We must have a very bad reputation in other countries. A news item I came upon yesterday said that Hongkong is not accepting vaccination cards of Filipinos going there. Can our government not file a formal protest on that? Let them show proof of fake vaccinations cards to back up their prohibitions. I’m afraid though, that they may really have proven cases of such fake cards. I am proud of Pinoy ingenuity, but also feel ashamed when proof comes out that, indeed, some of our people are experts at hoodwinking others, even governments of other countries!
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That should create a big problem for those who have well-paying jobs in Hongkong, to say nothing about the domestic helpers whom they are hiring by the hundreds. But don’t they have ways of checking if the vaccination cards are genuine or not? I sympathize with those Pinoys who had good-paying jobs in Hongkong, and whose employers also want them back. But if they are, indeed, guilty of presenting bogus vaccination cards, then they deserve to be refused entry, or even jailed if they happen to go through!
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But what a killjoy this COVID truly is. I saw a report stating that the United States has 10 million job openings right now, and that would have created a bonanza for our jobseekers. I know that Pinoys are appreciated as employees, because most of them are well educated, with a big percentage at least high school graduates, and about as many also college graduates. If there is one thing Filipinos can be proud of, and happy about, it is the accessibility of college education in our country. And if they are lucky enough to acquire visas, they would be shoo-ins for any kind of job, if they are not picky.
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I seems, however, that things are not as bad as we imagine in our own country. I can’t comment fully on this development in the stock exchange which is reported to be doing very well, because I must admit that I know next to nothing about stock transactions. But businessmen are sure to be elated by such developments, and let us join them in their excitement because that will surely affect us, too. And let us be grateful for reports like that during these days when all we hear – and fear – are the surges and the victims of the COVID!
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But it is also distressing to hear that the COVID has been claiming victims among our police forces, who, I believe, have been exposed to it in the course of their duties. I hope our government will provide them with proper care, i.e. hospitalization and support for their families while they are incapable of reporting for duty. Meanwhile, rejoice ye girls, because another of our sex has been elevated to the position of governor of New York. Ironically, this happened because the incumbent governor, Andrew Cuomo, is being charged for alleged sexual harassment of a female who was under-age at the time! So history caught up with him, and the girl, now an adult may have reason to expect a lot of support, not only from her fellow females, but also from the government, via the courts.
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But is it true that a discovery has been made by the Commission on Audit of the mismanagement of COVID funds? Now that is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance because how many people could have been cured, and how many more may have been saved if the funds had been applied faithfully to deserving cases, and not for the use of clever officials among those in charge of such funds. Those who are guilty of such crimes do not deserve just imprisonment, they should be quarantined in a place together with those who have tested positive!
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Maybe the COVID has not been bothering both Afghanistan and the Taliban? They seem to have time to engage each other in warfare, and the latest news I heard was that the Taliban has already seized six Afghan cities. Indeed, no mention has been made about any pandemic victims in those places, so they can have all the time to plot and scheme on how to overcome each other. I wish people would concentrate on such entertaining activities as sports where our representatives in the Olympics have been showing the world what Pinoys are capable of.
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But why do I think of antagonistic people who, despite a raging pandemic, still have time to fight each other? Me, I cannot stop counting my blessings for having so much love and support from my two brothers, Pros and Bing, and their families, my cousins, nephews and nieces and thoughtful friends like Freddie and Marianne Sia, who certainly make life worth living. I can only thank them through my constant prayers for their protection and that of their families wherever they are.*
