! Do we really have to care about American or un-American issues like cavorting with known Cold War and DMZ adversaries; a border wall, zero-tolerance immigration policy and travel ban; tariffs and a trade war; a new appointment to its Supreme Court before a mid-term election; donkeys and elephants and a growing culture of political rudeness and uncivility?
Mang Karding quipped: Unsure here. After all, the USA is our good, old next-door friend and neighbor.
The cryptic message written on the back of a $39 jacket might have said (and asked) it all.
However, Karding would always insist that cryptic messages should be where these belonged – in a crypt.
*****
Lolo Temyong asked: About this despicable growing culture of political rudeness and uncivility, will it not spark a mass movement that might lead to another civil war?
Impong Tasyo: Come on, Tems. You don’t really like soccer, do you?
Guffaws ensued when Lolo Temyong replied back: Tass, hush or I’ll begin kicking balls.
Mang Karding: Tems, don’t worry about Uncle Sam. He has had a taste of a civil war. He knows what to do.
Kuya Betong:: How can a war be civil?
*****
Seriously, should Tatay Digong apologize and repent for saying – in whatever name, term and context – that “God is stupid”?
OMG! I suddenly remembered a Catholic grade school song titled “Onward, Christian Soldiers!”
Then another song I loved crossed my mind. It’s titled “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.”
*****
Done with coffee and muffin, we politely stood up, shook hands, and left the conversation.
Still yearning, Ka Ponching walked away disappointed, as Ka Temyong rattled a postscript: Do you know who the NBA declared as Coach of the Year?
Like a lot of FB messengers, we left the conversation. And that’s a period!
*****
Hello, July! Hello, summer! Hello, fellow citizens of the True North, Strong and Free. Let’s celebrate!
July 1 is Canada Day, isn’t it? For a moment – just for a moment – let us all look back to why we regard Canada a great country, a home we have vowed to stand on guard for and defend.
Following are quotes from members of the Filipino-Canadian community I have had the honor to ask and interview when I was still with the working community media in Toronto back in the day.
So varied were the responses I got, 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 and equality as its greatest virtue.”
“There is total regard for human equality in Canada. Everyone enjoys 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. Its leaders endeavor to correct historical injustices. Taxation may be silently scorned at, but this pays for many of the free educational, health, labor protection, infrastructure and many other services people enjoy and benefit from. We can speak freely but responsibly. Canada is a tolerant society and it values the diversity of its people.”
“Multi-cultural Canada, by giving me the chance to stay and live in this country, has broadened my insight about a global village where all are equal.”
“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 the 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. The opportunities are available 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 molded 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.”
“Canada has a huge support program that promotes the education of its people.”
“Canada is appreciated for its splendid health care system.”
“Canada has high regard for the welfare of its seniors.”
“I thank Canada for its stable political system that had steered the country to be 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 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 had a great career and have had deep friendships with many different people from all walks of life. Thanks to Canada, my dreams have come true.”
“Being Canadian means being the most polite, unassuming, and peace-loving person in the world. But most of all, we have been known to use the words “thank you, please, excuse me, and I’m sorry” in our daily conversations without guilt or shame.”
Maraming salamat, Canada, the True North, Strong and Free.
Happy Canada Day for always. #####